VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Get the presidential treatment with the most comprehensive Washington DC day tour! The tour includes reserved access to the National Archives Building and the U.S. Capitol Building! For smaller groups, fresh air & uninterrupted views, upgrade to our convertible tour bus!
Your tour includes guided stops at the White House (outside only), the National World War II and I Memorials, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
After lunch, summer brings the opportunity for a boat ride through Georgetown and the DC Waterfront. The tour price includes a complimentary boat ride, and you will have the opportunity to purchase lunch at one of several waterfront restaurants. In winter, we visit the Pentagon City.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Walking is involved to get an up-close look at the monuments (comfortable shoes are recommended)
Strollers may not be accommodated on tour
Security restrictions at the US Capitol and National Archives Buildings prevent any food or drinks being brought through security
During peak season, security lines are long, and as such, arriving ahead of time is highly encouraged
Tour Departure Times Are Subject to Change Due to Local Traffic Conditions
Please Arrive at the Meeting Point No Later Than 8:15 AM For Check-In
No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
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
Convertible buses switch from open-tops to glass-tops between October and March due to colder temperatures
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
U.S. Capitol
Reserved entry to the U.S. Capitol Building - the centerpiece of the capital city!
The White House
When arriving at the White House (outside only), you will see the Executive Residence of the President and his family, as well as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. This stop also includes a walk through the Elipse, otherwise known as the South Lawn.
What‘s Included
Reserved Entry to the U.S. Capitol Building
Tickets to the National Archives Building
English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)
Boat Cruise on the Potomac River (Seasonal: April 1 to September 30)
Transport by Glass-Top or Open-Top, Convertible Tour Bus
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Options
Panoramic Glass-Top Bus
Glass-Top Convertible Bus: Get the dream views with an arched glass panel retractable roof. Open-air on warmer days. Small tour groups (15 ppl max)
Closed-Top Luxury Tour Bus
8:30 am Departure: Closed-top luxury bus with a designated driver and a tour guide
Standard Luxury Tour Bus
8:30 am Departure: Closed-top luxury bus with a designated driver and a tour guide
Reviews
2,507 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommend VIP tour
Karen B,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very knowledgeable guide - Nick - and professional driver - Leah. Learned a lot. Was all that was promised and more.
Perfect tour if you're pressed for time!
Laura F,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was not the actual tour we took - this one was cancelled due to lack of participants, HOWEVER, the tour company added us to another tour which was the same except for the National Archives and Capitol Building. We saw most of the major historical sights in DC on this tour, and it was perfect given the limited amount of time we had in the city. Our guide and driver were amazing and full of knowledge about the monuments, memorials, and historical figures. I also appreciated that our guide mentioned notable women and people of color during the tour. We stopped in Georgetown to enjoy lunch (not included in price) and had a wonderful experience! Out tour ended near the National Archives, and our guide noted the lack of line and got all of us in, despite it not being part of the tour. Great day!
Great Tour
Janice C,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! Our guide was Sam. He was fun, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable. We had a great time and learned so much.
VIp Tour
Bradford S,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great overall tour of American history! Sam tour guide was very helpful and informative. Ronny in the Capital was full of interesting facts.
Highlights of Washington DC
Deena W,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sam our guide and Kareem or driver were awesome. Sam was very knowledgeable about the sights we saw as well as the area. Kareem navigated the streets safely and had the bus waiting for us when we returned from our sights. We highly recommend this tour.
Amazing and worthwhile!
SoniaCecilia S,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sam (the guide) was amazing! He was very knowledgeable, very nice, super friendly, and respectful. Leah (the driver) was also incredible. She was a save driver, and she also had so much knowledge. I highly recommend this tour!
VIP DC tour
Jet43397226918,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour day was great. Sam was very informative and Mr Parker got us around safely throughout the city. He even offered to take our pics st some sites. We had beautiful weather and got to see all the major landmarks with the exception of the white house up close, but they had it closed, so it was no fault of the tour group. I will say the capitol building tour was my least favorite, because they really didn’t show us much. But, again, no fault of the tour group themselves, as a separate tour guide showed three rooms total. So, not much to see. FDR memorial, Lincoln memorial and National archives were my favorite for sure! The only question we had at the archives, since we didn’t have an actual ticket, some things we could not participate in, because it wanted us to scan a barcode that we didn’t have. Other than that it was great!
Excellent
Ayesha A,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour started on time and the tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. Wasn’t very excited about the shopping center where we stopped for lunch.
Elvis was absolutely...
Joseph H,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Elvis was absolutely amazing and so knowledgeable of the area and the history he has a great sense of humor and kept it lively the whole time.
Great guide
Richard H,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was great. Nick is a good guide, funny and full of facts. He made it enjoyable. The bus was small and roomy.
From US$129.00
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Operated by USA Guided Tours