Explore Washington DC on a Guided Bus Tour With Entry
See DC by convertible bus with reserved entry to the U.S. Capitol and National Archives
Duration
8.5 Hours
Includes
Bus tour, Capitol, Archives
Highlights
Tour Washington, DC by luxury glass-top or open-top convertible bus with a guide, plus reserved access to the U.S. Capitol Building and the National Archives Building. Walk key memorials on the National Mall and enjoy a seasonal boat cruise or a stop at the Kennedy Center.
- Start at the U.S. Capitol Building with reserved access
- Ride past major landmarks including the White House and Jefferson Memorial
- Walk to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and more
- Choose a seasonal Potomac River boat cruise or a Kennedy Center visit
- Finish with reserved access to the National Archives Building
What's Included
- Washington DC sightseeing bus tour
- Reserved access to the National Archives Building
- Reserved access to the U.S. Capitol Building
- Climate-controlled glass-top buses
- Expert tour guides and live narration
- Bottled water on buses
- Guided walks
- Seasonal boat cruise
Things to know
No food or beverages may be consumed aboard the bus, and security restrictions prevent bringing food or drinks through U.S. Capitol and National Archives security. Convertible buses switch from open-top to glass-top between Oct 15 and Apr 1. Vehicles are not ADA-equipped; you must board and disembark on your own (foldable mobility devices can be stored onboard).
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Booking cancellations may be made up to 1 hour before departure with Tour Booking Insurance for a full refund minus the value of the insurance.
FAQs
Arrive 15 minutes early. Departure time is 8:30 am.
No. You can’t consume food or beverages on the tour bus. Chilled water is provided, but you must drink it outside the vehicle. Security restrictions at the U.S. Capitol and the National Archives also prevent bringing food or drinks through security.
You ride in a luxury glass-top or open-top convertible bus. The bus is open-top when weather permits, and it has a climate-controlled glass-top roof for sudden weather changes. Convertible buses switch from open-tops to glass-tops between October 15 and April 1.
Meeting details
68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
More about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial sits quietly along the northern edge of the National Mall, a place where the noise of Washington DC seems to soften the moment you approach. Designed by Maya Lin, the polished black granite wall descends gently into the earth, etched with the names of more than 58,000 service members who gave their lives. On this Best of DC VIP tour, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial offers a contemplative counterpoint to the grandeur of the US Capitol and the historic weight of the National Archives, grounding the day in personal stories rather than marble and dome.
As you walk the path that traces the length of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, your guide shares the history behind its creation, the controversy it once stirred, and the traditions that have grown around it. You will see your own reflection in the stone behind each name, a deliberate design choice that connects visitor and veteran across decades. Many guests pause to make pencil rubbings, leave letters, or simply stand in silence. After the soaring rotundas and the founding documents you encountered earlier in the tour, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial slows the pace and invites a different kind of attention, one shaped by reflection and gratitude.
This stop resonates especially with history lovers, families introducing younger generations to the cost of service, and travelers who want their day in Washington DC to feel meaningful rather than merely sightseeing. Veterans and their relatives often find the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be the most moving moment of the entire experience, while first-time visitors leave with a deeper understanding of how memory is built into the American capital. Paired with privileged access to the US Capitol and the National Archives, time at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial rounds out a day that moves seamlessly from the nation's founding ideals to its most enduring acts of sacrifice.
Related locations
United States Capitol
Admission includedStanding on Capitol Hill, you feel the full weight of American history the moment the United States Capitol comes into view. The gleaming white dome rises above the city's low skyline, framing a building where laws have been debated and passed for more than two centuries. Inside, marble corridors lead to grand rotunda paintings and statuary that bring the nation's founding story to life. The United States Capitol is as much a living workplace as it is a monument.
