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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 Monuments Tour by Vintage Car
Washington DC: Night Monuments Tour by Vintage Car★★★★★★★★★★ 4.67 (209)2hYou’ll ride through Washington DC’s famous landmarks by vintage car as night falls—feeling city air on your face, hearing stories from your local guide, pausing at places like the Lincoln Memorial and MLK Jr. Memorial. Expect quick stops for photos or reflection and a surprising sense of calm beneath all those glowing lights.Free cancellationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 55View ›
Washington DC: Monuments at Night E-Cart Tour & Photo Stops
Washington DC: Monuments at Night E-Cart Tour & Photo Stops★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (205)2hYou ride an open-air e-cart through DC's monuments after dark, stopping at the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, and the war memorials along the National Mall. A local guide shares the history at each stop while you get photos without the daytime crowds or long walks. The 8:30 PM departure gives you the full after-dark experience; the 6:00 PM tour catches sunset depending on season.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see DC's major monuments lit up at night without renting a car, navigating the National Mall on foot, or joining a crowded bus tour—the open cart and small-group format give you the sightseeing and photo time without the logistics.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 52View ›
Washington DC: Dark Nights Walking Tour & Haunted History
Washington DC: Dark Nights Walking Tour & Haunted History★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (204)1h 30mYou’ll wander through Lafayette Square after dark, hear stories of duels at Decatur House, and stand beneath the looming Eisenhower Building as your guide shares tales of hauntings and mysteries on this adults-only walking tour in Washington DC. Expect goosebumps, unexpected laughter, and a new way to see these historic streets.Free cancellationBest valuefromUS$ 35View ›
Washington DC: National Mall Bike Tour & Capitol Sites
Washington DC: National Mall Bike Tour & Capitol Sites★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (201)2hYou ride past the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court, Washington Monument, and the major Smithsonian sites in two hours with a guide who handles traffic and timing. Bikes are fitted to your height, helmets included, and the pace is steady enough to ask questions but fast enough to cover the whole National Mall. Check in 15 minutes early; the tour leaves on time.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to cover the National Mall's major sites in one morning without walking for hours or figuring out which bus goes where. Expect a steady two-hour ride with moderate pedaling — that's what lets you see so much ground and still have time to ask questions.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 55View ›
Washington DC: Capitol & Library of Congress Guided Tour
Washington DC: Capitol & Library of Congress Guided Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (199)3h–4hYou start at the Supreme Court's exterior, walk the underground tunnels Congress uses, and emerge into the Capitol Rotunda beneath a 5,000 square foot Civil War–era fresco. From there, you move to the Library of Congress to see the Gutenberg Bible and the Jefferson collection in the Great Hall. Timed entry to both buildings is included, and groups stay small — no more than 15 people — so the pace stays manageable and the spaces don't feel crowded.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the three major Capitol Hill buildings in one morning without arranging entry tickets or navigating security lines separately — the reserved access and fixed 3–4 hour window mean you see the Rotunda and the Library without the usual wait.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 65View ›
Washington DC: Small-Group History Pub Crawl & Iconic Bars
Washington DC: Small-Group History Pub Crawl & Iconic Bars★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (198)2h 15mYou’ll step straight into DC’s quirky past on this small-group pub crawl near the White House. With an expert local guide leading you between four iconic bars, you’ll swap stories and laughs while tasting local drinks—and probably leave with more friends than you started with.Free cancellation-5%fromUS$ 56View ›
Washington DC: White House & Arlington Changing of Guard Private Tour
Washington DC: White House & Arlington Changing of Guard Private Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (198)4hYou're picked up from your hotel and driven through DC's main avenues with a licensed guide who customizes the route to your interests. You stop at the Capitol's westside steps, the WWII and Lincoln memorials, and the Vietnam and Korean War memorials along the National Mall. Then you cross into Arlington Cemetery for either the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or the Marine Corps War Memorial, depending on what you choose. The whole day is flexible—your guide adapts the pace and stops to what matters to you, and you're back at your hotel when you're done.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want DC's major sites without arranging transport, timing, or entry logistics themselves—the guide handles the route and the guide handles the stops, which is what lets you actually absorb each place instead of managing logistics.Free cancellation-14%from · per groupUS$ 430View ›
Washington DC: Natural History Museum Small Group Tour
Washington DC: Natural History Museum Small Group Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (189)2hYou’ll join a Smithsonian Natural History Museum small group tour led by an expert guide who shares stories behind world-famous gems like the Hope Diamond, ancient Egyptian mummies, and massive wildlife displays. Expect sensory surprises and personal moments as you explore Washington DC’s most iconic collection — and leave with memories that linger long after.Free cancellationKids −44%fromUS$ 105View ›
Washington DC: Capitol Hill, Supreme Court & Library Private Walk
Washington DC: Capitol Hill, Supreme Court & Library Private Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (187)2h 30mYou’ll wander DC’s most iconic halls with a private guide—hear stories outside the Supreme Court, marvel at colored mosaics in the Library of Congress, then get special access passes for the House or Senate galleries to explore solo after your tour ends. Expect small surprises—a hushed moment here, a burst of color there—that stick with you long after you leave.Free cancellationfromUS$ 55View ›
Capitol Hill Haunted Walking Tour DC: Ghosts & Demon Cat
Capitol Hill Haunted Walking Tour DC: Ghosts & Demon Cat★★★★★★★★★★ 4.37 (182)1h 30mYou walk Capitol Hill's haunted streets for 90 minutes with a guide who knows the neighborhood's dark history. You'll pass the Supreme Court, hear about presidential ghosts and the demon cat, and explore one of DC's oldest and strangest blocks. The tour includes all fees and taxes, operates rain or shine, and works for any fitness level — you just show up and follow along.Is it for me?Book this if you want DC's ghost stories told by someone who knows the streets, without arranging your own research or walking alone at night — the guide handles the narrative and the route, so you just show up and listen.Free cancellationKids −19%fromUS$ 25View ›
Washington DC: National Gallery of Art Private Guided Tour
Washington DC: National Gallery of Art Private Guided Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (181)2h 30mYou’ll wander Washington DC’s National Gallery of Art alongside an expert guide who brings centuries-old paintings to life. See da Vinci’s only American masterpiece up close, hear stories behind artists like Monet and O’Keeffe, and pause for quiet moments among world-famous galleries. There’s space for questions—and surprises—on this private guided museum tour.Free cancellationKids −44%fromUS$ 105View ›
Capitol Hill & Library of Congress: Walking Tour with Tickets
Capitol Hill & Library of Congress: Walking Tour with Tickets★★★★★★★★★★ 4.80 (174)3hYou get entry to two of DC's most restricted buildings—the Library of Congress and the Capitol—with a licensed guide handling the logistics and a docent leading you through the Capitol's interior spaces. You see Jefferson's library, a Gutenberg Bible, and the Rotunda in three hours, with all tickets included and public transit nearby.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want inside two of DC's most restricted buildings without figuring out ticket logistics themselves. Plan for three hours of walking and standing—that's what lets you see the Rotunda, the Reading Room, and Jefferson's library in one morning.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 75View ›
Washington DC: Air & Space Museum Small Group Guided Tour
Washington DC: Air & Space Museum Small Group Guided Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (170)2h 30mYou’ll stand inches from legendary aircraft at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC, hear wild astronaut stories from your guide, spot hidden details on real capsules and suits, and maybe even laugh at some unexpected trivia along the way. This small group tour feels personal—like wandering through history with friends who notice things you’d miss alone.Free cancellationKids −44%fromUS$ 105View ›
Private Washington DC tour: 10 major monuments in one afternoon
Private Washington DC tour: 10 major monuments in one afternoon★★★★★★★★★★ 4.77 (166)3h–4hA private Washington DC tour covers ten major landmarks—the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and five war memorials—in a single afternoon with a knowledgeable driver, private transportation, and bottled water included. You choose the vehicle size at checkout: options range from 3 to 13 passengers. The tour does not include a certified guide, but the driver is familiar with each stop and can answer questions along the way.Is it for me?Book this if you're visiting with a group and want a dedicated vehicle and driver for the day—you'll move between federal monuments on your own schedule rather than following a set itinerary.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 343View ›
Washington DC Monuments E-Cart Tour: 2-Hour Guided Small Group
Washington DC Monuments E-Cart Tour: 2-Hour Guided Small Group★★★★★★★★★★ 4.68 (165)2hYou ride an e-cart past DC's most significant memorials — Lincoln, MLK Jr., Vietnam and Korean War Veterans, FDR, and more — with a knowledgeable local guide who shares details beyond the plaques. Two hours covers Capitol Hill, exterior White House views, and stops at lesser-known spots like the Albert Einstein Memorial. Small groups, all fitness levels welcome, and you're seated the entire time.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see DC's major memorials in one focused block without arranging your own transport or spending the day on foot — the e-cart and fixed two-hour window are what make the whole National Mall fit into a single tour.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-15%fromUS$ 55View ›
Washington DC: Cherry Blossom Bus Tour & Tidal Basin Walk
Washington DC: Cherry Blossom Bus Tour & Tidal Basin Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.55 (161)4hYou’ll wander beneath clouds of cherry blossoms at DC’s Tidal Basin, ride comfortably between iconic memorials like Lincoln and MLK Jr., and hear local stories from your guide along the way. Expect laughter, unexpected moments (and maybe muddy shoes). This tour includes bottled water and guided stops—just bring your curiosity.Free cancellationKids −16%fromUS$ 59View ›
Washington DC: Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Sunset Tour
Washington DC: Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Sunset Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.17 (158)2h 30mYou board and exit the open-top double-decker bus whenever you want across 24, 48, or 72 hours, hitting the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington, and Georgetown at your own pace with digital commentary. The included 2.5-hour sunset tour with a live guide takes you through illuminated sites after dark, departing separately from L'Enfant Plaza. You also get audio guides for three neighborhoods, a free Oval Office photo, and the knowledge that part of your ticket supports DC's preservation.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see DC's main landmarks without planning a rigid itinerary—the hop-on hop-off format lets you move at your own pace during the day, and the included sunset tour with a live guide handles the evening so you're not navigating neighborhoods in the dark alone.Free cancellationfromUS$ 69View ›
Gettysburg Day Trip from DC: Battlefield & Downtown Tour
Gettysburg Day Trip from DC: Battlefield & Downtown Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.55 (157)9hYou’ll walk Gettysburg’s battlefield with a local guide who brings stories to life and gives space for your own thoughts too. Explore downtown’s old streets and Civil War shops at your own pace before heading back to DC—all with pickup included and entry fees covered. This isn’t just another day trip; it stays with you long after.Free cancellationfromUS$ 179View ›
Washington DC: National Archives Skip-The-Line & Charters Tour
Washington DC: National Archives Skip-The-Line & Charters Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (156)1hYou skip the hours-long entry line and walk straight into the National Archives' Rotunda with a small group and a historian guide. You stand face-to-face with the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, plus a rare 1297 Magna Carta. The group stays under six people, so the pace is conversational and you get answers to the questions that actually matter. Meet your guide at 400 7th Street NW and plan for two to three hours inside.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Declaration of Independence and Constitution without spending an hour in line, and you prefer a small group with a historian over a crowded bus tour—the reserved entry and six-person cap are what make that possible in the middle of tourist season.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 69View ›
Washington DC: Private City Tour with Custom Stops & Pickup
Washington DC: Private City Tour with Custom Stops & Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (155)4h–15hYou’ll get to shape your own day in Washington DC—choose between iconic spots like Arlington Cemetery or Mount Vernon, see history up close at Ford’s Theatre or the National Archives Museum, and travel comfortably with hotel pickup and a local guide who knows every story behind each monument. Expect moments that stick with you long after you leave.Instant confirmationfrom · per groupUS$ 550View ›
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