Smithsonian Combo Tour: Explore History and Space
5.0
40 Ratings
Washington
Embark on a 5.5-hour semi-private guided tour of the Smithsonian's most popular museums in Washington DC. Explore history and space, from dinosaurs to diamonds, with expert guides and discover iconic artifacts like the Hope Diamond and Neil Armstrong's spacesuit.
Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - This is your chance to experience the two most popular museums in Washington DC with the help of our expert guides navigating the crowds! Start your day with the largest Natural History collection in the world. Stones, bones, and bugs clamor for your attention at the Smithsonian Natural History museum as the largest taxidermied elephant in the world trumpets your welcome (his name is Henry!). From the most famous single artifact in the Smithsonian collection - the (supposedly) cursed Hope Diamond - to the recently revealed renovated Fossil Hall with Mastodon, T-Rex, and Diplodocus looming over the path, your inner child will remind you of how fascinating the natural world’s mysteries are.
  • National Air and Space Museum - After a break to recharge, cross the famous National Mall to the Smithsonian Air & Space museum. Currently undergoing its own renovation, there is still plenty to see! Starting with a family in Ohio solving a problem not even Leonardo DaVinci could. We speak, of course, of the Wright Brothers who launched the world to literal new heights. The original Wright Flyer from 1903 gets its own exhibition gallery to set the stage for what comes after. From the first military flyer in 1909 (also a Wright Bros. creation) to the golden age of setting records and commercial aviation, imagine the guts it took to trust your life to this novel technology. Then head to the even more intimidating exploits in the space exhibits. Where you view some of the actual artifacts man set out to conquer the vast unknown in an inhospitable environment and then back to Earth’s warm embrace. But the highest heights are those of imagination that inspire us to the risk so much.
What's Included
  • Skip-the-line access at museum
  • 5.5-hour comprehensive tour
  • Expert tour guide provided
  • Semi-private group of maximum 8 guests
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Welcome to this semi-private, 5.5-hour guided tour combination designed for a group of up to 8 guests to explore two of Smithsonian’s widely visited museums in Washington DC with our knowledgeable guides. Get the unique opportunity to dive into the world of dinosaurs, diamonds, aircrafts, celestial bodies and spacesuits, with our tour guides bringing each exhibit to life through captivating stories.

Combining two amazing museums into one extraordinary experience.

Frequent highlights may encompass, without being limited to:
-Henry, the largest stuffed elephant
-The legendary Hope Diamond
-The National T-Rex (Wankel’s T-Rex)
-Meteorite collection
-The historical 1903 Wright Flyer
-The remarkable 1909 Wright Military Flyer
-The iconic Spirit of St. Louis
-Neil Armstrong’s noteworthy spacesuit

  • It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
  • Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
  • Notes: Natural History Museum, Air & Space Museum and other attractions or museums in DC may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with ‘Skip the Line’ or ‘No Wait’ access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.
Location
1010 Madison Dr NW
Madison Drive Northwest
Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Museum of Natural History, facing the lawn of the National Mall.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(40 Ratings)
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1 star
Gloria_h
Feb 18, 2024
Money well spent! - I’m sure that this tour is too highly priced for some, and I understand that. But I knew we had only one day to see these two museums, and I did not want to mis-appropriate my time and miss some high points. Rebecca was so great! She very much engaged the 12 year old. She started by asking her about what things she had heard about and what she wanted to see. She made sure to allow plenty of time for those things and really showed us so many big things that we might have missed. She knew LOTS of back stories and inside information that kept us listening. I really felt that she made it money well spent.
Review provided by Viator
Brendaderosha
Feb 11, 2024
Great guide! - Tim was great! He knew his material and was open to questions. He was very patient with us and we enjoyed spending the day with him. Would definitely recommend him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Terridi9949qc
Feb 5, 2024
Brenda was the best tour guide! - We had Brenda as our guide, she was knowledgeable, friendly and funny. We wouldn’t have gotten nearly as much out of the experience had we not been able to hear her insight, and we loved the pictures she showed us as additional references to her historical facts. 100+ recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N7trbn4qww
Nov 10, 2023
Excellent - The space museum. To see the outfit Neal Armstrong wore and the capsule that they came back in plus te explanation of how different arts broke of was great! Plus Mr Spock and is ears!
Review provided by Viator
Isabel_j
Oct 30, 2023
Amazing! - Very insightful tour, Rebecca was awesome! Made our trip and experience a lot better as we loved hearing the extra stories and history behind some of the exhibits!
Review provided by Viator
Jodibv4621rj
Aug 18, 2023
Highly recommend! - Richard was amazing. The best way to see both museums. Museums can be overwhelming on your own. Hit all of the highlights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristinakn1496vq
Aug 7, 2023
Great TOUR! - I rarely leave a review... unless the tour is awesome.. and Richard made this tour AWESOME. Kept my 9 year old nephews attention, had great stories, and was just a nice guy! 10/10 would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
George
Aug 3, 2023
Semi private tour. - Excellent guide, new all the facts and made it fun. The museum is being renovated so only about half is open but still plenty to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O2474mppamelaf
Jul 30, 2023
Great Experience - We took a small group tour with Rebecca. She did a great job of leading us through the museum and was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gloria
Mar 18, 2024
Worth the Cost! - The guide was wonderful. She made sure we got to see so many important things! It was worth the cost because we only had one day, and I was concerned about missing things. She was very much engaged with the 12 year old and made it all so interesting . At the Air and Space Museum, it was afternoon and crowded ( not her fault), and she still made sure we had a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
April 2024
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