Top Washington DC Art & Culture in 2026

Put down your guidebook and skip the stress of navigating on your own when you book a gourmet food and walking tour through historic Georgetown. Your guide takes you off the beaten path to highly-rated establishments, from a deli loved by locals to an Indian restaurant that’s been around for 20 years. Along the way, see hidden landmarks often missed by visitors, including Julia Child’s former home.

Discover a side of Washington DC that most tours never show you on this small-group nighttime walking tour. Listen to tales of political intrigue, dastardly crimes, and secret affairs as you gaze up at some of the US capital’s most popular landmarks illuminated beneath the night sky, including Congress, the US Capitol, and the Library of Congress.

Explore the foundation of American democracy on an exclusive tour of the National Archives Museum with skip-the-line access. View the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights up close. Learn how these documents shaped a global superpower, and discover personal letters, speeches, and rare artifacts, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Magna Carta, on a moving journey through U.S. history.

Avoid the crowds and explore far more of Washington DC than you could hope to on foot thanks to this small-group open-top vehicle tour. Peer up at some of the US capital’s most popular landmarks, including the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial, all from the comfort of the open-air tour cruiser.

Washington DC’s historic center spans a large area and can be difficult to see on foot. This electric bike tour allows you to cover more ground and cycle past highlights such as the Smithsonian museums, the Capitol Building, the White House, and Tidal Basin. With a motor to assist as you pedal, you’re free to concentrate on the city’s notable sights and listen as your guide points out hidden treasures you might not notice on your own.

Lots of tours drive you around Washington DC’s most popular sights, but not many do so in a replica Model T electric cart. Choose between a daytime or evening ride on this private tour to escape the crowds. Take in views of Capitol Hill, the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and more.

On this small-group minibus tour, discover more of Washington DC’s historic sights than you’d be able to by exploring on your own. Choose either a day or nighttime journey, then set off to visit a curated selection of the city’s most popular landmarks and attractions, including the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Washington Monument. Participants must be at least 5 years old to join this tour.

Get an in-depth look at Washington DC’s National Museum of American History, one of the top museums in the capital, on a half-day guided tour. Choose between a small-group and a private tour, both offering a personalized experience. With a dedicated guide, visit the museum's highlights without the risk of getting overwhelmed or lost, and take the opportunity to ask plenty of questions.

Discover a side of Washington DC’s past that most history books leave out—and hear the city’s most salacious and sordid stories—on this immersive walking tour. Pick between afternoon and evening start times, and set out on foot. As you stroll along major arteries like Pennsylvania Avenue, learn about the area’s past as a red-light district, hear stories about the madams who shaped the city, and glimpse a number of highlight landmarks.

Make the most of your National Archives visit on a small-group tour that highlights both famous documents and smaller gems often missed by visitors. Going with a guide is recommended, as you’ll learn historical facts and hear anecdotes you won’t find on plaques or in guidebooks. A small group size of eight or fewer ensures ample time for questions and a personalized experience.

See Washington, DC’s iconic monuments on this guided bus and walking tour. Pass by more than 20 sites, including the Washington Monument, National Archives, and National Mall. Stop for photos at notable locations, such as the White House, the US Capitol, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Optionally upgrade to include self-guided entry to the Washington Monument, National Air and Space Museum, or African American Museum.

Get more from your visit to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on this small-group or private tour. Follow your guide through one of the world’s largest collections of historic aircraft and spacecraft. See Buzz Aldrin’s spacesuit, the Apollo 11 module, and real moon rocks. As you go, your guide shares stories about the sights you wouldn't uncover on your own. A family-centric tour option is also available.

Watch the city come alive on a private night tour of Washington D.C. Pass by a number of illuminated monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol Building. Learning about the history of the city and the U.S. from your guide.

Take a hop-on hop-off Washington DC trolley tour to explore the nation’s capital at your own pace. The route encompasses the city’s top attractions, including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and more. Just hop off at any stop when you want to explore, and then hop back on the trolley to continue around the city. You can also upgrade to include Arlington National Cemetery entry.

Follow the story of Abraham Lincoln's assassination in April 1865 without having to follow a dry guidebook on this Washington DC walking tour. With a guide and a small group, make stops at the White House, Peterson's Boarding House, and Ford's Theatre, where the president was shot. Along the way, look at historical photos and listen to anecdotes of mystery and betrayal.

Get personalized attention and enjoy a flexible itinerary on this private walking tour of Washington DC. Visit the highlights and landmarks of the nation's capital, including the Supreme Court, the Capitol Building, the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress, and others. Then, enjoy free time to explore the Capitol Visitor Center, including the US House of Representatives, with your provided entry ticket (unguided).

See the best of Washington DC—and discover a new side of the city’s major monuments—on this nighttime tour. After sundown, meet your guide, hop aboard your vehicle, and set off to see highlights like the US Capitol, Washington Monument, Supreme Court, and more. You have the opportunity to stop for photo breaks and learn about the landmarks’ history from your guide.

Explore some of Washington DC’s grandest streets on a 2-hour, small-group walking tour of Dupont Circle and Embassy Row with a local guide. Hear stories about capital city scandals and history as you follow a 2-mile route past Gilded Age mansions, extravagant homes, embassies, and architectural landmarks.

Experience American history firsthand with a ticket to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s elegant estate on the banks of the Potomac River near Washington DC. Learn the stories behind the remarkable estate at the Orientation Center, then explore the manicured grounds, and visit the 5-acre experimental farm; and see the reconstructed gristmill and distillery, open only on weekends from April through October.

Enjoy Washington DC’s monuments and landmarks lit up after dark, and see side of the capital city many visitors miss, on this evening highlights tour. Have the opportunity to stop outside 10 top DC landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, White House, and US Capitol. As you travel between attractions, learn details about the landmarks and memorials from your driver-guide. Then, at each stop, have time to take photos and explore on your own.

Step back in time—and learn about American history in a more immersive way than many other tours—on this half-day visit to Mount Vernon from Washington DC. Explore George Washington’s home, wander through its restored gardens and farmland, and learn about the life and legacy of the country’s first president. As a bonus for the following day, a self-guided ticket to the National Air and Space Museum is included.

Get a panoramic look at Washington DC—and enjoy a hassle-free way to check off its top sights—on this half-day sightseeing tour by bus. Listen to live narration as you see dozens of top attractions, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the monuments of the National Mall, and more. Additionally, stop for a closer look at eight top attractions, including the White House, Capitol, and Vietnam Memorial. Upgrade to visit George Washington's Mount Vernon, too.

Come hungry for food and for knowledge on this historical and culinary tour of Georgetown, whose roots predate Washington DC. Learn about Georgetown's 250 years of history, from its origins as a working class port city to its current status as a trendy college neighborhood, and stop to sample a broad selection of some of the best food the neighborhood has to offer. Tastings can range from tacos to Korean tapas to French cuisine paired with wine, and all tastings are included in the price.

Enjoy an offbeat experience—and discover a new side of the nation's capital—on an evening ghost tour of Washington DC. Follow your animated guide to the Dolley Madison House, Lafayette Square, and a range of other historical locations. At each stop, learn the spooky stories behind the city’s alleged hauntings and ghost sightings. The tour is also a great opportunity to see the nation’s capital illuminated at night.