Explore Maximum Best & Fun Things To Do in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and iconic landmarks. Thrumming with art, culture, and history, DC is one of the best places to visit for a one-of-a-kind vacation. With amusement star-studded concerts, theater shows, exciting sports, tours, excursions, and more, you’ll never run out of things to do in Washington, D.C. Don’t miss the best upcoming events today, tomorrow, this weekend, and next week. Discover the city in different and vivid shades! Here are some of the best things to do in Washington, D.C.:
Ah, Washington DC. The capital of the United States always has something exciting to offer. Whether it’s the bright city lights, amazing shopping, or the historical landmarks, Washington DC is sure to please any traveler. The best way to take in as much of this city as possible is to schedule your own personal Washington DC private tour, courtesy of SLS.
Private Black History Tour Washington DC
5,0·from $525
This is a PRIVATE tour experience with your very own personal guide. Your admission to the museum is taken care of as well. You just show up and we take care of the rest. Lunch at Museum NOT INCLUDED with tour.
Itinerary:
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Emancipation Memorial (The 1st Lincoln Memorial!)
Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial
Howard University
Howard Theater
Ben’s Chili Bowl Mural
Duke Ellington Statue
African American Civil War Memorial
African American History and Culture
Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.
5,0·from $55
This isn’t your 8th-grade field trip. Enjoy drinks at iconic D.C. bars with an expert local guide. Uncover the history your teacher left out of social studies class while laughing with fellow travelers from around the globe. It’s time for the adults to learn history!
On this 2 hour and 15 minute history tour pub crawl, you’ll learn the unknown tales of D.C. Discover how drinking helped shape our nation’s capital – from George Washington’s adventures as a master distiller, to the dark days of Prohibition, and even parties at the White House.
D.C. Crawling offers two ticket options: The Happy Hour Package includes four beers or ciders of the guest’s choice, and the Dry Run Ticket includes the tour but no pre-purchased drinks. With either ticket option, you can purchase drinks directly from the bars.
So pull up a stool, grab a pint, and experience the Best Pub Crawl in D.C! Cheers!
Mount Vernon – Old Town Alexandria Private Tour.
5,0·from $550
We will make your visit a unique experience, the tour is panoramic in landscape and documented in detail with a historical basis from the 18th century, by our guide. Private Tour minimum 4 passengers maximum 8.
Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Highlights Walking Tour (With Tickets)
5,0·from $75
This highlight tour of Capitol Hill brings the political center of Washington DC alive with stories & trivia. Our Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours bring you to the top of “the Hill.”
Jenkins Hill, as it was called, was thought to be an ideal location to build our Congress House. As the government holdings and staff expanded, the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building, the Supreme Court Building, and Congressional office buildings were built here.
This tour enters both the Library of Congress and the Capitol Building.
You will be required to go through security twice. Please be prepared – our tickets are timed and if you are delayed going through security, the group will need to proceed without you. This tour is not refundable and cannot be rescheduled.
-Guided tour is 2 hours then the Capitol Interior Tour is an additional 50 minutes
-Each guest needs a full ticket (regardless of age)
Smithsonian Natural History & National Gallery of Art Guided Tour
5,0·from $179.14
Get the most from your visit to DC museums by taking this exclusive guided combo tour that mixes natural marvels with iconic artists. This 5.5 hour private guided museum combo tour will introduce you to the National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art to discover their most impressive pieces.
Meet at starbucks on 7th and E street –1 blocks from National Archives Metro and 1 block from Chinatown Metro. Bundle up in blankets on the Pedicab head towards the Nations Capital. Pass the Newseum, stroll through 50 different state news papers that are showcased in front of the museum. Check out the Canadian Embassy’s Tree Lights, the Capital Tree Lights, and head towards the White House via Pennsylvania Avenue. Get dropped off at the White House National Tree Lights. This is a 45minute Tour and you also pass the National Archives, the FBI Building, the Old Post Office, and the Trump Hotel.
Four Hour Private customizable Washington DC Tour
5,0·from $600
I have lived in the DC Metro Area for more than 30 years. Those years were spent as a limo driver, chauffeur, and private tour guide. I have acquired a great amount of knowledge and experience about DC. My tours are noteworthy because they are very informative and interactive. There are no extra fees, complimentary bottled water is always available, and all of the tours are private. The vehicle is allowed drop-off access near the US Capitol Grounds and other points of interest. I am also very familiar with the restaurant scene in DC, which means I can give great dining suggestions. I aim to make sure every group has a memorable and wonderful experience in the city.
Sunset Cruise – On the Chesapeake Bay
5,0·from $109
Watching the sunset over the twin beaches on the Western Shores of the Chesapeake Bay! A great way to close out a summer day with beautiful photos of the sunset.
Half-Day Washington DC Sightseeing Bus Tour & Guided Walk through Capitol Hill
5,0·from $74
Join our expert live guide on this 4-Hour Washington DC Guided Bus & Walking Tour with Grounds Access to US Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress as well as a narrated Bus Tour of DC. Your day includes DC’s important monuments and memorials including the White House (exterior), the Lincoln Memorial and more. Tour starts with a 1.5hr outdoor walking tour of the top spots on Capitol Hill to include the Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol Building and East Grounds and the Supreme Court. Guests will get an exclusive insider’s view of life in DC, as well as great opportunities to take photos and hear the exciting history of this important part of DC. Afterwards, they will be picked up to meet the rest of the group for a city tour.
Private Capitol Hill, Supreme Court and Library of Congress Tour
5,0·from $94.34
Visit the buildings and institutions that define this city during a 2.5-hour private guided walking tour with just you and your guide. We’ll talk politics and history as we trace Washington DC’s evolution from a swamp to the capital of one of the world’s most influential nations.
Experience Arlington Cemetery with a Veteran guide trained in military history. Observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Visit each of the Kennedy graves. Discover Robert E. Lee’s mansion upon the grounds and his wife’s garden where the first burials took place. Discuss the beginning of the cemetery during the Civil War and its evolution through all of our nations conflicts.
US federal or state government issued photo identification or passport is required for entry into Arlington National Cemetery.
Smithsonian Natural History & National Gallery of Art – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
5,0·from $179.14
Get the most from your visit to DC’s Museums by taking this combo tour that mixes natural marvels with iconic artists. This 5.5 hour semi-private (8 Guest Maximum) guided museum combo tour will introduce you to the National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art to discover their most impressive pieces. Semi-private guided tour with a maximum of 8 travelers per booking.
90-Minute Guided Walking Tour of Arlington Cemetery with Changing of the Guards
5,0·from $38
Start this 90-Minute Guided Walking Tour of Arlington National Cemetery by meeting your guide outside the Arlington National Cemetery Metro station by 7:45am.
You and your group will receive an overview of the history of Arlington National Cemetery which includes:
• Admission to Arlington Cemetery
• 90-Minute Guided Walking Tour of Cemetery
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with Changing of the Guards
• Kennedy family grave site including Edward and Robert Kennedy
• See Custis Lee Manor from a distance
• Grave of WWII veteran and movie star, Audie Murphy
• View the memorials for the Columbia and Challenger disasters
• Possibility to visit Arlington Memorial Amphitheater (availability depending on day of the week)
Curated Tour – National Gallery of Art with French Art Historian
5,0·from $95
Instead of wandering purposelessly in the National Gallery of Art, Tosca will lead you into an in-depth visit of the museum’s history and its masterpieces. You have heard of Raphael, Da Vinci, Titian, Rembrandt, Monet but do you really know their lives and why they are seen as geniuses? We’ll dive into the lives of the great masters as we wander the rooms of the NGA.
We’ll go from the only Da Vinci in America before seeing Monet’s “Japanese Footbridge” to witness the different styles and evolutions in art. You’ll be armed with the information and history that you’ll need to appreciate the works of art on display.
Art with Tosca offers tours of cultural institutions in Washington D.C and online lectures about art history. Tosca brings you an extensive knowledge about European Art history having studied and lived between Paris, London and Italy.
Great gift idea: a lot of my guests have received this tour as a gift – They loved it!
Need a specific date? Reach out at Art with Tosca!
DC National Mall & Memorials Guided Walking Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
5,0·from $83.74
This 2.5 hour semi-private (8 Guest Maximum) guided walking tour through Washington DC’s most popular sites will introduce you to the wars and presidents that have helped shape the United States. Explore the monuments & memorial of the city on a tour, led by one of our entertaining guides, welcomes up to 8 guests.
Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour
5,0·from $83.74
On this walking tour of Arlington National Cemetery, you’ll follow your knowledgeable young guide to learn about the graves of the famous men and women buried here. By the end of this 2.5 hour tour, you’ll be familiar with many of the permanent residents of the most famous cemetery in the whole United States.
Washington DC Quality Photos at Every Monument
5,0·from $139
Capture priceless memories in DC with a city-wide photo pass!
1) Show up to a designated spot within time frame
2) Connect with photographer
3) Smile for professional photos with a short photo session at each spot
4) Download all photos within 24 hours (all files are distributed digitally)
5) Repeat at every location
Weekend Photos Spots (available on Saturday & Sunday)
– Lincoln Memorial
– White House
– Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
– World War 2 Memorial
**Note – This tour is only offered on a private tour basis from mid-December through February. Contact Off the Mall Tours directly to book a private tour.
The Alleyways of DC served a distinct purpose as a city planning feature, but they also provided a hidden safe space where escaped enslaved people and the poor could find inexpensive housing and live their lives away from prying eyes. While city officials condemned life in the alleyways as dangerous, dirty and diseased, they were in fact a place where communities sustained each other and provided security. This fascinating tour takes you through the Blagden Alley/Naylor Court historic district near the Convention Center.
The Little Ethiopia Food Tour will take you through historic U Street to 9th street as we visit the heart of the world’s largest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia. Your gastronomic experience will chronicle the intricate flavors, textures, and colors in Ethiopian cuisine, while recounting the history of the Ethiopian people.
Virtual Tour of Martin Luther King Memorial
5,0·from $19.1
This is a 40 minute PowerPoint presentation of the Martin Luther King. Since 2011 millions of people have visited this memorial without getting the benefit of learning the true meaning and history of the Memorial. There are 14 quotes and statements on the Inscription wall . These quotes and statements are pearls of wisdom that people pass by. You will be told about each and every statement on the wall. You will learn the true meaning and history of each quote and statement. We will also discuss the the misquote on the likeness of Dr. King . You will be shown items in the memorial that most visitors miss.
By taking this virtual tour when you do visit the memorial you will see it in a very different light
**Note – This tour is only offered on a private tour basis from mid-December through February. Contact Off the Mall Tours directly to book a private tour.
Someone visiting Georgetown today may see it as another wealthy enclave in a continuously gentrifying Washington, DC. However, this charming area has a diverse history. Originally a busy port for the export of tobacco, it was also the site of an active slave trade, and at one point African Americans counted as 30% of the Georgetown population. Descendants of those enslaved peoples and black free folk have lived in Georgetown for generations, but their contributions to its history do not often receive the same recognition. This tour will reveal the stories of the black citizens who made their mark on one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods.
The tour starts at 3206 O Street NW DC and ends at the Mt. Zion Cemetery, at 2501 Mill Rd. NW. There is a half-way stop at Thomas Sweet Shop for a bathroom break and refreshment.
Hire Photographer, Professional Photo Shoot in Washington DC
5,0·from $135.43
Professional photo shoot in unique Washington DC locations. The Photo Experience will create amazing photo memories from your visit. You will be able to see undiscovered locations and get the best photo story from your Washington DC visit. We can tailor each photo shoot to meet your requirements; we can travel to your location or we can suggest a location for the photo shoot.
Our Photoshoots are ideal for any Tourists
– Solo Traveller
– Couples
– Groups
– Hen/Bachelorette & Stag/Bachelor Parties
– Families
– Secret proposal/Engagement
– Honeymoon
– Experienced Influencers and Models
– New Influencers and Models
What’s Included:
A Private online viewing gallery
– 1 hour = 20 Final photos*
– 2 hours =30 Final photos*
– 3 hours =40 Final photos*
– 4 hours =50 Final photos*
* same set of images
– A unique location professional shoot experience
– DELIVERY – Up to 14 days after photoshoot.
What’s Excluded:
– Transportation
– Entry fees
Smithsonian Air & Space & American History Museum Guided Combo Tour
5,0·from $179.14
Explore the best of American history while taking a step into its future on this combo tour. On this 5.5 hour exclusive guided museum combo tour, you’ll visit the National Air and Space Museum followed by a trip to the National Museum of American History. The passionate guides will take you to some of the most captivating pieces displayed in these two world-class museums to explore the United States and its rich past, followed by a look to the future.
2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill
5,0·from $45
Learn your civics by cycle on this 2 hour guided bike tour that takes you around Capitol Hill! Visit the three branches of the U.S. Government – Executive (White House), Legislative (Congress), and Judiciary (Supreme Country). See the Capitol Building from all angles and take a photo in front of the majestic Supreme Court Building.
Learn about the movers and shakers of American politics, past and present on Capitol Hill! You’ll see where America’s most important political decisions get made before cruising down Capitol Hill towards the most famous avenue in the city, Pennsylvania Avenue, where there is a special protected bike lane all the way to the White House! Where do presidents go out to eat? Where do foreign dignitaries stay when they come to DC? Who put the Capitol on that hill? Find out the answers and more!
Your guide will share insider anecdotes and fun facts as you explore! Attachments are available for children 12 months and older.
Washington DC Christmas Lights Walking Tour
5,0·from $64
Every year Washington DC comes alive with the most-festive decorations you can see. Discover the most-unique Christmas Trees and decorations that most people do not even know about. Enjoy the beautiful lights, decorations, Christmas Trees and much more. In this easy walking tour, you will experience three hours of taking photos, learning about the history of Christmas in Washington DC as well as enjoying some of the best holiday decorations you will ever see.
NOTE: Sometimes different locations on our tour may limit access for health or other reasons. We will make every effort to provide you with the best tour possible with the locations that are available on the day of your tour.
I offer very personal guided tours of Washington DC, in French, Spanish and English.
I am a professional guide, member of the Guild of Guides in Washington DC. When not guiding, I work as an archaeologist and as a cultural heritage consultant internationally.
A curious urban explorer, passionate about art, history and D.C.’s hidden tales, I arrange customized boutique tours for international visitors, local diplomats, corporate small groups and private families.
Let’s transform your time in Washington DC into an unforgettable experience.
Contact me now !
The National Gallery of Art DC Guided Museum Tour – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
5,0·from $94.34
This 2.5 hour semi-private guided museum tour welcomes up to 8 guests who want to see the world’s most iconic artists inside two extraordinary buildings. The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC is a world-class museum housing an incredible timeline of Western Art from the old masters of the Renaissance to the quintessential personalities of the 20th Century. Raphael, Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, and Rothko are just a handful of artist on view (as well as Vigee le Brun, Cassatt, and O’Keeffe).
Take excursion through the changes of history as told by magnificent works of art – money, power, war, hope, and triumph. From the intimacy of a da Vinci portrait to sweep of a Monet to the bold strokes of a Kandinsky, you will be dazzled by the vast holdings and the stories that accompany them. You’ll delight over familiar names and hidden gems while our passionate guides navigate you through notable highlights of technique and artwork from over the past seven centuries.
Perfect Private Mt. Vernon/Arlington Cemetery Tour with Lunch
5,0·from $725
Discover George Washington’s Mount Vernon home in Virginia. Your tickets inside and your lunch are included with the tour. You’ll walk through the mansion which has been restored to the way it looked in 1799. On the way you will take a ride through historic Old Town Alexandria. You’ll enjoy lunch at Mount Vernon then you’ll head to Arlington National Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guard, and you will have the opportunity to pay your respects to John F. Kennedy.
Perfect Private DC In A Day Tour with Lunch
5,0·from $575
This is a 5 hour private tour of Washington DC in your very own private vehicle. You are allowed up to 4 guests. You get a personal tour professional to guide you to each site, pick you up from your hotel, and drop you off following the tour. You will get out and walk up to each site listed and get history, details, and all of your questions answered. This is a full day tour with a break for lunch INCLUDED with tour!
There are many things to do in Washington, D.C., including visiting iconic landmarks and museums, attending cultural events and festivals, and exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Here are a few suggestions for activities to consider during your visit:
Visit the National Mall: The National Mall is a large, open area in the center of the city that is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol.
Tour the White House: The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. Visitors can take a tour of the White House, which must be arranged through a member of Congress.
Visit the Smithsonian museums: The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers in Washington, D.C., that are dedicated to the arts, sciences, and culture. There are many Smithsonian museums to choose from, including the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History.
Attend a performance at the Kennedy Center: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center that hosts a variety of events, including concerts, plays, and dance performances.
Explore the city’s neighborhoods: Washington, D.C., is home to many vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and attractions. Some neighborhoods to consider visiting include Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and Adams Morgan.
Visit the National Zoo: The National Zoo is a free, public zoo that is home to over 2,000 animals from more than 400 different species.
Take a trip to the National Arboretum: The National Arboretum is a 446-acre botanical garden that features a variety of plants, trees, and gardens.
Attend a sporting event: Washington, D.C., is home to several professional sports teams, including the Washington Football Team (NFL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Nationals (MLB).
