Castle to Capitol: Museums of the National Mall Private Walking Tour

Starting at the Smithsonian Castle, we'll visit the original home and oldest museum on the Mall. We'll see the crypt of James Smithson, the founder of the Smithsonian who never came to this country in his lifetime. We'll take a look at some old photos of Washington, showing the transformation of DC over the past 150 years, and an original model of the Castle. Next, we'll head outside to the gardens, "backstage" of the National Mall. We'll stop at the second home of the Smithsonian Institution, the Arts & Industries Building, one of the most colorful and eclectic structures in the city. We'll pass the Hirshhorn Museum, our spaceship on the mall, and peek at the modern sculpture garden. We'll also stroll by the most popular museum in the U. S. , the Air and Space Museum, and one of our most underappreciated, the Museum of the American Indian. Heading through the Botanical Garden to a hidden gem known mostly by hill staffers, we'll wrap up at the foot of Capitol Hill with beautiful views of the US Capitol.