Top Washington DC Culture in 2026

Experience the grandeur of Washington DC’s architecture and memorials at night on this moonlight small-group tour. Avoid the crowds and traffic, and explore with just a small group for company. Travel in a climate-controlled van with hotel pickup and drop off included, discovering famous sights like the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Lincoln Memorial. A great way to get your bearings in a new place for the first time.

Step into the past and be amazed by the natural world on this small-group or private tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Located in the heart of Washington DC, the museum is home to more than 126 million artifacts, including the Hope Diamond, Egyptian mummies, and a living coral reef. Spend time immersing yourself in the collection's stories and objects, and come away from the museum with new knowledge.

Explore the solemn beauty of Arlington National Cemetery on a 2-hour walking tour that showcases its most significant sites. From the iconic JFK gravesite to the revered Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, immerse yourself in the rich history and honor the sacrifices made by those interred here. Visit the Arlington House for an insightful perspective on the grounds and their historical significance. This tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with American history in a profound setting. This tour includes: - Two-hour guided walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery - Small Group (maximum of 10 guests) - The Changing of the Guard Ceremony - The Arlington House - John F. Kennedy and his family's Grave's - The Eternal Flame - Joe Lewis Gravesite - Sir John Dill Memorial - Ruth Bader Ginsberg memorial - Tomb of Robert Todd Lincoln - William Howard Taft Gravesite - Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial - Colombia Space Shuttle Memorial - Iran Hostage Crisis Memorial - Memorial Amphitheater

Enjoy a more personalized way to explore the best of Washington DC—and see the city at its most atmospheric (and least crowded)—on this nighttime sightseeing tour. Meet your driver-guide directly at your hotel; after hopping aboard your vehicle, set off with just a small group of fellow travelers for company. Look forward to spotting the White House, seeing the monuments of the National Mall, and more, all lit up after dark.

Experience 250 years of American history on this 3-hour guided walking tour led by a local historian & professional tour guide. Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where you’ll explore pivotal moments from the American Revolution to the 20th century and beyond. Rather than wandering aimlessly, you’ll follow a carefully curated narrative that makes history engaging, accessible, and relevant. Head to the National Archives Museum, where you’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry. Inside, view the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, some of the most important original documents in world history. Throughout the tour, the small group size allows for meaningful interaction, questions, and discussion, creating a more personal and enriching experience than large group tours.

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 many of Washington DC’s most significant African-American historical and cultural landmarks on this small-group, half-day driving tour. Meet your guide in the morning at the US Navy Memorial Plaza, hop aboard your vehicle, and set off: you’ll pass highlights ranging from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. At tour’s end, head to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to explore independently.

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.

Explore 10 iconic Washington DC landmarks in just four hours with a professional guide! Travel comfortably in a 12-passenger van, stopping outside historic sites like the US Capitol, White House, and Lincoln Memorial. Enjoy expert commentary, photo opportunities, and learn the rich history of each location. Convenient pickup and drop-off at the Washington Grand Hyatt.

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.

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.

If you’re looking to explore Washington DC in style, this 2-hour tour of some of the US’s most iconic monuments and landmarks while riding in either a four or seven-seater electric vintage-style luxury car could be for you. Riding in a Model T replica, witness unobstructed views of the Jefferson Memorial, Capitol Hill, DC’s war memorials, and many more.

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.

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.

Combine visits to several of Washington DC’s most popular attractions on this walking tour that takes you to the White House, the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and much more. Learn facts about each location that most guidebooks miss, while taking the opportunity to snap photos of the White House from several different vantage points.

Learn about American history and culture—and explore a solemn landmark in a respectful way—on this tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Visit key monuments, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the President John F. Kennedy Gravesite, and the Robert E. Lee Memorial, hear more about the service members and national figures laid to rest here, and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Experience the history and scale of Washington DC—and quickly travel between destinations—on a fun and time-saving Segway tour. Headsets ensure you can hear your guide’s insightful commentary as you zip past prominent buildings, historic sights, and top DC monuments. This tour is ideal for visitors who want to get a good overview of the city, in order to know where to explore in more depth later.

Deepen your understanding of the legislative branch of the US government on a small-group tour of Capitol Hill that explores the US Capitol and your choice of the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, or both (along with the Folger Shakespeare Library). This tour goes inside each destination for a guided tour, and highlights include reserved entry at the US Capitol with a guide to help bring Capitol Hill's fascinating politics and history to life.

A grand walking tour of Capitol Hill to explore the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and US Capitol. Learn about the country's legislative & judicial branches and step inside with the included entry tickets. Supreme Court: The tour does not enter, but you will get a full understanding of the judicial branch. Library of Congress: See an original Gutenberg Bible, view Jefferson's original library collection. Take a peek in the main Reading Room and admire items such as a draft of the Gettysburg Address, handwritten lyrics for “The Sound of Music,” Maya Lin’s drawings for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, original artwork by Stan Lee for the Spider-Man comic. Capitol Building: Learn about the Burning of Washington and find the best angle for a photo. See the original plaster model of Freedom. Your guide will secure hard-to-get tickets for the docent-led tour, which brings you into the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the Old House.

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.

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.

Explore the many famous monuments and memorials of Washington, DC by moonlight on this narrated sightseeing tour. Hop aboard an open-air trolley and get an educational and entertaining rendition of the storied history of the nation’s capital. Take in views of an illuminated Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the White House, and more. Leave the brochure at home—your guide has way better stories.

Combine US history with a pub crawl through DC’s most iconic bars on this small-group historic tour. Learn the history your teachers left out as you listen to stories that helped shape the nation’s capital. Hear how one of the founding fathers was a master distiller, what life was like during the Prohibition days, and even the parties at the White House.

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.