Washington DC Tours
Skip-the-line National Archives Building Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max
5

Skip-the-line National Archives Building Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max

By Babylon Tours Washington D.C.
Recommended by 99% of travellers
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 90–120 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Semi-Private Museum Tour
  • Semi-Private" Means Group Size Is Never More Than 8 Guests Maximum
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Duration 1.5 - 2 Hours
What's not included
  • Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
  • Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
  • Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair


Start:
  • National Archives Museum, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA
    Meet your guide on the corner of 9th Street NW and Constitution Ave. 
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Pushchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 40048P29

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • 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: American History 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.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 40048P29

    From
    $163.93
    per adult (price varies by group size)
    Select date and travellers

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA
      Meet your guide on the corner of 9th Street NW and Constitution Ave. 
    • 1
      Step through the doors of this majestic neoclassical building, considered a temple to American history. Follow your guide, starting at the National Archives Rotunda to learn about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution while standing in front of the perfectly-preserved documents from the 17th and 18th centuries. Alongside the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers, they all feature the signatures of world-famous statesmen like Alexander Hamilton. Next, in the Public Vaults Exhibits, letters written by presidents including George Washington and John F. Kennedy are on display. The United States’ turbulent racial past comes alive while learning about the Emancipation Proclamation, which helped end slavery in the 19th century. More recent papers, like a citation issued to civil rights activist Rosa Parks, illustrates how long these racial issues lasted. Finally, in the Rubenstein Gallery, examine even older documents like the Magna Carta of 1297. Although it was written well before the Americas were even discovered by Europeans, it heavily influenced many of the other artifacts you’ll see in the National Archives.
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Babylon Tours Washington D.C.
      2,078
      United States
      Joined in September 2016
    • MrsFin
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour, shame about the weather
      Arlington is a must visit. It’s beautifully laid out and full of rich military and political history. Our tour guide, Maribeth, had excellent knowledge of both the layout and all that was represented there. Unfortunately for us all, the weather was truly awful and lashing down with rain. This is a tour that really needs to be dry otherwise it’s pretty miserable and means you are restricted in where you can walk and how far you can see. Even the amazing changing of the guard was much shorter because of the weather. It was such a shame because this really is a fantastic place and we definitely couldn’t take full advantage. That said, Maribeth was a trooper, she carried on with her tour and didn’t complain at all. I hope we matched her spirit. I would recommend this tour and Maribeth, it’s a 5 star experience, we just got really unlucky with the weather.
      Written 2 October 2024
    • 609santanup
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Two hours well spent with Brenda leading us through the nuances and fine points of exhibits. Highly recommend it for all audienc
      The tour was perfectly curated with deep dives into the Moon program and the Wright Brothers. Brenda was a brilliant guide with tremendous subject matter expertise.
      Written 1 October 2024
    • isabellaboston2017
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Critters of all categories!
      Be sure to go! I was too tired to take full advantage, and so only had the endurance to see the mammals. Not many places to rest your feet; gift shops are small and multiple, and geared towards kids cultch.
      Written 1 October 2024
    • isabellaboston2017
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great additional info -- it helps when your guide has an interest in history!
      Our guide Ryan was great -- congenial, timely, and added a great deal to the tour. I think the price is a bit high, but he is one of those better guides whose interest in history adds depth to his tours. Trip Advisor is a little misleading -- there was a 1 hour free museum highlights tour - but that didn't show up on my search.... Nonetheless, Ryan added a lot to the experience.
      Written 1 October 2024
    • B641XNjeffg
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An Expert Historian
      Leigh was incredible. She explained, in great detail, the entire story of the Hope Diamond, as well as the enire history of mummies, from how they were prepared for burial, to the disrespect their remains were subjected to in the last century. In every subject covered in the museum, she was an expert.
      Written 30 September 2024
    • melissaoB300JO
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      American history in a nutshell
      Annmarie was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed her fun facts. The pace of the tour was just right. We appreciated the focus on Washington
      Written 29 September 2024
    • stevecD824DJ
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent Tour With Annemarie Today
      Annemarie was excellent — extremely knowledgable and very friendly. For additional tours I and my family would request Annemarie — she clearly enjoys her craft!
      Written 29 September 2024
    • 516kyndallp
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great experience!
      Annmarie was a great guide and we learned do much that we would have missed on our own. I highly recommend the semiprivate option.
      Written 29 September 2024
    • leticiaoborges
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour
      We had a great tour with the guide Leigh. She gave us a lot of information and details about the monuments. She is a great storyteller that made us understand all the history and importance of the monuments. Such a good introduction to DC.
      Written 29 September 2024
    • marygK6116EM
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Informative tour
      I learned so much, really enjoyed Anna Marie's expertise , I've been to Arlington before and I still learned something new
      Written 28 September 2024
    • Greg S
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Out of this world.
      What a great tour. Our gide, Maureen, was amazing. Her depth of knowledge was wonderful and she clearly shared it all. We wholeheartedly recommend her and this great museum.
      Written 27 September 2024
    • 317geraldn
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Museum of Natural History
      Rebecca was very knowledgeable and approachable. She made sure we got a good overview of the museum while pointing out the highlights of the "bones and stones" exhibits. Glad I took the tour. Money well spent.
      Written 27 September 2024
    • Z5846AEjuliec
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Aussies at Arlington.
      Maureen was a very experienced , informative and entertaining tour guide. Her manner made us feel very comfortable and she guided us in a thoughtful yet well organised way. Her experience enabled us to see important sites this avoiding large groups. We highly recommend Maureen for her knowledge and expertise in guiding at Arlington Cemetery.
      Written 27 September 2024
    • luxurymelcmb
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Lovely way to explore the museum.
      Having a curated experience meant you saw the best to see in a defined period of time. Brenda was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and made it a very pleasant and educational experience.
      Written 26 September 2024
    • pamelakF1982RR
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent Tour Today
      Annemarie was our guide through the 2 museums and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit with her. She was very knowledgeable and had interesting stories to share.
      Written 23 September 2024
    See all 2,078 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles119 reviews
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    Expedition563767
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2023 • Couples
    We met our guide, Annemarie, on time at the designated meeting place. She even sent us a picture of herself so we could easily find her. The tour group was small, as promised, just me and my husband. The “skip the line” feature of this tour was great. We walked right into the National Archives building at a “members only” entrance before the crowds and other tour groups piled in. Annemarie was very knowledgeable about each exhibit and shared so much additional information about the history behind each exhibit pointing out interesting facts that we would not have known if we were to visit on our own. I highly recommend this tour and Annemarie as your guide!
    Written 10 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Cady V
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2024 • Family
    Our tour guide, Annmarie, was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. If we had visited the National Archives without her, we without a doubt wouldn’t have known all of the intricate details of the documents, their histories, and even the architecture and design choices of the building. She has a wealth of fascinating knowledge and absolutely enhanced our experience. The small group size and being able to skip the public line was well worth it as well.
    Written 14 July 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Tony W
    Chicago, IL2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our tour guide Donna was fantastic. She helped give context to the historical items on display through easy to follow stories. I thought she prioritized the time spent on the tour very well. Would definitely recommend.
    Written 29 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jay A
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2023 • Family
    We were in DC for a wedding and had some time to kill on a Saturday morning. Had always wanted to see the National Archives so we signed-up for the 2-hour tour in the morning. Richard was out tour guide, and he did a FANTASTIC job! In fact, I can't imagine doing this tour without a guide like Richard. He was incredibly knowledgeable and thorough without being boring or overwhelming you with information. Just enough time was spent on the exhibits where he did a marvelous job of providing just enough background information and context to give you the whole, interesting story. While the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights are arguably the centerpieces of the archives, there was also the Magna Carta, FDR's original December 7, 1941 speech to Congress and, during our tour, the Emancipation Proclamation and General Order #3 on special display. There were also exhibits involving Presidential correspondence that were quite interesting. EVERY American should see this - make sure you do it with Richard...!
    Written 20 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    marcibethm
    Fort Worth, TX95 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023
    Our guide, Richard, was exceptionally engaging as we explored the National Archives. He was thoughtful to the group, shared interesting information at a good pace, and made sure we saw what mattered most in a building full of incredible documents! A five-star tour in ever way.
    Written 19 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Lisa T
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2022 • Couples
    Brenda helped us navigate the National Archives in an efficient manner, and she added so much context. I couldn’t be happier. I would highly recommend a tour. I can’t imagine what we would have missed without her.
    Written 7 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Amy M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2024 • Family
    Calling all history buffs! This guided tour, where our group went right in past the teeming throngs of people, was so thorough and captivating with Brenda as our leader and guide. Wow, does she know all the in-depth stories, and before you know it, two hours are gone and you have to wrap up the tour. We could have spent all day listening to her. If you are lucky enough to have Brenda as your guide, it will be an unforgettable and enjoyable experience. We will definitely request her again.
    Written 29 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Ann-Marie
    New York City, NY8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2023 • Family
    This was a truly unique and special kick-off to our week in Washington D.C., thanks to our guide, Annemarie. The meeting instructions were very clear and organized. The special reservation to skip the general admission line is so worth it. We entered immediately when the National Archives Building opened and enjoyed the experience without any crowds. Annemarie was so knowledgeable, warm, and engaging from beginning to end. She had the most wonderful stories and fun facts which were relatable to everyone on the tour. We had so much fun and can't wait to visit and tour with Annemarie again at another landmark.
    Written 16 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Melissa E
    Minneapolis, MN12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023 • Couples
    You HAVE to take this tour! Our tour guide Richard was amazing. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. Taking this tour, you don’t have to wait to get into the museum, nor do you get caught in lines waiting to look at all of the displays. Informative and fun all rolled together in one in this experience!!
    Written 11 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Christian M
    Pittsburgh, PA1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2024 • Family
    Excellent tour! Maribeth shared her intimate knowledge of history starting with the Magna Carta and built the tour around it. Loved getting up close to the Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights coupled with snippets of history to tie it all together! Thank you!
    Written 14 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Skip-the-line National Archives Building Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max provided by Babylon Tours Washington D.C.

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