Top Washington DC Historical Tours

Explore the famous monuments and memorials of Washington DC by night on this small-group (or private) sightseeing tour. Hop aboard an open-air, electric vehicle and enjoy an educational and entertaining narrated history of the nation’s capital. Travel by the wealth of famous attractions, with views of the Washington Monument, the White House, and many other landmarks lit up after dark, and don't forget to bring your camera to capture this magical time of day.

See Washington DC’s historic monuments and memorials in a light that most travelers miss on this evening half-day small-group tour. Witness the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the US Capitol Building, and much more illuminated beneath the night sky while enjoying audio link insights from your guide at each location.

Explore the nation’s capital in style as you’re escorted around some of the US’s most significant landmarks in an open-air e-cart vehicle. On this compact tour, get a detailed introduction to Washington DC’s monuments and history, alongside an expert Washingtonian storyteller. Unlike if you were to explore alone, you'll discover unique, little-known facts that you won’t find on the internet or in books.

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.

Explore Washington DC's iconic landmarks and monuments on a full-day coach tour. Stop at the White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and more. Depending on the season, you'll be invited to enjoy a Potomac River cruise or extra memorial stops and Pentagon Mall lunch. Upgrade options include admission to the Washington Monument, National Air and Space Museum, African American Museum, or a guided Capitol Hill walk with U.S. Capitol entry.

Please Note: The 6:00 PM tour may not be fully dark depending on the season. The 8:30 PM tour offers a fully after-dark monuments experience. 6 PM = sunset / evening atmosphere (not fully dark depending on season) 8:30 PM = fully after-dark experience Experience Washington DC at night on a guided vintage cart tour. Enjoy an open-air ride across the National Mall as the city’s famous monuments and memorials glow after dark. See the U.S. Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, and Washington Monument with local stories, history, and photo stops along the way. This small-group nighttime sightseeing tour is a comfortable and memorable way to see DC’s most iconic landmarks without long walks or crowded buses.

Follow in the footsteps of the nation's first president on this half-day history tour. Travel to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home in Virginia and one of the nation’s most beloved historic sites. Also enjoy a bus trip around Old Town Alexandria, where you see 17th- and 18th-century homes and discover little-known facts about the landmarks. Upgrade to add a Washington DC night tour to your itinerary, if you wish.

Tick off the highlights of Washington D.C. during this private, half-day tour. Customize your own itinerary, selecting a range of local sights to visit. Optional stops include the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, or the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian. Air-conditioned vehicle transfers with hotel pickup and drop-off are provided.

Scoring tickets to enter the Washington Monument can be a hassle involving an early wake-up, waiting on the ticket line, and then returning later in the day for your assigned entry time. These tickets allow you to skip the wait and walk straight in at your assigned time. Enjoy the epic city views from top and learn about this iconic monument.

With the sheer size of the Smithsonian museums, it can be tough to know where to start, let alone how to see all the most interesting exhibits. This small-group walking tour of the National Air and Space Museum, Museum of National History, and Museum of American History lets you squeeze the most out of your time in the city.

Explore the heart of American democracy on Capitol Hill with reserved timed-entry tickets and a guide who knows these halls inside and out. We reserve every ticket in advance, so you skip the planning and go straight to the history. Choose your option: US Capitol & Library of Congress (3 hrs, up to 15): Tour the Jefferson Building's Main Reading Room, Gutenberg Bible, and Jefferson's library, then the Capitol Rotunda, crypt, and Statuary Hall. US Capitol & Supreme Court (2.5–3 hrs, up to 15): Start at the Supreme Court, then the Capitol Visitor Center, film, and docent-led Capitol tour. BIG 3 Capitol Hill Landmarks (4 hrs, up to 10): All three landmarks on one guided tour, Tuesday–Friday. Upgrade any tour to PRIVATE for just your group (the 45-minute Capitol docent portion is shared). Note: the Library of Congress is closed Mondays and the Supreme Court is closed weekends. Perfect for first-time DC visitors, history buffs, families, and school groups.

Step into one of history's most dramatic nights—tracing Lincoln's final hours through Civil War-era D.C. Unlike rushed, generic museum visits, this guided tour takes you inside Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House with reserved access, revealing hidden details and untold stories. You see the theatre booth where the President was shot, stand in the very room where Lincoln drew his last breath, and more. This 2-hour small-group tour offers an intimate look at these historic sites. Please note: Between May 28 and August 31, Ford's Theatre closes its interior to tour groups for repairs. During this summer window, we adapt the route to feature alternative historic sites that keep the narrative moving. Regardless of the season, your journey will always include the Petersen House, Baptist Alley, the Star Saloon, and the imposing exterior of Ford's Theatre.

On the night of April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre and vanished into the Washington night, launching one of the greatest manhunts in American history. Follow that story on the very streets where it happened; visit the boarding house where the conspiracy was planned, Baptist Alley where Booth's horse awaited, Ford's Theatre, and the Petersen House where Lincoln died the next morning. Led by an expert guide and inspired by Manhunt, this tour brings the events of April 1865 vividly to life with stories, hidden details, and insights most visitors miss. More than sightseeing, it's a chance to stand where history happened and experience one of America's most dramatic stories firsthand. See beyond the crowds and modern cityscape, revealing the hidden clues, overlooked locations, and human drama behind the assassination. Experience Lincoln's final hours in a way no book, museum, or documentary can match.

Explore the nation’s capital on a Washington DC Guided Tour by Open-Air Cruiser, the perfect Washington DC sightseeing tour for travelers who want to see more while walking less. Cruise past iconic landmarks like the White House, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Capitol, and the National Mall as a knowledgeable guide shares fascinating history and local insights. With small groups, open-air views, and convenient photo stops, this Washington DC electric cart tour offers a comfortable, fun, and memorable way to experience the city’s most famous monuments.

Discover the best of Washington DC all in one day on this time-saving, multi-stop tour. Drop by the city’s top landmarks and monuments, from the White House and the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and beyond. Explore on foot and by comfortable bus, or upgrade to travel by glass-topped vehicle for unimpeded views. This tour also includes a seasonal Potomac River cruise for a new perspective on the nation's capital.

Discover a new perspective on Washington DC's best-known sights—and enjoy a comfortable way to travel, without the hassle—on this nighttime, open-top bus tour. See many of the city's key monuments and memorials lit up after dark, from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial. As you go, the on-board narration illuminates the city's rich history. To enhance your visit, upgrade to include 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus passes.

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.

*Ascend to the top of the Washington Monument for panoramic views *Enjoy a timed entry ticket for a hassle-free visit to the monument *Use a digital guidebook to learn about the monument, park and city *See DC's sights: where you have been and where you are going next *Skip long lines and wait times trying to get tickets that often sell out early

Washington DC’s Georgetown neighborhood is considered the historic core of the city, and it offers a wealth of sights for visitors to explore. See the best of the area's past and present—and discover sights and stories you'd miss if exploring alone—on this small-group walking tour. Follow your guide to key sights from JFK's former home to Georgetown University, learning behind-the-scenes stories along the way.

Discover the hidden history and local legends of Georgetown with a ghost tour. Today the upscale area is bustling with tourists, but it also has a darker past. Learn about supernatural occurrences and listen to true crime stories as you stroll past Victorian row houses, churches, and alleys of the city’s oldest neighborhood.

As the home to some of the most important documents in US history, the lines to enter the National Archives can unfortunately get pretty lengthy. Rather than spending hours waiting to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, on this small-group guided tour, head straight inside for a historical adventure thanks to skip-the-line access.

Explore the vast Arlington National Cemetery, just across the water from Washington DC, at a pace that suits you on this hop-on hop-off trolley tour. With trolleys departing regularly, you can hop off at any of the stops, including the JFK Gravesite/Eternal Flame, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Arlington House. Listen to an on-board guide share the history of Arlington and the significance of the memorials, monuments, and burial sites that you pass.

Discover Washington DC’s history, culture, and architecture without breaking a sweat—and avoid the crowds—on this open-air, small-group electric cart tour around the city. Visit key landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and the White House, see the cherry blossom area around the Tidal Basin, and uncover parts of the city you might otherwise miss. This child-friendly tour requires you to bring your own car seat as lap seating is not allowed.