Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + Boat Cruise

4.7 (3,762 Viator reviews) 6 hrs Washington DC area

Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + Boat Cruise
Tour guide informs visitors to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
Lincoln Memorial
Visitors head toward the United States Capitol Building on a cloudless day.
Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + Boat Cruise, photo 5

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About this activity

Board your glamourous, climate-controlled panoramic bus at the U.S. Navy Memorial for one of the best bus tours in Washington DC!

Expanding on our popular Highlights Tour, this six-hour excursion also includes a lunch break and the opportunity to travel through the Tidal Basin.

See the very best of Washington DC in one day! Enjoy guided walks around the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and more! For a unique experience, this tour includes a leisurely seasonal (Apr 1 to Sep 30) cruise on the Potomac River! In winter, we get to explore the Pentagon City.

Upgrade to our convertible tour bus for a unique sightseeing experience with an open-air view when weather permits, and a climate-controlled, glass-top roof for comfort during sudden weather changes!

Itinerary

  1. United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center · 15 min

    Starts/Ends

  2. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center · 20 min

    Guided Walking Tour of the U.S. Capitol Building (outside only)

  3. The White House · 15 min

    Guided Walking Tour of the White House (outside only)

  4. National World War II Memorial · 15 min

    Guided Walking Tour of WWII Memorial

  5. Jefferson Memorial · 15 min

    Guided Walking Tour of Thomas Jefferson Memorial

  6. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial · 15 min

    Guided Walking Tour of FDR Memorial

  7. Georgetown · 60 min

    SEASONAL (Apr 1 - Sep 30); in the warmer months, guests enjoy a boat cruise on the Potomac River and can purchase lunch and explore Georgetown.

  8. The Pentagon · 60 min

    SEASONAL (Oct 1 - Mar 31); The Pentagon City; lunch break & free time.

  9. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial · 20 min

    Guided Walking Tour of MLK Memorial

  10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial · 15 min

    Guided Walking Tour of Vietnam Veterans Memorial

  11. Korean War Veterans Memorial · 15 min

    Guided Walking Tour of Korean War Veterans Memorial

  12. Lincoln Memorial · 20 min

    See the iconic memorial up close!

What's included

  • Boat Cruise on the Potomac River (seasonal: April 1 to September 30)
  • Upgrade to glass-top bus available
  • English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch

Meeting point

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

For either the Discover DC Guided Bus Tour (6349touronly) or the Upgrade: Glass-Top/Convertible (TG4) departure @ 10 AM: Look for the tour greeter near the tall, white flagpoles on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza (between 7th & 9th Streets) outside the Archives metro.

End point: For either the Discover DC Guided Bus Tour (6349touronly) or the Upgrade: Glass-Top/Convertible (TG4) departure @ 10 AM: Look for the tour greeter near the tall, white flagpoles on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza (between 7th & 9th Streets) outside the Archives metro.

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Small carry-on bags are allowed, however it is recommended that you travel lightly. Due to security concerns, the tour operator reserves the right to search any bags or purses you bring on board. Many of the attractions in Washington DC are equipped with metal detectors at the entrances. Traveling without bags or purses is recommended
  • Due to time restrictions, you cannot go inside any of the monuments, however you can spend about 15-20 minutes at each stop to enjoy up-close views
  • No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
  • The boat cruise is seasonal from Apr 1 to Sep 30
  • Convertible buses switch from open-tops to glass-tops between October and March due to colder temperatures
  • If you're driving, there is street parking and garages available near the meeting location, including directly under the Navy Memorial meeting location.
  • We will meet guests in the front of the Navy Memorial, a large fountain plaza, by the tall navy flags - on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 7th & 9th St NW. Please note: rideshares tend to bring people to the opposite side of the block.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.7/5

3,762 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor

  • 5 star3,193
  • 4 star351
  • 3 star110
  • 2 star38
  • 1 star70

Read the reviews on Viator

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Distances are straight-line from the activity's center of Washington DC (Viator lists this tour under Washington DC; it has no meeting-point coordinates).