How to Tour the Monuments in Washington, D.C., by Night
Washington D.C. Tours With Kids
Sightseeing Bus Tours in Washington, D.C.
Lisa Fritscher, Leaf Group
Washington, D.C. (Photo: view of washington, dc image by John Keith from Fotolia.com )
Bus Tours of Washington, DC
Washington D.C. Tours at Night
As the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. draws thousands of visitors annually from around the world. Despite increased security following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, most of the city's landmarks are open to the public. The vast museums of the Smithsonian Institution are free of charge. Newer attractions such as the International Spy Museum and the Newseum appeal to visitors of all ages. Sightseeing bus tours provide an excellent introduction to D.C.
Tourmobile Sightseeing
If you want to combine the guidance of a fully narrated tour with the convenience of on-and-off privileges, consider Tourmobile. Continuously running shuttle buses make a full loop of the National Mall attractions and Arlington National Cemetery, stopping at 40 major tourist spots. You are free to disembark at any stop, stay as long as you like, and re-board when you are ready. Knowledgeable driver-guides narrate each section of the tour. Shuttles stop approximately every 30 minutes along the main route, and every 20 minutes in Arlington National Cemetery. One-day and two-day tickets are available. Buses run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. along the Mall route and until 6:30 p.m. inside the cemetery (time information subject to change). Children aged 3 to 11 pay a reduced fare, and children under 3 are free. Wheelchair storage is available, and lift-equipped buses are provided with advance notice. Tourmobile Sightseeing 1000 Ohio Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20024 202-554-5100 tourmobile.com
Open Top Sightseeing
If you prefer the romance and cosmopolitan appeal of a double-decker bus, consider Open Top Sightseeing. As the company name suggests, the top deck of each bus is open, allowing visitors to enjoy the city's mild weather in all but the winter season. Open Top Sightseeing operates in partnership with Gray Line D.C. The fully narrated hop-on hop-off tour includes the neighborhood of Georgetown and a visit to the National Cathedral, as well as the attractions of the National Mall. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days. Buses run every half hour from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Children aged 4 to 12 are charged a reduced rate, and those under 4 are free. All buses are wheelchair accessible. Open Top Sightseeing 5500 Tuxedo Road Hyattsville, MD 20781 877-332-8689 opentopsightseeing-dc.com
Onboard DC Tours
Onboard DC Tours offers a three-day hop-on hop-off shuttle tour known as the DC RoundAbout. The route includes the attractions at the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria and even Pentagon City, Virginia. Shuttles run continuously from 9 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., making this the only hop-on hop-off company that does not require separate tickets for nighttime touring. If you prefer a reserved seat and a fully guided tour, consider DC It All! This full-day narrated bus tour visits many of Washington, D.C.'s major attractions. Your guide steps off the bus with you, continuing your tour at each location. During the spring and summer months, the bus tour is combined with a boat cruise down the Potomac River. Wheelchairs and strollers can be accommodated with advance notice. Children's fares are available for those aged 3 to 11. Children under 3 may ride on a parent's lap free of charge. Onboard DC Tours 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, D.C. 20560 301-839-5261 onboarddctours.com
Washington.org: Frequently Asked Questions
Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer specializing in disabled adventure travel. She spent 15 years working for Central Florida theme parks and frequently travels with her disabled father. Fritscher's work can be found in both print and online mediums, including VisualTravelTours.com. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Florida.
view of washington, dc image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
Attribution: Túrelio; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license
Attribution: Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license
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