Washington, DC: Open Top Bus Tour By Night
Duration: 2 hours
Likely to sell out
Washington, DC
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Top attractions in Washington, DC
Washington, DC: Open Top Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Valid: 1 - 2 days
Washington D.C. Twilight Evening Bus Tour
Duration: 3.5 hours
Likely to sell out
Monuments by Moonlight: Washington DC Nightime Trolley Tour
Duration: 2.5 hours
Likely to sell out
From Washington DC: River Cruise & Admission to Mount Vernon
Duration: 6.5 hours
Bestseller
Washington DC: Capitol Building and Capitol Hill Walk
Duration: 3.5 hours
Washington Under the Stars: 3-Hour Night Bus/Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Washington, D.C. Day Trip from New York
Duration: 14 hours
George Washington’s Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria Tour
Duration: 5 hours
Bestseller
DC: Museum of the Bible Exclusive Early Admission Ticket
Valid: 1 day
Washington, DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry
Duration: 4 hours
Old Town Alexandria: River Cruise and Mount Vernon Admission
Duration: 90 minutes
Bestseller
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Top 10 attractions to see in Washington DC
When describing the US capital, suffice it to say that big things come in small packages. Within the 61-square-mile district, you can brush up on your American history, then walk among the locals and discover the spirit of the city's oldest neighborhoods.
The US Capitol
Each state donated two statues to fill the Capitol's National Statuary Hall. At 19 feet 10 inches tall, Hawaii's King Kamehameha I is the largest and weighs a hefty 15,000 pounds.
Capitol Hill
Not only is it where US government business unfolds, but Capitol Hill is also one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Shops and restaurants abound on Barracks Row along 8th Street SE.
The White House
It's the famous mansion with an equally famous address. The White House is also one of America's most haunted houses, where Lincoln and others have made their ghostly presence known.
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument first opened to the public in 1888 and has remained the world's tallest stone object and obelisk, soaring 555 feet over the National Mall. The view from the top is breathtaking.
Lincoln Memorial
The most visited site in DC and houses the 19-foot high statue of the "Great Emancipator." The Lincoln memorial was also the backdrop for MLK Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech in 1963.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Known as "the Wall," it commemorates the 2.7 million men and women who served during the conflict and bears the 58,286 names of those who died or are considered missing in action.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
The 19 statues of the Korean War Veterans Memorial represent the four branches of military on a patrol day in Korea, and their faces reflect the ethic backgrounds of Americans who served in the 38-month long war.
Arlington National Cemetery
John F. Kennedy and William H. Taft are the only two presidents who rest in peace in the Arlington National cemetery. Memorials also honor those who died on the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia.
Smithsonian Institution Building
Coined "the Castle" for its Romanesque and Gothic design, the building is the Smithsonian Institution's headquarters and offers four exhibits to visit, plus two stunning gardens to admire.
The US National Archives
The US National Archives is the place to see history in print. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Emancipation Proclamation among others are on display.
Planning Your Washington, DC Visit
White House Tickets
Make a reservation through your congressional office up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days. The self-guided tour takes place Tuesdays - Thursdays from 7:30AM to 11:00AM; Fridays from 7:30AM to 12:00PM; Saturdays from 7:30AM to 1:00PM. You must bring your government-issued identification on the day of the tour. Non-US citizens must contact their embassy in Washington DC for assistance. Admission is free.
US Capitol Tickets
It's recommended to book the free, 90-minute tour well in advance either through your senator's or representative's office. You can also make a reservation online yourself. The Visitors' Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Admission is free.
Washington Monument Tickets
Due to the limited number of visitors allowed each day, tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. You can either pick up your tickets at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street or reserve your ticket in advance online for a fee of $1.50 per ticket. Every ticket indicates a specific entry time. Opening hours are daily from 9:00AM to 10:00PM (Memorial Day through Labor Day), otherwise from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. Admission is free.
What else is for free?
It's free to visit the memorials, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Zoo. Admission is also free to enter the US National Archives, but it's advised that you make a reservation in advance at a fee of $1.50 per ticket.
Good to know
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- Language
- English
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- Currency
- USD ($)
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- Time Zone
- UTC (-05:00)
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- Country Code
- +1
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- Best time to visit
- Spring - it's just getting warmer and it may not be as crowded as the summer!
Things to Do in Washington, DC
Top Attractions in Washington, DC
Cities in United States
Other Sightseeing Options in Washington, DC
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What people are saying about Washington, DC
So educational and exceptional buildings
The whole tour was better than I expected. Plenty of time to wander around along the way. The only downside was far too many people being crammed into the rooms in the building so that some were trying to come out as others entered. Some on mobility scooters in the middle made it difficult. Would have been better to have them on a mobility tour together. The guy who met us at the Liberty Bell outside Union Station was very good, ensured everyone felt part of the tour and he was able to answer all questions very knowledgeable.
Great experience and value (time & money wise)! Highly recommend!!!!!
Tour Guide Josh was AWESOME. As a second generation tour guide, he was so knowledgeable and engaging. He did a fabulous job!! Driver Thomas provided a safe and comfortable ride, even providing ice cold bottled water on a very hot August day! We would never have gotten to all these places on our own, or learned as much. An excellent experience at a very affordable price. So glad we took this tour - great way to experience DC!
History on a bus ride and walking tour: Who would've thought?
This tour was one of the best experiences I had while on the East coast. Our tour guide, Sally, was EXTREMELY knowledgable and made the tour so interesting and fun. Without her, my dad and I would have been wandering aimlessly around D.C., trying to figure where to go and how to get there and what the historical significance of each place was.
This was our first time to DC, it was awesome. We really enjoyed it.
We enjoyed everything we saw. The Hop on Hop off bus was excellent way to go around to the different parts of monuments. It made it easy to get around to see them and take it all in. It was also a good idea to include the museum tickets with the tour. This made the trip worth visiting DC.
Amazing guide and driver must be the best in the business
Highly recommended from the knowledge of the guide to the itinerary I have been on many excursions and without doubt this was the best, many thanks to Alan and Adam of Tour America for making this such a memorable experience, a wonderful excursion made even better by the guide and driver
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