Washington DC · DC MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS TOURS

The 15 Best Monuments & Memorials Tours in DC

83 tours  ·  from $17 a head

Lincoln, Jefferson, Korea, Vietnam, World War II and the Washington Monument sit further apart than the map suggests. These 15 cover them by foot, cart, bike and trolley, with prices and the stops each one actually makes.

DC Memorials Night Tour: Glass-Roof Convertible Upgrade Option - From the White House to the Capitol
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DC Memorials Night Tour: Glass-Roof Convertible Upgrade Option

1.DC Memorials Night Tour: Glass-Roof Convertible Upgrade Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,933 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $69Our pick

Leave the daytime crowds behind on a three-hour Washington DC night tour from the U.S. Navy Memorial. Your English-speaking guide leads you to the White House, Capitol, and major memorials, with stops for photos and time to walk around. Choose a standard coach or, when available, upgrade to a glass-roof vehicle.

“Seeing the monuments at night put them in a different perspective than seeing them in the daytime. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and done an excellent job.”

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National Mall Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, Entry Tickets - White House photos, not a White House visit
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National Mall Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, Entry Tickets

2.National Mall Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,863 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Ride an air-conditioned coach past more than 20 Washington sights, with stops for photos at the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, and key memorials. Guides such as Sally, Tyrone, and James share history along the route. The three-hour tour starts at 7:30 pm and costs $65, with optional attraction tickets for a separate daytime visit.

“This tour is fantastic, as far as seeing a number of monuments and sites in a short period of time. The tour guide, Sally, is very knowledgeable and Chris, the driver, is very helpful and courteous. The only thing I recommend, is go when the weather is good. I went after an unusual storm which left huge ice problems. Walking paths were not cleared and the monument lighting was buried under the ice, so the monuments were dark (not picture worthy). The trek to them was dangerous and I slipped and fell once. If I come back in better weather, I will definitely try again.”

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Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley - The Lincoln Memorial and its neighbors
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Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley

3.Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,956 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Ride an open-air trolley past the White House, Capitol, and Washington Monument, then walk at the Lincoln, FDR, and Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials. A live guide adds history, anecdotes, and ghost stories. Guides featured on past tours include Smiley, MJ, and Hollywood, though your guide is not guaranteed.

“Nice, everything is close. Very COLD outside. Tour guide was informative. Hotel was nice. Glad to see the restoration of the monuments and clean up of the park areas for the 250th celebration.”

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DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart - Washington Monument and Tidal Basin memorials
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DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart

4.DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,841 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55Top rated

Ride an open-air electric cart for up to seven people past the Capitol, White House, Smithsonian museums, and major National Mall memorials. Your local guide makes photo stops at sites such as the Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Vietnam memorials. The route takes about two hours, with private and small-group options.

“Great way to see the most important Washington, DC, monuments with entertaining history and commentary.”

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National Mall Night Tour with 10+ Monuments (Public or Private) - Memorials around the Tidal Basin
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National Mall Night Tour with 10+ Monuments (Public or Private)

5.National Mall Night Tour with 10+ Monuments (Public or Private)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,207 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $68

Start at 7:30 pm for a three-hour guided ride and walk among DC’s illuminated landmarks, including the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, and MLK Memorial. You’ll have time for photos at multiple stops, bottled water, and a guide throughout. Optional upgrades add timed entry to the Washington Monument or one of two Smithsonian museums for the following day.

“The tour guide was very kind. There was some confusion when she said it was a walking tour. It sounded like she was saying the bus would take us to a single stop and we would walk. Getting some passengers a little worried we had paid a lot for something we could do on our own. The tour guide also let some of her political views slip out. I love her passion, but it wasn’t the place. I did like that we were taken right to the monuments. I had a recent knee/foot issue and did not want to have to walk too much. There is some walking as to…”

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Washington DC: Monuments by Moonlight Nighttime Trolley Tour - Starting out: stories between the monuments
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Washington DC: Monuments by Moonlight Nighttime Trolley Tour

6.Monuments by Moonlight Nighttime Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,529 reviews · 2h 30m · from $48

Ride a stadium-seating trolley past the White House, Capitol, Washington Monument and National Mall, then walk at the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, FDR and MLK memorials. An English-speaking guide handles the history and stories. The Iwo Jima stop is currently replaced by the World War II Memorial because of a bridge closure.

“Sooner Steve was a great tour guide! The tour covers a lot of ground and the monuments are beautiful in the dark. Highly recommend!”

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Big Bus DC: Monuments & Memorials Night Tour by Open-top Bus - Seats, Commentary and Comfort
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Big Bus DC: Monuments & Memorials Night Tour by Open-top Bus

7.Big Bus DC: Monuments & Memorials Night Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,174 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $49

Ride an open-top double-decker bus past Washington’s major monuments and memorials on a roughly two-hour evening circuit. The tour includes a short Lincoln Memorial photo stop, with the route also listing the Iwo Jima Memorial. Commentary may be recorded or live, depending on the departure. Seats are first come, first served, and the tour returns to its starting point.

“The tour is good. We enjoyed seeing various monuments at night time. The driver slows down in sync with the audio. The management for this tour is awful. Time was changed multiple times. We did get email of the change but the message was bad. It stated the new time for a date range but it is NOT our date! When inquiring, no reply. The ticket we get a week before tour has all wrong information and they didn't bother to update. More importantly, the meeting place is not what it says on the ticket. It's also confusing where to board or whether you are required to go to redemption…”

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Washington DC Highlights Tour with Top Landmarks and Memorials - The memorials: time to pause, but not to linger
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Washington DC Highlights Tour with Top Landmarks and Memorials

8.Washington DC Highlights Tour with Top Landmarks and Memorials

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 489 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59

Cover Washington’s best-known landmarks in four hours, riding an air-conditioned bus between guided stops at the Capitol, White House and major memorials. Your English-speaking guide shares the stories behind the sights; guides on recent tours have included Nick, Jana and Joey. Expect a mix of short walks and bus time, bottled water, and no interior visits to the Capitol or White House.

“The DC monuments 4hr tour was incredible, our tour guild Joey was so knowledgeable and I learned so much. Our driver Leonard made us feel safe and knew the roads forward and backwards. Thank you so much for the perfect experience.”

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DC: Washington Monument Direct Entry with Guidebook - The ticket service: paying to avoid the scramble
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DC: Washington Monument Direct Entry with Guidebook

9.Washington Monument Direct Entry with Guidebook

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 479 reviews · 1 hour · from $25Best value

Book a timed entry ticket for the Washington Monument and ride the elevator to its observation deck for views of the Capitol, White House, and memorials. Your $25 package includes a digital ticket and guidebook. A ranger directs you at the entrance, but you still pass through security and may wait briefly with your time slot.

“Great experience. Would definitely recommend booking in advance. Communication excellent. While process from start to finish was simple and straightforward.”

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No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook - The elevator ride and the view from 550 feet
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No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook

10.No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 465 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $25

This roughly one-hour, self-guided visit pairs timed Washington Monument entry with a digital guidebook. No Line Waiters sends official National Park Service tickets in your name before your visit, so you avoid the early ticket hunt. Expect security screening, an elevator ride to the observation level, views through windows on all sides, and a short museum visit on the way down.

“Great experience but there is no such thing as “skip the line” that is promised on the tickets. You still have to wait in line with these tickets.”

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DC Monuments & History Guided E-Cart Tour-Blankets - Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea, and Einstein
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DC Monuments & History Guided E-Cart Tour-Blankets

11.DC Monuments & History Guided E-Cart Tour-Blankets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 450 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Cover Capitol Hill, the National Mall memorials, and the White House area on a two-hour guided electric-cart tour. Expect history, photo stops, and time for questions, plus a complimentary key chain. Guides named Lorenzo, Elmira, Feyzi, and Fernando have been praised for their stories and family-friendly approach. The cart may not have a wind cover, so dress for the weather.

“Faizie was a great guide. Very informative, kind, and funny. The only knock is on the cart. It shows a cover but ours was not covered. The blankets were helpful.”

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Lincoln Assassination with Ford's Theatre & Petersen House Entry - Ford’s Theatre: artifacts, setting, and the night of April 14
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Lincoln Assassination with Ford’s Theatre & Petersen House Entry

12.Lincoln Assassination with Ford’s Theatre & Petersen House Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 444 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $62

Walk the streets tied to Lincoln’s assassination, then visit Ford’s Theatre and Petersen House with a guide who connects the sites to the people and events of April 14, 1865. Guides include Tony, Dash, Jim, Claudia, and Skye. The roughly two-hour tour costs $62.10, with entry included according to the selected ticket option.

“Skye was our tour guide and did an excellent job. I learned many interesting facts regarding our tour. Even though the Ford theater was closed she made it very interesting and I’m so glad we went.”

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DC: Open-top Monuments and Memorials Sightseeing Night Tour - The National Mall and Washington Monument from above
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DC: Open-top Monuments and Memorials Sightseeing Night Tour

13.Open-top Monuments and Memorials Sightseeing Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 443 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Big Bus Tours’ two-hour night ride leaves from Union Station at 6:30 PM and visits DC’s illuminated landmarks, with a 15-minute stop at the Lincoln Memorial. Expect digital commentary and, depending on the tour, a live English guide. Guides have included Clarence Allen, Nick, and Ms. Cole, but you cannot request a particular guide.

“Our tour was very nice. The best part was our driver and tour guide, Clarence Allen. He shared interesting facts and personal experiences. Greatly recommend, especially if you can catch Clarence's bus. Sights at night are lovely and tour gives a different vibe of the city. Bring your camera - pictures are phenomenal.”

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Washington DC: Monuments and Memorials Bike Tour - Setting off from 801 D Street NW
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Washington DC: Monuments and Memorials Bike Tour

14.Monuments and Memorials Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 399 reviews · 3 hours · from $65

Ride about four flat miles past the Jefferson, King, Korean War, Lincoln, Vietnam and World War II memorials, the Washington Monument and Smithsonian Castle. A guide such as Wally, Joe or MacKenzie handles the history and route; Cannondale comfort bikes and helmets are included. The pace is family-friendly, but plan for brief stops rather than long visits.

“Great tour, seeing Washington on a bike was brilliant.”

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Private Night-Time Monuments Tour of DC for up to 10 Guests - Lincoln and Vietnam: a strong finish to the evening
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Private Night-Time Monuments Tour of DC for up to 10 Guests

15.Private Night-Time Monuments Tour of DC for up to 10 Guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 326 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Your guide picks you up at 7:30 pm for a private evening drive through Washington, with stops at the Capitol, White House, and major memorials. Christopher, Brittany, and Nick are among the guides named by guests. Expect a comfortable vehicle, bottled water, time for photos, and an itinerary you can tailor to your group.

“Guide was knowledgeable and professional. If you want to see the monuments, this is the you’re to take.”

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New in DC Monuments and Memorials Tours

★ 5.0Washington Monument Ticket & National Mall Memorials TourFrom $7516 reviews
★ 4.7U.S. Capitol & Monuments Walking TourFrom $5610 reviews
★ 5.0National Mall Tour with Monument EntryFrom $4314 reviews
★ 5.0Monuments Bus Tour with 10 Stops, Optional US Capitol EntryFrom $595 reviews
★ 5.0Monuments & Memories History Walking TourFrom $254 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Kayak Tour of the MonumentsFrom $743 reviews
★ 4.5DC Bus Tour with Optional Washington Monument or Air & SpaceFrom $594 reviews
★ 3.2Express Morning or Night-Time Monuments TourFrom $593 reviews
★ 4.5National Mall & Cherry Blossoms with Washington Monument TicketFrom $5921 reviews
★ 3.5Washington DC Monuments self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt6 reviews
★ 4.0Private Washington D.C. Monuments Tour6 reviews
★ 5.0Scooter Tour — Washington DC’s Monuments and Memorials10 reviews
★ 3.5Private Monuments At Night Tour3 reviews
★ 5.0Private Washington DC Monuments Day or Night Bike Tour3 reviews
★ 3.5Private Tour with US Capitol Or Archives Or Washington Monument3 reviews

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