Unscripted by Guided Tours DC, Washington D.C., DC (2025)

07/14/2025

It's shark awareness week!

Be aware of the megalodon when you go and eat at the Museum of Natural History here in DC! Their teeth are as big as your hand!

Rett, our Concierge, has recently become very aware of this fact.

Check it out and have lunch with a shark after your Smithsonian Highlights tour! Book today at: unscripted.city.

Photo creds:

1: Megalodon in Natural History Museum, Rett Dean, Unscripted Tours.
2: Rett finds himself suddenly aware of sharks, Rett Dean, Unscripted Tours.

07/13/2025

Happy Birthday to the one and only Harrison Ford!

The incredible actor is most known for his role in Star Wars as the gunslinging bounty hunter Han Solo, although he’d prefer if everyone knew him for the roguish treasure seeking Indiana Jones. Either way, he’s portrayed some of the most influential characters in American film and we here at Unscripted want to celebrate him with you.

Check out the original whip, hat, and coat used in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Happy 83rd, Harrison!

Photo creds:

1:”Harrison Ford at Celebrity Fight Night XXIII” Gage Skidmore, Retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harrison_Ford_by_Gage_Skidmore_3.jpg
2: Indiana Jones coat & hat, Rett Dean, Unscripted Tours.
3: Indiana Jones Whip, Rett Dean, Unscripted Tours.

07/12/2025

Today is Etch a Sketch Day, marking 65 years since this childhood staple entered the market! To see and learn more about iconic American artifacts join us on our Smithsonian Highlights tour! Book now at unscripted.tours!

Image Credit:

Etch a Sketch in the National Museum of American History. Photographer: Riley Kozal, 2025

07/11/2025

Today is John Quincy Adams birthday!
Born in 1767, Adams lived through an extraordinary period in American and world history. We’re going to take a peek at this diplomat and politician and his incredible exposure to events from the American revolution, French revolution, the Russian empire, and the start of Civil War politics in the US House of Representatives.

Would you like to learn more about a man who bridges the gap between the Founding Fathers and the Civil War?

Join us on a tour of the National Archives and the Portrait Gallery where we reveal his roles as Secretary of State and President and their impact on America.

Then, take our Capitol Hill tour to learn about Adams’ 17 years in the US House of Representatives and a work ethic that kept him at his desk until the very end.

These are some of our most popular tours so book now to secure your spot before summer tours are full!

Photo Credits:

1: John Quincy Adams, 1843 Photographer Philip Haas, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Object Number: NPG.2017.110

2: John Quincy Adams, 1783 Artist Izaak Schmidt, pastel on vellum, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Object Number: NPG.91.3

3: John Quincy Adams, 1815 Artist Pieter Van Huffel, oil on canvas, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Object Number: NPG.70.12

4: John Quincy Adams, 1848 Artist Kellogs & Comstock, hand-colored lithograph on paper, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Object Number: NPG.81.41

5: John Quincy Adams / sketch'd by Arthur J. Stansbury Esqr. a few hours previous to the death of Mr. Adams ; lith. by Sarony & Major. [New York: Sarony & Major, 117 Fulton Street, May 18] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

07/09/2025

Today is Fashion Day!

History Wednesday is recognizing artistry and expression in clothing by showcasing the First Ladies who made their own contribution to the fashion world.

To learn more about these trendy ladies, book our Smithsonian Highlights tour and see their exhibit in the National Museum of American History!

Image credits:

1: The First Ladies Inaugural Ball Gown Display, National Museum of American History. Photographer: Liam Gideon, 2025

2: Lou Hoovers Evening Gown in National Museum of American History. Photographer: RIley Kozal 2025

3: First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front, Harris and Ewing ca. 1952-1961 https://www.loc.gov/item/96525425/

4: Jaqueline Kennedy’s State Dinner Dress in National Museum of American History. Photographer: Riley Kozal, 2025

5: [First Lady Betty Ford, half-length portrait, facing front] ca. 1971 https://www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3g02019/

6: A collection of dresses worn by first ladies in the National Museum of American History. Photographer: Riley Kozal, 2025

07/08/2025

DC neighborhoods by Metro is a tour for those who would like to learn how to use the subway, train lovers, and guests who want to see more than the monuments while in DC.

In 3 hours, your guide will give you an introduction to the Metro system and how to use it and throughout your journey describe the development of DC transit from 1800 to today. You will experience several lines while traveling to local neighborhoods that highlight the best of what DC has to offer away from the museums.

This is the perfect way to start your trip in DC so you can Metro like a local and explore even more of what Washington has to offer. Make your reservations in advance at unscripted.tours!

Photo Credits:

1: Inside the train, Photo by Liam Gideon
2: Archives-Navy Memorial Metro stop, Photo by Liam Gideon
3: The statues guarding Union Station’s Main Hall, Photo by Liam Gideon
4: Metro art installation, Photo by Liam Gideon

07/07/2025

For World Chocolate Day we're enjoying one of our favorite Washington DC sites in chocolate form.

Want to try it for yourself? Join us on a tour of Capitol Hill. These book up fast, so get your tickets now at unscripted.tours!

Image Credits:

1 & 2: White Chocolate Capitol building. Photographer: Riley Kozal, 2025

3: United States Capitol Building. Photographer: Liam Gideon, 2025

07/06/2025

Trivia Time!

Where are we?

We'll post the answer tomorrow, along with the photo credits.

07/05/2025

Skye is the resident academic here at Unscripted, sporting the only PhD among our group of historians. We are very lucky that she can combine her wealth of knowledge with great storytelling to bring our tours to life. No matter what tour you take with Skye, you are guaranteed to learn a lot and have a great time.

To meet Skye virtually, listen to the award-winning podcast she co-hosts about the Old Idaho State Penitentiary called Behind Gray Walls. Then book a tour with Skye and experience how fun historians can be. Book now at unscripted.tours!

Photo Credits:
Photos of Skye on tour at the Library of Congress, the Capitol Visitors Center and the Museum of Natural History. Photos by Liam Gideon, Christopher Williams and courtesy of tour guests.

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day! Today, Americans honor their country with the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Often, festivities include fireworks, food, drink, and frozen treats.

Did you know that according to some historians, 4th of July fun 1850s style, may have been what killed 12th President Zachary Taylor?! Reportedly, Taylor enjoyed a “frozen” dairy treat after coming home from attending oratory celebrations all day. He requested many different sorts of cherries be brought to him as he enjoyed his iced milk. 5 days later, he passed away from gastroenteritis. Was it brought on by his 4th of July revels or just the unsanitary living conditions in DC at the time? You be the judge.

Sit back, relax, enjoy the fireworks and be careful out there!

Photo Creds:
1: Fireworks 1. -07-05. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress www.loc.gov/item/2023696137/
2: Zachary Taylor, half-length portrait, head in profile to the right. Brady, Mathew B. [Between 1844 and 1849] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .
3: Smalltown July 4th Parade. July 4. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .
4: Washington Monument in progress circa 1865. Bell & Bro Photographers. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

07/03/2025

The America Unscripted tour is an iconic Americana tour touching on the most important documents and objects on display in Washington DC. Covering both the National Archives and the Museum of American History these 2 hours will fly by as your guide weaves together the Declaration of Independence to Captain America’s shield and everything in between.

Due to small group size, these tours sell out quickly. Make your reservations in advance at unscripted.tours!

Photo Credits:

1: National Archives South Facade, Photo by Liam Gideon
2: National Archives rotunda, Photo by Liam Gideon
3: Abraham Lincoln’s top hat from the night of the assassination, Photo by Lia

07/02/2025

For this History Wednesday we are thinking about one of our favorite parts of summer celebrations: fireworks. There is a tradition of beautiful pyrotechnics in American Independence Day celebrations, but their place in history dates back long before 1776. Nearly 2000 years ago Ancient China debuted a version of fireworks, they were used in Feudal England, and in the modern day, fireworks have illuminated celebrations across cultures and borders. Every Independence Day, the National Parks Service hosts a fireworks display on the National Mall so brilliant that people travel to DC to witness it in person. This July 4th remember the ancient history behind the dazzling displays.

#1776

Image Credits:

1: July 4th fireworks, Washington, D.C. Photographer: Carol Highsmith, 2008

2: Yao Wen-han, Joyous Celebration at the New Year ca. 18th Century

3: The Family of Henry VII with St George and the Dragon. Artist: Unknown, 1503-9

4: The Declaration of Independence / painted by John Trumbull ; engraved & printed by Illman Brothers., 1876. https://www.loc.gov/item/2018645792/.

5: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's, renowned Independence Day (July 4) fireworks display. Photographer: Carol Highsmith, 2019

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