Skip to main content
a Tripadvisor company
Book online or call:+44 20 7292 3158
All Experiences in Washington DC•
  1. Home
  2. Things to do in USA
  3. Things to do in Washington DC
  4. Washington DC Tours
  5. U.S. Capitol

VIP Best of DC with US Capitol + National Archives Reserved Entry

Badge of Excellence
Washington DC, USA
Dramatic view of the Washington Monument and National Mall in Washington DC.
Looking across the Potomac River to the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.
Tour guide Henry welcomes guests as they board the tour bus in Washington, DC.
Visitors explore the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC.
High interest
Booked 5+ times today.
  • 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
4.6
·
· Colleen_G ·
Jun 2025
Absolutely great! Sam was our guide & Douglas our driver, both great. We learned so much & they never rushed us, answered questions. We had an extremely hot day & they were great providing endless water. Definitely recommend!
· LisaMarie_D ·
Aug 2025
It was a great day. We saw quite a few monuments & took in a lot of history. There was quite a bit of walking & stairs to most of the monuments, but we were not rushed going through it. Brittany & our driver (sorry I forgot his name) did a great job today! Thank you!
· Wendy_C ·
Aug 2025
Amazing tour! Nick was very informative and funny! Loved his “diddys”. Capitol Hill definitely was once in a lifetime! Fantastic day!
· Joanne_R ·
Aug 2025
Nick was a great Tour Guide. He was very knowledgable and made sure we understood all the rules during our tour, answered any questions we had. Our Drivers, Curtis and Tonya were so great. They made sure we had cold water/towels and kept us safe while traveling. Great bunch of people!!
· David_P ·
Aug 2025
Excellent tour. Your guide Nick was extremely knowledgeable about the Washington DC area and history. He also kept the group on time and entertained. Driver of the tour bus was friendly, helpful and above all an excellent driver. I would highly recommend this tour.

Overview

Beat the long entrance lines and experience some of the most popular attractions in Washington, DC like an insider on this full-day sightseeing tour. Enjoy reserved entry into the United States Capitol Building, the home of Congress. Then see the city’s most famous landmarks and monuments, like the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and more. End your tour with a visit to the National Archives Museum (tickets included), where the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution are on display.
  • Enjoy priority entrance to two of Washington DC's top attractions
  • Pick between exploring by closed-top or glass-roofed coach
  • Cruise the Potomac River or explore the Kennedy Center (season dependent)
  • See national landmarks like the White House and Lincoln Memorial

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Access to the US Capitol and National Archives makes this tour ideal for politics and history buffs.

What's Included

  • Tickets to the National Archives Building
  • Reserved Entry to the U.S. Capitol Building
  • Boat Cruise on the Potomac River (Seasonal: April 1 to October 15)
  • English-Speaking Live Tour Guide (on and off the bus)
  • Upgrade to Glass-Top/Open-Top Convertible Bus Available
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • Neptune Fountain
    68 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA

    Your VIP experience begins at Neptune Fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. Address: 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004

End point

  • National Archives Museum
    701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA

    End of tour

Start time
.8:30 am

Itinerary

Meet your guide and the rest of the tour group at Neptune Fountain to begin this full-day tour with admission to the US Capitol Building, visits to top DC memorials and access to the a National Archives tour—a best of DC tour rolled into one.

Enjoy reserved entry into the United States Capitol Building for a guided walking tour of this historic building, home to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Watch a film on the history of government in the US, then continue exploring the building to learn about the country’s legislature.

Then return to the shuttle to look around and through the nation’s monuments and memorials. See top sites in DC with stops at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, the White House, National World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Along the way, hear the historic stories and facts that make the city of Washington, DC one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

This tour also features a scenic, seasonal boat cruise along the Potomac River (mid-March to mid-October only) or a chance to explore the Kennedy Center (mid-October to end of March). A choice of lunch options are available in Georgetown (own expense).

At the end of the tour, gain priority entrance into the National Archives Museum for an up-close look at the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. These historic documents are housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. Also, enjoy access to the Public Vaults, a permanent exhibit gallery with fascinating original records, like Abraham Lincoln's telegrams to his generals, and much more.

The tour concludes at the National Archives Building.

U.S. Capitol

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

White House

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

National World War II Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (Pass By)

Jefferson Memorial

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Georgetown

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Lincoln Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The National Archives Museum

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Korean War Veterans Memorial

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Walking is involved to get an up-close look at the monuments (comfortable shoes are recommended)
  • Strollers may not be accommodated on tour
  • Security restrictions at the US Capitol and National Archives Buildings prevent any food or drinks being brought through security
  • During peak season, security lines are long, and as such, arriving ahead of time is highly encouraged
  • Tour Departure Times Are Subject to Change Due to Local Traffic Conditions
  • Please Arrive at the Meeting Point No Later Than 8:15 AM For Check-In
  • No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
  • The tour price includes a boat cruise, and tourists will have the opportunity to purchase lunch at one of several waterfront restaurants in the summer
  • Convertible buses switch from open-tops to glass-tops between Oct 15 - Mar 15 due to colder temperatures
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 55 travelers
Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Questions?

Visit the Viator Help Centre for any further questions.

Product code: 6349VIPDC

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)
See more

Reviews

4.6
based on 2,442 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
1857
312
114
79
80
We perform checks on reviews
Amazing tour! Nick was...
Wendy_C, Aug 2025
Amazing tour! Nick was very informative and funny! Loved his “diddys”. Capitol Hill definitely was once in a lifetime! Fantastic day!
A walk through history with someone who respects it and thrives on the knowledge of it
Robert_G, Aug 2025
Nick was awesome very interactive, knew his history and engaged the crowd. He immersed us into his world and his wealth of knowledge of history. Leah our driver was very was also very engaging and kept pace with Nick. The boat ride could be better, it's just a recording and no interaction. Although they would prefer extra revenue if you buy drinks. $7.00 for coke seems a little steep. All in all a great experience.
best tour
Charles_B, Aug 2025
Saw sights I thought I would never see, with a guide "Nick" that was informative and funny-a real star.
It was a great day. We...
LisaMarie_D, Aug 2025
It was a great day. We saw quite a few monuments & took in a lot of history. There was quite a bit of walking & stairs to most of the monuments, but we were not rushed going through it. Brittany & our driver (sorry I forgot his name) did a great job today! Thank you!
10 out 10 and 5-star fun and facts with local and personal flare!
Megan_J, Aug 2025
This is a 10 out of 10 and 5-star concierge experience you must do when you are in D.C.. Go with Nick and you'll spend the day having fun, filled with facts and jokes! So much so that you don't realize how much you learned because they're subtle and paired with each stop. This is a must!
Nick was a great Tour...
Joanne_R, Aug 2025
Nick was a great Tour Guide. He was very knowledgable and made sure we understood all the rules during our tour, answered any questions we had. Our Drivers, Curtis and Tonya were so great. They made sure we had cold water/towels and kept us safe while traveling. Great bunch of people!!
Excellent tour, tour guide and driver
David_P, Aug 2025
Excellent tour. Your guide Nick was extremely knowledgeable about the Washington DC area and history. He also kept the group on time and entertained. Driver of the tour bus was friendly, helpful and above all an excellent driver. I would highly recommend this tour.
Nick Is TOP 1 guide
Terry_M, Aug 2025
The tour guide is funny, very expressive, happy, nice, really anything nice you could think of he has it.
Timed Well and not a dull moment
Lisa_R, Aug 2025
If you want to see and hear all about D.C…Nick is the man. Our driver was friendly as well. Seeing all sites of D.C. in 1 day give you structure of your itinerary. Now I can focus on museums and add those I learned about on this tour
DC exposore.
Nelly_V, Aug 2025
It was fantastic, The tour guide so friendly and warm that made it more intresting. Knowledgable,well organised.
Have your walking shoes...
Dave_B, Aug 2025
Have your walking shoes on. There is a lot of walking required. But well worth it! The tour covers all the major sites.
Meh, save your money
Jenna_B, Aug 2025
Ok experience, upgraded to the glass top but got a whole 20 minutes with the roof retracted at the very end of the day. Our guide, Nick, would talk on the bus but cut us loose at each memorial to do our own thing, while we saw the other tours from the same company being guided by their tour guide while they talked about the memorials. Don’t feel the tour was worth the money we paid.
Wonderful
Darlene_R, Aug 2025
The tour was WONDERFUL! Evan our tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave additional insight to the info.
Fantastic experience! The...
Allison_J, Aug 2025
Fantastic experience! The tour is long but it captures all the best spots in DC so well worth it!! The tour guides were absolutely amazing!!!!
It is a long day, but...
Jim_J, Jul 2025
It is a long day, but Britney made it enjoyable. I enjoyed all the monuments and the Capitol. If I come back to DC, I might do it again.
Great tour for first time visitors
Abigail_W, Jul 2025
While a 8.5 hour tour may sound daunting, there is just SO much to see in DC. We picked this tour because it got us priority access into the Capitol. Our tour guide Nick was very knowledgeable and funny (appreciated his puns) and kept us hydrated with the free water bottles on a very hot and muggy day. We saw a lot of key landmarks and memorials. While we didn't get to spend time inside the National Museums, we felt well informed about each one to take a mental note to go back another day. Highly recommend this tour if this is your first time to DC and want to get a great overview of the Nation's Capitol.
Great day in Washington DC
Bradd_H, Jul 2025
Was a great experience with no complaints. Bus was cool and tour guide was friendly. They offered cold water on the bus!
A great first day in DC!
Josh_D, Jul 2025
If you're looking for a great way to see the major markers of a DC trip, this is it! The logistics are taken care of for you, and you can say you've seen Lincoln, MLK, and the founding documents, all in one day. Our guide, Nick, and our driver, Antonio were both FANTASTIC - knowledgeable and fun. I'm so glad we did this trip. A couple of warnings: This trip had WAY more walking than I expected. I knew we'd get off the bus and explore, but I wasn't expecting 15,000 steps for this. The Capitol Building is your first stop (before the bus, even) - check their website for what they don't allow into the building (food, water, pocket knives, etc). Again, Nick did a great job of taking care of us on a super hot July day, helping us in and out of buildings, and pointing out all the sites. Highly recommend!
It extremely informative...
Richard_C, Jul 2025
It extremely informative and guides present information in a casual manner and with a bit of humor. Our guide Sam and Armando did very well keeping things moving.
So Glad We Did This!
Christina_A, Jul 2025
Sam - our tour guide - was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and made the tour so much fun. This trip meant so much to my mom and me and Sam was fantastic. I highly recommend!

From $129.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

- Secure your spot while staying flexible

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 32 days in advance.

Explore Similar Things to Do

Attractions in Washington DC, USA

More attractions near Washington DC, USA

Nearby Destinations

More Tours in Washington DC

Explore Similar Things to Do
  • City Tours
  • Airport & Ground Transfers
  • Half-day Tours
  • Bus & Minivan Tours
  • Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
  • Travel & Transportation Services
  • Private and Luxury
  • Private Sightseeing Tours
  • Washington DC
  • Airport & Ground Transfers - Manassas
  • Bus & Minivan Tours - Manassas
  • City Tours - Baltimore
  • Airport & Ground Transfers - Baltimore
  • Half-day Tours - Baltimore
  • Bus & Minivan Tours - Baltimore
Attractions in Washington DC, USA
  • Carlos El Pibe Valderrama Statue Tours & Tickets
  • El Médano Tours & Tickets
  • Maritime Museum of Crete (Nautical Museum of Crete) Tours & Tickets
  • Varna Archaeological Museum Tours & Tickets
  • Yorkshire Museum Tours & Tickets
  • Chaxa Lagoon (Laguna Chaxa) Tours & Tickets
  • Airport Mesa Tours & Tickets
  • Canada Place Tours & Tickets
  • Hazarduari Palace Museum Tours & Tickets
  • Al-Hajar Mountains Tours & Tickets
  • Monte Albán Tours & Tickets
  • Coogee Beach Tours & Tickets
  • Hoyo Azul Lagoon Tours & Tickets
  • Old Supreme Court Building Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Washington DC, USA
  • Lima Plaza Mayor Tours & Tickets
  • Petaling Street Market Tours & Tickets
  • Crocoparc Tours & Tickets
  • CoCo Bongo Playa del Carmen Tours & Tickets
  • Lingyin Temple Tours & Tickets
  • Atuel Canyon (Canon del Atuel) Tours & Tickets
  • Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) Tours & Tickets
Nearby Destinations
  • Manassas
  • Annapolis
  • Baltimore
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg
  • Gettysburg
  • Lancaster
  • Harrisburg
  • Richmond
  • Charlottesville
  • Hershey
  • Rehoboth Beach
  • Williamsburg
  • Cape May
  • Amboseli National Park
More Tours in Washington DC
  • Night Tours
  • Bus Tours
  • Museum Tickets & Passes
  • Hop on Hop Off Buses
  • Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
  • Trolley Tours
  • Car Tours
  • Segway Tours
  • Ghost Tours
  • Sailing
  • Theater Shows
  • Unique Experiences
Privacy and Cookies StatementAbout ViatorCareersSitemapSupplier Sign UpTravel AgentsBecome an AffiliateNewsViator blogAccessibility
Download the Viator app from the Google Play store
Download the Viator app from the Apple App Store
© 1997-2025 Viator, Inc.
Terms & ConditionsHow Viator works