Experience the full story of US democracy from the Founding Fathers to the present day. Start your day at the steps to the National Archives, where you’ll meet your expert guide and get VIP-style entry to the building. The number-one thing visitors to the National Archives want to see are the Charters of Freedom: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. That’s why you’ll go directly to the Rotunda where these documents are kept. Seeing them with your own eyes is a real treat, and your guide will be on hand to provide extra information to make this experience even more meaningful. Many visitors barely glance up to the murals above while they’re here, but your guide will tell you exactly why you shouldn’t overlook them! Afterwards, you’ll move on to the Public Vaults. Opened in 2004, this interactive exhibit allows you to explore the documents you’ve just seen for yourself, along with a number of other records that are integral to the founding of American democracy as we know it today. You’ll find surprise after surprise as you continue to explore the National Archives. See recent presidents as children, hear one of the only voice recordings from Theodore Roosevelt, and gain an insight into the people behind the most important office in the world. You’ll step into the vaults for your last stop in the National Archives to see an original copy of the 1297 Magna Carta. Revered for providing the inspiration for the American Revolution, learn about its history and the last-minute auction bid that secured its place here! Step outside the archives and take in the beauty of the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art. Your guide will show you the most interesting pieces as you pass through this scenic walkway. After you exit, you’ll pass through the National Mall where your guide will point out some of Washington DC’s most important buildings, including the Smithsonian Castle, Hirshhorn Museum and the National Air and Space Museum. Making your way to the US Capitol next, you’ll have time to admire the stately reflecting pool and memorials outside as you hear about their significance. Once again, entry is pre-reserved so you can step in without any delay. See the original House of Representatives and tour the crypt as you discover how the Capitol continues to make history both nationally and internationally.

This tour is one of the best ways to visit DC’s iconic sites including the White House. Explore the history of the nation’s capital, as well as the monuments and memorials of the National Mall that feature figures like George Washington (the Washington Monument) and Abraham Lincoln (the Lincoln Memorial). Your engaging private guide will share the stories about the major players and events in American history that have earned memorials on the Mall, including the Korean War, World War II and Vietnam.  After a break, visit the National Gallery of Art and follow your guide through one of America’s best collections of artwork produced by Renaissance artists, French Impressionists and great American painters. See works from Claude Monet, Raphael, Gilbert Stuart, Vincent Van Gogh and Edgar Degas, as well as more modern artists like Picasso, Pollock, Warhol and O’Keefe, as you learn what’s really behind the creation of some of these pieces. Some pieces you’ll see on this tour include Ginevra de’ Benci by Leonardo da Vinci, Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh and Woman with a Parasol by Claude Monet. Listen as your guide fills you in on the techniques behind some of the paintings, as well as some of the history and scandals that happened because of them.

This walking tour of Washington, D.C. begins next to Pershing Park, right across from the White House south lawn. From here, you’ll make your way to the White House itself, where you can admire the seat of American power and learn some fascinating tidbits about its construction. Did you know the entire East Wing was built as a distraction? From here, you’ll head south toward Constitution Gardens and pick up some insight into D.C.’s complicated history along the way. Through the gardens, you’ll find what was once the city’s most controversial monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Next, you’ll head to the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most iconic memorials in D.C. Then, you’ll reach the National Mall, which you’ve definitely seen on TV plenty of times. Here’s where you’ll get an up-close look at the Washington Monument, and learn the history of George Washington’s connection to this important city. If you like museums, the next stretch of the tour is absolutely for you. Along this route, you’ll pass the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art. There’s a reason D.C. is known as the number one place to go for museums! On the final leg of the tour, you’ll arrive at three of the most crucial buildings in the city: The Library of Congress, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The tour will conclude here, amid these three awe-inspiring structures. Journey back in time to historic Philadelphia in the days of George Washington and his revolutionary collaborators! We begin at the beautiful City Hall and make our way to the historic district while exploring the catalysts to the war. At the famous Independence Hall, we dive into the Declaration of Independence’s drafting, debating, and signing. From there, we explore George Washington’s legacy as a politician, general, and president. This leads us to the iconic Liberty Bell and the history behind its famous crack… and it’s status as an abolitionist symbol. Then we explore the lives, museums, and homes of revolutionary figures like Ben Franklin, the diplomat, Benedict Arnold, the traitor, Thomas Jefferson, future president, and Crispus Attacus, American hero. We continue our journey past the famous African American Museum, Franklin Square, National Constitution Center, and the Mint. At the historic Betsy Ross House, we see the birthplace of the American flag, and in picturesque Elfreth’s Alley, we step back into a more quaint, cobblestoned era. Finally, our tour passes George Washington’s church and fittingly concludes at the Museum of American Revolution. Remember to bring headphones and a battery pack for your phone! Note that this tour is not a ticket to go inside any museums or paid attractions.