Smithsonian American History Museum Through Music

Join us as we travel through time and explore US history with a musical twist! Learn about the origins and controversies of America's national anthem, discover the evolution of spiritual music into blues, jazz, rock n' roll, hip-hop, and R&B, and live out your dream of becoming a hip-hop DJ by learning a funky beat, all with your local guide by your side!

Smithsonian American History Museum Through Music Highlights

• Explore one of America's favorite museums, the Smithsonian, with a local by your side
• Discover artifacts and objects that belonged to some of the most famous people in American history
• Engage with the museum exhibits through games and interactive activities
• Learn the origins and stories behind some of the USA's best-known songs and musicians

  Inclusions

Local English-speaking guide.

  Exclusions

Food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, and tips/gratuities for your guide.

  Schedule

Meeting point: 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560. We'll meet at the south entrance of the museum underneath the American flag.

Starting time: 1.00 PM

Duration: 2 hours

Ending point: 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560.

  Full Itinerary

Finally, you end your tour between the '90s and the present-day, where you discover how past rhythms and beats made their way into nightclubs and bars with the invention of electronic music equipment. As a bonus, we give you a chance to make a beat of your own — who knows, you could be America's next top DJ!

Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of six and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select 'child' above when booking. Children under the age of six are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you'll be bringing a child under the age of six. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.

Next, you and your guide boogie over to the African-American history and culture gallery exhibit and the museum's 'Many Voices, One Nation' exhibit where you see the vibrant, bedazzled, and downright wild outfits worn by dance legends and Broadway stars as well as the musical instruments that produced some of the world's most famous jazz, soul, salsa, and R&B tunes. Explore the importance of music and the hidden (and sometimes not so well hidden) messages in songs that were used in political movements and times of struggle, and you may discover that you've been accidentally transmitting a code every time you whistle your favorite tune!

Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.

Your DC tour begins at one of the museum's highlights, the Star-Spangled Banner exhibit. Here, you discover the origins of the national anthem, the war that started it all, and even hear a few different versions of the song. You also have the chance to see the original flag — Old Glory in all her glory.

Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide.

Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure, you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.

Office phone number: +1 202 810 1700 Email address: [email protected]

The United States is a country of rich culture and history, and there are few better ways to learn about it than the Smithsonian Museum of American History. But as amazing as this museum is, we know that everything is more fun when you add a little rhythm, so that's what this tour is all about! Our guides walk you through the museum's exhibits and the many musical artifacts it holds, discussing music's relevance to the incredible historical events and phenomena that inspired some of the best-known melodies in America today.

Exclusions: Food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, and tips/gratuities for your guide.