Washington D.C. Day Trip from New York: Monuments & Memorials

A Day in Washington: From Arlington to the National Mall

You board a guided bus at Times Square and spend the day visiting Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and war memorials on the National Mall. Lunch and museum time are on your own. The bus handles the driving and the context. Bring your passport or state ID for cemetery entry, and plan for a full day out. You leave early and return in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Arlington National Cemetery1h
2. National Mall4h
3. US Marine Corps War Memorial15m
4. Lincoln Memorial20m
5. Korean War Veterans Memorial10m
6. The White House20m
7. U.S. Capitol20m

Washington DC monuments and memorials tour

• Depart from Times Square NYC
• Visit Arlington National Cemetery
• See US Marine Corps War Memorial
• Visit Lincoln Memorial
• See Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Visit Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Tour National Mall and monuments
• Free time for lunch
• Photo stop at The White House
• Photo stop at U.S. Capitol
• Drive along main avenue with key buildings
• Free time at National Air and Space Museum
• Return to New York City

The experience

Hands gripping a camera, eyes fixed on the marble steps ahead. That's how the morning starts, before the bus even pulls away from Times Square. The drive to Washington D.C. takes a few hours, and you're sitting in an air-conditioned coach with a guide who knows the route and the stories behind each stop. First thing: Arlington National Cemetery, where you walk among the graves and stand in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's mandatory to bring your passport or state ID to enter, so that's sorted before you go. The cemetery sits quiet even when it's crowded, and the guide gives you the context without rushing you through.

After Arlington, the bus heads to the National Mall, and that's where the day opens up. You'll see the Lincoln Memorial from the outside, the U.S. Capitol from the bus, the White House from the perimeter: all the landmarks that show up in history books, except you're standing there looking at them. The guide points out the Marine Corps War Memorial (six soldiers frozen mid-flag-raise, based on the Iwo Jima photograph), the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with names carved into black granite, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial with its nineteen steel statues. You get free time to grab lunch somewhere on the Mall, and if you want to slip into the National Air and Space Museum, that's yours to do. The bus doesn't rush you. It's built into the day.

The route also takes you down Pennsylvania Avenue, where incoming presidents make their inaugural parade, and you pass the FBI Building, the National Archives, the Ministry of Commerce: the buildings that actually run the country, not just the monuments to it. It's the kind of day trip from New York where you see the major sites without having to figure out the Metro, buy separate tickets, or worry about timing. The air-conditioned bus is your base, and the guide keeps the pace steady enough that you're not exhausted by evening but not bored either. You're back in New York by nightfall, having crossed into another state and seen the seat of American government in a single day.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or Times Square pickup (confirm with the operator), air-conditioned bus transport to and from Washington D.C., guided visits to Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall, and exterior views of the White House and U.S.
• Capitol, plus stops at the Lincoln Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial.
• Free time for lunch on the National Mall and optional museum visits are built in.
• The guide provides context at each stop, and you return to New York in the evening.

Options for this experience

2 options

English tour06:00 and 08:00English tour

Tour in Spanish06:00 and 08:00Tour in Spanish

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 06:00 and 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 48

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Intertravel NYC

Is this one for you?A good fit if you're staying in New York and want to see Washington D.C.'s major monuments without renting a car or navigating public transit yourself. The full day out (leaving early and returning by evening) is what makes visiting Arlington, the National Mall, and multiple memorials possible in one trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I need to bring to enter Arlington National Cemetery?

A valid passport or, if you're a U.S. resident, a state ID or driver's license. This is mandatory.

How long is the drive from New York to Washington D.C.?

The drive is several hours each way. You leave from Times Square in the morning and return in the evening.

Is lunch included in the tour?

No, lunch is on your own. You have free time on the National Mall to eat at a restaurant or café nearby.

Can I visit the inside of the White House or the Capitol on this tour?

No, you see both buildings from outside and take photos from the perimeter. The tour focuses on exterior views and the surrounding memorials.

Is there time to visit a museum?

Yes, you have free time to visit the National Air and Space Museum or other Smithsonian museums on the National Mall if you choose.

What is the transportation like?

You travel in an air-conditioned bus with a guide. The vehicle is comfortable for a full day of sitting and driving.

Are infants allowed on the tour?

Yes, infants must sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are also allowed.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though you will be walking around memorials and cemeteries, and standing for periods on the bus.