DC Night Tour: 10+ National Mall Monuments Lit Up

See the memorials and monuments of DC lit up after dark, with stops at 10+ sites in a single evening.

A 3-hour guided night tour of Washington DC's National Mall and monuments travels by temperature-controlled coach bus, stopping at 10+ major sites for photos including the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and more. The route also passes 20+ additional landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and Smithsonian museums. A professional guide leads the tour and walks you through each stop. Complimentary bottled water is included. Optional upgrades add reserved entry tickets to the Washington Monument, National Air & Space Museum, or African American History Museum for self-guided visits the following day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each14 stops

1. National Mallpassing by
2. U.S. Capitol15m
3. The White House20m
4. Tidal Basin20m
5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial20m
6. Lincoln Memorial20m
7. Washington MonumentEntry included1m
8. National Air and Space MuseumEntry included1m
9. National Museum of African American History and CultureEntry included1m
10. US Marine Corps War Memorial15m
11. National World War II Memorial20m
12. Thomas Jefferson Memorialpassing by
13. Korean War Veterans Memorial20m
14. Vietnam Veterans Memorial20m

Washington DC Night Tour of Monuments

• Board temperature-controlled coach bus
• Pass by 20+ sites including Washington Monument and Arlington Cemetery
• Stop at National Archives for photos
• Explore outside U.S. Capitol on Capitol Hill
• Stop at the White House for photos and history
• Stop at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
• Stop at National World War II Memorial
• Stop at Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Stop at Lincoln Memorial
• Stop at Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Stop at Vietnam Women Memorial
• Stop at US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial)
• Optional walk along cherry blossom trees (seasonal)
• See holiday lights in December at White House and nearby locations
• Option to upgrade for next-day entry tickets to Washington Monument, Air & Space Museum, or African American Museum

The experience

The tour departs in the evening and travels by coach through DC's lit monuments and memorials. You'll stop at 10 major sites for photos and to walk the grounds with your guide: the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, National Archives, and Vietnam Women's Memorial. The route passes by the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and multiple Smithsonian museums along the way. In December, the tour includes views of holiday lights outside the White House, U.S. Capitol, Canadian Embassy, and Willard Hotel. During cherry blossom season (typically late March through early April), you'll have time to walk along the flowering trees at the Tidal Basin.

Much of the tour is outdoors, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Umbrellas and layers are recommended. You can stay on the bus at any stop if you prefer, or ask your guide how to adjust the amount of walking at each site. The coach is temperature-controlled for the portions you spend riding between stops. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children must be accompanied by an adult. Public transportation is available nearby if you need an alternative.

If you upgrade at checkout, you can add reserved entry tickets to the Washington Monument, National Air & Space Museum, or African American History Museum. These tickets are for self-guided entry on the following day after your night tour, since those attractions operate during daytime hours. The tour operator sends your tickets via WhatsApp on the day of your tour. Make sure you provide a valid WhatsApp number at checkout. Tickets are assigned a specific date and time by each attraction and cannot be changed, and they are non-refundable once issued.

What’s included

• 3-hour guided night tour of Washington DC's National Mall and monuments via temperature-controlled coach bus.
• stops at 10+ top sites including the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and more.
• professional tour guide who walks you through each stop.
• views of 20+ additional landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and Smithsonian museums.
• complimentary bottled water.
• optional upgrades for reserved self-guided entry tickets to the Washington Monument, National Air & Space Museum, or African American History Museum (valid the following day).

Options for this experience

4 options

Night TourGuide in English · 19:30A 3-hour night tour of the National Mall with 10+ stops. During cherry blossom season (typically late March to early April), you also walk along and see the cherry blossom trees up close during the tour.

Tour plus Washington MonumentGuide in English · Available from 2 Jan 2027Upgrade: Public night tour with 10+ stops plus a self-guided admission ticket to the Washington Monument

Tour plus Air & Space MuseumGuide in English · 19:30Upgrade: Public night tour with 10+ stops plus a self-guided admission ticket to the Air & Space Museum

Tour plus African American MuseumGuide in English · 19:30Upgrade: Public night tour with 10+ stops plus a self-guided admission ticket to the National African American History Museum.

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

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 19:30, from US$ 63 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DC Guided Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see DC's major memorials and monuments in a single evening without arranging your own transport or timing between stops. The 3-hour route and fixed schedule fit the sights into one night, and the coach handles the logistics between each location. If you're interested in entering the museums or climbing the Washington Monument, add an upgrade at checkout for entry tickets valid the next day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

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 are the 10+ stops on the DC night tour?

The tour stops at the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, National Archives, and Vietnam Women's Memorial. You'll also pass by the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and multiple Smithsonian museums without stopping.

Can I add museum entry tickets to my night tour?

Yes, you can upgrade at checkout to include reserved entry tickets for the Washington Monument, National Air & Space Museum, or African American History Museum. These tickets are for self-guided entry the following day, since the attractions are closed during the evening tour hours.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

There is standing and walking at each of the 10+ stops, but you can stay on the bus at any stop or ask your guide to modify how much you walk at each site. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as most of the tour is outdoors.

What happens during cherry blossom season?

During cherry blossom season, typically late March through early April, you'll have time to walk along the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin as part of your tour. Outside of that season, you'll still visit all 10+ memorial stops and sightseeing sites without the flowering trees.