See all upcoming tours at both of our museum locations.

Docent-led, walk-in tours are offered daily at two venues, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery. At SAAM, the Highlights tours yield lively exchanges about American art, history and culture. At the Renwick Gallery, visitors explore unique craft objects by contemporary artists to learn about process, material and technique. All tours are subject to docent availability.

Tours at Smithsonian American Art Museum

Collection Highlights Tours

Tours meet in the F Street lobby. Collection Highlights tours are offered daily at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. (except the second Tuesdays of each month and all federal holidays). Special themed tours, including tours of selected special exhibitions, also are offered. Please see Calendar: Ongoing Tours and Activities for upcoming tours.

Lunder Conservation Center Tours

Lunder Conservation Center tours are normally conducted on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. To confirm your preferred date is available, see Calendar: Lunder Conservation Center Tours

Luce Foundation Center Tours

Listen online to an audio tour of the Luce Foundation Center, or call it from your phone at (202) 595-1852 (normal calling rates apply). We have over 200 tour stops that explore the scope of SAAM's collection. Listen to as many or as few as you like!  

Guided tours of the Luce Foundation Center are available by appointment. Please email AmericanArtLuce@si.edu to schedule a tour.

Luce Foundation Center Scavenger Hunts

With more than 3,000 artworks densely arranged in floor-to-ceiling glass cases, the Luce Foundation Center is the perfect place for a scavenger hunt! Themed hunts are available daily at the information desk on the third-floor mezzanine in the Center, or you can download scavenger hunts to print out and bring with you. The scavenger hunts are suitable for all ages, including grown-ups.

To schedule a school group adventure on the Luce Foundation Center or to find out more, e-mail AmericanArtLuce@si.edu or call (202) 633-5435.

Self-Guided Civil War Audio Tour

A hundred and fifty years ago the Civil War engulfed Washington. This museum building, then the Patent Office Building, was at times a barracks, a hospital, and the location of President Lincoln’s inaugural ball. Join Charles Robertson, Deputy Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, for an exploration of these historic events. Take this self-guided audio tour of our historic building. 

Tours at the Renwick Gallery

Tours meet at the information desk in the main lobby. Collection Highlights tours are offered Monday thru Saturday at noon (except the second Tuesdays of each month and all federal holidays). Please see the Calendar for upcoming tours.

At this time, there are no tours being offered for No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man.

Schedule a Group Tour

To schedule a group tour at either location, fill out the Group Tour Request Form. Tours in American Sign language (ASL) or for those with low-vision or blindness are also available by appointment. Three weeks notice is required when scheduling tours.

School Group Tours

Tours of both SAAM and the Renwick Gallery are available. For more information, see Field Trips and School Group Tours