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Smithsonian American Art Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Our most recommended tours and activities

Washington DC: See the City Segway Tour

1. Washington DC: See the City Segway Tour

Arrive 30 minutes before the tour time for instruction on how to ride a Segway, then head off on a thrilling guided Segway tour of Washington DC and its main landmarks. Listen as your guide recounts fascinating stories about these iconic locations, narrated via a state-of-the-art radio system. Before departure, receive training and get fitted for your equipment. Watch a brief video and presentation, then receive one-on-one instruction from the experienced staff. Don't be nervous! Many of the visitors are first-time riders and most people get the hang of it within a few minutes.  Once everyone is comfortable, you will do a quick soundcheck and off you go!  The first stop is the White House, just across the street from your starting point! From there, continue to explore as many of the following sites as possible: Lafayette Square US Treasury Constitution Gardens Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Vietnam Veterans Memorial Korean War Memorial DC War Memorial Tidal Basin WWII Memorial Washington Monument Smithsonian Museums National Gallery of Art US Capitol National Archives US Navy Memorial FBI Building Freedom Plaza and more!

Washington DC Must See Sights Half-Day Tour

2. Washington DC Must See Sights Half-Day Tour

Washington D.C. showcases some of the most majestic monuments and memorials in America. With so much to see this sightseeing bus tour makes for a great orientation option, especially for those with little time. Tailored to offer you a historic journey through the rich heritage of the United States, the tour is a quick and efficient way to learn the history of the capital. Ride past the essential monuments, museums, and attractions to relive the history of America on a 3-hour tour. You will stop at the following memorials and monuments on your tour to take pictures: • U. S. Capitol (exterior only and a photo stop only) • White House (exterior only and a photo stop only) • World War II Memorial • Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial • Korean Memorial • Vietnam Memorial • Vietnam Women's Memorial • Lincoln Memorial (tour ends at this memorial)

National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum Guided Tour

3. National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum Guided Tour

The building itself is a marvel, once a Civil War Era hospital where famed poet Walt Whitman helped injured soldiers. Today, his portrait joins thousands of others in this building, which has flirted with art exhibits since 1829, before becoming a dedicated museum. The National Portrait Gallery features portraits of the great women and men who helped build the United States. Presidents and first ladies are on display, as well as famous military leaders of the Civil War, like Grant and Sherman. Discover 19th Century daguerreotypes, early photographs, before exploring the Robber Barons and Suffragettes of the early 20th Century. Afterwards, move on to the American Art Museum where artists like Mary Cassatt, a beloved Impressionist, are on display. You’ll explore big names like Edward Hopper and David Hockney in front of some of their iconic paintings. Georgia O’Keeffe’s provocative flowers will spark conversations as much as the slightly odd portrait of former president Obama. Learn about the WPA-era photographs that helped define a nation during the Great Depression, as well as more modern works that will leave you scratching your head, until your expert guide helps bring it all into focus.

Washington DC: Smithsonian American Art Museum Private Tour

4. Washington DC: Smithsonian American Art Museum Private Tour

Explore the Smithosonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery with your own private tour guide. Take advantage of a knowledgeable, expert guide to one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of art. Enjoy visiting these two outstanding collections, both under the same roof in the vast Old Patent Office Building. Discover works of art from the colonial period to the present day, in a collection which features more than 7,000 artists.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Smithsonian American Art Museum

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What people are saying about Smithsonian American Art Museum

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 354 reviews

Great price for what you get! We did the three hour tour with our two young kids. Everyone had a fun time! Knowledgeable and engaging tour guide, we got to see all of the well known monuments (including the White House!), and were driven around on a fully enclosed shuttle (just a little bit of walking involved). Highly recommend!

This was a wonderful sampler tour—We had a very informative tour guide. It was a little hard to finish seeing the entire tour features like the Korean War Memorial, as we were running out of time. Nevertheless, if you only have time for a short visit to DC, this was the perfect tour! -Lots of walking-so wear comfortable shoes!

The bus tour is a wonderful way to orient yourselves to the city. You will see a number of here wrenching memorials that maKe you question why have we not lived up to the ideals of our forefathers. We lost some very great people who would be disappointed by the lack of progress we have made.

This was an excellent overview of what the National Mall has to offer in terms of the monuments and attractions. The information shared was insightful and can inform what you choose to explore later in more detail.

Tyrone was an excellent guide. He is so knowledgeable and fun. He answered all questions and kept the trip on time. Thanks Ty!