The Smithsonian Tours and Tickets
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What are people saying about The Smithsonian
Tommie_H, Apr 2026
Smithsonian big 3. Was a...
Smithsonian big 3. Was a fun tour. The Smithsonian highlights tour was great. Claudia was very knowledgeable and so nice. We enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend going on this tour. We went to 3 museums. The Air and Space museum was our favorite.
William_S, May 2026
Great job
The guide Dash was really good. Touch on points of interest, without wasting time. Had a good sense of humor about things. I would ask for him assumed i took another tour.
Jimmy_F, May 2026
Smithsonian 3 tour
You will hit the highlights of each museum. You could literally spend a day in each, but the tour guide”Meg” gave us more personal insights to the areas we did visit.
Paul_C, May 2026
The tour guide was very...
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and fun and was able to answer any questions. I’d recommend this tour.
Clyde_D, Apr 2026
Loved it!
Our tour guide was Dash, he was just a wealth of fun and knowledge. We enjoyed all 3 museums and then stayed and visited more. You need all day but Dash sums them up terrifically, had a great time.
Donna_M, Mar 2026
Nice "sampler" tour of Smithsonian exhibits!
Shane was a great tour guide who was very knowledgeable about the museums and the exhibits highlighted on this tour. For someone who doesn't have days to explore all of the museums of the Smithsonian, this is a great way to see the most popular exhibits!
Cody_W, Apr 2026
Just keep walking!
Skye was awesome! Very knowledgeable and explained everything along the way. Tour is a highlight tour so it moves fast and skips a good bit but she covers a lot. Make sure you can walk to keep up!
Lita_V, Apr 2026
Not To Be Missed!
We had Skye and she was phenomenal. So educated, articulate, and had extensive knowledge of everything on the tour (and more). It is a REALLY good way to get an informative snippet of three wonderful museums and to earmark where you want more time to visit. We will be going back to each of the museums (one at a time!)
Ruth_C, Apr 2026
Fair amount of walking...
Fair amount of walking but lots of information along the way. Only an overview of each museum which I liked. Then I can choose which one I most want to go back to.
Christopher_M, Feb 2026
Great Tour Experience Highly recommended
Excellent experience! Nice walk to the three museums~the tour guide was very informative and very knowledgeable. The tour never got boring and I was amazed at the Smithsonian’s Hope diamond and the dinosaurs! Highly Recommended tour!
Thank you~Janise Msh
Richard_W, Apr 2026
Exceptional Tour of Smithsonian highlets
Skye was an exceptional, friendly and knowledgeable guide who carefully guided the participants through a concise and informative tour. Even the walking was fun and invigorating.
Vicky_L, Apr 2026
Excellent tour
The tour was great. Our guide, Claudia was very knowledgeable and gave us the most important highlights of each museum we visited. It was a small group which made it a better experience.
The Smithsonian
5.0
(15,856)
Know before you go
Ways to explore
How to get there
When to visit

Cameras are allowed, but leave the selfie sticks and tripods at home, as they're prohibited.
Avoid bringing large bags and packages, as they'll be subject to a lengthy search process. Lockers are available for small items at some museums.
All museums are wheelchair accessible.
You can grab a cup of coffee at the Smithsonian Visitor Center café.
To avoid crowds when exploring a museum, start on the top floor and move toward the ground floor, rather than starting at the first level.
People Also Ask
Can you do the Smithsonian in one day?
No, you cannot do the Smithsonian in one day. As the world's largest museum and research complex, the Smithsonian encompasses 21 museums, as well as the National Zoo. Most of its museums are in Washington DC (two are in New York). Try picking the ones that interest you most.
How long does it take to go through the whole Smithsonian?
It's hard to quantify how long it would take to explore the Smithsonian, as the institute encompasses 21 museums, as well as the National Zoo. If you dedicated one day to exploring each museum (in Washington DC, New York, and Virginia), visiting them all would require at least 22 days.
What is the best time to visit the Smithsonian?
Many Smithsonian museums—including the Air and Space Museum, African American Museum, and National Zoo—are very popular and crowded on weekends, in the summer, and over school holidays. For a calmer experience, visit early in the day and on weekdays, and otherwise avoid peak times.
Do you have to make reservations for the Smithsonian?
It depends on the museum. Some require free, pre-booked timed entry Smithsonian tickets or passes. Of its 21 museums (and the National Zoo), the only one of the institute's members that charges admission is Cooper Hewitt in New York City. All others are free.
Is the Smithsonian worth it?
Yes, the Smithsonian is worth it. As the world's largest museum and research complex, it is a peerless institution, and its free-entry policy makes it accessible to all. Depending on your interests—from art and history to culture, science, and beyond—you'll likely find several museums that are right for you.
What do I need to know before going to the Smithsonian?
The Smithsonian is a large institution with multiple branches, so plan ahead to visit the museums that interest you most. Upon arrival, you may be subject to a security screening and bag search; firearms and weapons are prohibited. Do bring your camera, as personal photography is permitted at the Smithsonian.
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