Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC

Overview

Available languages

German

Japanese

English

Italian

French

Spanish

Mobile ticket

Explore beyond the Big Apple with a full-day tour to Washington DC from New York City. You'll capture the spirit of "the home of the brave and land of the free" as you visit the monuments and memorials of Washington DC.

Help create a better planet for everyone to travel and explore. We have partnered with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every passenger that travels with us along with an extra tree for anyone that books multiple trips.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Wheelchair accessible; please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required

Depending on the rules on the day, sometimes a stop can be made for photographs from outside the fence

Time at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is approximately 1.5-hours

For tours with fewer guests, vans may be substituted - wifi and restrooms on full size buses only.

Tours can be bilingual/multilingual as they are offered in many different languages

Children under the age of 2 are free, please advise at time of booking if infant is traveling

Due to security, there is no entry to the White House

Due to security a passport or U.S. ID will be required to enter Arlington Cemetery

Air and space Museum is currently under renovations - entrance is not guaranteed

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Empire Vacations Day Tours - New York

Departing from New York and heading south, pass through the states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland before arriving at Washington DC's Capitol Hill. Here, your tour will start with a stop at Arlington Cemetery to visit JFK's gravesite. Next, head further into Washington to see the Capitol, Senate, and White House, the heart of the US government. Your tour then continues to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum before visiting the Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials for exploration and pictures. Late in the afternoon, you'll embark on a panoramic city tour before departing Washington for an early-evening arrival back in New York City. Please Note: This tour is scheduled to stop in front of the White House, Capitol, and Senate for commentary and photo ops. However, please note that sometimes this is not possible due to security issues. In the event of this occurring, your tour will be adjusted accordingly.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Arlington National Cemetery

Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country's most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame. Due to security a passport or U.S. ID will be required to enter Arlington Cemetery

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Entrance to Arlington National cemetery (U.S. ID or Passport required) & Air and Space Museum

Free Wi-Fi on bus only

Transportation by 15-passenger van or a full-sized bus

Air-conditioned vehicle

Restroom on board

Professional tour guide

Gratuities

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Options

Washington DC Tour in German

Washington DC tour in Japanese

Washington DC Tour in Spanish

Washington DC Tour in French

Washington DC Tour in Italian

Washington DC Tour in English

Reviews

4.29

2,631 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1502

672

242

136

Good job
Miner L,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The tour guide and driver are doing a good job with their team for our tour. They have professional experience
Positive Experience
N8210UCdianec,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour from New York to Washington, DC was truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Everything was well-organized, smooth, and thoughtfully planned, allowing us to fully enjoy every stop without feeling rushed. Visiting iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian was absolutely incredible, and the entire journey felt both enriching and memorable. A huge highlight of the trip was our tour guide, Andres. He was not only extremely knowledgeable but also genuinely engaging and funny. His storytelling brought history to life in such a unique and enjoyable way, making every moment interesting for both adults and kids. My mother was slow due to her knee problems, and Andres was caring and accommodating to her needs. He was not forceful nor showed annoyance. You could really tell he is passionate about what he does, and he made sure everyone felt included and comfortable throughout the tour. Andres struck the perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, which made the experience even more special. Thanks to him, this wasn’t just a tour—it was an experience we’ll always remember. Highly recommended!
Fabulous day
anncR4445CV,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great day Informative, professional and well paced trip Comfy car and great diver Lots of great tips to enjoy NYC
A fantastic one-day tour...
Christine S,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
A fantastic one-day tour of Washington, DC, visiting Arlington Cemetery, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial. Each stop felt meaningful, with smooth pacing and insightful commentary. Highly recommended for a concise, impactful DC experience.
Family trip
muhammadarife,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Good experience, especially for our kids. They learned so many things here.
Fantastic experience
luigicX2602MZ,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very competent guide, to do absolutely
Highly recommended!
Ethelia P,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My tour guide was very gentle and kind to all in the bus. You get enough time to lunch and eat and to take pictures on each set. It also includes tickets to Space air museum which was very fascinating. Thank you for taking me to Washington.
DC Trip
Rita M,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Lots of walking. Be prepared. Not for people with heart or lung issues. Tour guide is knowledgeable. Bus trip is at least 4 hours. Bring a headrest or small pillow.
Washington Dc
Karen H,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Its a long long tiring day, but totally worth it, the coach is super comfy. Once you get to Dc, every stop in near each other, so no big drive inbetween
Day Tour of Washington from New York
clarissaa1990,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very nice and interesting tour. We had the pleasure of meeting Redi, our guide. Well prepared and with an impeccable knowledge of the Italian language and American history. Highly recommended!