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Washington, DC Walking tours

Our most recommended Washington, DC Walking tours

Washington DC: Monuments by Moonlight Nighttime Trolley Tour

1. Washington DC: Monuments by Moonlight Nighttime Trolley Tour

See the most popular monuments of the U. S. capital illuminated at night on a guided trolley tour. The route follows streets that have been traveled by presidents and makes three stops for you to get off the trolley and explore the memorials on your own and take photos. Enjoy entertaining commentary from a professional tour guide who will entertain you with stories about the Capitol’s colorful past. The three stops on the tour are: 1. The Martin Luther King Memorial & the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial 2. The Iwo Jima Memorial (aka US Marine Corps War Memorial) 3. The Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial Besides stops at the major memorials, you will also get spectacular views of the Washington Memorial the White House, the National Mall, the Capitol Buildings, the Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums and Castle, the FBI & Dept of Justice Buildings, and the World War II Memorial.

Washington, DC: Capitol Hill and Library of Congress Tour

2. Washington, DC: Capitol Hill and Library of Congress Tour

Immerse yourself in the sights of Washington, DC on a guided walking tour. Enjoy entry tickets to the Library of Congress and Capitol Building. View the Supreme Court building and walk on Capitol Hill and learn about the country's legislative and judicial branches. Begin your tour at the top of "the Hill" and hear fascinating anecdotes and facts about the country's legal system. Originally named Jenkins Hill, find out how this area quickly expanded to become the epicenter of American government and politics. Walk by the Supreme Court building, known as "The Marble Palace", and the surrounding Congressional office buildings. Tour inside the Library of Congress, the national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. Proceed to the Capitol Building to marvel at its neoclassical style and iconic architecture, while your guide details its rich history. Before concluding your tour, your guide will bring you into the US Capitol Visitor Center to arrange for your tour of the capitol.

Washington DC: National Mall Tour by Electric Vehicle

3. Washington DC: National Mall Tour by Electric Vehicle

Glide around the streets of Washington DC on a guided tour by a battery-operated electric cart. See all the major monuments of the United States capital, like Capitol Hill, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial with an onboard guide. After getting comfortable onboard, head first towards the Smithsonian complex. Admire the size of the largest museum and research complex in the world.  Next, discover three of the most well-known monuments in Washington DC. Admire the monuments to Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington, arguably the three most beloved presidents of the U.S. From here, take a moment to pause and remember those who lost their lives in battle as you visit various war memorials. Pause at the memorials to World War I, World War II, the Korean War Veterans, and Vietnam War Veterans memorial sites.  Get your camera ready for when you pass by one of the most recognizable landmarks in the whole world, the White House, the home of the U.S President. Finally, feast your eyes on Capitol Hill, home to the United States Congress.

Washington DC: Walking Tour and African American Museum

4. Washington DC: Walking Tour and African American Museum

Join a walking tour of Washington and see iconic monuments like Capitol One, Washington Monument, and more with a guide. Later, use your entry tickets to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture at your own pace. Meet your guide at the White House and begin your tour of Washington DC. From the outside, learn about the history of the White House and the people who inhabited it. Your local guide will share stories about America’s history and the influence of African Americans in DC. Next, see Capitol One, one of the most architecturally impressive buildings in the world. Hear about the neoclassical United States Capitol, which is home to the House of Representatives and Senate. Finally, your guide will take you to the Washington Monument. Made of white marble and 550 feet tall, the obelisk is an iconic Washington DC landmark. After the walking tour, use your reserved entry tickets to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Explore the museum on your own at your own pace.

Washington, DC: National Archives - Guided Museum Tour

5. Washington, DC: National Archives - Guided Museum Tour

Your local English speaking guide will not only be an expert on the archives, but will also share a mix of historical & political information, background stories and surprising details with you. Tour highlights: • The National Archives Rotunda to learn about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution while standing in front of the perfectly-preserved documents from the 17th and 18th centuries • The Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers featuring the signatures of world-famous statesmen like Alexander Hamilton • The Public Vaults Exhibits, where letters written by presidents including George Washington and John F. Kennedy are on display • The Emancipation Proclamation, which helped end slavery in the 19th century • A citation issued to civil rights activist Rosa Parks, illustrates how long these racial issues lasted • In the Rubenstein Gallery, examine even older documents like the Magna Carta of 1297 With over half a million artifacts at the National Archives, you’ll be thankful to your passionate, and engaging guide for navigating you, bringing a personal touch to each tour, adding own favorite anecdotes and tips along the way.

Washington DC: African American History Museum Family Tour

6. Washington DC: African American History Museum Family Tour

Give your family a fantastic taste of African American History and Culture with a professional tour guide. Learn how before the creation of the National Mall and the nation’s capital, much of the land that is now Washington, D.C. was worked by enslaved Africans, your tour guide will take you then for a private tour at The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Your tour guide will focus on important highlights to keep children engaged and stop them from becoming overwhelmed and losing interest. During the tour, see how the stories, histories, and cultures of African Americans are shaped and informed by global influences. With your family, explore what it means to be an American and discover how American values like resiliency, optimism, and spirituality are reflected in African American history and culture.

Washington DC: National Archives and US Capitol Guided Tour

7. Washington DC: National Archives and US Capitol Guided Tour

Experience the full story of US democracy from the Founding Fathers to the present day. Start your day at the steps to the National Archives, where you’ll meet your expert guide and get VIP-style entry to the building. The number-one thing visitors to the National Archives want to see are the Charters of Freedom: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. That’s why you’ll go directly to the Rotunda where these documents are kept. Seeing them with your own eyes is a real treat, and your guide will be on hand to provide extra information to make this experience even more meaningful. Many visitors barely glance up to the murals above while they’re here, but your guide will tell you exactly why you shouldn’t overlook them! Afterwards, you’ll move on to the Public Vaults. Opened in 2004, this interactive exhibit allows you to explore the documents you’ve just seen for yourself, along with a number of other records that are integral to the founding of American democracy as we know it today. You’ll find surprise after surprise as you continue to explore the National Archives. See recent presidents as children, hear one of the only voice recordings from Theodore Roosevelt, and gain an insight into the people behind the most important office in the world. You’ll step into the vaults for your last stop in the National Archives to see an original copy of the 1297 Magna Carta. Revered for providing the inspiration for the American Revolution, learn about its history and the last-minute auction bid that secured its place here! Step outside the archives and take in the beauty of the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art. Your guide will show you the most interesting pieces as you pass through this scenic walkway. After you exit, you’ll pass through the National Mall where your guide will point out some of Washington DC’s most important buildings, including the Smithsonian Castle, Hirshhorn Museum and the National Air and Space Museum. Making your way to the US Capitol next, you’ll have time to admire the stately reflecting pool and memorials outside as you hear about their significance. Once again, entry is pre-reserved so you can step in without any delay. See the original House of Representatives and tour the crypt as you discover how the Capitol continues to make history both nationally and internationally.

Smithsonian National Museum of Air & Space: Guided Tour

8. Smithsonian National Museum of Air & Space: Guided Tour

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum doesn’t just cover extraterrestrial exploration. It covers everything from the early history of flight to the Space Race and moon landings. Your local English speaking guide will not only be an expert on the museum, but they will also share a mix of historical & scientific information, background stories and surprising details with you.   Tour highlights:  • Seeing the Apollo 11 Command Module • Touching real moon rocks • Learning about Buzz Aldrin’s spacesuit and moon boots • Exploring a model of the International Space Station • Seeing world-famous early planes like the 1903 Wright Brother’s aircraft and the Spirit of St. Louis • Discovering the history of the world’s leading air & space program and the innovative technology that made it possible to land a man on the moon • Getting the chance to purchase freeze-dried ice cream • Learning what it's like to be an astronaut today With over 760,000 square feet of space in the collection, you’ll be thankful for your passionate and engaging guide for navigating you, bringing a personal touch to each tour, adding their own favorite anecdotes and tips along the way. Please note: the Air and Space Museum is currently under massive construction and will remain so for many years. This means that many of the exhibits described may not be on display. The tour will be adjusted based on the changing stages of the renovation and the available exhibits. Here is a link to the museum's website if you would like an updated list of what you may see during your visit: https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/now-view. Thank you for understanding.

National Museum of American History: Guided Tour

9. National Museum of American History: Guided Tour

From a ragtag group of colonists to one of the world’s super powers, the United States has made quite a name for itself. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History traces this ascent through a one-of-a-kind collection of items, helping you to understand this turbulent history. Your local English speaking guide will not only be an expert on the museum, but also share a mix of historical, scientific, cultural, social, technological, and political information, background stories and surprising details with you. Tour highlights: • The actual Star-Spangled Banner that inspired the country’s national anthem • Learn about the first president, George Washington, while viewing his sword • Discover how Hollywood has helped shape this country • Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” • Discuss segregation through the Greensboro lunch counter • View Thomas Jefferson’s desk • Understand the role of women through an exhibit of the first ladies’ gowns With the collection containing more than three million historical items, you’ll be thankful to your passionate and engaging guide for navigating you, bringing a personal touch to each tour, adding own favorite anecdotes and tips along the way.

DC: Guided National Mall and Monuments Walking Tour

10. DC: Guided National Mall and Monuments Walking Tour

The National Mall is an open-air museum telling the fascinating story of how the nation was shaped. This tour will take you off the beaten path on a journey uncovering this captivating promenade piece by piece. The first stop is the Albert Einstein Memorial, where you’ll get an introduction to the National Mall from its origins to its significance today. Your guide will point out the exact spot to stand to pass the "echo test" and show you the National Academy of Science. The Vietnam War Memorial is the National Mall’s most-visited site, and your next stop. Commemorating soldiers who served during the Vietnam War, the memorial was designed by Maya Lin and features over 58,000 names carved on the wall, visually representing the lives lost in the conflict. Another seminal monument awaits next. The iconic Lincoln Memorial has been widely featured in film and TV since its completion in 1922. Your guide will fill you in on the legends surrounding the sculpture and the hall that houses it before you move on to the Memorial Reflecting Pool, displaying beautiful reflections of the walkway. These paths will bring you to the Martin Luther King Memorial—the first memorial dedicated to an African American on the National Mall—along with the Korean War Memorial. See how 19 statues form a platoon on patrol, one from each branch of the US army. Finally, see the entire park from above along with breathtaking views over the whole district as you ascend to the top of the Washington Monument. There’s no better place to take a moment to reflect on the significance of the National Mall and the stories you’ve heard during your visit.

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Frequently asked questions about Washington, DC

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Mount Vernon, Virginia

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What people are saying about Washington, DC

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,648 reviews

Great knowledgeable guide, friendly and provided some good murder stories. Great way to learn some history whilst enjoying the DC vibe. Definitely recommend.

Our guide was absolutely fantastic. Both my parents and my tween/teen kids really enjoyed this tour. My 12-year-old daughter said, “I was really moved!”

I enjoyed the detailed content of the tour, plus getting to parts I had not scene . . . The Iwo Jima memorial and the MLK and Roosevelt Memorials.

Richard was so knowledgeable and entertaining. We hit all the major exhibits. The tour was the right amount of time,

Our tour guide Jewl was very informative. Great experience!