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.
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
Discover DC with Nick
Discover Washington DC with Nick McCall — "The DC Tour God" — as seen on Netflix's Queer Eye!
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
3,508 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Two Thumbs Up
awcbc,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nick was a top notch guide. Extremely knowledgeable and delivered information in a factual, humorous and meaningful way. Cortez was an excellent driver who navigated lots of road closures in a safe and seamless way. Highly recommend this tour duo. Viatour kept me well informed as the tour approached.
Awesome tour of DC
Maxine K,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour. Rocky was so knowledgeable and a great storyteller! Worth every penny and I highly recommend
Overall view
Vijaya K,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00A good one day tour covering most of the important places in DC with sufficient time provided to visit some memorials.
Good tour, almost 5*
Simon B,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Overall a good 6 hour tour of the major sights in DC. A few limitations and issues. The only locations you actually go inside are the Lincoln and FDR memorials. The guide Rocky was a super guy with excellent knowledge though he may need a new hearing aid! It would be very helpful if the bus could have WiFi on board. The boat ride was also goid but everyone got cold and the organisers should advise to bring a coat.
Good
Kim F,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Thorough! Not too stressed. Wish we could have seen the capital. It was closed off that day. We loved Dick!
Great trip to see so much!
holidayqueen57,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sam our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw so much! Our bus driver - I think his name was Cortez was excellent and helpful
This is the best way to...
lisa h,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is the best way to see many things in a day. It is informative and fun. This is not for anyone with physical limitations such as walking or breathing problems. It is semi fast paced. Great for couples or individuals. Our guide and driver were great!!!
Amazing guide Rob! Inspiring interesring tour!
Gary G,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour. Informative and inspiring. Absolutely phenomenal guide Rob! We were lucky to have him. Knowledgable, confident, experienced, fun, very articulate gentleman! Bus driver Jackie - sweetest and most caring lady ever! Overall - Excellent value for the price!
A long day in the sun!
Kadian H,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. I like that they provided water, it would be nice if water was cold. The bus was very HOT!! Not sure why the bus driver didn't want to turn up the a/c. The area where we got on the boat at the Potomac river was very disorganized and chaotic. Didn't have enough time to buy food. No restrooms because the restaurants would not let you use restrooms without buying a meal and you couldn't buy a meal because the lines were so long! The 6 hrs time frame was too long. Be prepared to walk all day at a fast pace. I would not recommend anyone to do this tour. Just do the other tours for 2hrs. The boat ride on the river is nothing to talk about. You're going to be cramp on a boat with plastic chairs and a boring ride. Do not do this tour when the time is hot!!! I can only imagine how hot and miserable it is in the summer if it's this hot in May!
Great time!
Susan B,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really great day. Super good planning it our first day in DC. Great stops, super friendly knowledgeable guide Rob and very friendly buss driver too. Saw all the majors plus a boat ride. The pace was great. My leg was injured and I never felt rushed.
-20% off
From US$71.20Was US$89.00
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Operated by USA Guided Tours