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
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.
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!
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
3,553 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very informative and entertaining tour
KateR867,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour! Very informative and entertaining. I've been to Washington DC before yet learned new things and less known details about the monuments and their history. Comfortable bus, excellent use of time at each stop without rush but keeping us on time. I enjoyed the lunch at the scenic Washington Harborside and relaxing boat ride. Our guide, Sam I believe, was top notch.
An excellent tour of Washington DC with USA tours
Sarah B,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This six hour tour with USA tours is excellent. The Guide had a lot of information, and did a great job keeping the 30 of us altogether, Well still letting us have time to roam independently and away from the group at other times.
Unforgettable Trip
marcusvJ9371VM,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Could not ask for a better tour, experience, bus driver or tour guide. Nick was absolutely by far the most personable/engaging guide my husband and I have encountered. Mr. Nick has a plethora of knowledge and his enthusiasm is untouchable. Thank you for the memories
It was such a great tour....
Eleni V,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was such a great tour. Our tour guide Nick was very knowledgeable, funny and helpful! The boat ride was great too!!
Excellent orientation of Washington DC
Indranil C,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour with all the key attractions points covered. Started on time and was well coordinated. The tour guide Summer was excellent and shared all the important facts. The driver Mr Parker was super helpful.
It was great! Nick is so...
Aknewyearchic,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was great! Nick is so knowledgeable! The tour spots were great. Wear comfortable shoes bc it is a lot of walking. But, it was great!
DC 1 Day Tour
Excursion65171135232,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was excellent if you only have 1 day to see the memorials and monuments. Nick the DC Tour God was an excellent tour guide! He is so educational and entertaining! So many fun facts were shared we hadn't heard before. We also enjoyed having lunch at Georgetown and cruising on the Potomac. It gives you a different perspective of the monuments you've seen by land as well as some additional points of interest. Highly recommend this tour!
Great Guide & Driver
Menirito P,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The coverage of the tour was as expected. Nick (guide) & Calvin (driver) were very nice, informative & entertaining beyond expectation. Great experience.
Tour with Nick
arkansasgirl,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had scheduled the luxury, open top tour, but there were not enough people for this tour so we changed to the 6 hour tour with Nick. First off, Nick is very knowledgeable and personable. He is a knowledgeable tour guide and really knows his stuff. We learned a lot and saw so much more than if we would have tried this on our own. The reason for the 4 stars is that he said GD three times on the microphone. Even if we didn’t have our 13 year old son with us, we would have still found this highly offensive. I know to Nick , it just rolled off his tongue like it was a common word, but to some people taking God’s name in vain really means something and is not a word that I would ever expose myself or my child to intentionally. For that reason, I can’t recommend this tour as being family friendly if Nick is the tour guide.
Thank you, thank you, Thank you very much! Elvis
Annette F,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide (Elvis) was knowledgable, friendly, and a good sense of humor. We had a good tour and appreciated him.
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Operated by USA Guided Tours