Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + boat cruise
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.
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)
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 with Nick
Discover Washington DC with Nick McCall — "The DC Tour God" — as seen on Netflix's Queer Eye!
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.
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,565 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Last minute cancellation by tour
Del E,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00It was cancelled we were sent a notice and couldn’t reschedule as we had already scheduled other things
Great tour
Ronald F,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour,even greater guide nick. With lots of closures he still got us everywhere. He was awesome
Checks All Of The Boxes. Efficient! Book it!
Laura V,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I was in the area for three days and needed to see all of the monuments in a structured and efficient way. This tour met my needs perfectly. Leah, the driver, was very friendly, safe and communicative when needed. Sam, the tour guide was passionate, knowledgeable, energetic, and friendly. It was a very hot and long day, but Sam kept up his energy the entire time. He said clear expectations and upheld them. The boat tour was a nice change of pace from the walking and the hot weather. The food on the Washington Harbor at Nick‘s Riverfront Grill was tasty. I highly recommend this tour. Book it!
Wonderful
Gilbert B,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great tour I just a little hard to find at the beginning I got there a little early pretty soon there's some people there with maybe there should have been a sign there but they told us where to look where the two flagpoles were
Wash DC Full day (6 hr) tour
Anonymous,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great full day of seeing many of the most important sites of Wash DC. Great overview - lots of good information presented.
Nice day learning about DC
Margarita M,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sam our tour guide was very knowledgeable, patient and has a great sense of humor on a very very hot day he tried his best tu keep us in shady areas as much as possible even when he has to stand and speak in the sun. Our driver Leah was great too.
Sam was an amazing tour...
Terra C,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sam was an amazing tour guide, and Leah an awesome bus driver! No complaints, and I'm so glad we booked this tour. Informational and fun made the perfect mix for the tour.
Good tour for a first timer
D9267QAcindyh,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Sam was a very good guide and the driver (his name slips my mind) was safe, courteous, and helpful. We did get slightly behind schedule due to a variety of reasons. I recommend sitting near the front of the bus if possible. The allotted time at each stop is quite short and being in the front will give a few more minutes (the timer does not start until the last person exits the bus). While one hour was allowed for purchasing lunch, it ended up really being only about 20 minutes. I recommend either packing your own lunch or locating restaurants near boat dock ahead of time to expedite ordering either by previewing the menu or ordering before arriving.
Education Entertainment All Aboard!
Sandra J,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was amazing and the tour guide was awesome! There's so much to learn and see. We learned alot. Kudos
This is a superb tour...
Gordon W,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a superb tour with an excellent guide, Rockie, who was well informed and entertaining. We especially appreciated his quirky historical insights. The places we visited were well chosen and gave a good balance. An excellent introduction to this beautiful city.
Related Experiences
Operated by USA Guided Tours