World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
From April to October themed walks, such as Embassy Row, Capital Hauntings and Washington Waterfront, are run by Washington Walks (tel: (202) 484 1565; website: www.washingtonwalks.com ). The daily two-hour guided walks start from designated Metro stops. Themes of these tours vary from day to day so call ahead. No reservations are required and the tours cost US$10 (US$5 for children under 12). For DC walking tours that include neighbourhoods, Black heritage, grand hotels and a whole lot of other interesting themes, check out Washington DC Walking Tours (website: www.tourdc.com ) and Cultural Tourism DC (website: www.culturaltourismdc.org ).

Bus Tours
Tourmobile Sightseeing Trams (tel: (202) 554 5100 or (888) 868 7707, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.tourmobile.com ) operates daily narrated shuttle tours, stopping at 24 stops and featuring more than 40 major historic sites, including the White House, Smithsonian Institution Museums, Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt memorials, the FBI Building and Arlington National Cemetery. Reboarding is allowed free of charge during the day. Tickets can be purchased from the drivers or at the Tourmobile booths. Depending on the tour, the fares range from US$5.25 to $44 (concessions are available) and do not include any entrance fees. Buses operate from 0900-1830 from 15 June to Labour Day (6 Sep) and from 0930-1630 for the rest of the year. Daily Old Town Trolleys guided tours offer 100 points of interest with ‘on and off’ privileges at 17 stops, allowing passengers to enjoy attractions at their leisure (tel: (202) 832 9800; website: www.historictours.com/washington ; price: US$26).

Boat Tours
A pleasant way to get an overview of the city is to go on a 50-minute boat trip aboard Nightingale II, operated by Capitol River Cruises (tel: (301) 460 7447 or (800) 405 5511, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.capitolrivercruises.com ). The tours depart daily from Washington Harbour, 31st and K Street, NW, in Georgetown every hour from 1200 (the last cruise departs at 1900, 2000 or 2100 depending on the season) and cost US$10. Other boat tours include the lunch and dinner Spirit Cruises that leave from Pier 4 at 6th and Water Streets (tel:(866) 211 3811; website: www.spiritcruises.com ; price from U$26). Tourist sites can be seen from the Potomac on one of the Washington Boat & Shore Shot Cruises from May thorough September. October and April (weekends only) tel: (202) 554 6500 or (800) 240 2324; website: www.shoreshot.com ; price from US$10).

Seeing the attractions while paddling around the Potomac with Atlantic Canoe and Kayak is another aqua option (tel: (703) 838 9072 or (800) 297 0066, website: www.atlantickayak.com ).

Bicycle Tours
Bike the Sites (tel: (202) 966 8662; website: www.bikethesites.com ) runs guided tours on bicycles lasting three hours over a mainly flat 13km (eight-mile) route passing an impressive 55 landmarks, including the Washington Monument, White House and Vietnam Memorial. Bicycles, helmets, water and snacks are included in the fee of US$40. The starting point is the Smithsonian Metro Mall exit (south) at 1000 and 1400 from March to December. Other tours cost US$30-80.

Other Tours
Duck tours (1942 ‘restored’ amphibious crafts) are the newest craze in land/water sightseeing (tel: (202) 832 9800; website: www.historictours.com/washington/reservations.htm ). The tours depart hourly from Union Station, cost US$26 and are available mid-March through October.