Potomac River: Our most recommended tours and activities

Washington DC: Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit

1. Washington DC: Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit

See the sights of Washington DC from onboard the Spirit of Washington with a lunch or dinner cruise on the Potomac River. Enjoy a buffet dining experience as you sail, and delight in panoramic views. Board your vessel and receive a personal greeting. Have your photo taken by the ship's photographer to capture the memory before being seated at your private table. Once there, gorge on your lunch or dinner buffet consisting of creative entrees prepared fresh daily and listen to the onboard music. After your meal, visit any of the three climate-controlled decks as you glide by the sights. LUNCH/DINNER BUFFET SAMPLE MENU SALADS FIELD GREEN SALAD (G*)(VG)Tomatoes | Cucumbers | Carrots | Ranch Dressing | Balsamic Dressing KALE QUINOA SALAD (G*)(VG)(V)Quinoa | Roasted Red Pepper | Spinach | Lemon Oregano Vinaigrette GREEN GODDESS PASTA SALAD (V)Sweet Peas | White Beans | Scallions MAIN HONEY SESAME CHICKEN (G*)Scallions | Fresno Chillies OVEN ROASTED WHITEFISH (G*)Spicy Tomato | White Bean Ragu BAKED ZITI PASTA (V)Aged Reggiano Parmesan Cheese | Mozzarella Cheese | Spinach Cream Sauce ROOT VEGETABLE FRICASSEE (G*)(VG)(V)Idaho Potatoes | Broccoli | Grape Tomatoes | Gremolata | Cauliflower Coconut Cream Sauce COMPLEMENTSROASTED BROCCOLI (G*)(VG)(V)Toasted Garlic | Chili Flakes GARLIC MASHED POTATOES (G*)(V)Idaho Potatoes | Roasted Garlic DESSERTSIGNATURE DESSERT STATION (V)Cakes | Brownies | Seasonal Fruit | *May Contain Nuts *Menus subject to change

Washington DC:Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey

2. Washington DC:Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey

Cruise on the Potomac River and see the sights of Washington DC from a luxury boat, The Odyssey. Get a keepsake photo taken by the ship's photographer, then embark on an elegant dining cruise along the Washington DC shoreline. After being seated at your private table, enjoy a brunch or 3-course dinner, with meals prepared fresh daily by your onboard executive chef. Menu items are subject to change. After your meal, relax on any of the 3 climate-controlled decks as you watch the monuments glide by. Sample Brunch MenuEarly Riser:Breakfast pastries Scottish smoked salmonScrambled eggsBreakfast meats Breakfast potatoes French toast Late Risers:Caesar salad Greek salad Sun-dried tomato pasta saladBaked orecchiette pastaBirria-style chicken Chesapeake Bay rockfish Hand-carved tri-tip steak Kid's station Dessert: Individual dessertsIn-season fruit Sample Dinner Menu Starters (choice of one): Caesar salad Lobster soup Main Course (choice of one): Jumbo forest mushroom ravioli Oven-roasted frenched chicken breast with rosemary and thyme Broiled salmon filet Braised beef short rib Pan-seared fresh Pacific cod Desserts (choice of one): New York-style cheesecake Triple chocolate mud pie Duo of sorbet Freshly cut fruit Odyssey signature warm butter cake

Washington, DC: Old Town Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley City Tour

3. Washington, DC: Old Town Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley City Tour

Named "Washington's Best Tour" by the Washingtonian Magazine and one of the top 10 hop-on hop-off tours in the world by Forbes, the Old Town Trolley offers the most comprehensive tour of the nation's capital. Relax while expert tour guides help you discover the beauty and majesty of Washington, D.C. This popular tour covers Washington's major attractions such as the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Expert guides share colorful anecdotes, humorous stories and well-researched historical information. Upgrade to include a trolley tour of Arlington National Cemetery, an enduring tribute to those who’ve dedicated their lives to defending the nation. You’ll be transported to some of the most notable graves and memorials. DC City Tour Trolley stops: 1. 1001 E. St. NW: Washington Welcome Center/Ford's Theatre/Peterson House 2. 1401 Pennsylvania Ave: The White House/The White House Visitor Center/WWI Memorial 3. 701 Constitution Ave NW: National Archives (West/East Gallery of the NGA, Navy Memorial) 4. 400 New Jersey Ave NW: Japanese American Memorial/Hyatt Regency 5. 50 Massachusetts Ave NE: Union Station and the Smithsonian Postal Museum 6. 1st St. NE: US Capitol (Botanic Gardens, Supreme Court and Library of Congress) 7. 600 Independence Ave SW: Air/Space Museum, Museum of the American Indian/Eisenhower Memorial 8. Maine Ave SW at 9th St. SW: The Wharf 9. 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW: International Spy Museum 10. 1398 Independence Ave SW: Washington Monument, Smithsonian Museums and Castle, Holocaust Memorial Museum 11. 16 E Basin Dr SW: Jefferson Memorial/George Mason Memorial 12. 1964 Independence Ave SW: Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial/Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 13. 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir. NW: Lincoln Memorial/Vietnam Veterans Memorial/Korean War Veterans Memorial/World War II Memorial 14. 1400 Constitution Ave NW: National Museum of American History/National Museum of African American History & Culture/National Museum of Natural History 15. 800 F St. NW: National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum (temp closed for Holiday Market) Arlington Cemetery Trolley stops: • Arlington National Cemetery • President John F. Kennedy Gravesite • US Coast Guard Memorial • John J. Pershing • The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier • Arlington House • US Marine Corps War Memorial Iwo Jima • Arlington Niche Wall Columbarium Courts

Washington, DC: Full-Day Tour with a Scenic River Cruise

4. Washington, DC: Full-Day Tour with a Scenic River Cruise

Discover all the delights of Washington DC with this day-tour around the city, hitting hotspots such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol Building, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Board your glamourous, climate-controlled, panoramic bus at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Head to all the major highlights of regular sightseeing tours and enjoy a lunch break and an opportunity to travel through the Tidal Basin. Learn about some of the most fascinating landmarks in the USA, including the White House, U.S. Capitol Building, and National Archives, plus breathtaking memorials of Thomas Jefferson and Franklin Roosevelt. After lunch, summer brings the opportunity for a boat ride through Georgetown and the DC Waterfront. In winter, this Washington bus tour culminates with a visit to the Pentagon and several more fascinating war memorials. The tour price includes a boat cruise, and tourists will have the opportunity to purchase lunch at one of several waterfront restaurants in the summer. During your tour learn from your live tour guide who hops off the bus with you to ensure you receive an intimate and personalized experience of each attraction.  Your guide will educate you on the important details of each monument. From April through October, take in the fresh air on a scenic 1-hour cruise along the Potomac River. The full itinerary of this tour includes: • Jefferson Memorial • U.S. Capitol Building • FDR Memorial • World War II Memorial • Iwo Jima Memorial • Vietnam Memorial • Martin Luther King Memorial • Lincoln Memorial • White House

From Washington DC: Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria Tour

5. From Washington DC: Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria Tour

Discover the historic Old Town Alexandria on a guided day trip from Washington. Ride along the Potomac River and visit the Mount Vernon Estate, the former residence of George Washington. Enjoy pickup in a luxurious, climate-controlled vehicle while your guide explains the significance of some of the city’s most recognizable monuments. A short drive brings you to the candy-colored architecture of Alexandria, where you can take a tour of some monuments notable to the former president – including the Masonic Temple and Christ Church. Arguably the birthplace of the city itself, George Washington’s former estate is located just 13 miles from the capital’s center. Then, go for an in-depth foray through the mansion, with entrance tickets to the grounds and gardens included. Interactive, historic reenactments bring the founding father’s story to life, while a guided tour of the building helps shine a light on his fascinating story. Next, you'll ride along the Potomac River and visit the Mount Vernon Estate - one of the Washington, DC, area’s premier sightseeing attractions. Explore historic Mount Vernon – from the mansion’s interior where President Washington resided to his beloved gardens, and final resting place.  Take some time for lunch at the Mt Vernon Food Court if you like, then learn more about George Washington’s life and legacy in both the Museum and Education Center – home to more than 700 original objects (including his false teeth) and 25 theaters and galleries. There is even a multi-media theater where it actually snows. After shopping for unique gifts at the Mt Vernon Shops, you will be entertained by your guide as you return back to Washington DC.

Washington DC: Electric Vehicle National Mall Tour

6. Washington DC: Electric Vehicle National Mall Tour

Test your photography skills and see some jaw-dropping views while learning the history of the United States on this monuments tour. Hop into the electric-powered vehicle and learn about the monuments with your guide. Start at National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, before heading towards the Smithsonian complex. Your guide will regale you with the story behind the amazing museums at the largest museum complex in the world. Drive past two of the city's most famous monuments, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. Afterward, wander through the Franklin D Roosevelt and Martin Luthe King memorials and enjoy a stroll along the serene Tidal Basin at sunset.  Continue past the World War I and World War II Memorials before arriving at the Lincoln Memorial. Here, be amazed by the views of the Potomac River and the National Mall.  Be entertained by stories of the city’s history, statues, and famous buildings on your way to the White House. Take a monument here to capture what is possibly the most iconic American landmark, known worldwide.  Your tour will end by exploring Capitol Hill. Home to the world-famous dome of the United States Capitol, plus the United States Supreme Court Building and the Library of Congress. 

Washington DC: Monuments Self-Guided Walking Tour

7. Washington DC: Monuments Self-Guided Walking Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Note: This 2+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Washington DC in 1-2 hours. Visit the most iconic landmarks of America’s capital city on this flexible self-guided walking tour. See the White House, Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol Building, and much more, and learn the revolutionary history behind the creation of Washington, D.C. Along with being developed by local guides, creative writers, and professional voice artists, most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms. You'll begin your adventure next to Pershing Park, right across from the White House south lawn. From there, make your way to the White House itself, where you can admire the seat of American power and learn some fascinating tidbits about its construction. From here, head south toward Constitution Gardens and pick up some insight into D.C.’s complicated history along the way. Through the gardens, you’ll find what was once the city’s most controversial monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Next, head to the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most iconic memorials in D.C. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is next, where you’ll hear about the fraught political struggle which wracked the White House during this bloody conflict. As you continue east, you’ll be filled in on the aftermath of the War of 1812 and how D.C. grew into what it is today. The next monument you’ll arrive at will be the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, honoring the nation’s most revered civil rights leader. Then, cross the Kutz Bridge and learn why the Potomac River is so significant to this city’s history. From this bridge, you’ll also be able to see the impressive Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Later, reach the National Mall, which you’ve definitely seen on TV plenty of times. Get an up-close look at the Washington Monument and learn the history of George Washington’s connection to this important city. If you like museums, the next stretch of the tour is absolutely for you. You’ll pass the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art. On the final leg of the tour, visit three of the most crucial buildings in the city: The Library of Congress, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The tour concludes amid these three awe-inspiring structures.

Washington DC: Potomac Cruise and Georgetown Walking Tour

8. Washington DC: Potomac Cruise and Georgetown Walking Tour

Gain an in-depth understanding of the U.S. capital on a tour that combines a 45-minute Potomac River cruise with a foray into the past on a walking tour of Georgetown. Explore alongside a local guide and see the area’s past brought back to vivid life before your eyes. Meet your guide at the wharf and step onto the ferry to see DC from the water. Hear about the history of the nation's capital as you pass by the district’s key landmarks.  One of the first sights you’ll see is the Titanic Memorial, organized by U.S. women of high society to honor the men who lost their lives so that women and children could board the limited lifeboats during the ocean liner's tragic sinking.  Further down the channel, lay your eyes on one of the most filmed and photographed statues in the country: the Lincoln Memorial. Your guide will explain the story behind the "Stairs to Nowhere" before seeing Teddy Roosevelt Island, now a lush woodland featuring trails and guided nature walks. A tribute to another influential American president is up next as you pass by the Kennedy Center, a bustling space for the performing arts. See where the Watergate Scandal got its name as you pass by the complex where the infamous incident originally occurred. After you land at Georgetown Port, the second part of your tour begins. Get an introduction to the oldest neighborhood in Washington DC as you head towards C&O Canal. Hear how George Washington himself was instrumental in redesigning the untamed wilderness here, transforming it into a national monument. Stop at a favorite local spot to try a cupcake from a family-run bakery that’s earned the reputation as one of the best in town. Afterward, it’s time to continue to explore the neighborhood of Georgetown. Your guide will invite you into the past with anecdotes behind the sights as you pass.  Learn about the oldest house in DC and the story behind buildings connected to the Kennedy family, including the church where JFK attended his last service before he was assassinated. More riveting stories await when you get to Georgetown University, which counts "The Exorcist" author William Peter Blatty among its alumni. See the "Exorcist Steps" and hear about the true story of an exorcism that inspired him.

Washington, DC: Mt. Vernon Day Trip with Ferry and Breakfast

9. Washington, DC: Mt. Vernon Day Trip with Ferry and Breakfast

Arrive at the wharf where you’ll meet your expert guide, ready to take you on the ferry. You’ll be the first to board, giving you access to the best seats in the house before your guide introduces you to the area and the sights you’re about to see. Even your river cruise to Mount Vernon offers plentiful opportunities for sightseeing. Along the way, you'll pass by the moving Titanic Memorial, historic Fort Washington, and lots of picturesque restaurants and marinas dotting the waterfront. After a relaxing hour and a half spent soaking up these iconic sights from the water, you’ll arrive at the Mount Vernon ready to continue your exploration. For the most comprehensive tour of the estate and grounds possible, you’ll be in the expert company of a Mount Vernon guide. According to George Washington himself, “no estate is more pleasantly seated than Mount Vernon” and we couldn’t agree more! Your first stop will be the estate’s farm, where Mount Vernon produced food, textiles and more. This was only possible because Mount Vernon, like most of the country’s estates during the time, was run by enslaved persons. You’ll gain an insight into their life on the farm, seeing where they lived, slept, ate, and the forms of resistance they took against the estate owners. Next, you’ll get your first view of Mount Vernon's stately mansion. Get an up-close view of areas like the blacksmith’s shop, the overseer's quarters and the greenhouse (which Washington built himself!). Admire the family portraits adorning the walls, explore George Washington’s private study, and lay your eyes on the bed where he died. Continuing your tour outside, discover the story behind the "haha wall" and the fruit garden where Washington experimented with various produce. Despite reserving a crypt for him in Washington DC, George Washington told Congress he wished instead to be laid to rest at Mount Vernon. See the Old Tomb where he and Martha were buried until 1831 when the new tomb was built. Their final resting place makes for a thoughtful conclusion to your visit. By the end of your tour, you’ll make your way back to the ferry to enjoy the scenic cruise back to the nation's capital. A picnic lunch will be available on the boat for purchase or your guide can provide recommendations on where to eat back in DC. By the end of the tour, you'll have incredible insight into America’s most prolific founding father and be better able to reflect on the man behind the legend.

Washington D.C: Self-Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt

10. Washington D.C: Self-Guided Walking Tour and Scavenger Hunt

Spend the day exploring Washington D.C., listening to the history narrated by professional voice artists, and reading the information curated by creative writers. See the iconic monuments and buildings of this historic city on this self-guided tour. Begin next to Pershing Park, right across from the White House south lawn. From here, make your way to the White House itself, admire the seat of American power, and learn some facts about its construction.  From here, head south toward Constitution Gardens and pick up some insight into D.C.’s complicated history along the way. Through the gardens, find what was once the city’s most controversial monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Next, head to the Lincoln Memorial, and then the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Hear about the fraught political struggle which wracked the White House during this bloody conflict. Discover the aftermath of the War of 1812, and how D.C. grew into what it is today. The next monument will be the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, honoring the nation’s most revered civil rights leader. Then cross the Kutz Bridge and learn why the Potomac River is so significant to this city’s history. From this bridge, see the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Then, reach the National Mall. Here’s you’ll get an up-close look at the Washington Monument and learn the history of George Washington’s connection to this important city. Along this route, pass many museums. This includes the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art.  On the final leg of the tour, arrive at three of the most crucial buildings in the city: The Library of Congress, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The tour will conclude here, amid these three awe-inspiring structures.

Add dates

Things to do in
Potomac River

All activities

17 activities found
Sort by:

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Potomac River

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Potomac River

Want to discover all there is to do in Potomac River? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Potomac River

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,771 reviews

Took bus in front of union station. Need to validate at desk inside front of station but did not know. Driver accepted pass and validation at end of line where switched bus quickly to do initial stops. Bus does not take you to Arlington cemetery. You have to make own way there where there is another smaller hop on hop off tram tour. Also excellent. There’s a stop close by but would have to walk a while and over busy bridge so not safe. Could stop there and cab or Lyft/uber

This was a lovely tour. The guide, Terri, was extremely knowledgeable and gave us even more than we expected. The driver was excellent and we felt very safe. The Alexandria portion of the tour was delightful and much better than expected. All in all, a very good day!

Booked this tour as a last minute tour since it was our last day in DC. Tour did not disappoint! Tour guide was awesome and very knowledgeable!

Great energy and service Food was really good. Would have loved more options

Nick was Great! He knows his History! Wonderful Job.. keep up the great work