Washington DC · HISTORICAL TOURS

The 15 Best History Tours in Washington DC

62 tours  ·  from $30 a head

A capital laid out on paper in 1791 and argued over ever since. The 15 below cover the founding, the Civil War, the assassination and the civil rights era, priced by length and clear on how much walking is involved.

Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry - Starting at the US Navy Memorial Plaza
African American History, American History Museum, Guided, Historical Tours, Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry

DC Monuments & History Guided E-Cart Tour-Blankets - Capitol Hill starts the story
Guided, Historical Tours, Monuments & Memorials, Tour Reviews, Tours

DC Monuments & History Guided E-Cart Tour-Blankets

2.DC Monuments & History Guided E-Cart Tour-Blankets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 450 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

See Washington DC’s major monuments by open-air electric cart in two hours, with lively history, photo stops, blankets, and practical winter advice.

“Even in the cold weather it was a great experience and so much fun! The driver provided blankets and had many stories and was knowledgeable.”

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Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour - Ancient Egypt through mummies and burial customs
Guided, Historical Tours, Museums, Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – Exclusive Guided Tour

African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket - Constitution Hall and Marian Anderson’s turning point
African American History, American History Museum, Historical Tours, Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket

4.African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Explore Washington DC’s African American landmarks with guide Kenny, then use your included same-day ticket at the National Museum of African American History.

“This tour takes you into neighborhoods that others don't. Kenny's historical knowledge was great and he answered many questions.”

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Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour - Georgetown streets, gardens, and old port stories
Architecture Tours, Georgetown, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour

5.Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 321 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49

Explore Georgetown’s canals, old homes, taverns, and Exorcist Steps on a lively two-hour small-group history walk.

“Loved this tour! Our tour guide Becca, was very knowledgeable and engaging. The history and the architecture of the historic homes we visited was perfect for what we wanted. Great stories about Georgetown and DC. Only problem I could see for some people might be the terrain; hills, brick sidewalks, and cobblestones etc”

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Washington, DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry - From the U.S. Navy Memorial to the White House
African American History, American History Museum, Historical Tours, Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Washington, DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry

DC's Original Food and History Walking Tour - Starting at 11:30 a.m. on the U Street Corridor
Food, Food & Drink, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

DC’s Original Food and History Walking Tour

7.DC’s Original Food and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 255 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $112

Explore DC’s U Street through half-smokes, Ethiopian food, Cuban pastries, murals, and Black Broadway history on a small-group walking tour.

“The food, history, and street art tour was a great time!! Jim was an excellent tour guide. I highly recommend the experience.”

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Smithsonian Museum of American History Exclusive Guided Tour - The Star-Spangled Banner and the making of a nation
American History Museum, Guided, Historical Tours, Museums, Smithsonian Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Smithsonian Museum of American History Exclusive Guided Tour

8.Smithsonian Museum of American History Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Review of the Smithsonian American History Museum tour in Washington, with guide details, highlights, pricing, access, and booking advice.

“Rebecca was great! She kept the whole family entertained and was very fun! We enjoyed the museum exhibits she took us to and she added a lot of commentary that was beyond what we would have had just visiting on our own”

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Tastes of Georgetown Food & History Small Group Walking Tour - What you may eat at the four stops
Food, Food & Drink, Georgetown, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Tastes of Georgetown Food & History Small Group Walking Tour

Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C. - Four bars and a short route through DC
Drinking Tours, Historical Tours, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max - Ancient Egyptian mummies and the rituals of death
Historical Tours, Museums, Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour - Starting at the museum stairs
Guided, Historical Tours, Museums, Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour

12.Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 159 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

Tour 145 million Smithsonian specimens with an expert guide, from dinosaurs and mummies to gemstones, in a focused two-hour visit.

“Nur was friendly, kind and very informative. We didn't have to have a guide through the museum, but it was certainly helpful & fun. We talked and walked, and didn't have to READ everything. Nur got to know everyone individually and made the tour sort of special for each person. Great job!”

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Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max - First ladies’ gowns and the public side of politics
American History Museum, Historical Tours, Museums, Private, Smithsonian Museums, Tour Reviews

Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max

Washington DC History & Monuments Open Air Minibus Guided Tour - The Washington Monument puts the Mall in perspective
Guided, Historical Tours, Monuments & Memorials, Tour Reviews, Tours

Washington DC History & Monuments Open Air Minibus Guided Tour

DC Monuments Day or Night American History Electric Cart Tour - Jefferson and FDR beside the Tidal Basin
American History Museum, Evening Experiences, Historical Tours, Monuments & Memorials, Segway & Scooter Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

DC Monuments Day or Night American History Electric Cart Tour

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