Washington DC is a captivating city with some of America’s most revered monuments and sights, which are best explored on a guided tour.
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The Lincoln Memorial, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Smithsonian museums, and The White House are just a handful of Washington DC’s many magnificent sights. The National Mall has been the backdrop to some of the most iconic moments in American history, from Presidential inaugurations to the speeches of great civil rights leaders. So much is packed into one city and one of the best ways to drink it all in is on these tours of DC’s top monuments.
Washington DC monuments by moonlight trolley tour
An unexpected approach to visiting Washington DC’s many monuments is to do it at night. That’s because the reduced crowds and night lighting cast the capital in a different perspective. Hop aboard an open-sided trolley and, over the course of two and a half hours, visit the Lincoln, FDR and Korean War Veterans memorials, The White House and many other memorable landmarks. Tours depart every evening from close to Ford’s Theatre at 7:30pm. From $45 per person.
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Washington DC monuments bike tour
Trying to navigate the two-mile-long National Mall on foot, working your way between the many monuments and statues, can be exhausting. But the relatively flat land means cycling makes things much easier and ensures you can cover more ground. This three-hour bike tour, led by a local guide, uses bikes designed for leisurely use around the city. Navigate between the Potomac Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument, making multiple stops along the way. Morning and afternoon tours are usually available. From $54 per person.
Washington DC National Mall tour by electric vehicle
An even easier way to navigate the monuments of Washington DC, is from the comfort of an open-sided cart. And this electric vehicle-based tour is more eco-friendly, too. In just two hours you’ll be able to make at least nine stops, from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Capitol Hill, seeing plenty of other highlights in between. But it’s more than just seeing, because your guide will provide regular insight into the history and stories behind the sights as you pass by. From $56 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Washington DC moonlit tour of the National Mall
Like the opening credits of House of Cards, where famous DC landmarks are solemnly lit up at night, while the world rushes by, this coach tour of the US capital unlocks a broad swathe of the city over three dark hours. You will stop at eight monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, the US Capitol and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and pass by a dozen more, each one illuminated against the darkening sky. Tours run on most days of the year. From $66 per person.
Washington DC African American history tour
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is located right at the heart of the National Mall. Although the past has been a turbulent one for African Americans in the US, recounting that history is more important now than ever. This excellent four-hour tour explores lesser known landmarks, and unlocks the history of the civil rights struggle by telling an unmissable account of black history from an African America perspective. Tours run on Mon and Tue, and occasionally other days of the week. From $89 per person.