Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Board your glamourous, climate-controlled panoramic bus at the U.S. Navy Memorial for one of the best bus tours in Washington DC!
Expanding on our popular Highlights Tour, this six-hour excursion also includes a lunch break and the opportunity to travel through the Tidal Basin.
See the very best of Washington DC in one day! Enjoy guided walks around the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and more! For a unique experience, this tour includes a leisurely seasonal (Apr 1 to Sep 30) cruise on the Potomac River! In winter, we get to explore the Pentagon City.
Upgrade to our convertible tour bus for a unique sightseeing experience with an open-air view when weather permits, and a climate-controlled, glass-top roof for comfort during sudden weather changes!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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
Small carry-on bags are allowed, however it is recommended that you travel lightly. Due to security concerns, the tour operator reserves the right to search any bags or purses you bring on board. Many of the attractions in Washington DC are equipped with metal detectors at the entrances. Traveling without bags or purses is recommended
Due to time restrictions, you cannot go inside any of the monuments, however you can spend about 15-20 minutes at each stop to enjoy up-close views
No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
The boat cruise is seasonal from Apr 1 to Sep 30
Convertible buses switch from open-tops to glass-tops between October and March due to colder temperatures
If you're driving, there is street parking and garages available near the meeting location, including directly under the Navy Memorial meeting location.
We will meet guests in the front of the Navy Memorial, a large fountain plaza, by the tall navy flags - on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 7th & 9th St NW. Please note: rideshares tend to bring people to the opposite side of the block.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
Starts/Ends
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Guided Walking Tour of the U.S. Capitol Building (outside only)
What‘s Included
Boat Cruise on the Potomac River (seasonal: April 1 to September 30)
Upgrade to glass-top bus available
English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Lunch
Options
Upgrade: Glass-Top/Convertible
Duration: 6 hours: 6-hr guided bus tour
Glass-Top Convertible: Small Group Glass Roof Convertible Sprinter Van. Open During the Spring & Summer For Fresh Air!
Discover DC Guided Bus Tour
Duration: 6 hours: 6hrs tour approx
Closed-Top Bus: Fully Guided Day Bus Tour in a Luxury Climate-Controlled Bus. Free Bottled Water. Lunch is Not Included in the Price.
Reviews
3,391 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
DC 6 Hour Bus Tour
Q5674EXvictoriaf,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Enjoyed the entire tour and all of the information about each memorial and site. I've definitely learned a lot about DC, including facts about specific areas around DC! Our tour guide Sam was the best!
Find a Different Tour
James F,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The tour takes you to a few interesting places but is somewhat disorganized and amateurish. It is definitely NOT worth paying for the longer tour, they stop for lunch which pay for yourself and then see one location after lunch. That location is near the earlier sites visited so they could have just tacked it on to the first part of the tour and saved everyone 2 hours time, an hour buying one’s own lunch and an hour in traffic.
Washington DC in One Day Tour
Angela S,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a great tour for those who have been to DC previously. A snapshot of each location to fill in the blanks. Nick, the tour guide is knowledgeable on a variety of topics. I would recommend the tour on the convertible, glass top bus.
Great itinerary and learning experience.
B9240TNwilliamg,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fantastic experience. Our guide Sam, and his team including Walter and Mr. Parker took very good care of us. The itinerary was great. Sam literally knows everything about every place, and can answer any question, just a treasure trove of information. We learned a lot. Bus was very comfortable. Lunch stop had plenty of options. Timing was good. This is our first time to Washington so it was a good way to get the lay of the land. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Washington DC in one day!
Kim H,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved this tour! We (two adults and two teenage boys) only had one day to spend in Washington DC and this 6 hour tour was perfect! It hit all the major sites that would have been impossible for us to do on our own and try to find parking. Our tour guide was Nick. He was super knowledgeable and so much fun! Leah was our bus driver who kept us safe and could maneuver that large bus like no other! While there was a lot of walking involved on the off and on bus tour, it didn’t feel like it. Having the small breaks on the bus between sites was just enough to break up all the walking. If you needed a longer break, you could stay on the bus and wait for everyone to get back. The bus was a great size, had comfortable seats, had receptacles for charging your phones if needed and the windows were large so you could see out really well. We highly recommend this tour company and this specific tour. You won’t be disappointed!
Awesome experience!
dnk0920,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are so happy we chose USA Guided Tours! Our tour guide, Nick, was not only super knowledgeable but also fun and energetic! We went on the 6 hour tour hitting so many major sites and had lunch in Pentagon City. Leah kept us safe navigating the bus through crazy traffic like I’ve never seen anyone do before. I would recommend this tour 100 times over again.
Awesomeness
Stephen D,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth every penny Worth every penny Worth every penny Worth every penny Worth every penny Worth every penny
1st Time Tour
Alicia P,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s my time in DC, so I took the day tour. I liked it very much, very educational. The tour guide and driver were very professional and nice. The tour guide knows his history and am very impressed with his knowledge of the history and the city. I definitely recommend this to everyone.
Washington,DC
Mary R,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Visited most national monuments, adequate time at each. Sam was a fantastic guide! A wealth of knowledge with lots of little known facts. Bus was comfortable with a great driver, Kholife. Highly recommend
Great tour will recommend
Kimberly A,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My family thoroughly enjoyed the entire tour. Although our group was small, the experience was enjoyable and memorable. The tour involves a fair amount of walking, but, it started snowing during our tour. Thankfully, the bus provided warmth and comfort. Our tour guide, Nick, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, while our driver, Cortez, was equally accommodating. We had ample time to visit each stop, and as a foreigner, I gained a wealth of knowledge about DC and American history. If you’re a history enthusiast and want to explore the beautiful historic sites of DC, I highly recommend this tour guide. Thank you!
From US$89.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by USA Guided Tours