New York City is undeniably one of the most exciting cities in the world, but if you’re looking for another historical and cultural experience, check out Washington DC. Sitting just a few hours away from NYC it’s an easy day trip.
If you’re even the slightest bit interested in US history, you can’t miss this opportunity. Oh, and it’s so much more than The White House, Capitol Hill, and the Smithsonian, though those are incredible.
On these top Washington DC tours from NYC tours, your expert guide will take you through the biggest tourist spots as well as plenty of hidden gems. Let’s jump right in!
Best Washington DC Tours From NYC
| New York City: Full-Day Washington DC City Highlights Tour | 2-Day Washington DC, Philadelphia and Amish Country Tour from NYC | Washington DC Day Tour from New York City | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Full Day Tour | Best Multi-Day Tour | Best Value Tour | |
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| Departure: | Port Authority Bus Terminal building | 330 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 | 1651 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 |
| Start: | 6:30 AM | 6:30 AM | 6:30 AM |
| Duration: | 14 hours | 2 days | 14 hours |
| Includes: | Professional tour guide, transport by 15-passenger van or full-sized bus, free wi-fi on bus | Guide, breakfast, transportation, sightseeing in Philly and DC, 1-night hotel stay, breakfast, authentic Amish buggy ride, wi-fi on bus | Professional guide, fully-guided tour, transport via Mercedes Sprinter or coach bus, free wi-fi on vehicle, all taxes and fees |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Washington DC Tours From NYC For 2024
- Washington DC Day Trip from New York City
- 2-Day Washington DC, Philadelphia and Amish Country Tour from New York
- Washington DC Day Tour from New York City
- Washington DC and Monuments Day Tour from New York
- 4-day Niagara Falls, Washington DC, and Philadelphia Tour from New York
Washington DC Tours From NYC Reviews
1. New York City: Full-Day Washington DC City Highlights Tour
- Duration: 14 hours
- Departure: Port Authority Bus Terminal building on 42nd Street
- Departure Time: 6:30 AM
- Includes: Professional tour guide, transport by 15-passenger van or full-sized bus, free wi-fi on bus
There’s a common misconception that in order to see the US, you need to spend a lot of money. With tours like this first one, however, you’d be surprised at the kind of experience you get for the price.
The Washington DC Day Trip from New York City is an incredible opportunity to see the country’s capital and learn about its history in just half a day!
Starting by you meeting your guide at the Port Authority terminal building at 6:30 am, there’s no time to waste! Depending on the size of your group, you’ll either take a smaller van or a full-size bus!
Both come with free wifi on board, so you don’t have to worry about every losing signal or not staying up on emails while you’re cruising along.
I thought the journey there was actually quite entertaining in itself, as you get to watch the beautiful landscapes from Delaware, NJ, and Maryland as the guide tells entertaining stories!
Once you get to DC, you’ll make a visit first to the most well-known cemetery in the US: Arlington. Nearly 400,000 men and women were laid to rest here, and you’ll also get to see the Kennedy family gravesite, too.
After this, you’ll tour over to see the imposing Capitol, Senate, and White House which was built between 1792 and 1800 with a necessary reconstruction in 1812 due to the British army’s invasion.
After, continue on to the Smithsonian, along with an array of important memorials for learning about and taking photos.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. 2-Day Washington DC, Philadelphia and Amish Country Tour from New York
- Duration: 2 days
- Departure: 330 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
- Departure Time: 6:30 AM
- Includes: Pro tour guide, breakfast, transport by air-conditioned bus, sightseeing in Philly and DC, 1-night hotel accommodation, continental breakfast, authentic Amish buggy ride, wi-fi on bus
Our next tour is simply one of the most comprehensive educational and cultural experiences one could possibly have in this area of the US. Covering 3 very diverse destinations in a couple of days, you’re going to learn and see more than you thought possible!
Needless to say, the 2-Day Washington DC, Philadephia and Amish Country Tour from New York is really something special.
Kick things off at 6:30 am, meeting your guide at a convenient location where you’ll hop on your air-conditioned bus. Philly is super close to NYC, so it’s really not much of a journey to your first destinations.
Upon arrival, you’ll first head to the Liberty Bell Center, where you’ll get to see and learn about the famous Liberty Bell, see Constitution Square, and Congress Hall. You’ll get to see the Rocky Statue and steps, the financial district, as well as the incredible local architecture in historic Philadelphia.
Then, you’re going to get quite a cultural switch here by heading on over to Amish farm country, where you’ll take a fun ride on an authentic Amish buggy! Learn about how this community lives without electricity, running water, phone services, appliances, and other modern technology.
For me, this was actually the coolest part – a lot of assumptions are made about the Amish but to see and learn in person was really eye-opening.
After getting some rest (and breakfast!) at the Wyndham Garden in DC, you’ll start the day off bright and early with a visit to important monuments such as the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and more.
Next, make your way to the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History before checking out Capitol Hill and the White House. With fully-guided tours throughout, you’ll pack your brain full of fun facts and anecdotes at each site!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Washington DC Day Tour from New York City
- Duration: 14 hours
- Departure: 1651 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
- Departure Time: 6:30 AM
- Includes: Professional guide, fully-guided tour, transport via Mercedes Sprinter or coach bus, free wi-fi on vehicle, all taxes and fees
Visiting Washington DC should be on anyone’s bucket list, no matter where they’re from or what they’re interested in. Steeped in a rich history (to say the least!), you can imagine the architecture, galleries, museums, and memorials you’ll get the chance to see.
With the Washington DC Day Tour from New York City, it’s all possible on a convenient day-long expedition! Your professional tour will also start out early in the morning to make the most of the day. Hop on your air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter or coach, which both have plenty of spacious seating and wi-fi so you’re never out of contact.
Passing through the states of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, there’s no lack of pretty scenery as you journey on. As you enjoy the landscapes, listen to your guide tell you all kinds of interesting stories about the area and Washington DC.
Once you get to DC, you and your group will start off at Arlington National Cemetery where you’ll visit a whole lot of historical graves, including the Kennedy family gravesite.
Renowned for its impressive monuments and memorials, you’ll also visit the iconic Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, among many others.
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You’ll learn about the significant historical events and individuals around them, and why they made such an impact to the United States and our way of ilfe.
As the seat of the US government, Washington DC offers many opportunities to see where these political processes actually take place. On this particular tour, you will not enter the White House and Capitol, but you’ll get the chance to see outside.
There’s no way we can leave out the National Mall with its stunning reflecting pool, followed by a trip to the beautiful Union Station with its stunning vaulted main hall ceilings, marble columns, and intricate details.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Washington DC and Monuments Day Tour from New York
- Duration: 14 hours
- Departure: 790 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
- Departure Time: 5:50 AM
- Includes: Professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle
I think a lot of us imagine Washington DC basically just as the seat of the US government, filled with memorials and museums rather than a city where plenty of civilians live.
I really enjoyed this tour as it not only showed us the “touristy” side of things, but also took us through the vibrant neighborhoods with their unique character and charm.
The Washington DC and Monuments Day Tour from New York is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in DC’s interesting atmosphere while learning about the history behind it.
This tour starts off a bit earlier than most, but for me, that was perfectly fine as the air-conditioned coach was so smooth and comfortable that it lulled me to sleep. Once we arrived in DC I was energized and ready to take on this new adventure!
After driving for a few hours, you’ll finally arrive in DC for the first stop of the day: Arlington National Cemetery.
Once at Arlington, you’ll learn how it’s the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of veterans who fought in American conflicts starting from the Revolutionary War.
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If you or someone close to you is a Marine, you’ll definitely find the Marine Corps War Memorial dating back to 1775 very interesting. The Memorial Park ties in perfectly, featuring monuments from various wars, as well as President Lincoln, and the famous Obelisk.
There’s no way you can visit DC without stopping by to see the US Capitol and a somber stroll through National Mall: America’s most visited national park. When at the Capitol, you’ll learn all about its very colorful history and have some time to take photos in front.
When in the National Mall, you’ll browse through various museums and galleries on a guided tour followed by almost 2 hours of free time for lunch and exploring.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. 4-day Niagara Falls, Washington DC, and Philadelphia Tour from New York
- Duration: 4 days
- Departure: 330 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
- Departure Time: 6:30 AM
- Includes: Pro tour guide, transport by van or full-sized bus, 3 nights hotel accommodation with tax and continental breakfast, wi-fi on bus
If you’re looking for the ultimate experience in hitting all those “bucket list” places in the region, we sure have you covered with this next tour.
It’s perfect if you have a few days and want to see some of the coolest locations outside of NYC! The 4-Day Niagara Falls, Washington DC, and Philadelphia Tour from New York allows you to see 4 of the most popular (and varied!) destinations in the easiest way possible.
Start by meeting your guide and the rest of your group at 6:30 am right in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal Building and hop aboard your van! If you have quite a few people in your party, you may end up taking a full-sized bus but both are very comfortable.
Head north first, where you’ll get to behold the beautiful Delaware Water Gap and even take some time to stroll through Watkins Glen Canyon. Upon arrival to Niagara Falls, you’ll get a full tour of Niagara, including the American Falls, Goat Island, and Luna Island.
At night, you can choose to either cross the border into Canada or stay on the American side for some free time.
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Then, get some rest at the Microtel by Wyndham Niagara Falls or the Quality Inn Lockport. In the morning, you’ll make your way back down south, stopping at the Crossings Premium Outlets for some shopping.
After resting in New Jersey for the night, you’ll head to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell Center, Rocky Statue, historic Philly, and more. Enjoy an authentic Amish buggy ride and learn how this interesting community lives without modern technology.
In the late afternoon, you’ll head over to Washington DC where you’ll take a guided tour through all sorts of memorials, museums, and more.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
FAQs About Washington DC tours from New York City
Can you do a tour of Washington DC in one day?
You can definitely do a tour of Washington DC in one day from New York City.
The tours depart from various locations in Manhattan, such as Times Square, Grand Central Station, Penn Station. You’ll travel by comfortable coach or minibus with free Wi-Fi on board and a professional guide who will share fascinating facts and stories about Washington DC.
You’ll arrive in Washington DC in about 4 hours and start your sightseeing. You’ll have plenty of time to take photos, explore, and learn about the history and culture of Washington DC. Some tours also include lunch or snacks but you can of course check out the local places for lunch and dinner.
How long are the tours?
The tours last from 11 to 15 hours. It depends on the itinerary and traffic. You’ll have plenty of time to see the highlights of Washington DC, such as the White House, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Museums, and more. You’ll also enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside and stop at some interesting places along the way.
How do I get to the tour departure point?
The tours leave from locations in Manhattan, like Times Square, Grand Central Station, Penn Station. You can choose the most convenient location for you and most departure points can be reached by public transportation.
What is included in the tour price?
The tour price includes round-trip transportation by comfortable coach or minibus, a professional guide who will share fascinating facts and stories about Washington DC, admission to selected attractions and museums, and free Wi-Fi on board. Some tours also include lunch or snacks.
What should I bring on the tour?
You should bring your photo ID, your confirmation voucher, a camera, a phone charger, cash for souvenirs and tips, and comfortable shoes and clothing for walking.
What Will I See on a Washington DC Tour?
- The White House: You’ll get to admire its elegant architecture and learn about its history and secrets.
- The U.S. Capitol: Where the legislative branch meets. You’ll get to see its impressive dome and visit its chambers and galleries.
- The National Mall: It has monuments and memorials dedicated to our nation’s heroes, like the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
- The Smithsonian Institution: A group of museums and research centers that showcase the nation’s culture and history.
- The International Spy Museum: A unique museum that reveals the world of espionage and intelligence. You’ll get to see spy gadgets, weapons, vehicles, and costumes, as well as participate in interactive exhibits and missions.
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The Washington DC Day Trip from New York City is our Editors Choice for the best Washington DC tour from NYC
