Washington DC is one of the most visited and most buzzing of American cities. There is so much to see and do. When staying in the Washington area, there is no shortage of excitement. From monuments, to museums, to iconic buildings, visitors cannot find an American city more diverse. There’s a question brewing in the back of everyone's mind, which may be “How do I get the most out of my visit without having to do so much walking?”. There’s a simple answer. That answer is going on a tour. To get the most out of any stay in our nation's capital, it is best to know about the top five tours in our nation’s capital. Each and every one of them are full of excitement. Which one is the best? Here is the countdown!
5) Old Town Trolley Tour: If anyone wants to have the opportunity to hop on and hop off, experiencing the monuments, museums, and famous buildings throughout the day, this is a convenient tour for anyone to enjoy. The Old Town Trolley takes visitors from Washington’s Union Station past many of the cities highlighted landmarks, including Arlington Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. At the beginning of the tour, the driver shares a handful of historical notes about Union Station. Avid railroad fans on the tour will truly appreciate the information. The Old Town Trolley route is marked by special signs indicating where riders can re-board. Tour tickets are $39.00 for adults and $29.00 for children at ages 4-12. Children under the age of 4 ride FREE. Further tour information is available at historictours.com.
4) Bike And Roll-Sites By Segway: Has anyone ever ridden on a Segway scooter? They are a lot of fun. Segway tours are popping up in just about every city around the country. Seeing Washington DC by Segway is an experience visitors will most definitely appreciate. The Segway scooter is an incredible break-though in technology. The tour takes visitors from the Capitol, to the north side of the White House, to a variety of off-the-Mall spots, and an unforgettable ride down Pennsylvania Avenue. The tour can accommodate groups up to eight people. Visitors must be at least sixteen years of age to participate. Riders must weigh between one hundred to two hundred and sixty pounds. The tour cost is $59.00.
3) "Bike And Roll" Bike Tour: For those who are into biking, this tour is a lot of fun. There’s nothing more exciting than touring around Washington DC and getting a healtly workout simultaneously. Visitors will bike to and learn about the many sites, including museums, monuments, and the National Mall. While the tour is in progress, visitors learn about the many iconic buildings in the city including the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court. In addition, the tour guide shares key information about current exhibitions, major events, and practical tips for planning the rest of the day. The bike tour costs $40.00 for adults and $30.00 for children. Further tour information is available at bikethesites.com.
2) Open Top Sightseeing: If visitors can imagine seeing our nations capital with the wind in their faces and blowing through their hair. They will truly enjoy this open top sightseeing tour. The tour will take visitors around the city featuring stunning views of the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument, and the National Cathedral. Hint: It is the only tour which takes visitors to Georgetown and Arlington National Cemetery. There’s more to it. The tour ticket also includes a free boat cruise on the Potomac River. The tour cost is $40.50 for adults and $22.50 for children. Additional tour information can be viewed at opentopsightseeing.com.
1) DC Ducks Tour: Ducks tours are the most exciting tours to experience. They’re becoming increasingly popular around the country. The DC Ducks Tour is the tour which visitors most definitely don’t want to miss. It is truly the most unforgettable experience. Riders are to sit back and let their captain turn back the pages of history. The captain takes riders for the ride of their life in a restored World War II amphibian vehicle.
The tour begins with the captain sharing his/her wealth of information about Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, the Smithsonian museums, and the National Mall. Midway through the tour, the Duck vehicle enters the water at Pentagon City Park Marina. Touring around our nation’s capital by bus is one thing. Viewing it while cruising along the Potomac River is another. The captain takes riders along the Potomac River, and points out many of the sites they don’t get to see from the downtown area. He/She even takes riders to the end of the runway at Ronald Reagan National Airport to experience some take-off and landing action. The DC Ducks Tour is an experience for the whole family to enjoy. The tour cost is $39.00 regular rate/$29.10 online rate for adults; $29.00 regular rate/$26.10 online rate for children. Further tour information is available at dcducks.com.
The five tours shared above all have one thing in common. They all start and conclude at Washington DC Union Station. Union Station is located on Massachusetts Avenue, in the heart of the downtown area. Washington’s Metro is the most user-friendly subway system in the country. Union Station is served by the Metro subway’s red line. Connections are available at Metro Center (red, blue, and orange), Gallery Place-Chinatown, and Fort Totten. Gallery Place-Chinatown and Fort Totten are both served by the red, yellow, and green lines. Map and fare card information can be viewed at wmata.com. The tour desk is located in Union Station’s main grandeur. Bike And Roll is housed next door in a glass structure adjacent to the National Postal Museum.
With all its museums, monuments, and well-known attractions, Washington DC is a fun city to visit at any time of the year. It is not just a city that awaits adventurous travelers, it is a city that welcomes the world. It is a city that shows itself off to the world as a city of ongoing history, progress, and diversity. Whether visiting for the day, three days, or a whole week, these top five tours allow visitors the chance to see Washington DC at their pace. There are open top buses, Duck tours, hop on and off tours, and bike and Segway experiences, all to be enjoyed. They’re all a variety of adventures presenting the opportunity to not just witness history, but to be a part of history.
