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Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry

Badge of ExcellenceWashington, United States

From USD 129.00

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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Washington DC Tours
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Unique Experiences
  • 8 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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 priority 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 Building, where the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution are on display.
  • Enjoy reserved, priority entrance to two of Washington DC's most sought-after attractions
  • See Washington DC’s major sites on a coach tour with guided walks for photo opportunities
  • Enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Potomac River (mid-March to mid-October)

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

VIP-style entry to the US Capitol and National Archives makes this the ideal tour for politics and history buffs.

What's Included

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

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Neptune Fountain
    68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA

    Meet in front of the Neptune fountain across the street from the US Capital Building

Start time

08:30 am

End point

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

What To Expect

Meet the 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. Along the way, see the Crypt, the large circular area on the first floor that supports the Rotunda, as well as National Statuary Hall, a chamber devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans and more.

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).

A choice of lunch options are available at in Georgetown.

At the end of the tour, gain priority entrance into the National Archives Building 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

Reserved entry to this glorious park and centerpiece of the capital city.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

White House

When arriving at the White House (outside only), you will see the Executive Residence of the President and his family, as well as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. This stop also includes a walk through the Elipse, otherwise known as the South Lawn.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • 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 National Archives prevent any food or drinks being brought through security.
  • During peak season, security lines are long. 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 9:30 AM For Check-In.
  • No food allowed on buses (snacks are fine!)
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Convertible buses switch from open-tops to glass-tops between Oct 15 - Apr 1 due to colder temperatures.
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travellers

Cancellation Policy

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

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Traveller Tips

It is expensive it is eight hours but you get what you paid for.
If you take this tour note the night tour of the memorials is not needed.
Reviews
4.5
1,534 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travellers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,534 reviews
Misleading advertising
Paolo_S, Mar 2023
On Mar 12 I booked the tour for Mar 17 because it included the visit of the Capitol for $119. On Mar 16 at 8.30pm I received a call from an employee advising that the tour didn’t include the Capitol visit, but I could get a 20% reimbursement. I replied that I didn’t want the 20% reimbursement and I wanted to cancel the tour. The answer was that I could only get the reimbursement, but not the cancellation and refund. Interestingly there are multiple reviews about the misleading adverting and TripAdvisor/Viator doesn’t fix the advertisement. You must deduct that the misleading advertising is intentional.
False advertising of Capitol admission
Norman_L, Mar 2023
Tour sold based on timed entry to Capitol. Late afternoon the day before the tour, I received voice mail that admission to Capitol would not occur - blamed January 6, 2021 riot. This is baloney! Many posts this week or last about the false advertising of admission to Capitol being included. I cancelled the tour and have been promised a full refund.
Your cancelled - no one told us
paulrobson344, Mar 2023
The tour was cancelled last minute. Despite booking and paying, the tour was cancelled because of a fun run. No one called or emailed to tell me so I went at 830am and there was a couple of other people, and we waited and waited and then we finally made contact with the tour guide he said it wasn’t running that day
Don't book this one....
Tina_G, Mar 2023
FALSE !!! YOU DO NOT HAVE ENTRY to the interior of the US Capitol. They advertised as: "You will be able to view the interior of the US Capitol Building and the National Archives Building. Reserved entry is included!" ---Completely INCORRECT. You DO have access to the Archives ONLY. -- you should book the other tour for $89 so you save yourself the grief of asking for a partial refund offered by US Tours. US Tours is trying to fix this issue with Viatour - in the meantime you will be greatly disappointed with this booking. FALSE - "The tour starts and ends at the US Navy Memorial Plaza at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004" --- you will receive a text to meet at the NEPTUNE at the Capitol - where you will then be told you are at the wrong spot and to go around the Capitol to Garfield Circle - where all buses pick up passengers. Our small tour was on a rat chase until we finally loaded and found we were not going into the Capitol and would receive a partial refund if we reached out to Viatour. Great disappointment. I highly recommend passing on this tour and booking the $89 one with access to the Archives instead.
Misleading tour title - no Capitol tour & not 8 hours
Atul_B, Mar 2023
Booked this tour specifically because of entry to US Capitol. The title of tour itself says "Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry". There was no entry to the Capitol - just saw it from the outside. Being March, there was no boat ride but the promised visit to Pentagon (instead of the boat ride) also did not materialize. The tour was to be for 8 hours. I planned the evening assuming that the tour would end around 6 pm (started at 10 am). However the tour itself was less than 6 hours. I I did not know this until the tour ended so for 2 hours was at a loss alone in a new city. It is not worth the $119 charge. If I had known all this earlier would have booked another cheaper $89 tour. Would like a partial refund but not sure who to contact.
Trip to DC
James_A, Mar 2023
Very nice tour of DC. Maps told a great story, and the Driver was great as well. Would do it again. One negative was the the bus made a lot of noise, needs new struts I think, but other than that had a great time seeing the sights!!
Advertised as including...
Teresa_B, Mar 2023
Advertised as including tour of the capitol. We did not go anywhere near the inside of the capitol. The guide yelled, was difficult to understand, and did not wait for everyone to get off the bus before he ran away from the bus and started yelling again.
NO CAPITAL TOUR IS INCLUDED. Outside view only. False advertised.
Maile_H, Mar 2023
DID NOT INCLUDE A INSIDE CAPITAL TOUR. False advertising and then your contracted your guide said to contact booking company. We had even called before the tour to confirm an inside your was included. It is not.
Great time
Kathy_G, Mar 2023
Tour guide was great. Highly recommend the small group package. We had 7 in our group and it made everything go smoothly and quick. Learned a lot on all the sites.
No Capitol tour
Ray_N, Mar 2023
This tour says capitol entry but it was not included. Be aware. Other than that it was exigent and very informative.
USA God Handed Nation Leadership &Braveness
Eleni_K, Mar 2023
The most memorable monuments were consequently the Washington monument, Lincoln monument and the Arlington ceremony/ Veterans graves.
DC in a Day
Anne_S, Mar 2023
Josh was a great tour guide. Saw so much in one day! Loved it. Hit on all the main sites in D.C. Would recommend to anyone visiting who has to get as much in as possible in a short period of time.
Fabulous tour
Theresa_H, Mar 2023
Paul our tour guide was fantastic. He kept everyone engaged and was up beat and funny. Maggie our driver was wonderful as well. Smooth driving and upbeat. I would highly recommend this tour.
DC Tour
Corrina_E, Mar 2023
Leo and Nick were a great team. Nick is full of information, and I really enjoyed the tour! He was funny, smart and handsome.
Not What I Paid For
Steven_N, Mar 2023
The trip was good, the people were great, but we paid for and it was advertised as a “Private Entry to the Capital”. We were not allowed entry to the Capitol, said it wasn’t open on Sundays. You think that aviator would know that, even chatted with someone in the chat box about special needs and nowhere on their website does it mention “not on Sundays.
Inaccurate description- no Capitol Bldg entry
Amanda_B, Mar 2023
Inaccurate listing and description. Does NOT include timed entry into the Capitol building. We only booked this tour because of that feature. And we totally missed getting to get into the Capitol because by the time we found out it wasn’t included (on the actual tour) it was too late to get tickets during our vacation.
Good tour but not as advertised
mikenicolucci, Mar 2023
Well, organized tour with very knowledgeable tour guide, and bus driver. Downside was tour was not as advertised. There was no entry or visiting even outside of the capitol building. Title is misleading.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Hi, I'm sorry you had a negative experience. We do have a tour that includes entry to the US Capitol that begins at 8:30 AM but the tour that begins at 10 AM just stops briefly there. We have been having issues between the TripAdvisor/Viator booking site and our reservation site mixing up tours and it sounds like that is what happened here. Although we have prevented future bookings from experiencing this mix-up, we do apologize that you did not experience the tour you desired. We will of course refund the difference in pricing between tours and a little extra for the trouble. Unfortunately, I can not attach any reservation or payment to this review... As you booked through Viator, however, they hold your payment information so please contact their support line and their staff will be able to provide us with assistance in modifying your booking and offering refunds. Again, we are sorry this happened and we hope you otherwise enjoyed your time in Washington.
Very informative and fun
Ashley_E, Mar 2023
Excellent tour. Small, safe group, comfy van and great driver and tour guide. Plenty of time at each location
WARNING....NO CAPITOL ENTRY on this tour 😞
Ian_P, Mar 2023
WARNING......NO CAPITOL ENTRY on this tour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and tour is about 6.5 hours. The tour in general was satisfactory. The main concern was the disappointment that we COULD NOT enter the U.S Capitol, even though it WAS PLAINLY ADVERTISED on the list of stops. -The tour guide was defensive when asked, and borderline rude 😞
Great tour of DC memorials.
Doreen_M, Mar 2023
Joey and her information on the tour was priceless. Thomas and his driving saved us so much time. I would do another tour with them in a heartbeat
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