Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Trips to the Smithsonian
If you’re a first-timer with group travel, you may be reluctant to book your trip with a charter bus rental service. You may have concerns such as how to plan your itinerary, whether or not there’s seating available for large group sizes, and the extent of the amenities present in each bus model. The team at National Charter Bus reassures you and your group that we will take care of all reservation and transportation logistics, since your comfort and safety is our primary concern.
Our extensive transportation network enables us to provide your group with a range of bus options. We cater to any trip type and any group size, any time of day. When it comes to touring the Smithsonian Institution, National Charter Bus will help you plan “Hop-On Hop-Off” bus trips to each of the museum sites. We can pick up and drop off your party to any museum of your choice, regardless of the trip distance or location. All you need to do is contact our reservation specialists at 202-250-3441 and plan your itinerary for a culturally uplifting experience!
The Smithsonian Group Sales and Reservations department offers groups of 10 or more discounts to restaurants and attractions in the region. Moreover, group tours can also be arranged if booked in advance. When it comes to educational tours, professors are required to accompany their students for the entirety of the visit.
If you’re a small group of graduate students studying Fine Arts at George Washington University or the American University College of Arts and Sciences, National Charter Bus can provide you with an 18-passenger minibus for your museum hop. Unlike the traditional school bus layout, each bus in our network is an upgraded, tech-savvy model. With free WiFi on board as well as an AV entertainment system, long bus trips will no longer be a source of discomfort. Art students will be able to read up on their visual study paintings beforehand and will be prepared for their upcoming museum venture. In addition, the overhead cabin space can store painting supplies, easels and camera equipment. Every feature on the bus will be customized to meet the needs of each student.
When it comes to families, National Charter Bus has every member covered. For mid-sized families booking transportation to see DC’s most treasured artifacts, the 25-passenge mnibus rental is the perfect choice. Important features present on the bus such as bathrooms, panoramic windows, and climate-controlled interiors are a must-have for groups traveling with children. Every individual, regardless of age will travel in comfort and ease. The reclining seats will be helpful for elders who need to stretch during long journeys, or toddlers who need to take a mini cat-nap before exploring their favorite museums.
Corporate trips are another one of our specialties. For large parties planning on attending an art appreciation seminar, the 56-passenger charter bus is the preferred option. The bus is up to par for all VIP clients flying in for the weekend-- with luxury amenities such as cushioned seats and auxiliary plug-ins, it is sure to impress. Everyone can charge their electronic devices onboard and utilize the free WiFi for important emails and presentations, all while comfortably seated on their premium bus model. Moreover, your driver can facilitate multiple stops for your group. They can pick and drop your clients from Dulles International Airport to their hotel, and can pick them up in the morning, ready to drop them off at any museum site of their choice. Stay together and arrive on time to the Smithsonian by booking transportation through National Charter Bus!
View further tips and guidelines on touring the museums over here.
A Menagerie of Knowledge
For groups in town for a longer period of time, we often recommend a day dedicated to each museum so that you are fully able to grasp the beauty of each exhibit. For your convenience, we have listed the addresses and locations of all of the 19 museums below:
1. Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)
This stop is a great starting point to the Smithsonian Institution. It hosts a variety of information from all 19 sites.
Address: 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm daily
2. National Museum of African American History and Culture
This museum is a place where all Americans can learn about the history of the African American experience and how it shaped our nation’s history.
Address: 15th St. and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
3. National Museum of African Art
This destination is the only national museum in America that is dedicated to the study of the arts from the continent of Africa.
Address: 950 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
4. National Air and Space Museum
Learn about the history of aviation and space travel at this museum.
Address: Independence Avenue and 6th Street, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, 7:30 pm during extended hours
5. National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center
This center near Dulles Airport accompanies the location above.
Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, 6:30 pm during extended hours
6. Smithsonian American Art Museum
Description: This museum features an incredible record of the American people over a period of three centuries.
Address: 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC
Hours: 11:30 am to 7 pm daily
7. National Museum of American History
This museum focuses on the scientific, cultural and social development of the United States, dating back to the Colonial period.
Address: 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, 7:30 pm during extended hours
8. National Museum of the American Indian
This museum has one of the most expansive collections of Native objects in the Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego.
Address: 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
9. National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center
Based in New York, this beautiful museum also celebrates the diverse history of Native cultures across the United States.
Address: Alexander Hamilton U.S Custom House, One Bowling Green, New York City, NY
Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily, Thursdays until 8 pm
10. Anacostia Community Museum
Located in the Anacostia neighborhood, this museum studies the impact of historical and social issues on urban communities.
Address: 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily
11. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
A museum of Asian Art, it features permanent and temporary exhibitions from ancient times until today.
Address: 1050 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
12. Freer Gallery of Art
Another museum of Asian Art, it features premier collections from Neolithic times until the early 20th century.
Address: Jefferson Drive and 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
13. Art and Industries Building
This museum is open mainly for special events.
Address: 900 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: TBA
14. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
This museum is dedicated to historic and contemporary design. It is located in the famous Andrew Carnegie mansion and is accompanied by a lush garden.
Address: 2 East 91st Street, New York, NY
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and Sundays, 10 am to 9 pm on Saturdays
15. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
This museum features international modern and contemporary art in a unique cylindrical building.
Address: Independence Avenue at 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC
Hours: Museum - 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, Plaza - 7:30 pm to 5:30 pm daily, Sculpture Garden - 7:30 am until dusk
16. National Museum of Natural History
The world’s most popular museum focuses on our natural surroundings and our contribution to it.
Address: 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily, 7:30 pm during extended hours
17. National Portrait Gallery
This gallery features every leading figure that has shaped our nation.
Address: 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC
Hours: 11:30 am to 7 pm daily
18. National Postal Museum
This museum displays the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world.
Address: 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
19. Renwick Gallery
This museum is dedicated to the exhibition of contemporary American art. It is a National historic landmark and was the first building in the United States that was built to be an art museum.
Address: 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm daily
In general, admission is free to all DC-based museums, with exceptions to the African American Museum and the New York locations. Let National Charter Bus be your primary transportation provider to all 19 destinations. Browse through our prices, quotes and safety information, and book your trip today!
Book Your Smithsonian Museum Trip Today
Are you ready to become a bona fide expert on all things art? Since the Smithsonian is such a vast institution, your group will need help planning their itinerary accurately, so that there is ample time to visit each museum. Our reservation specialists will assist you in customizing your travel plans. From navigating travel logistics to finding the perfect bus model, National Charter Bus will help you every step of the way. Apart from DC, our transportation network extends to other states, such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Call us at 202-250-3441 for a free, no-obligation quote!
202-250-3441
Our agents are available 24/7
