Overview

5.5 hrs | Daily!

Duration: 5.5 hours
Cancellation Summary: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of your tour.
Meeting Point: Meet at the bottom of the large stairs on Constitution Ave: Https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRbySdKn36CSMLyYA
Max Age: 99
Group Size: Maximum 8 people
Accessibility: Wheelchair friendly
Pricing:
Description: Explore the words that built the nation and the faces that shaped its history on this 5.5-hour private tour of two of Washington, D.C.’s most fascinating museums. From the founding documents of the United States to the portraits of its most influential figures, this tour offers a unique perspective on America’s past and present.

At the National Archives Museum, stand before the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, the texts that laid the foundation of American democracy. Examine a rare 1297 copy of the Magna Carta, see Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and read personal letters from George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. These original documents offer firsthand insight into the defining moments of U.S. history, from revolution to civil rights.

Then, step into the National Portrait Gallery, where history hangs on the walls. Stand before George Washington’s Lansdowne Portrait, the image that inspired the dollar bill, and explore powerful depictions of Civil War generals, suffragettes, and modern presidents. See Shepard Fairey’s "Hope" portrait of Barack Obama, an icon of contemporary political history, and explore how portraiture has captured the evolution of American leadership and identity.

By the end of this tour, you’ll have explored the defining ideas, people, and struggles that shaped the nation, leaving with a deeper understanding of America’s past and those who continue to shape its future.
What is Included: • PRIVATE COMBINATION MUSEUM TOUR (with Reserved Entry Tickets Included)

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 5.5 HOURS (including break)

• SKIP-THE-LINE ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
What is not Included: • Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)

• Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)

• Temporary exhibitions NOT included

• Lunch is NOT included
Itinerary: A 2 hour tour of the National Archives followed by a lunch break and a 2.5 tour of the American History Museum.
Start: Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408
End: 8th St NW & G St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Highlights: Highlights generally Include:

• The Founding Documents
  Stand before the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, the texts that shaped the nation’s government and guaranteed its core freedoms.

• The Magna Carta (1297)
  View one of the rare surviving copies of this medieval English charter, a document that laid the foundation for constitutional law and individual rights.

• The Lansdowne Portrait of George Washington
  This 1796 portrait by Gilbert Stuart not only shaped the public image of America’s first president but also inspired the engraving on the U.S. dollar bill.

• The "Hope" Portrait of Barack Obama
  Shepard Fairey’s instantly recognizable artwork became an emblem of the 2008 presidential campaign!
  Check in Details: • It is imperative that you provide us with guest's MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)

• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the tour's scheduled departure time.

• Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour for any URGENT matters please reply to their message.
Their contact details are also sent to your email by the morning of your tour.

Babylon Tours
Phone / Text 0019179990380
Web: www.babylontours.com
Mail: babylontoursinfo@gmail.com
What to Bring: • Please bring a photo ID or at least a copy/image of your passport.
• Recommended Attire: Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Special Requirements: Children under a 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Restrictions: • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
• No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin backpacks are allowed through security
Disclaimers: The tour will enter government facilities in active use, and as such proper behavior and decorum is required at all times.

The National Archives and the National Portrait Gallery may experience occasional closures without prior notice from museum management. In the event of an unannounced closure or delayed opening exceeding one hour past the scheduled tour time, we will offer guests an appropriate alternative. Refunds or discounts are not available in these cases.

Please note that appropriate attire is required for entry into certain sites on this tour.

Only handbags or small, slim backpacks are permitted inside the museum. Large bags or suitcases are not allowed.

Due to heightened security measures, lines may occasionally form even for tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access.

Certain museum rooms require visitors to remain quiet or limit speech. In these cases, your guide will provide necessary information before entering.

Museum collections are subject to change throughout the year.

Faqs: What time should I arrive for my tour?
-Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

How will I recognize my guide?
-Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Are tickets included in the price?
-Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

When will I receive my guide’s contact information?
-Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.

Are you Viator?
-No, Viator is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Can I reschedule my tour?
-Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform like Viator or GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

What do I do if I’m running late?
-Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

What do I do if I have a medical issue and can’t attend the tour?
-Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

What do I do if my transport is canceled and I can’t attend the tour?
-Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Can I get my tickets before the tour and meet the guide inside?
-No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Can I stay in the museum after the tour finishes?
-Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

I don’t see my tickets in the email. How can I download them?
-Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide’s name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.

Will my walking tour run if the weather is bad?
-Yes, our tours run rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. Tours will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather alert from local authorities.