Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
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
What‘s 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
Air-conditioned vehicle
Restroom on board
Professional tour guide
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Washington DC Tour in German
Washington DC tour in Japanese
Washington DC Tour in Spanish
Washington DC Tour in French
Washington DC Tour in Italian
Washington DC Tour in English
Reviews
2,636 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fully recommended
ivanrS647UX,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fully recommended. Being a day tour the journeys are long and worth doing since you take advantage of the time and know several historical attractions of the city and the country. Our guide in Spanish was Andrés. All the time he was attentive to share us information about the route and the places visited, plus he does it in a very relaxed and enjoyable way. The visit to the national air and space museum is also highlighted. Among several things you can see Neil Armstrong’s lunar module and astronaut suit, very special to those who are interested in these topics. Also the fact that the tour transport is wheelchair accessible is the best, anyone enjoys. Very good experience the tour, fully recommended.
Very Explanatory
Explorer65805006433,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Initially I was hesitant because it was very far from New York, but in the end I am happy to have had this experience. The guide was clear, helpful and professional as well as nice.
DC Washington
PeterT4869,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Good trip nice guide perfect weather
NYC to Washington day trip
Patrick C,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guide was excellent. Tour is an effective way to see Washington. Quick, 10 to 20 min, stops at locations with 1.5 hours in Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
i really enjoyed the trip...
Brian M,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00i really enjoyed the trip lots of information and great knowledge i would travel with you again in the future
NYC to Washington DC 1 Day tour
Camper43545329414,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00"I had an incredible time on the Washington DC Highlights tour! A huge thank you to our drivers for the smooth and safe round trip—it made the journey so relaxing. I also want to express my special gratitude to our guide, Iris. Her knowledge really turn a list of facts into a compelling story. Highly recommended!"
Top
Getaway11432883457,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Top guide that is Mr Dominique
Positive experience. Redi who accompanied us very nice.
Vito M,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well organized excursion considering the tight time. Beyond expectations, we were very satisfied:
Good job
Miner L,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide and driver are doing a good job with their team for our tour. They have professional experience
Positive Experience
N8210UCdianec,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour from New York to Washington, DC was truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Everything was well-organized, smooth, and thoughtfully planned, allowing us to fully enjoy every stop without feeling rushed. Visiting iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian was absolutely incredible, and the entire journey felt both enriching and memorable. A huge highlight of the trip was our tour guide, Andres. He was not only extremely knowledgeable but also genuinely engaging and funny. His storytelling brought history to life in such a unique and enjoyable way, making every moment interesting for both adults and kids. My mother was slow due to her knee problems, and Andres was caring and accommodating to her needs. He was not forceful nor showed annoyance. You could really tell he is passionate about what he does, and he made sure everyone felt included and comfortable throughout the tour. Andres struck the perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, which made the experience even more special. Thanks to him, this wasn’t just a tour—it was an experience we’ll always remember. Highly recommended!
From US$129.00
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