The 15 Best Museum and Gallery History Tours in the USA

1.American Museum of Natural History Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15,447 reviews · 1 day · from $37Our pick

Spend a full day at the American Museum of Natural History with access to more than 40 permanent halls, the Rose Center, and the new Richard Gilder Center. Add one or all ticketed exhibitions, such as Impact, the butterfly vivarium, a space show, or the giant-screen film. The museum is wheelchair accessible and offers free Wi-Fi plus a useful Explorer app.

“Amazing experience for everyone ❤️ My family and I had such a great time”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,931 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $37

Visit the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with admission to more than 40 permanent halls, the Rose Center, and Richard Gilder Center. Allow at least three hours, and plan carefully because special exhibitions, the planetarium, films, and butterfly vivarium cost extra. You may need to exchange your voucher for an entry ticket.

“Very thorough museum. Staff was so helpful for kids finding iconic characters from night at museum. Good mix of education for adults and children”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,180 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

This 3.5-hour Washington, DC tour links Black Lives Matter Plaza, the Lincoln and MLK memorials, Lincoln Park, and the African American Civil War Memorial. A guide such as Dre or Elvis leads the bus and walking stops, then leaves you at the National Museum of African American History and Culture with a complimentary timed-entry reservation.

“Enjoyed the company of the guide/driver as well as the travelers on the tour, very nice and welcoming”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Field Museum of Natural History Ticket or VIP Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 717 reviews · 1 day · from $29

Visit Chicago's Field Museum for a full day of dinosaurs, ancient cultures, gems, and wildlife. Choose general admission, a Discovery Pass, All-Access, or an Early Access VIP Tour with a docent. The VIP option limits the group to 20 and includes early dinosaur viewing, Sue, Maximo, and all-access entry.

“I’m totally satisfied. The museum is simply awesome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Field Museum of Natural History Admission Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 489 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $29

Spend about four hours exploring Chicago’s Field Museum on your own, from SUE the T. Rex and Egyptian mummies to ancient American cultures, gems, live reptiles, and Underground Adventure. Your admission includes free daily docent-led tours and ticketed exhibits. Special exhibits and 3D films may cost extra.

“A very large and interesting museum. Great dinosaur and early people areas. Beautiful artifacts from around the world.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 446 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89Top rated

Spend about two hours with a private English-speaking guide at Washington’s Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. You’ll see the Hope Diamond, Dom Pedro Aquamarine, Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs, mammals, Ocean Hall, live coral, and Phoenix the whale. Guides such as Leigh, Meghan, Christopher, and Rebecca are praised for lively storytelling and family-friendly pacing.

“I took the tour of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum this past weekend. My tour guide was excellent as she was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the displays that she showed us. In the couple of hours of the guided tour I learned a lot more than if I just walked by the exhibits myself.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.History Museum, Pioneer House Museum & Schoolhouse Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 439 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.)

Start at History Fort Lauderdale for a guided visit through three historic buildings: the main museum, Pioneer House, and a replica 1899 schoolhouse. Expect local stories, early-1900s objects, period rooms, rotating art, and guides such as Daniel or David. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and is offered in English.

“Very interesting and the guide demonstrated a wealth of information about the museum. He had a lot of good stories.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Join guide Kenny for a 3.5-hour, small-group tour of African American Washington, traveling by air-conditioned vehicle and on foot. See the Capitol, White House, Lincoln and King memorials, LeDroit Park, Howard University, and historic theaters. The tour ends with same-day admission to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“You will learn some little know facts and Mr. Kenny was an absolute pleasure. The stops were just long enough to enjoy the sites and take plenty of pictures. He also shared some great eating spots.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Washington, DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 312 reviews · 210 minutes - 4 hours · from $89

Travel by air-conditioned bus through Washington’s African American landmarks with guides such as Dre, Elvis Pate, and Andre. Visit Howard University, U Street, Lincoln Park, and the African American Civil War Memorial before using reserved entry to explore the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on your own.

“Our guide Dre is very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Plymouth: Plimoth Patuxet Museums – 3 tickets available

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 10 days · from $35

Spend up to 10 days exploring Plimoth Patuxet Museums, with admission to the Historic Patuxet Homesite, 17th-Century English Village, Craft Center, and Davis Gallery. Upgrade for Mayflower II and Plimoth Grist Mill. Costumed interpreters, artisans, rare-breed animals, and hands-on demonstrations bring Plymouth’s past into view.

“It will be good to have more concrete information about how European immigrants dealt and took over from the natives. Some transition between the natives side and European side would have enhanced the experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour

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

Spend two focused hours inside Washington’s Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with an English-speaking guide such as Nur, Maurice, or DC. Your guide leads you to major dinosaur, gemstone, mummy, plant, animal, and human-history displays, adding context and helping you avoid wandering through the museum’s 145 million specimens.

“loved the tour person he did a great job explaining to us has alot of knowledge”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Field Museum of Natural History All-Access Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 135 reviews · 1 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $41

Spend one to eight hours at Chicago’s Field Museum with an All-Access Pass covering general admission and ticketed exhibitions. See SUE the T. rex, Egyptian mummies, gems, jade, ancient American artifacts, and the Evolving Planet dinosaur hall. Free docent-led tours are available, while the 3D movie costs extra.

“So much to see, great museum. You need a whole day here, don’t rush it. Get all access pass for sure”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.The Historic Table- 18th and 19th century dining and museum visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · from $160

At Charleston’s Fireproof Building, culinary historian Mike Hebb leads a 2.5-hour supper through 18th- and 19th-century foodways. You’ll tour the South Carolina Historical Society Museum after hours, then share seven courses served family-style, hear stories of Charleston life, and enjoy a glass of Madeira. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.; bring your own bottle for other drinks.

“The food was incredible as was learning about the history of Charleston during the 18th and 19th century.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.National Medal of Honor Heritage Museum Admission Ticket in Chattanooga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.)

Spend one to three hours at Chattanooga’s National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, where theater presentations, wax figures, artifacts, and personal stories explain the Medal of Honor from the Civil War forward. Clint, Stephen, and other staff members help bring the exhibits to life, while occasional Medal of Honor recipients add a rare personal connection.

“We found this museum very interesting and will definitely tell others. Would love to know if other states have similar locations.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Skip the Line: Historic RailPark and Train Museum Ticket with Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22Best value

Tour Bowling Green’s 1925 L&N Depot and its rail museum, then walk through historic cars including a railroad post office, Duncan Hines Diner, Pullman diners, a sleeper, and the 353 Presidential office car. Your $22 ticket covers both the self-guided museum and guided railcar tour in about 45 minutes.

“Good experience with learning about old days and the old ways to deliver mail to different cities…..”

Check availability →Read our full review