Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight: Trolley & Night Lights

The Trolley Fills Up Fast Once the Sun Sets on Washington DC

You board at Union Station or the Washington Welcome Center, then spend the evening on an open-air trolley passing the Capitol, White House, and Washington Monument, with stops to walk around the Lincoln Memorial, MLK Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial: all lit up at night. A live guide narrates the whole route, mixing history with local stories. Check in 30 minutes before departure to secure your seat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Union Station15m
2. Supreme Court of the United Statespass by
3. Capitol Hillpass by
4. U.S. Capitolpass by
5. Thomas Jefferson Memorialpass by
6. Vietnam Veterans Memorial5m
7. Korean War Veterans Memorial15m
8. Lincoln Memorial15m
9. Washington Monumentpass by
10. The White Housepass by
11. Tidal Basin5m
12. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial15m · entry included
13. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial15m

Evening trolley tour of DC monuments

• Check in at chosen departure point
• Board trolley for narrated tour
• Pass by Supreme Court
• Photo op at Capitol Hill
• Photo op at U.S. Capitol
• Pass by Jefferson Memorial
• Stop at Lincoln Memorial
• Stop at Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Stop at Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Pass by Washington Monument
• Pass by White House
• Stop at MLK Jr. Memorial
• Stop at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Enjoy live narration and ghost stories

The experience

The trolley departs at dusk, and if you've booked the Union Station departure at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, you'll need to check in 30 minutes early: the seats go quickly once word gets out that the monuments look different after dark. The open-air trolley rolls past the Capitol Building and the White House first, both lit up in a way that makes them look less like buildings you've seen in photos and more like the actual center of something. Your guide talks while you move, pointing out which windows matter, which statues have names, and then, without warning, the ghost stories start. They're woven in between the facts, so you're never quite sure if you're learning history or hearing folklore, which is probably the point.

The trolley makes actual stops at the memorials that need them. You get out at the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, all floodlit and quieter than they are during the day. The MLK Jr. Memorial and FDR Memorial sit near the Tidal Basin, and the trolley stops there too, so you're not just seeing these places from a moving seat. You're standing in front of them when they're lit from below. The Washington Monument rises up somewhere in the middle of all this, and the guide's narration keeps the whole thing from feeling like you're just checking boxes. It's 100% live, which means it changes depending on who's on the trolley and what questions come up.

The whole tour runs on a fixed route, so you know what you're getting: the Capitol, the Supreme Court as you pass, Capitol Hill for photos from the trolley, then down to the memorials. No surprises about what's included or what you'll miss. You sit in an open-air trolley, which means the weather matters, bring a jacket if it's cool, but it also means you're actually outside, not watching DC through a bus window. The guide is there the whole time, and the narration is what keeps it from feeling like a sightseeing checklist.

What’s included

• Your evening includes the open-air trolley ride with stops at the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, MLK Jr.
• Memorial, and FDR Memorial near the Tidal Basin, plus views of the Capitol Building, White House, Washington Monument, and Supreme Court from the trolley.
• A professional guide provides live narration with historical information and local stories throughout.
• All taxes are included.
• Pickup is from either Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave NE) or the Washington Welcome Center (1001 E St NW), and you'll need to check in 30 minutes before departure.

Options for this experience

2 options

Leaves from the Washington Welcome CenterGuide in English · 18:30 and 19:30This departure starts at the Welcome Center on E Street NW, as opposed to the Union Station pickup.

Leaves from Union StationGuide in English · 18:30 and 19:30This departure starts at Union Station on Massachusetts Avenue NE, rather than the Welcome Center.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:30 and 19:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want to see Washington DC's major monuments lit up at night without arranging your own route or timing: the trolley stops at the key memorials and the live guide handles the context, so you just show up and sit back.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

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 24h before the start.

What time does the Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight tour depart?

The tour departs at dusk. Check-in is required 30 minutes before departure time at either Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave NE) or the Washington Welcome Center (1001 E St NW).

Which memorials do you stop at on this trolley tour?

The trolley makes stops at the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, MLK Jr. Memorial, and FDR Memorial. You pass the Capitol, White House, and Washington Monument from the trolley.

Is the trolley wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. If you require wheelchair access, please advise at the time of booking.

What's included in the Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight tour?

The tour includes the open-air trolley ride, a professional live guide, and all taxes. Infants sit on an adult's lap at no extra charge.

Can I bring my pet on the trolley tour?

Service animals are allowed. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted on the tour.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, you must book in advance and choose your departure location: Union Station or Washington Welcome Center. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and secure your seat.

Is the narration live or recorded?

The tour features 100% live narration on every departure, so the guide speaks throughout the entire tour.