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The 10 Best Hop-On Hop-Off Tours in Washington DC, District of Columbia (DC)
Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. Attracting as many school field trips as it does travelers the district offers a peek into the country’s democratic origin. There are plenty of free museums to take advantage of but the real draw here is the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Spend some contemplative time at the Reflecting Pool within the National Mall, among the most patriotic places in the country.
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1. DC Highlights Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 81 reviews
Enjoy an abbreviated, yet comprehensive, tour of our nation’s capital! On this 4-hour tour, you’ll find unique opportunities to explore and learn the history of each site and attraction as your guide walks the sites with you. Enjoy visiting DC as you are transported via a luxury tour bus to the historical monuments, museums, and landmarks. Discover the best of what DC has to offer on this guided tour!
Inclusions: Bottled water, Live commentary on board, Guide, Transport by air-conditioned mini coach, English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus), Taxes
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By lettyc716
My husband, nephew and I took this tour yesterday (05/15/21). Our tour guide “Christopher” was AMAZING, knowledgeable and funny as heck! We are definitely recommending this tour to our family and friends. Shout out to our driver “Ali” who maneuvered through traffic like butter. What a team! Mike, Letty & Tyrus
2. Washington DC Super Saver: Hop-on Hop-off Trolley + Monuments by Moonlight Tour
Overall Ratings
4.4 based on 79 reviews
Explore Washington DC at your leisure on a hop-on hop-off trolley and see the city's landmarks illuminated on a guided night tour with this super saver combo. Hop on and off as often as you like at any of the 17 trolley stops at landmarks including the White House, US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. Then at night, take a guided trolley tour to see the same monuments lit up and hear fascinating anecdotes and ghost stories.
Inclusions: Shuttle to Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington National Cemetery trolley tour, if option selected, Water taxi, if option selected, Exclusive foreign language app in seven languages, Monuments by Moonlight
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By louie6698
Our tour guide MJ was very knowledgeable and personable! We felt we had enough time to explore at each stop. The reflection of the Washington monument was beautiful. Completely different experience than a daytime tour. Loved it.
3. Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Overall Ratings
4.3 based on 165 reviews
Experience one of the country’s most famous cemeteries at your own pace on this hop-on hop-off trolley tour of Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. Visit the most notable graves and memorials and learn about the cemetery’s history from an onboard guide. Hop off at 2 stops to explore at your leisure. Stops include the JFK Gravesite/Eternal Flame and Memorial Drive by the Amphitheater.
Inclusions: Transport by hop-on hop-off trolley for one loop around Arlington cemetery, Professional guide, Live commentary on board
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks
Reviewed By Brian R
The tram took us to the 4 stops available at the time including JFK, tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Arlington House. The drivers, guide, and staff were all friendly and helpful. The narration during the tour was very informative. We qualified for the no-charge handicapped tickets for two by showing our vehicle parking placard. ANC is a very large area, and this is the best option for seeing it all without having to walk several miles through the maze of roads. It is probably best to get there by Noon to see everything without having to rush as there can be a 10-30 minute wait for the next tram. Definitely recommended.
4. Washington DC After Dark Wonder Tour
Overall Ratings
4.2 based on 122 reviews
DC after dark wonder is a comprehensive tour with the guide directing you to all the monuments and memorials at a wonderful pace while giving you fascinating facts to make every visit a memorable one. You will be totally engaged and entertained while visiting the wonderful attractions under the DC lights. The best pictures are taken on this tour by the design of our special routing of the tour.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By Carole M
Make sure you ask for house tour tickets before you go in...We bought everything online ahead of time. At the time, it said all the house tour tickets were sold out. When we approached the house, we were told that there were plenty of tickets-we just needed to go back to the entry. WIth 7 people in our group, this was not possible. We were sad to miss the house tour when it was available, even though the site said it was sold out. Regardless, it was a FABULOUS day and visit.
5. Three-Hour DC City Night Tour
Overall Ratings
4.2 based on 30 reviews
This three hour night tour of Washington DC includes stops at popular sites such as the Capitol, White House, World War ll Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial.
Inclusions: Hotel pick up/drop off for parties of 4 or more, upon request, Bottled water, Live commentary on board from a professional guide, Transport by air-conditioned coach/minivan
Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available to purchase), DVD (available to purchase), Food and drinks, unless specified, Face mask available for purchase upon request for $5.00
Reviewed By gboyet
Family visited the DC area in July, mixed group of elderly, middle-aged and college students, seven in total. Enough room for everyone on the mini-bus. Everyone enjoyed learning fun facts about DC history. Bobby, our driver and tour guide , was awesome. He made accommodations for last minute changes and requests for additional sites to see during the tour. Would definitely recommend as a go to for site seeing during COVID-19 restrictions.
6. New York to Washington DC Day Trip by Rail
Overall Ratings
4.2 based on 6 reviews
Take a relaxing day trip by rail from New York to Washington DC. Once you arrive in DC, sightsee via a double-decker bus tour, which will take you past DC's top monuments and museums. Hop-on Hop-off at your leisure with plenty of free time to explore the city on your own. Roundtrip train fare, hop-on hop-off bus tour and a 2-course lunch at Hard Rock Café are all included.
Inclusions: Roundtrip Train Ticket to Washington DC from NY Penn Station, Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour in Washington DC, Hard Rock Cafe 2 Course Lunch w/ Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks - Priority Skip the Line Seating
Exclusions:
Reviewed By G2324VYmonicat
It was Awesome! I wanted to see the Statue of Liberty!! It brought tears to my eyes!! My family enjoyed the cruise!
7. Washington DC Sightseeing Trolley Tour with 1 Stop
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,410 reviews
Enjoy a 90-minute panoramic trolley tour of Washington, DC with one stop. The tour route will maximize your time and provide you with a great introduction to Washington, DC’s beautiful scenery and rich history. Join us aboard our custom-built Stadium Trolleys featuring stadium seating where every view is a great one. The Trolley will make one (1) stop along the tour route at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. While off the trolley, visit the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. You will have 30 minutes to take in the breathtaking views while your guide and the trolley wait for you to continue with their narration upon your return. During the tour you also see other major sites around the Nation’s Capital,including the White House, Washington Monument, Untied States Capitol Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Union Station, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums.
Inclusions: Exclusive foreign language app in seven languages, Gold Pass includes: 90 Minute Trolley Tour with 1 Stop plus Arlington National Cemetery Tour, Platinum Pass includes: 90 Minute Trolley Tour, Arlington National Cemetery Tour & Water Taxi
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Earbuds (available for purchase)
Reviewed By louie6698
Our tour guide MJ was very knowledgeable and personable! We felt we had enough time to explore at each stop. The reflection of the Washington monument was beautiful. Completely different experience than a daytime tour. Loved it.
8. Washington DC City Tour
Overall Ratings
3.7 based on 17 reviews
This is a three hour mid-morning tour of Washington DC. Stops include popular sites such as the Capitol Building, the White House, World War ll Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial.
Inclusions: Hotel pick up/drop off for parties of 4 or more, on request, Bottled water, Live commentary on board from professional guide, Transport by air-conditioned coach/minivan
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Face masks available for purchase upon request for $5.00
Reviewed By Excursion172929
That was quote a history lesson. Bobby was a driver, a guide, an entertainer, a historian, and just a personable character. I selected this particular company based on reviews - there were a couple that provided a 'driver' who did not comprise all the above attributes, mainly a knowlegeable guide. I especially liked all the little lesser known details and facts shared with us. Did you know all the people you see on $ bills? I was like... "Franklin $100 was not a president?!" ???? I thought it was a good idea to see all that again by night, and listen, AFTER doing my own sightseeing and museum visits. It filled the gaps and added spice to my knowledge.
9. Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Overall Ratings
3.6 based on 1,721 reviews
Discover the iconic sights of Washington, DC at your own pace by open-top Hop on Hop off Bus and the only National Park Service authorized tour of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. See the Memorials, Monuments and more on the Patriot Tour (Red Route) to include new stops at Black Lives Matter Plaza and the Wharf. On board, customers will enjoy recorded commentary, including the history of the Washington, DC and the Nation's famous memorials and monuments.
Inclusions: Recorded commentary on board, One or Two Day Hop on Hop off Bus Ticket, 2 Routes - Red Route and Blue Loop, Night Tour included with the Deluxe Ticket
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By 864farahm
DO NOT book this company online or in advance. We used BIG BUS in Dubai and Muscat last year and initially were impressed. We pre paid tickets for our next stop in Abu Dhabi. Big mistake. Covid forced us to return home. I contacted the company and they were initially very amicable. They did not offer a refund which was understandable under the circumstances but they DID give me a credit. Gave me a reference code and told me I could use the unused tickets towards our next BIG BUS tour. They tell you to contact them a few days before your trip. The minute you let them know you want to use the tickets, they stop responding. Obviously, the reference they give you is to red flag your request so that they can ghost you. Their "chat" line gives you the run around and the e-mails go unanswered. DO NOT PRE-PAY ANY OF YOUR TICKETS. They do not give you credit or refunds. I would have much rather they had just immediately told me my Muscat tickets were null and void instead of them wasting a lot of my time with the pretense that they were actually going to honor their end of the transaction. I was actually going to use the credit for a more expensive package, therefore they would have still profited if they had been ethical. Instead, they have lost a customer forever and I will make sure my review is posted on every travel site.
10. Monticello, VA Private Tour
Enjoy a fully-guided private tour of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Charlottesville, Virginia. You will travel from Washington, DC, to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello; passing historic American Civil War battlegrounds as well as Quantico, Virginia – home to the FBI Academy. Upon arrival, you and a knowledgeable tour guide will explore the beautiful estate of the American Founding Father and third US president. Situated atop an 870-foot hill overlooking Nearby-Charlottesville, Monticello genuinely radiates Jefferson’s personality and grace. You will walk through the home skillfully designed by Jefferson himself and observe his beloved vegetable garden. You will also enjoy viewing the surrounding vistas. Following your visit to the Monticello estate, you will have ample time to purchase and enjoy lunch at the historic Michie Tavern before returning to Washington, DC.
Inclusions: Lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation
Exclusions: Gratuity
Reviewed By lettyc716
My husband, nephew and I took this tour yesterday (05/15/21). Our tour guide “Christopher” was AMAZING, knowledgeable and funny as heck! We are definitely recommending this tour to our family and friends. Shout out to our driver “Ali” who maneuvered through traffic like butter. What a team! Mike, Letty & Tyrus
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