World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Washington, DC  - Tours of the City
Tours of the City

Walking Tours
Themed walks are run by Washington Walks (tel: (202) 484 1565; website: www.washingtonwalks.com), such as Embassy Row, Capital Hauntings and Washington Waterfront. The two-hour guided walks run from Tuesday to Saturday and start from designated Metro stops. No reservations are required and the tours cost US$10 (US$5 for children under 12).

Bus Tours
Tourmobile Sightseeing Trams (tel: (202) 554 5100 or (888) 868 7707, toll free USA and Canada only; website: www.tourmobile.com) operate daily narrated shuttle tours, stopping at 25 stops and featuring more than 40 major historic sites, including the White House, Smithsonian Institution Museums, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt Memorials, FBI Building and Arlington National Cemetery. Reboarding is allowed free of charge during the day. Tickets can be purchased from the drivers or at the Tourmobile booths but the fare of US$16 does not include any entrance fees.

Boat Tours
A pleasant way to get an overview of the city is to go on a 50-minute boat trip aboard Nightingale, operated by Capitol River Cruises (tel: (301) 460 7447). The tours depart daily from Washington Harbour in Georgetown every hour 1100-2100 with a fare of US$10.

Bicycle Tours
Bike the Sites (tel: (202) 966 8662; website: www.bikethesites.com) runs guided tours on bicycles lasting three hours over a mainly flat five-kilometre (eight-mile) route passing an impressive 55 landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the White House and the Vietnam Memorial. Bicycles, helmets, water and snacks are included in the fee of US$35. The starting point is the Smithsonian Metro Mall exit (south) at 0900 and 1500 from May to September and 1000 and 1400 in March, April, October and November. In June, July and August there are also tours at 1800.

Other Tours
A unique way to view the many impressive monuments in the city is to take a tour in a helicopter. DC Helitours (tel: (202) 484 8484; website: www.dchelitours.com) charge US$99 for flights from South Capitol Street Heliport at 1724 South Capitol Street (Buzzard Point Area) over sites of interest, including the White House, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. The length of the tour depends on the weather conditions at the time but is generally between 12 and 15 minutes in the air.



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GENERAL
City Overview
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Cost of Living
 
GETTING THERE
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GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
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SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
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Special Events
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