DC Highlights Tour

Overview

This popular, VIP excursion takes travelers to the heart of the capital, hitting all of the must-see hotspots from the White House to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

See all the highlights of the city from the comfort of your own climate-controlled vehicle with the best private city tour in Washington DC. Over the course of four hours, a knowledgeable guide will transport you to the most iconic sights and attractions – starting with the beautiful domed roof of the U.S. Capitol Building and the creamy porcelain exterior of the White House.

Opt to upgrade your DC experience by either including Arlington National Cemetery or the Washington Monument!

City: Washington DC

Fri 02 Jan

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

Fri 02 Jan

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

What's Included

Taxes

Bottled water

Transport by air-conditioned luxury tour bus

English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)

Live commentary on board

Guide

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 3 years
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)

What To Expect

United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center

Start/End Point

U.S. Capitol

Guided Tour (outside only)

White House

Guided Tour (outside only)

National World War II Memorial

Guided Stop

U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

Otherwise known as "Iwo Jima", this memorial has a stunning view of the Washington, DC skyline and glimpses over the hillside into Arlington National Cemetery. It showcases an iconic photograph of American soldiers lifting a flag up representing the end of the Second World War.

Jefferson Memorial

See the Tidal Basin!

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Stop at the Kennedy Center for lunch and exploration during the off season (in lieu of the boat tour).

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Guided Tour

Lincoln Memorial

Guided stop - Includes walking. This stop is conjoined with the one below.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Guided Tour - Includes walking. This stop is conjoined with the one above.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Closed until 2022. Includes walking. This stop is conjoined with the one below.

Show 8 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (457)

Race2Win

Jan 2018

We were ready for our DC Highlights Tour despite the cold. We grabbed hot chocolate at the nearby Starbucks & brought it on board to start the tour. Now initially our guide, Larry, presents a bit eccentric with his patriotic umbrella topped by a duck taped US flag. He did sometimes remind us of Mr. Rogers in the way he spoke to us like we were young children before we got off the bus at stops, but he was also very endearing and genuine and we knew he was not intentionally sounding condescending. In fact, he was quite engaging and very excited to tell us about all we saw throughout the tour. And when we got off at the stops, he actually came with us and walked us around all the monuments and memorials pointing out specifics and making sure we came away with a better understanding of it. At about 1pm, we were taken to a food court in a Pentagon City shopping mall and given an hour for lunch before we started back. This, along with an additional stop at the Air Force Memorial which we all thoroughly enjoyed, made our tour last about an hour longer than the stated 2pm end time. But we were very grateful for the extra time and enjoyed every minute. We covered a lot of ground and were given ample opportunities to ask questions throughout the day. It was a very comprehensive highlights tour that anyone new to DC should take. Thanks to our enthusiastic & knowledgeable guide Larry & our wonderfully safe bus driver Dagnu for a memorable tour!

Dolores I

Dec 2017

Can’t believe all the highlights my daughter and I were able to visit in 5 hours without feeling rushed. Our driver, Tony and guide, Chris were the greatest. Chris is very knowlegble about the history and workings of our country and he provided a great commentary. We’d certainly recommend USA Guided Tours.

Rachel R

Dec 2017

My mother and I absolutely enjoyed everything about our D.C. Highlight's Tour. We booked with USA Guided Tours at a discount through Travel Zoo- and when I say the tour we received that day was more valuable than what we paid for, I mean it! It was amazing! Our tour guide was Smokey, the best tour guide for DC that we could have ever imagined. He was so knowledgeable, entertaining, outgoing, considerate, nice, and creative! As we walked through the different stops (you get to see a lot by the way), he would tell the history behind each of the buildings, monuments, parks, museums, etc. Literally, people who were doing self tours would kind of listen in and be amazed at what Smokey was saying; he was well-spoken and entertaining! He is truly an actor of sorts in the way that throughout the entire tour (about 4hrs) you never lose interest or become bored with the history that you're learning. If there is a way you can request tour guides with this company, pleeease request Smokey- I can say without a shadow of a doubt that you will 1) learn so much including fun facts 2) truly truly enjoy your experience 3) now hold every tour guide you encounter in the future to a high and probably unreachable standard. He was so much fun- you really need to experience this for yourself. Our driver was Osei, and he was pleasant as well. The DC Highlights tour features literally all the hot spots to see including: the Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, TJ Monument, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Jr. Monument, WW 2 Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, and more. We were able to hop off the bus at all spots to walk around and take photos- solid bonus. Also, our bus was covered and not like the big ones with no windows, which was so nice since it was a little brisk out considering this time of year (end of Sept). Aaaand there were complimentary water bottles on the bus if you get a little parched. Totally worth more than what you pay for and truly a memorable experience. Like I said, if you can request Smokey- please do, he will take your tour up SEVERAL notches. I could go on and on about the great day we had!