DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Boat Cruise, National Mall, Tickets

Recommended by 92% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Washington DC, USA

Very popular!

5+ bookings in the past 6 hours.

6 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Anthony_N ·

Jun 2026

Tonya and Sally were the most amazing tour guide and driver! We made it to every location on time and had plenty of time to see all the sites. This bus tour is really the best way to see all sites Washington DC has to offer with minimal walking. All sites have a great information narration by guide! Highly recommend! Great value!

· Mary_L ·

Jun 2026

Everything was easy and smooth. Tyrone and Chris were awesome. They were very kind and easy going. We saw all the sights and were able to walk several of them. Taking the tour was better than going ourselves because Tyrone had all the background knowledge about all the monuments that we wouldn’t have known. Great way to see DC in a day.

Explore our promoted experiences

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

Washington DC, USA

4.6

(2,547)

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

from $129

Washington DC Sites at Night Guided Bicycle Tour

Washington DC, USA

4.7

(559)

Washington DC Sites at Night Guided Bicycle Tour

from $65

Private Washington DC Monuments Day or Night Bike Tour

Washington DC, USA

5.0

(3)

Private Washington DC Monuments Day or Night Bike Tour

from $500

Per group

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

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.

Learn on the go from your dedicated tour guide
See more than 100 of DC's top landmarks in a single day
Enjoy different seasonal activities depending on when you visit
Choose to upgrade your tour to include additional stops

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

A balance of driving, in-season river boat touring, and site visits keeps the pace of this DC tour varied.

What's Included

6Hr National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops & Seasonal Boat Cruise
Stop at top DC Sites including the U.S. Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, & more
Visit Georgetown Washington Harbor for lunch on own before ferry (Pentagon Mall in off-season)
40-50 Minute Narrated Sightseeing Boat Cruise of Potomac River (seasonal mid-March to mid-October)
Pass by over 50+ top DC Sites such as Washington Monument, Tidal Basin, Arlington Cemetery, & more
*Bonus stops at Jefferson, Air Force, and/or Eisenhower Memorials when Potomac Cruise not operating
UPGRADE: Upgrade at checkout to also include self-guided entry to Washington Monument
UPGRADE: Upgrade at checkout to include self-guided entry to the Air & Space Museum
UPGRADE: Upgrade at checkout to also include self-guided entry to the African American Museum
UPGRADE: Upgrade at checkout to include 2-Hour Capitol Hill Walk with U.S. Capitol Admission
Cherry Blossom season (typically late March-early April) time to walk along Cherry Blossoms trees
UPGRADE: Upgrade to include a 2-hour Guided Capitol Hill Walk with U.S. Capitol Admission
Professional Tour Guide that stays with you through out tour, and walks you through the sites

Gratuities
Food & Drinks (stop for lunch on own during tour)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

Type to search

End point

790 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Tour concludes near National Archives Building

Itinerary

In the morning, meet your guide and tour group at the National Archives Building to begin this comprehensive tour around Washington DC. Travel aboard an air-conditioned, deluxe coach with a guide who knows the city inside and out.

Drive by more than 100 of Washington DC’s top sights, with stops at 10 of them, including the United States Capitol, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and more.

Along the way, hear the historic stories and facts that make the city one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. There is a lunch break roughly halfway through the day (own expense).

This tour also features a scenic boat cruise along the Potomac River (seasonally, generally available from April through mid October), or a stop at the Jefferson Memorial at other times of year.

After a full day out, the tour ends at the original starting point. However, you can choose to upgrade to include admission to the Washington Monument, National Air and Space Museum, or the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The National Mall

1 minute • Admission Ticket Free

U.S. Capitol

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The White House

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Lincoln Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tidal Basin

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

National Cherry Blossom Festival (Pass By)

National World War II Memorial

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Potomac River

Admission Ticket Free

Pentagon Mall

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lincoln Memorial

Admission Ticket Free

U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

Admission Ticket Free

Vietnam Women's Memorial

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Admission Ticket Free

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Admission Ticket Included

Washington Monument

Admission Ticket Included

Capitol Hill

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Georgetown

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Air Force Memorial

Admission Ticket Free

National Air and Space Museum

Admission Ticket Included

Jefferson Memorial

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Boat ride of Potomac River is seasonal (mid March - mid October). When the boat is not operating, you will visit the Jefferson Memorial, Air Force Memorial, and Eisenhower Memorial instead
Ticket Upgrades: 1. Due to hours of operation at the attractions, tickets will be valid for the next available day of travel after your tour. 2. Your attraction tickets will be valid for entry on the date and time assigned by the attraction, which will be noted on your entry ticket upon receipt. Date and time cannot be selected ahead of time, and we are unable to change the date and time assigned to you by the attraction. 3. The tour operator will send your ticket to you on the date of your scheduled tour. Tickets will be sent to travelers via WhatsApp. If you did not provide us with a valid WhatsApp phone number during checkout, please contact us prior to your tour date. 4. Attraction Tickets are non-refundable once issued to travelers. 5. Tickets are used for self-guided entry into the attractions. Entry is not a part of the guided tour experience and is for the traveler to use independently.
There will be standing and walking during this tour. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather as much of the tour is outdoors. DC can be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Umbrellas and layers are recommended.
Cherry Blossom season (typically late March-early April) travelers will have time to walk along Cherry Blossoms trees. The official Cherry Blossom peak bloom dates are announced by the National Park Service closer to the dates. Please Note: cherry blossoms are a seasonal highlight, and when the trees are not in bloom travelers will still be able to enjoy the 10+ memorial stops and sightseeing portion of the tour without the trees. Please be advised of this when booking preferred travel date.
Animal Policy: Animals are not permitted on tours
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Stephanie_S

Tyrone & Chris were amazing! Made the experience all that much better. Highly recommend this tour! Get to see many sites without the hassle of driving all over the city.

Reviews

4.7

based on 1,460 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

This was an awesome tour....

Darien_M, Jul 2026

This was an awesome tour. So educational and hit every major stop. Our tour guide was phenomenal and very patient with the elderly on our trip.

Had a great time

Christina_S, Jul 2026

The tour guide Shelly and the driver were amazing. I learned a lot and loved being free to explore the sites. I also made some new friends

Informative

Julie_S, Jul 2026

This tour was a fantastic way to see all of the DC highlights! Our tour guide, Sally, & driver, Tonya, were informative & helpful. Definitely recommend!!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience! We're so glad you had a wonderful time and enjoyed the tour. It would be our pleasure to have you join us again in the future! Malaak.

Fun, informative, safe!

Claudia_W, Jul 2026

Wonderful experience, we couldn't have seen and expedient everything we did on our own. Sally and Ibrahim were a great pair, she was an excellent wealth of information and he was a very safe driver. We highly recommend.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to know that your experience met your expectations. We hope to see you again soon for another great adventure in DC! Malaak.

It was a very good tour....

Isleny_C, Jul 2026

It was a very good tour. You will see a lot of memorials and landmark of Washington,DC. Tyrone our tour guide has a extense knowledge of the history of Washington and Chris our driver is a very polite person. I will recommend it.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Had a wonderful time

Nora_R, Jul 2026

Tyrone the guide was fantastic, I learned so much. Chris the bus driver was excellent. All and all it was just wonderful.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your feedback! We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit. We hope your next trip to DC includes another tour with us! Malaak.

Good for a few DC highlights from a distance.

Dianne_A, Jul 2026

Would be nice to choose which memorials to visit. Clean, comfortable van with AC and free bottled water. Reduced amount of walking necessary and saw DC highlights but mostly from a distance. Tyrone was a nice, polite, knowledgeable guide.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for your comment

Beware…boat tour cancelled!

Cherry_B, Jul 2026

Since we had visited DC earlier we had seen most of the monuments covered in the bus part. We particularly wanted the river cruise portion on the trip. Unfortunately we weren’t told til about 2 pm the the boat part was cancelled. What a waste of a day! We feel that this is false advertising! We specifically selected this tour because of the boat tour and to have it canceled was extremely disappointing! As well as inexcusable! I feel we deserve at least a partial refund for the discrepancy!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

For security government closed the Potomac for boat for security and hive you more stops instead like the Jefferson memorial

Wonderful DC Tour

Susan_S, Jul 2026

It’s very informative-the guide definitely knows her history- having water on board in this heat wave was thoughtful The tour was perfect to see all the important monuments in the short time we were in DC

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re truly delighted that you had such an enjoyable experience with us. It would be an absolute pleasure to welcome you back again in the near future. Malaak.

Great tour!

Robert_T, Jul 2026

A lot of great stops. Our tour guide Tyrone was super nice and super knowledgeable. We were disappointed the boat part of the cruise was canceled.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your feedback! We hope your next trip to DC includes another tour with us! Malaak.

We had a great tour...

Danette_J, Jul 2026

We had a great tour experience. I would definitely recommend Signature Tours if you plan on coming to DC.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Dc

VivianM_H, Jul 2026

Our guide stayed on the bus and didn’t get off as some of the others did. She was knowledgeable, but condescending. Driver was great. Disappointed in the fact I paid for 10+ stops and cruise and didn’t get my monies worth.

Guests Left Stranded in 103 Degree Temps

Stacey_R, Jul 2026

Tyrone, our guide, did an overall a good job considering we had a record heat wave. However a couple of major issues occurred. 1. Signature tours overbooked the tour. This is obviously probably the largest mistake a tour company can do. Because not only did they leave guests stranded, their lack of communication deprived guests the chance to find an alternative. 2. Failed solution. He left 5 guests stranded in 103 degree temperatures. He told me the owner of the company was going to pick them up and guide them. About four hours into our tour, I asked him how that group was doing because I was very afraid of their health and safety, as he should have been as well. He said the owner never picked them up. And that he could not get a hold of the owner because nobody was answering their phones. (This was during the huge 250th celebration weekend) The group never got their tour and they were stranded in the beating sun in 103 degree temperatures, no water, no assistance. Our guide did nothing to help them when he should have. He also said, " I'm just doing my job". I can't stand that mentality of doing the bare minimum. It doesn't take a rocket scientist that someone who works in customer service needs to take care of his customers. He also didn't do a good headcount at the beginning of the day before everybody attempted to get on the bus. He basically picked the 5 unlucky people who were last to enter the bus and could not sit down. Then he proceeded to kick them off and made them stand on a corner in the beating sun, and wait for another bus that never showed up. On this extremely special holiday, I can't even begin to think how devastating that is, for those poor people. As a guest witnessing, all this, I was highly unimpressed over his lack of action. This is those moments where he should have absolutely gone above and beyond. He certainly didn't do his job when he left his paying customers stranded. I also have zero respect for anyone who says they are only doing their job. The bare minimum is never enough. 3. Didn't receive what I booked.. A boat tour of the Potomac was supposed to be included. While they did mention a few circumstances for which the boat tour might be switched out at the last minute, they never mentioned that the river was closed due to the fireworks display barges being set up. I specifically booked this tour for the boat cruise. It was the responsibility to communicate better the potential that it would be closed. By not communicating this, they deprived me of a chance to book this tour on a day when the river was open. Again, extremely unimpressive communication.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We sincerely regret that your experience fell short of expectations during an exceptionally challenging holiday weekend marked by record attendance, extreme weather, and significant citywide restrictions. We understand your concerns regarding communication and appreciate you bringing them to our attention. Feedback like yours is valuable and will be carefully reviewed with our operations team as we continue refining our procedures for extraordinary circumstances. We appreciate your comments and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a much better experience in the future.

Bus Tour and River Boat Ride

Nancy_L, Jul 2026

It was a great bus tour, except that the bus left us at one of the site seeing stops. We had to wait 45 minutes for the bus to come back to pick us up after we contacted them.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your feedback! We hope your next trip to DC includes another tour with us! Malaak.

Guide was very...

Portia_H, Jul 2026

Guide was very informative and amusing, bus was very comfortable. We were disappointed in the canceling of the Potomac river cruise.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re truly happy to hear that you had such a great experience with us. It means a lot to know you enjoyed your time exploring DC. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit! Malaak.

Beware of tour during certain festivities!

Jennifer_Z, Jul 2026

Bus had AC but don’t sit in the back because hardly any AC! Water provided was not cold! Tour was suppose to have a Potomac River Cruise but cancelled due to security? Promised tickets for certain stops, never got them! Didn’t go to the National Mall due to July 4th (250) celebration! Our tour guide Dave was good but we didn’t walk around as a group, rather he just talked about some of the stops and then said be back at bus or meeting point at a certain time. Many times waiting for stragglers! Tour company should have known before selling this tour that everything they promised would not be available! They should have made up for the parts we missed.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for your detailed review. We sincerely apologize that some elements of your tour were impacted by the Independence Day celebrations and the associated security restrictions throughout Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, certain attractions, including the Potomac River cruise and some scheduled stops, were affected by government-imposed closures that were beyond our control. We understand how disappointing this was and regret that the experience did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your kind comments about your guide, Dave, and your feedback regarding the air conditioning, water, and tour pacing. Your comments have been shared with our team as we continue working to improve our guests' experience during major holiday events.

Missed the trip

Ramesh_G, Jul 2026

Hi Viator Support Team, I am writing to report an issue with our Washington, D.C. day trip booking. Unfortunately, we were unable to board the tour due to the unexpected traffic restrictions and road closures in D.C. on the day of travel. We attempted to contact Viator multiple times for assistance, but no one picked up our calls and we did not receive any response. Because of this, we missed the trip entirely. This was extremely disappointing, especially since we tried to reach out proactively for guidance. We request your help in reviewing this situation.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are truly sorry to hear that you were unable to join the tour due to the unexpected road closures and traffic restrictions in Washington, D.C. We understand how frustrating this must have been, especially after your efforts to reach customer support. While many of the road closures during the holiday period were beyond our control, we sincerely regret the inconvenience you experienced. Your feedback has been shared with our team as we continue working to improve communication during special events. We appreciate your comments and hope we'll have the opportunity to welcome you on a future tour under better circumstances.

So fun!!

Aiden_D, Jul 2026

I had a great time, it was such an amazing experience and I had so much fun. Our tour guide was very nice and accommodating for the things we weren’t able to do because of the holiday closures, his name is Tyrone and he was also very knowledgeable of everything. I would highly recommend this tour for first time visitors and for people who’ve been before as well.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your tour experience with us. It also helps other future guests see what we are all about! It is always our goal to give people a tour to remember and we are so happy you thought it was! We love hearing that our guests loved their tour experience. It really makes our day! We strive to make our tours fun and memorable for everyone every time. Hopefully we will see you back with us soon! Malaak.

Great

Augustine_C, Jul 2026

It was great experience and we were very entertained despite the heat and the closure of the Potomac River.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Highly recommend!

JILL_C, Jul 2026

Sallie and Abraham are excellent guide and driver. We took their tour July 2. Many roads were blocked getting ready for the fourth, but they gave an excellent tour!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to know that your experience met your expectations. We hope to see you again soon for another great adventure in DC! Malaak.

Book it!

Silvia_T, Jul 2026

We had an amazing experience exploring Washington, D.C.! Our tour guides Chris and James were knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire tour enjoyable from start to finish. Even though the weather was extremely hot, they kept the tour engaging and made sure we were comfortable while sharing fascinating history and stories. We were able to see so many iconic landmarks, including the Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and more. It was truly a memorable experience, and we highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Washington, D.C. Thank you for making our trip so special!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your feedback! We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit. We hope your next trip to DC includes another tour with us! Malaak.

Family fun

Angela_B, Jul 2026

We had the best tour, Tyron and Tonya are the best, Showed us all the sites and more We would highly recommend

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to know that your experience met your expectations. We hope to see you again soon for another great adventure in DC! Malaak.

Don't miss this trip!

Teresa_J, Jul 2026

Park underground all day for flat rate nearby and avoid the stress of driving and dodging bikes, pedestrians, scooters.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

While most of the tour...

Kathleen_K, Jun 2026

While most of the tour takes place on the bus, you do get out to walk around so plan for the weather.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

DC in a Day

Mary_L, Jun 2026

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Best Tour Ever!

Anthony_N, Jun 2026

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Stay away from this tour operator

Subrato_G, Jun 2026

The tour operator didnot speak English and didnot pick us up on the location. Very poor customer service

Response from Host, Jun 2026

All our tour guides are Washingtonian please review the right company

Chris & Tyrone best tour guides ever!!

Howard_B, Jun 2026

Chris & Tyrone did an excellent job despite the consistent rain during our tour! Chris very polite offered us umbrellas and Tyrone was very entertaining with my boys ages 8 & 10!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We’re so happy to hear you had a great time! Your feedback truly means a lot to us. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable experience! Malaak.

The best tour!

Winifred_F, Jun 2026

This was such a wonderful experience. Our tour guide was such a joy to be around and he had the best jokes and stories of the city.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to know that your experience met your expectations. We hope to see you again soon for another great adventure in DC! Malaak.

Great DC Trip

Reginald_L, Jun 2026

Love the tour for my grandkids and we had a blast. They loved the sites and the boat ride. Love the guide Tyrone and the driver Chris.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your feedback! We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit. We hope your next trip to DC includes another tour with us! Malaak.