Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 2,762 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC worth booking?
Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC is a 11-hour experience in New York, United States, from $129 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 2,762 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (2,762)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $129 per person
Explore beyond the Big Apple with a full-day tour to Washington DC from New York City. You'll capture the spirit of "the home of the brave and land of the free" as you visit the monuments and memorials of Washington DC.
What you get
About this experience
Explore beyond the Big Apple with a full-day tour to Washington DC from New York City. You'll capture the spirit of "the home of the brave and land of the free" as you visit the monuments and memorials of Washington DC. Help create a better planet for everyone to travel and explore. We have partnered with One Tree Planted to plant one tree for every passenger that travels with us along with an extra tree for anyone that books multiple trips.
What's included
Included
- Entrance to Arlington National cemetery (U.S. ID or Passport required) & Air and Space Museum
- Free Wi-Fi on bus only
- Transportation by 15-passenger van or a full-sized bus
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- On-board restrooms
- Professional tour guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Empire Vacations Day Tours - New York
Departing from New York and heading south, pass through the states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland before arriving at Washington DC's Capitol Hill. Here, your tour will start with a stop at Arlington Cemetery to visit JFK's gravesite. Next, head further into Washington to see the Capitol, Senate, and White House, the heart of the US government. Your tour then continues to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum before visiting the Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials for exploration and pictures. Late in the afternoon, you'll embark on a panoramic city tour before departing Washington for an early-evening arrival back in New York City. Please Note: This tour is scheduled to stop in front of the White House, Capitol, and Senate for commentary and photo ops. However, please note that sometimes this is not possible due to security issues. In the event of this occurring, your tour will be adjusted accordingly.
15 minutes here
Arlington National Cemetery
Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country's most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame. Due to security a passport or U.S. ID will be required to enter Arlington Cemetery
45 minutes here
U.S. Capitol
The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
The White House
One of America's most recognizable historical and political symbols is also the home and office of the President of the United States.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
National Air and Space Museum
The most popular of the Smithsonian museums features the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer and Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. We will visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in the event that the air and Space museum is inaccessible.
90 minutes here
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
This emotionally stirring memorial pays tribute to the men and women who served in one of America's most controversial wars.
20 minutes here
"In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." Beneath these words, the 16th President of the United States sits immortalized in marble as an enduring symbol of unity, strength, and wisdom.
30 minutes here
Korean War Veterans Memorial
This memorial to Korean War veterans consists of the Pool of Remembrance and the triangular Field of Service depicting 19 soldiers on the field of combat.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
6:30 AM Departure meet in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal SIDE entrance located on 42nd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
6:30 AM Departure meet in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal SIDE entrance located on 42nd Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue)
Options you can book
Washington DC Tour in French
Washington DC Tour in Spanish
Washington DC Tour in English
Washington DC Tour in German
DC1 Portuguese
Washington DC Tour in Italian
Washington DC tour in Japanese
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, ja, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Empire Vacations
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Wheelchair accessible; please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- Depending on the rules on the day, sometimes a stop can be made for photographs from outside the fence
- Time at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is approximately 1.5-hours
- For tours with fewer guests, vans may be substituted - wifi and restrooms on full size buses only.
- Tours can be bilingual/multilingual as they are offered in many different languages
- Children under the age of 2 are free, please advise at time of booking if infant is traveling
- Due to security, there is no entry to the White House
- Due to security a passport or U.S. ID will be required to enter Arlington Cemetery
- Air and space Museum is currently under renovations - entrance is not guaranteed
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,761 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
2,761 verified traveler reviews for Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Day trip to Washington DC
The trip to Washington, D.C. was an incredible experience! Everything was exceptionally well-organized from start to finish. Our guide, Iris, was amazingly friendly, attentive, and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone. She provided fascinating, highly detailed historical insights that kept the entire group engaged. The itinerary was balanced perfectly, giving us plenty of time to explore and take photos. A fantastic 10/10 experience—highly recommended to anyone visiting the capital! Our driver, Jose, was equally impressive—extremely professional, punctual, and smooth on the road, ensuring we traveled comfortably and safely all day.
Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you so much for your fantastic review and recommendation! We’re delighted that you had such a memorable day in Washington, D.C. Your kind words about Iris and Jose are greatly appreciated, and we’ll be happy to share your compliments with them. Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Warm regards, Giulia Empire Vacations
via Viator
Day trip
The trip to Washington, D.C. was an incredible experience! Everything was exceptionally well-organized from start to finish. Our guide, Iris, was amazingly friendly, attentive, and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone. She provided fascinating, highly detailed historical insights that kept the entire group engaged. The itinerary was balanced perfectly, giving us plenty of time to explore and take photos. A fantastic 10/10 experience—highly recommended to anyone visiting the capital! Our driver, Jose, was equally impressive—extremely professional, punctual, and smooth on the road, ensuring we traveled comfortably and safely all day.
Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you so much for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re delighted that you had such a positive experience in Washington, D.C. Iris and Jose will be very happy to receive your kind words and recognition. It means a lot to know that their dedication helped make your day special. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Warm regards, Giulia Empire Vacations
via Tripadvisor
Washington DC Highlights in a day
Highly recommended, so worth it. Eureka the tour guide is so knowledgeable. I learned a lot about US history while she'd carefully looking after our group making sure everyone's comfortable and having fun. We did extra walking due to some road closures but everything went well. It felt like a field trip back in elementary days...
Response from the operator: Hi Lorena, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re very happy to know you had such an enjoyable experience with Eureka. We truly appreciate you taking the time to recognize her dedication and the quality of the tour. Your kind words mean a great deal to our team and motivate us to continue providing memorable experiences for our guests. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another tour soon! Best regards, Giulia
via Tripadvisor
Great day out to see Washington DC
Our guide Okiai was great. The coach ride was excellent with WiFi. The history is very interesting, and you get to see some great sites. The White House was being renovated, so we could only see it from the back, which was disappointing. The Indy Grand Prix was on the following weekend, so lots of roads were closed, and we couldn't get close to the Capitol. Overall, a great tour, especially if you have never been to Washington. Long day, but worth it.
Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to know that Okai helped make your day enjoyable and that you appreciated the comfort of the journey and the historical highlights along the way. We understand the disappointment of not being able to view the White House and Capitol as closely as expected. Renovations and temporary road closures can unfortunately affect the itinerary, but we appreciate your understanding and your positive attitude despite these changes. We’re especially glad you felt the long day was worthwhile and would recommend the tour to first-time visitors to Washington. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure! Warm regards, Giulia
via Tripadvisor
Washington D.C.
guide Ok or Okey or whatever, top notch, knowledgeable, kind and patient, all praise
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $129 to $149
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 967
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC take?
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Plan for about 11 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 2,762 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC?
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Around 967 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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