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 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.
Discover DC with Nick
Discover Washington DC with Nick McCall — "The DC Tour God" — as seen on Netflix's Queer Eye!
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
3,598 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rocky the tour guide and...
Rebecca C,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rocky the tour guide and Leah the bus driver were fantastic! We learned a lot about the monuments and very good fun stories also. This was our only tour of Washington DC and we were very impressed.
So many monuments
Rosemary H,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nick was as promised an excellent tour guide. I learned a lot and was charmed by his natural intelligence and comedic timing. We saw so many monuments and we spent a relevant amount of time at each location. We got facts and witty jokes about each one! I would highly recommend this tour to any individual or group
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
kristenbR7644QF,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nick, the “TourGod,” exceeded all of our expectations! From the moment the tour started, his energy, humor, and passion for Washington, DC made the experience unforgettable. His jokes were endless and had us laughing throughout the tour, but what truly impressed us was his incredible knowledge of DC’s history, landmarks, and hidden gems. We learned so much about the city that we never knew before, and Nick presented everything in a way that was engaging, informative, and fun. He was friendly, approachable, and genuinely invested in making sure everyone had a great experience. If you’re looking for a tour guide who is knowledgeable, entertaining, and passionate about what he does, Nick is the one. He made our trip one of the highlights of our visit to DC, and we would highly recommend him to anyone!
Awesome tour!
Txbluebonnet62,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nick was a great guide! He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour gave you enough time at each site and then moved on to the next efficiently.
Nick is awesome….USA Tours
Lisa S,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great option! Nick was super knowledgeable and entertaining. Great access and able to change agenda based on road closures!
Great way for monuments in a day!
Jack F,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sam is a great tour guide! This is a wonderful way to see the major monuments in a day. There’s amble time to take pictures, walk around each monument, & move on to the next one without wasting time. Highly recommended.
Awesome tour guides and...
Paola V,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Awesome tour guides and bus driver. The tour felt a little rushed and the A/C on the bus was not working, and it was a hot day! The boat tour is nice if you want to listen to a prerecorded explanation. Our tour guide covered plenty of the information so it was more of a relaxation ride. If you are short on time you might want to do the boat ride on a different day.
Washington DC
Deidre R,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It was raining, but the experience was great. The tour guide, Brittnie, was very knowledgeable about the history of the places we visited.
Great experience
Leia J,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My family and I had the pleasure of touring DC with our host Dion! He was very knowledgeable of the city. He was very thorough and made sure that nobody was left behind. You can really tell that he loves his job and country. He is very personable and has a wonderful sense of humor.( Also I would like to thank Dion for his service to this country) I also would like to shout out our bus driver Calvin. He was very welcoming and accommodating as well.
Great DC tour
Clayton B,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nick the guide for USA tours was interesting and informative. Leah the bus driver was great. The tour was well paced and well structured to give us a great one day washington dc experience.
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Operated by USA Guided Tours