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Top Things to Do in Washington DC

We compared all 200 experiences in Washington DC so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.7 200 experiences from US$ 19 Free cancellation on most experiences
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Washington DC night tour: 10+ monuments lit after dark
Washington DC night tour: 10+ monuments lit after dark★★★★★★★★★★ 4.68 (7,255)3hA three-hour guided night tour of Washington DC's monuments and memorials, starting and ending at the U.S. Navy Memorial. You ride an enclosed coach or upgrade to an open-top convertible (glass-top in winter), hop off at each stop with your guide, and photograph the floodlit White House, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and others. The full National Mall and Tidal Basin light up on the return leg.Is it for me?Choose the open-top convertible if you want unobstructed sightlines and the feel of the night air—it's the reason to book this tour instead of a daytime bus loop. Pick the closed-top coach if you prefer climate control and don't mind the window views, or if you're visiting in winter and want to stay warm.Free cancellationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 58View ›
Washington DC: National Mall Night Tour with 10+ Stops & Tickets
Washington DC: National Mall Night Tour with 10+ Stops & Tickets★★★★★★★★★★ 4.62 (5,909)3hYou board a climate-controlled coach and spend 3 hours visiting 10 major Washington DC monuments on the National Mall, with your guide walking you through each stop. You pass by 20+ additional sites including Arlington Cemetery and the Washington Monument. Optional upgrades let you add entry tickets to the Air & Space Museum or other attractions for the following day. The whole experience keeps you off your feet and moving through the city's most important sites in one evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see DC's major monuments in one evening without arranging your own transport or timing between stops—the 3-hour window and guided stops keep the pace steady and the experience contained, which works especially well if you're visiting for just one or two days.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 63View ›
Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight: Trolley & Night Lights
Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight: Trolley & Night Lights★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (4,191)2h 30mYou 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.Is it for me?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.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −29%fromUS$ 60View ›
Potomac River Boat Cruise Washington DC Guided Monuments Tour
Potomac River Boat Cruise Washington DC Guided Monuments Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (3,722)6hYou’ll walk beneath marble columns at iconic DC memorials, cruise along the Potomac River (in season), and hear stories from guides who know every corner of Washington DC. Expect quick stops at places like the White House and Capitol plus time for lunch in Georgetown or Pentagon City. It’s not just sights—it’s little moments that linger after you leave.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 89View ›
Washington DC Monuments Tour: Electric Cart & Night Views
Washington DC Monuments Tour: Electric Cart & Night Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.76 (3,215)2hYou ride through DC's major monuments and memorials in a seven-passenger electric cart with a local guide who knows the stories behind each stop. The tour covers the National Mall, the Tidal Basin, Pennsylvania Avenue, and the White House—day or night—with dedicated photo stops and insider tips for planning the rest of your trip. Arrive ten minutes early, dress for the weather, and expect to spend several hours moving through the city without arranging your own transport or timing each stop.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover the National Mall's major monuments and memorials in one outing without renting a car or timing each stop yourself—the electric cart and guide handle the logistics, and the small-group format means you're not competing for sightlines or photo angles.Free cancellationTravelers' pickBest valuefromUS$ 54View ›
Washington DC: Electric Cart Monuments Tour & Capitol Hill
Washington DC: Electric Cart Monuments Tour & Capitol Hill★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (3,103)2hYou’ll ride through Washington DC’s heart in an open electric cart with a small group and local guide—seeing landmarks like Capitol Hill, Lincoln Memorial, and the White House up close. There are chances to hop off for photos or just take in quiet moments at places like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It’s relaxed but full of stories—expect some unexpected feelings along with all those famous sights.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 54View ›
Washington DC: 15-Stop Trolley Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Access
Washington DC: 15-Stop Trolley Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Access★★★★★★★★★★ 4.09 (2,811)1h 30mYou board a custom trolley at Union Station and ride a 90-minute loop through 15 DC landmarks—White House, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums, and major memorials. Hop off at any stop, explore at your own pace, and catch the next trolley every 30 minutes. The multilingual app provides context at each stop, and the trolley is wheelchair accessible with collapsible strollers allowed. You're done arranging transport and timing yourself; the trolley does that work.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see DC's major landmarks without arranging your own transport or timing—the half-hour frequency means you set the pace, not a fixed itinerary.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −21%fromUS$ 55View ›
Arlington Cemetery: Walking Tour & Changing of the Guard
Arlington Cemetery: Walking Tour & Changing of the Guard★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (2,795)2h–2h 30mYou’ll walk through Arlington National Cemetery with a local guide, pausing at Civil War graves and hearing stories behind famous names like JFK and Jackie Kennedy. Witness the solemn Changing of the Guard ceremony up close—it’s quieter and more moving than you might expect. By tour’s end, you’ll feel both humbled and oddly connected to this place.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 69View ›
Washington DC: Capitol & National Archives Reserved Tour
Washington DC: Capitol & National Archives Reserved Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (2,560)8h 30mYou’ll walk among DC’s most powerful landmarks with reserved entry to both the U.S. Capitol and National Archives. Guided stops bring history alive at each memorial, while a seasonal boat cruise or Pentagon City lunch adds local flavor. Expect moments that surprise you — sometimes quiet, sometimes moving — on this full city day.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 129View ›
Washington DC: Night Monuments Tour & Photo Stops by Bus
Washington DC: Night Monuments Tour & Photo Stops by Bus★★★★★★★★★★ 4.60 (2,307)3hYou’ll see Washington DC’s famous monuments glowing after dark from a comfy coach bus with a local guide who actually knows their stuff. Expect photo stops at places like the White House and Lincoln Memorial, plus time to walk around memorials that feel different at night. You can upgrade your tour for museum entry tickets too — it’s a lot in three hours but never rushed.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 63View ›
Capitol Hill Tour with Library of Congress & Supreme Court
Capitol Hill Tour with Library of Congress & Supreme Court★★★★★★★★★★ 4.77 (2,146)2h–4hYou’ll walk through Capitol Hill with a small group and an expert guide who knows every shortcut and story. Snap photos by the Supreme Court steps, explore inside the US Capitol with reserved passes, then wander through grand halls of the Library of Congress. By day’s end you’ll feel closer to DC’s history than you expected—maybe even catch yourself whispering.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 69View ›
Washington DC: Segway City Tour with Monuments & Memorials
Washington DC: Segway City Tour with Monuments & Memorials★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (2,039)2h 30mYou’ll glide through Washington DC’s heart on a Segway tour that brings you face-to-face with icons like the White House and Lincoln Memorial. With a local guide leading the way and radio headsets for stories you’d miss otherwise, you’ll cover more ground than any walking tour—without breaking a sweat. Expect laughter, unexpected details, and real moments that stick with you long after.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 70View ›
Washington DC: 10 Landmarks Night Tour & Capitol Lights
Washington DC: 10 Landmarks Night Tour & Capitol Lights★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (1,724)3hYou'll visit ten Washington DC landmarks in three hours, traveling by van with a small group and a professional guide. Each stop gives you time to walk around on your own while the guide explains the history and context. Pickup and drop-off at the Grand Hyatt means no separate transfer to arrange. The night lighting transforms familiar monuments into something you haven't seen before.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see DC's major landmarks lit up at night without driving yourself or figuring out which stops to hit—the van and guide handle the route, and the small group size means you're not competing with crowds for space or photos.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −20%fromUS$ 99View ›
Private Washington DC City Tour: Cadillac or Mercedes with Historian
Private Washington DC City Tour: Cadillac or Mercedes with Historian★★★★★★★★★★ 4.90 (1,694)4hYou get a private 4-hour tour of Washington DC in a luxury vehicle with a historian guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, complimentary water, and the freedom to adjust stops and timing as you go. The guide arrives with advance notice, covers the major monuments and museums, and can work around Arlington's 5 PM closing time. Best for families and groups who want the main sights without arranging transport, tickets, or timing themselves.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Washington DC landmarks in one private tour without arranging your own transport, timing multiple stops, or navigating crowds—the historian guide and flexible itinerary let you focus on what matters to your group, and the morning or afternoon start time is what makes Arlington Cemetery possible in the same day.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfrom · per groupUS$ 550View ›
Washington DC: Monuments Day Tour with 10 Stops & River Cruise
Washington DC: Monuments Day Tour with 10 Stops & River Cruise★★★★★★★★★★ 4.66 (1,602)6hYou’ll stand beneath DC’s most famous monuments, hear real stories from your local guide, touch cool marble at Lincoln or MLK Jr., and drift along the Potomac if weather allows. Expect spontaneous moments — like schoolkids singing or unexpected details pointed out by your guide — that make this day trip from Washington DC feel personal long after it ends.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 69View ›
Washington DC Small-Group Tour: 10 Landmarks in 4 Hours
Washington DC Small-Group Tour: 10 Landmarks in 4 Hours★★★★★★★★★★ 4.90 (1,313)4hYou get ten major Washington DC sites in one morning without navigating Metro transfers or getting lost between stops. The guide handles the history and timing, the van handles the distance, and you handle the photos and reflection at each memorial. Expect a full morning out—that's what fits ten landmarks into four hours.Is it for me?Right choice if you're short on time in DC and want the major landmarks covered without planning Metro routes or timing yourself between sites. The four-hour window is tight, which is exactly what makes ten stops possible in one morning.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −20%fromUS$ 99View ›
Washington DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry
Washington DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry★★★★★★★★★★ 4.70 (1,186)4hYou’ll walk through Washington DC’s pivotal civil rights sites with a local guide who brings each place to life. Stand where Dr. King spoke at the Lincoln Memorial, see murals at Black Lives Matter Plaza, and end your day exploring the National Museum of African American History & Culture with reserved entry — it’s not just history; you’ll feel it.Free cancellationfromUS$ 415View ›
Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria: George Washington Day Trip DC
Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria: George Washington Day Trip DC★★★★★★★★★★ 4.01 (950)5hYou ride south from DC to Mount Vernon with a licensed guide, watch an introductory video, then take a guided tour of George Washington's mansion before spending free time exploring the 8,000-acre estate on your own. The return includes a drive through Old Town Alexandria passing Robert E. Lee's home, Christ Church, and the waterfront. The whole day is a half-day trip, so you're back in the city by early afternoon.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria without arranging your own transport from DC — the half-day format and included entry mean you're not spending the whole day on a bus, and the free time at the estate lets you move at your own pace once you're there.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 99View ›
Washington DC Monuments Bike Tour: 3-Hour National Mall & Memorials
Washington DC Monuments Bike Tour: 3-Hour National Mall & Memorials★★★★★★★★★★ 4.76 (882)3hYou bike between eight major DC memorials—Jefferson, Lincoln, MLK, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, and two others—with a guide who explains the design and history at each stop. The tour skips street riding and takes three hours, hitting the National Mall without the all-day foot traffic. Bike, helmet, and kid trailers are included; just arrive 15 minutes early to check in.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see the major DC memorials in one morning without arranging your own transport or spending the day on foot—the bike covers ground fast enough to fit eight sites into three hours, and the guide's knowledge makes each stop meaningful instead of just visual.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 65View ›
Arlington National Cemetery: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley & JFK Gravesite
Arlington National Cemetery: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley & JFK Gravesite★★★★★★★★★★ 4.38 (835)45mYou board a trolley at Arlington National Cemetery and ride a full loop with seven stops, getting off whenever a grave or memorial pulls you. The guide provides live commentary from the trolley, but the pace is yours—spend twenty minutes at the JFK Eternal Flame or move through in two hours. Bring a valid passport or government ID; it's required for entry and checked at the gate.Is it for me?Right for visitors who want to see Arlington's major memorials and graves without arranging their own transportation or timing—the trolley handles the route while you control how long you pause at each stop.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −46%fromUS$ 22View ›
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