National Archives Museum Tours and Tickets

Q: How much does it cost to visit the National Archives Museum in 2024?

Entry to the National Archives museum is free. Reservations are not required, but they’re strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines. Some guided tours of Washington DC include a stop at the museum. You can also book a private guided tour of the museum for about US$100.

Q: What are the must-see exhibits at the National Archives Museum?

The must-see exhibits at the National Archives Museum in Washington DC are significant pieces of American history—within the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom are the original founding documents for the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The Record of Rights gallery has an original 1297 Magna Carta and a 1790 broadside copy of the Bill of Rights on display.

Q: How can I get tickets to the National Archives Museum?

Entry to the National Archives Museum is free. Timed-entry tickets are available online via the attraction’s website, allowing you easy access on arrival. You can also book a guided tour from a provider, which will usually include skip-the-line entry.

Q: What are the hours of operation for the National Archives Museum?

The National Archives Museum’s opening hours are from 10am until 5:30pm daily, with last admission 30 minutes ahead of closing. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Q: Where is the best place to park near the National Archives Museum?

There are many options for parking near the National Archives Museum, including at Market Square East Garage and the Market Square West Garage, both on D Street SW. There are also garages on Indiana Avenue NW, Pennsylvania Avenue, and E Street.

Q: Is photography allowed inside the National Archives Museum?

Yes, non-flash photography is allowed inside the National Archives Museum. Taking photos in some areas is prohibited, but this is clearly signposted.

Q: How long does it typically take to tour the National Archives Museum?

It typically takes around 1-2 hours to visit the National Archives Museum, depending on how much time you spend reading the information that accompanies the exhibits. Times can vary if you join a tour.

57 results

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National Archives Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

1 hourFree Cancellation

5.0

(100)

from $59

250th: National Archives & American History Museum Guided Tour

Experience 250 years of American history on this 3-hour guided walking tour led by a local historian & professional tour guide. Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where you’ll explore pivotal moments from the American Revolution to the 20th century and beyond. Rather than wandering aimlessly, you’ll follow a carefully curated narrative that makes history engaging, accessible, and relevant. Head to the National Archives Museum, where you’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry. Inside, view the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, some of the most important original documents in world history. Throughout the tour, the small group size allows for meaningful interaction, questions, and discussion, creating a more personal and enriching experience than large group tours.

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250th: National Archives & American History Museum Guided Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(7)

from $75

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National Archives VIP Skip-The-Line Small Group Guided Tour

1 hourFree Cancellation

4.9

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from $69

Skip-the-line DC National Archives VIP ALL ACCESS Guided Tour

Explore the foundation of American democracy on an exclusive tour of the National Archives Museum with skip-the-line access. View the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights up close. Learn how these documents shaped a global superpower, and discover personal letters, speeches, and rare artifacts, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Magna Carta, on a moving journey through U.S. history.

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Skip-the-line DC National Archives VIP ALL ACCESS Guided Tour

2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(391)

from $111

Price varies by group size

Lincoln Assassination Tour with Ford's Theatre & Petersen House

Step back into one of the most dramatic nights in American history on this 2-hour walking and driving tour following the final day of President Abraham Lincoln. Beginning near the National Archives, guests learn about John Wilkes Booth’s movements on April 14, 1865. From there, the tour follows Booth’s path along Pennsylvania Avenue toward 10th Street, retracing the route he took just hours before the assassination. Guests will explore and learn about the history at notable sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington House at Arlington Cemetery, the former National Hotel, the historic Willard Hotel, and the former Mathew Brady Photography Studio. The experience continues with a stop outside Ford's Theatre, where President Lincoln was shot while attending a play that evening. The tour concludes across the street at Petersen House, the boarding house where Lincoln was carried after the shooting and where he died early the next morning.

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Lincoln Assassination Tour with Ford's Theatre & Petersen House

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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from $69

Skip-the-Line National Archives VIP ALL ACCESS Tour Semi-Private

2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(205)

from $111

Price varies by group size

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

Experience some of the most popular attractions in Washington, DC like an insider on this full-day sightseeing tour. Begin with a tour of the United States Capitol Building; admission tickets are prebooked for a seamless visit. Then, see the city’s most famous landmarks and monuments aboard a comfortable coach, including the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and more. Then, end your tour with a visit to the National Archives Museum.

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VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

8 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(2,534)

from $129

DC Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, National Mall, Tickets

Experience Washington DC from a different perspective on this evening coach tour. Visit multiple sites when the crowds are lower and the atmosphere is a little more relaxed. Discover the highlights of the National Mall, including the White House, the US Capitol, and Lincoln Memorial. Make stops along the way for an up-close look, and learn more from your guide's commentary. Additionally, upgrade to include admission tickets to DC museums (for later, independent sightseeing).

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DC Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, National Mall, Tickets

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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from $63

Washington DC Night-Time City Tour

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

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from $70

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Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour

Experience the history and scale of Washington DC—and quickly travel between destinations—on a fun and time-saving Segway tour. Headsets ensure you can hear your guide’s insightful commentary as you zip past prominent buildings, historic sights, and top DC monuments. This tour is ideal for visitors who want to get a good overview of the city, in order to know where to explore in more depth later.

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Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience

4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(1,292)

from $99

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This condensed tour is designed for those who are short on time and would like to have an overview of the essential DC. It is a one hour and half live guided sightseeing tour that that is fun and informative. It will give you the opportunity to explore two of the leading landmarks in the capital city: US capitol and White House. At each of those two stops you will get a chance to step off, walk around and take pictures. After that, you will be treated to a bus ride that will drive by the other top tourist sites and main attractions of the capital city such as Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Korean War Memorial and many more. You will enjoy a once in a lifetime experience that you will remember for a long time.

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2 hours Mini Tour of Washington DC

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(5)

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Excursion to Washington from New York in 1 day

Visit Washington, D.C. with a Spanish-speaking guide during this day trip from New York. Visit the memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., and the monument to Thomas Jefferson. Then take a tour of the monuments to the Korean War, President Lincoln, the Vietnam War, and President Washington. See the prestigious Georgetown University and stop at the White House, then have free time for lunch (own expense) and visit the Air and Space Museum. All entrance fees are included.

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Excursion to Washington from New York in 1 day

15 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

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from $105

Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops

Take a hop-on hop-off Washington DC trolley tour to explore the nation’s capital at your own pace. The route encompasses the city’s top attractions, including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and more. Just hop off at any stop when you want to explore, and then hop back on the trolley to continue around the city. You can also upgrade to include Arlington National Cemetery entry.

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Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.1

(2,697)

from $55

Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions

Enjoy Washington DC’s monuments and landmarks lit up after dark, and see side of the capital city many visitors miss, on this evening highlights tour. Have the opportunity to stop outside 10 top DC landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, White House, and US Capitol. As you travel between attractions, learn details about the landmarks and memorials from your driver-guide. Then, at each stop, have time to take photos and explore on your own.

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Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions

3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(1,695)

from $99

See Washington DC's highlights, whilst beating the crowds, on this customised, private sightseeing tour. Pick a departure time that works best for you, meet your guide at your preferred location, and hop aboard a luxury SUV or Sprinter van. Options of where to visit include the White House, US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and much more—and will learn the stories behind the sights from your guide.

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Private Washington DC City Tour

4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(1,603)

from $550

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New York and Washington Self Guided Narrated Tours with AI

With this AI app you're no longer restricted to crowded group tours or rigid scripts. Explore iconic sites like Times Square and the National Mall—or dive deep into lesser-known landmarks and hidden urban parks. Ask about literally anything that catches your eye—from a historic district to a secret street corner or a towering skyscraper. The city's secrets are yours to uncover. Point & Discover: Snap a photo of any monument or museum masterpiece to instantly receive a captivating and accurate story. It’s like having a historian in your pocket! Ultimate Freedom: Navigate seamlessly with interactive map-based audio tours. Your schedule, your pace, your rules. Choose Your Vibe: Select a narrator persona that matches your style—from a deep-diving scholar to a fun companion for the kids. Get Started: 7 Days of Premium Access available instantly for iPhone and Android.

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New York and Washington Self Guided Narrated Tours with AI

7 daysFree Cancellation

5.0

from $12

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Get a panoramic look at Washington DC—and enjoy a hassle-free way to check off its top sights—on this half-day sightseeing tour by bus. Listen to live narration as you see dozens of top attractions, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the monuments of the National Mall, and more. Additionally, stop for a closer look at eight top attractions, including the White House, Capitol, and Vietnam Memorial. Upgrade to visit George Washington's Mount Vernon, too.

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Grand Tour of Washington, D.C.

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(745)

from $49

Private & Custom Guided City Tour of Washington DC

from $550

Washington DC Day Trip from Manhattan or New Jersey

14 to 16 hoursFree Cancellation

4.0

(4)

from $129

Full Day DC: City Bus Tour, Seasonal Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets

6 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

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from $87

Small Group Washington DC Tour with Changing of the Guard

Washington, DC’s rich and storied history runs the gamut of political intrigue, scandals, murders, and some of the greatest moments in U.S. history. This fully narrated tour combines walking and driving to major sites like the White House, the Pentagon FBI building, and the National Archives. Guides narrate the stops as you travel, and the tour is available in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

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Small Group Washington DC Tour with Changing of the Guard

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(141)

from $80

Price varies by group size

Likely to Sell Out

Washington DC Night-Time City Bus Tour with Optional Mount Vernon

There's a certain magic to Washington DC that can only be experienced at night, when highlights like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and White House are all illuminated after dark. On this evening bus tour, you'll see the city after the sun has gone down and travel without the crowds. As you go, learn more from your guide's narration—and even upgrade to add on a visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon.

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Washington DC Night-Time City Bus Tour with Optional Mount Vernon

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

3.8

(111)

from $59

Full Day Guided Tour Washington DC and Its History From New York

Explore the top monuments and attractions of Washington DC with this full-day guided tour to the nation’s capital from New York City. Take photos and enjoy stops at the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, White House, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall, and more, with insightful commentary from your guide. Includes free time to explore and grab lunch.

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Full Day Guided Tour Washington DC and Its History From New York

14 hoursFree Cancellation

4.3

(4)

from $104

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What are people saying about National Archives Museum

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

Stacey_S, May 2026

Washington DC 8 hour tour

Great experience! Tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the details of the city, monuments, etc. bus was nice and clean. Bus driver was friendly.

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

Mark_B, May 2026

DC trip

Britany was friendly and very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited. Best way to see many sites in one day. Would recommend the tour to anyone seeing DC. We did the 8 hr tour with the boat ride. Had only 45 minutes for lunch after the boat ride so pre ordering at one of the local restaurants 15 minutes prior will allow you more time.

Skip-the-Line National Archives VIP ALL ACCESS Tour Semi-Private

Kelly_K, May 2026

Wealth of knowledge on this tour. Cut the lines, too!

Our guide was caring, polite and showed us many things we might have missed. Ryan knew all the history and background stories to every document and area of the museum. Thanks, Ryan, for a great experience.

National Archives VIP Skip-The-Line Small Group Guided Tour

Mike_M, May 2026

Definitely the way to see...

Definitely the way to see the museum because we were able to skip a loooong line outside and inside. Tony also gave very good additional insight on the documents. On the walk over we also got some bonus tour spots. Very knowledgeable.

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

Nalini_N, May 2026

2026 DC trip

Best VIP tour stands true to their title. Our guide Britney and driver Stephanie were and awesome team. We got stuck in traffic in our uber and Brittney called me and waited we so appreciated it ad it was a VIP tour of the capitol. Timing and coordination was effortlessly perfect and Both of them kept us all 20 people together