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Washington DC Tours
Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry
4.5

Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry

By USA Guided Tours
Recommended by 90% of travelers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Save time and avoid hassle with this full-day Washington DC tour that provides priority access to landmarks such as the United States Capitol Building and the National Archives Museum. Focus on the sights and your guide's commentary instead of traffic and directions as you shuttle in a luxury bus between the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and other important destinations. Seasonally, a Potomac River cruise is included.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 3-99, max of 55 per group
Duration: 8h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Priority access to National Archives and US Capitol Building saves time
  • Transportation around DC landmarks eliminates the need to rent a car
  • Comprehensive tour of city highlights offers an overview of DC in one day 
  • In-depth commentary teaches much more than you may learn on your own

  • Tickets to the National Archives Building
  • Reserved Entry to the U.S. Capitol Building
  • Boat Cruise on the Potomac River (Seasonal: April 1 to October 15)
  • English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)
  • Upgrade to Glass-Top/Open-Top Convertible Bus Available
  • Entry/Admission - U.S. Capitol
  • Entry/Admission - Georgetown
  • Entry/Admission - The National Archives Museum
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch

Exploring Washington DC can be overwhelming. This guided tour, which includes priority access to two popular sights, allows you to get a comprehensive overview of the nation's capital in a single day. Meet your group at Neptune Fountain. Explore the Capitol Building where you'll enjoy a skip-the-line walking tour of the Senate and House of Representatives. See the Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall, as well as a film about the history of US government. Back on the shuttle, pass the White House on the way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, United States Navy Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial. At each stop, hop out to have a look around, take photos, and listen to informative commentary from your guide. Midday, head over to the Potomac River for a leisurely cruise (seasonal, mid-March to mid-October). A visit to the Pentagon will take place when the cruise is not offered. Lunch of your choice, and on your own, is available during your stop in Georgetown. The day's last stop is the National Archives Museum, where you'll have priority access to see the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, the original Bill of Rights, and Public Vaults.

Start:
  • Neptune Fountain, 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA
    Your VIP experience begins at Neptune Fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. Address: 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
End:
  • National Archives Museum, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA
    End of tour

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6349VIPDC

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Walking is involved to get an up-close look at the monuments (comfortable shoes are recommended)
  • Strollers may not be accommodated on tour
  • Security restrictions at the US Capitol and National Archives Buildings prevent any food or drinks being brought through security
  • During peak season, security lines are long, and as such, arriving ahead of time is highly encouraged
  • Tour Departure Times Are Subject to Change Due to Local Traffic Conditions
  • Please Arrive at the Meeting Point No Later Than 8:15 AM For Check-In
  • No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
  • Most travelers can participate
  • The tour price includes a boat cruise, and tourists will have the opportunity to purchase lunch at one of several waterfront restaurants in the summer
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 55 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6349VIPDC

From
$129.00
per adult
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA
    Your VIP experience begins at Neptune Fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. Address: 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
    Pass by
    Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • USA Guided Tours
    7,599
    United States
    Joined in April 2014
  • 307reginac
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Best Birthday Celebration
    Came in with friends for birthday celebration. Jana was a fantastic tour guide and really took good care of us as it was super cold. Lee was a great driver and nearby when some of us had to get back on the glass top Sprinter van when we got too cold. Way to see the highlights and utilize our time the best for our short weekend. Thanks for a great birthday!!!
    Written December 7, 2024
  • Journey19127323038
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a great tour experience!
    This was a great experience. Our guide - Deion - provided so much information during the ride between stops as well as when we got out at each monument. He did a great job making the tour engaging for our whole family (two adults and two teenagers). I highly recommend this as a great way to see so many of the great monuments in DC.
    Written December 6, 2024
  • Margaret M
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Wonderful Evening
    This tour was excellent! Elvis was so knowledgeable and funny. He made us all feel so welcome. Our driver, Tanya, was very good and very accommodating. She even dropped us off at our hotel after the tour because it was “just a little out of the way!” We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and bravo to our guide and driver!!!
    Written December 5, 2024
  • M940ZDanthonyp
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour of DC and monuments.
    5/5, amazing. Wish I could experience it for the first time again. Huge thanks to our tour guide Dion D and our driver. Super knowledgeable, and had fun with our nations history. Made the tour engaging and fun, and we finished in a reasonable time that most tours could only do in 6 hours. Ask him about the number 13 if you see him.
    Written December 5, 2024
  • K2139UTjenniferg
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highly Recommend!
    Had an incredible tour guide, Mr. 13 & wonderful driver, Sylvia! So knowledgeable about the monuments, the city, & US history! Made for a very informative & fun tour!
    Written December 4, 2024
  • tammya86
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful even on a very cold night
    Almost didn’t go because it was 23 degrees. So happy I went. Both the driver and tour guide were friendly and knowledgeable. The monuments were so pretty and well lit at night. Would highly recommend this company. Lots of walking so comfortable shoes… there were several people with canes and they were ok.Dont hesitate to book this!
    Written December 4, 2024
  • marisabC4812UM
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A very enjoyable Christmas experience!
    A very enjoyable Christmas experience! Our tour with Tanya and Elvis was fun and informative. We appreciated Tanya adding a couple of extra attractions to our itinerary, and her kindness in dropping us off in a safe warm area. A great way to spend an evening in Washington DC!
    Written December 4, 2024
  • dkbbwilliamson
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Night Tour w/Deon
    We had a great tour. Deon was amazing! He doesn’t miss a beat and knew any & everything. So glad we took the tour and would highly recommend. We got lucky the capitol Christmas tree was lighted earlier in the evening before we got there. Great way to see multiple monuments.
    Written December 3, 2024
  • BrendaH1445
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great day!
    It was a great trip and our guide was very informative. I would certainly recommend this outing even for people who have previously visited the area
    Written December 3, 2024
  • Ryangirl09
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic day!
    What a great day!!!! We were lucky enough to be the only two people on the tour so basically a private tour and our tour guy Nick was fantastic!!! Full of knowledge and great commentary… made the day go by so quick despite all the sites visited! Truly the best tour if you have only 1 day in DC!
    Written December 2, 2024
  • greekgirlwandering
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Monuments and making memories
    Taking this tour was the best decision. I was looking for a way to see as many of the monuments as possible, being that I was in DC for only a couple of days. I knew I wanted to take an evening tour to avoid the bulk of the crowds, and this did not disappoint. James, our driver, and Elvis, our guide, were absolutely phenomenal. Elvis was knowledgeable, engaging, funny, and kind. Could not have asked for a better guide or driver. As a solo traveler, I always look for fun and interesting things to do in whatever city I'm visiting. This checked all the boxes. The bus was comfortable, they provided water, and with each stop, we got a chance to get out and take photos. This was probably the most efficient tour I've ever been on. And as quick as each stop was, only spending about 15 minutes or so in each monument, you didn't feel rushed. It was more than enough time to walk around, take photos, and take in the scenery. I have already recommended this tour to several friends that are going to be in the DC area in the coming months. To me it was worth every penny. The meeting location is super easy to get to, with a metro station right there, or a short Uber ride from wherever you might be staying. I cannot say enough good things about this tour. If you're thinking about it, stop thinking and just book it. You will not regret it.
    Written December 1, 2024
  • andreamO8819XC
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice and clear!
    Everything was beautiful and nice. The guide was really nice, perfect english understanding everything!! You have to go for sure 😁
    Written December 1, 2024
  • ricv506
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    DC tour
    Nick is simply the best! Gene, the driver, kept us safe. Completely enjoyed our time with them! Very knowledgeable and friendly.
    Written November 30, 2024
  • Vishal K
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect place with a knowledgeable guide.
    It was a amazing experience, the guide was very informative and shared the history of Washington DC, which is very interesting and helpful to make our experience even better
    Written November 30, 2024
  • Cindy W
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice day trip but would wait until 2026 when everything is again open fully to the public.
    The main house was closed and we were only able to see one room. Our personal guide was a five star gal. The Mt Vernon slide show gal was very basic and flat. Nice gift shop.
    Written November 30, 2024
See all 7,599 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles657 reviews
Excellent
536
Very good
57
Average
29
Poor
13
Terrible
22

Linda W
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
Amazing, very well organised tour with a fantastic host/guide, Nick who was professional, polite, friendly, funny and incredibly knowledgable. Superbly comfortable coach with a lovely, attentive driver, Maurice. This tour includes reserved guided entry into Capitol and Archive Museum, a Potomac River Cruise, and well timed visits to the main memorials in DC, Second World War; Korean; Vietnam; Jefferson; Lincoln; Roosevelt; Martin Luther King; Reflection Lake/ Washington Monument and White House with ongoing informative narration en-route. Complimentary cooled water. Plenty of rest room stops. One hour break for lunch at the wharf with a choice of restaurants. A long day with quite a bit of walking but absolutely the best way to see the best of DC in one day. Excellent tour. Highly recommended. You won’t be disappointed!
Written May 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Camille M
Melbourne, Australia29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great tour experience to see the key sights of Washington DC. Nick our tour guide was organised, entertaining and engaging. Tour of the Capitol was a real highlight and worth the extra compared to those tours that just stop off for photo opportunity. Don’t bring bottled water or liquids unless you’re prepared to tip them out or drink them. Boat cruise on the Potomac River was ok - a nice break in the day but not something that I would probably choose to do otherwise. Wish I had had more time to enjoy my lunch at Fiola Mare instead. Pricey but very enjoyable restaurant. Lots of other less expensive options available if you didn’t want to splash out.
I travelled solo but would not choose to bring small children on this tour - lots of walking and lots of statues, buildings and memorials. I found it fascinating but my 5 year old would have got bored very quickly.
Air-conditioned bus is a huge plus compared to the bike, walking and segue tours I saw on the way. Would definitely recommend to first time visitors.
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pete L
Cambridge, UK31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We are the last people to take a guided tour, it simply isn’t what we do on holiday but with limited time in DC we decided it would be worth it. Dion, our tour guide made this one of the best decisions of our short trip. He was knowledgable and passionate about the history and sites and had many stories that made it personal as well as informative. We learned a lot about the city and it’s history as well as the history of the US, all in a way that made it enjoyable as well as informative. We would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone. Thanks Dion for making it a really special day.
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for the kind words! Dion is one of our best and we are extremely proud of him. We are thrilled your tour experience with him was a great one. We hope you will tour with us again soon! We will save a seat for you. Safe travels.
Written March 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tracy A
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This was a great way to see many iconic DC landmarks with witty and informative commentary between each stop and without the stress of planning and navigating! Our guide, Chris, and driver, Ali, had us moving fluidly to each stop on our itinerary. I was shocked that we remained on schedule and didn’t get stuck in traffic, etc.

Tour guide Chris was full of knowledge and happy to share and expand when questions popped up. Seeing how it is JULY it was lovely being able to cool off on the bus in between stops!!

Highly recommend this tour! Our 16 and 18 year olds enjoyed it as much as we did!
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear customer, thank you for sharing your experience, we are very happy that you enjoyed the tour, we invite you to review our different tour offers, we have a modern fleet of buses, experienced drivers, and friendly tour guides that will make you feel very comfortable.
Written July 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Marsha F
San Diego, California, United States15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
This is one of the best tours of Washington DC. The bus was new with large windows. The guide, Jamal, was one of the best tour guides I have ever experienced. He was super knowledgeable and shared the meaning and history of what we were seeing. I highly recommend USA Tours. It is the best.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the kind words! We are thrilled you had an enjoyable tour with Jamaal. His knowledge and love for the city allows him to deliver a memorable experience for our guests. We hope you and your family will tour again with us soon. Safe Travels, USA Guided Tours
Written March 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cheryl K
Waukesha, WI14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
Guiding us through our wonderful trip through the best of DV tour was Nick, the god of tours.
He was so informative but kept it light throughout holding our attention while giving us history along with humor.
He was so kind in making sure we were all taken care of .
It was a highlight of our trip to DC and definitely would recommend this tour and hope that you are lucky enough to get Nick as your guide.
Written April 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comments, we are very happy that you enjoyed the tour, we invite you to review our different tour offers, we have a modern fleet of buses, experienced drivers, and friendly tour guides that will make you feel very comfortable.
Written June 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Craving K
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Our group of 5 ranging in ages 13 to 70s all loved the tour. First off, boarding was quick, easy, and well organized. We were in an open-top sprinter that was new and comfortable. The front portion was semi-enclosed so it stayed in the shade and a/c. There are even USB ports at each seat to charge up between taking so many pics! Our guide, Brittany, was superb! She was a cool and competant driver, and was able to judge when to visit each monument based on the traffic and found the very best places to drop us off & pick us up. She even came with us through the Korean War memorial and continued to give us info on what we were seeing. Throughout the tour, she explained not only what we were going to visit, but all the things we would pass on the way. She gave background history on the city, the monuments, the actual people, and the construction process of the monuments. She gave plenty of tips for additional visits and places to see (EX: how to get tix to the inside of the Washington Memorial). The boat ride on the Potomac was very pleasant. Yes, the same memorials were seen as they are located along the Potomac, but the view was totally different and the narration on the boat gave even more info on what we were seeing and the history. Brittany had plenty of ice-cold water available and we were able to get a bottle at each stop. If you're still reading, I'm writing this much to really give you the confidence to BOOK THIS TRIP!!
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, cravingk , for sharing your experience, we are very happy that you enjoyed the tour, we invite you to review our different tour offers, we have a modern fleet of buses, experienced drivers, and friendly tour guides that will make you feel very comfortable.
Written June 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Liza E
17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This tour was amazing! Nick our tour guide had high energy, was extremely informative and went above and beyond for the 24ppl on the tour. We stopped at all the historic sites heard history explained like never before. I consider myself a history buff but, I had jaw dropping moments. Tony our driver, drove safe and seemed to know the city well we didn’t get stuck in traffic. I would recommend this tour.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Liza E. for the feedback. Our goal is to provide each of our clients with a special experience full of memories to last a lifetime. It is always great to hear that we did a great job! Nick and Tony are a fantastic team and we will be sure to pass along your appreciation. Welcome to the USA Guided Tours family. We hope to see you again soon. Warm regards,
Written November 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BAT0013
Boston, MA6 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
It was an extremely hot day. We knew that it would be, but we were only in town for the weekend so we made sure to book a tour that would hit lots of spots but also was air conditioned. This definitely hit both. Our driver was Brian and our tour guide was Alicia. Alicia did a great job at limiting our walking time (we still put in 5 miles including our subway rides to and from) and finding shade everywhere possible. The bus had plenty of cold water for the taking at every stop and was cranking the A/C when we got back on. You see a lot on this tour, so that means your time at each spot is limited, but we never felt rushed. I had read some reviews with concerns about lunch, but Alicia helped us through it. Not sure if it works this way every time, but we ordered lunch to go at one of the restaurants at the harbor and ate on board the boat. The boat ride was a welcome departure from the bus activity and I thought broke up the day nicely. Given current status at the Capitol, you can only see it from behind fences, but that was very clear when we booked. Overall a very nice day and I can;t imagine that any other tour would have even been sustainable in the almost 100 degree heat.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear customer, thank you for sharing your experience, we are very happy that you enjoyed the tour, we invite you to review our different tour offers, we have a modern fleet of buses, experienced drivers, and friendly tour guides that will make you feel very comfortable.
Written August 6, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jennyvitro
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great tour!! Tour guide Larry was excellent very friendly and knowledgeable took time to talk with everyone explain all the sites and keep everyone interested in tour. Our driver Ali was very good negotiating that huge bus around DC never skipped a beat we stayed on bus a few time he was very knowledgeable and friendly. We consider this tour and our guide and driver to be best we ever had.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear customer, thank you for sharing your experience, we are very happy that you enjoyed the tour, we invite you to review our different tour offers, we have a modern fleet of buses, experienced drivers, and friendly tour guides that will make you feel very comfortable.
Written August 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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