Washington DC · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Washington DC

34 tours  ·  from $25

Sightseeing sailings, brunch and dinner boats, and the water taxi that doubles as transport to Old Town. The 15 below are priced and clear about how long you are on the water and what the food actually is.

National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops, Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets - Lincoln, Vietnam, and the memorials that need time on foot
Cruises & Boat Tours, National Mall Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops, Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets

1.National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops, Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,212 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $87Our pick

Spend six hours touring Washington DC by air-conditioned coach, with stops at the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, Vietnam Wall, and more. Guides such as Tyrone and Chris bring the monuments to life. Seasonal plans add a Potomac cruise or winter memorial stops.

“We had a most enjoyable and informative tour. Our guide Tato was great fun and added to the experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise - Boarding at Pier 4 and settling into your table
Buffet Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Lunch Experiences, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

2.City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 692 reviews · from $65

Spend 2 to 2.5 hours aboard the Spirit of Washington, dining on a buffet or plated dinner while the DJ supplies the soundtrack. You will pass the Washington Monument, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, and more. Servers such as Dwayne are known for adding warm, personal service.

“It was awesome, we had a great time!! Can’t wait to do it again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Washington, DC: Full-Day Tour with a Scenic River Cruise - Capitol Hill and the White House
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Washington, DC: Full-Day Tour with a Scenic River Cruise

3.Full-Day Tour with a Scenic River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 571 reviews · 6 hours · from $71

Cover Washington DC’s essential sights in six hours with a live English-speaking guide, guided walks, and a climate-controlled bus. Visit the Capitol, White House, national memorials, and Tidal Basin, then add a one-hour Potomac cruise from April through September.

“Derrick is very knowledgeable and made it very interesting. He even helped to take couple of pictures. Bus was comfortable and boat ride was really good too. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise - Brunch: Mimosas, Buffet Choices, and a Livelier Mood
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Lunch Experiences, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

4.City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 541 reviews · from $65

Spend two hours aboard City Cruises’ Odyssey, dining at a private table as Washington’s monuments pass along the Potomac. Choose a buffet brunch with unlimited mimosas or a three-course dinner, then step onto the climate-controlled decks for 360-degree views.

“Best brunch and service I have seen in a long time. The staff was excellent the only misguiding info was saying it was a band. It was a Dj however, we enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Cruises DC: Scenic Buffet Lunch Cruise - Boarding at The Wharf and getting settled
Buffet Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

City Cruises DC: Scenic Buffet Lunch Cruise

5.City Cruises DC: Scenic Buffet Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 418 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

Spend about two hours aboard a modern City Cruises ship with a buffet lunch, coffee, tea, DJ music, and Potomac views. You’ll pass the Washington Monument, Reagan National Airport, Alexandria, and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Expect assigned cabaret seating, dancing, and a lively party mood.

“Great lunch, really nice cruise on the river. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Customer Service was top notch in answering questions Highly recommend if you have a few hours to spend in the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise - Glass atriums, assigned tables, and outdoor views
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise

6.City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 375 reviews · from $143

Spend about three hours aboard City Cruises’ Odyssey, dining on a plated three-course meal while passing Washington’s monuments, Arlington, Alexandria, and historic bridges. You’ll have assigned seating, live DJ music, an outdoor observation deck, and time to dance after dinner.

“The staff was attentive, kind, and fun! Everyone on board enjoyed themselves . Food was good and the music made you dance!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Washington DC: Sightseeing Tour with Potomac River Cruise - The Capitol grounds set the tone
Cruises & Boat Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Washington DC: Sightseeing Tour with Potomac River Cruise

7.Sightseeing Tour with Potomac River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 311 reviews · from $79

Spend six hours touring Washington DC with an English-speaking guide and professional driver. Visit the Capitol, White House, major war memorials, and Tidal Basin. From late March to mid-October, add a 50-minute Potomac cruise. Guides such as Tyrone, James, and Lin are known for lively, detailed storytelling.

“Our tour guide was wonderful and highly insightful... my wife and i (Nigerians) felt like we have always lived in DC after the tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Cruises DC: Bottomless Mimosa Buffet Brunch Cruise - Arriving at Gangplank Marina
Buffet Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

City Cruises DC: Bottomless Mimosa Buffet Brunch Cruise

8.City Cruises DC: Bottomless Mimosa Buffet Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 248 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $91

Board at Gangplank Marina for a two-hour City Cruises brunch on the Potomac. You’ll enjoy a breakfast-and-lunch buffet, coffee, tea, champagne service, DJ music, dancing, and DC views from outdoor decks. The mood is festive and loud, making this better for celebrations than quiet sightseeing.

“Erica was our waitress and she was sweet as gold. The staff were amazing. ❤️❤️❤️ The food was good. I could not have asked for for a better experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Washington DC: River Cruise & DC City Tour + Entry Ticket - Capitol Hill opens the day with grand architecture
City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Washington DC: River Cruise & DC City Tour + Entry Ticket

9.River Cruise & DC City Tour + Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 190 reviews · from $99

Spend six hours touring Capitol Hill, the White House, the National Mall memorials, and Georgetown Harbor by climate-controlled bus and, seasonally, a 50-minute Potomac cruise. Guides such as Tyrone, James, Sally, and Rochelle lead the day. Optional timed-entry tickets are valid the following day.

“Fabulous trip. Our guide Tyrone and driver Chris couldn’t have done any more. They were fantastic and had great fun too. What a great way to see the city and learn so much history as well. This trip is a must for first timers or whether you have been before. Highly recommend. First class!”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Cruises Washington DC: Buffet Dinner Cruise - A Buffet Built for Variety, Not Fine Dining
Buffet Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

City Cruises Washington DC: Buffet Dinner Cruise

10.City Cruises Washington DC: Buffet Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 160 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $115

Spend about three hours aboard City Cruises’ five-deck Washington DC vessel with an all-you-can-eat buffet, DJ, dancing, and Potomac views. You’ll see landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Kennedy Center, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge, while staff like Dewayne, Kimi, and Chilee have earned praise for warm service.

“The staff was amazing and the music was perfect. I was not impressed with the food, but the 5 star rating is necessary.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Washington DC: The Wharf Self-Driven Boat Tour with Map - What the one-hour, two-hour, and three-hour options mean
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Washington DC: The Wharf Self-Driven Boat Tour with Map

11.The Wharf Self-Driven Boat Tour with Map

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 108 reviews

Take a private 1, 2, or 3-hour GoBoat Washington rental from 101 Market Square SW. Staff members such as Calvin provide a short safety briefing, then you captain the boat with a map, picnic, and up to seven companions. No boating license is needed, and dogs are welcome.

“The ride was perfect! Will def be going back out for another picnic on the water it was beautiful and 1 hr was the perfect amount of time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Washington DC: Mt. Vernon Day Trip with River Cruise - Arriving at Mount Vernon by water
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Mount Vernon Day Trips from Washington DC, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Washington DC: Mt. Vernon Day Trip with River Cruise

12.Mt. Vernon Day Trip with River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 102 reviews · from $161

Meet your English-speaking Walks guide at Pier 4, board first for prime river views, and cruise to Mount Vernon. Explore the farm, gardens, workshops, tombs, and enslaved community history in a group of no more than 15. The mansion is closed for renovation until June 2026.

“We had a wonderful time River cruising and touring Mount Vernon. The weather was nice, our tour guide was personable and the lunch was good. I recommend it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

VIP Mount Vernon Day Trip & Potomac River Cruise - What you can see while the mansion is closed
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Mount Vernon Day Trips from Washington DC, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews, VIP

VIP Mount Vernon Day Trip & Potomac River Cruise

13.VIP Mount Vernon Day Trip & Potomac River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $169

Cruise from The Wharf to Mount Vernon with an English-speaking guide, then tour George Washington’s estate, gardens, workshops, tombs, and enslaved workers’ quarters. The mansion remains closed for renovation until June 2026, so expect more time outdoors than inside.

“Great. Faith was super knowledgeable, Allegra was great but seemed a bit all over the place. The tour was interesting but crowded and rushed… we also almost missed the boat. The food wasn’t awesome for the lunch voucher.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Open-Top or Glass-Top National Mall Bus Tour Plus Seasonal Cruise - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Korean War memorial
Cruises & Boat Tours, National Mall Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Trolley Tours

Open-Top or Glass-Top National Mall Bus Tour Plus Seasonal Cruise

14.Open-Top or Glass-Top National Mall Bus Tour Plus Seasonal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $129Top rated

See Washington’s major memorials from a small glass-top or open-top Mercedes van, with guided stops at the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol area, and more. Summer includes a Potomac cruise and Georgetown time. Winter swaps the cruise for Pentagon City Mall.

“It was a great tour but beware the overview is NOT the tour! Check the list of stops. Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about history. Totally worth it especially if your first time in DC. I like the small tours. Timely bathroom breaks.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Washington, DC: Potomac River Yacht Cruise with Open Bar - Two Hours on the River
Cruises & Boat Tours, Drinking Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Washington, DC: Potomac River Yacht Cruise with Open Bar

15.Potomac River Yacht Cruise with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 89 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

Spend two hours aboard a double-decker party yacht on the Potomac, with a premium open bar, cocktails, beer, wine, seltzers, snacks, and surround-sound music. Board at Georgetown Waterfront near Nick’s Riverside Grill. This is a lively 21-and-over cruise, not a guided sightseeing tour.

“It was a beautiful view of the DC city line from the harbor. The drinks and the DJ were awesome along with the light snacks.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 4.2Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $1406 reviews
★ 3.0City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Mimosa Brunch Cruise10 reviews
★ 5.0Washington DC New Year’s Day Premier Brunch CruiseFrom $1,0004 reviews
★ 5.0Sunset Cruise (Private) aboard Geronimo in DC – Reflections DC4 reviews
★ 4.5Sunset Cruise on Scenic Chesapeake BayFrom $12312 reviews
★ 4.5Chesapeake Bay Private Cruise6 reviews
★ 4.5Old Town Alexandria in a Day with Round Trip Ferry CruiseFrom $11917 reviews
★ 4.5Pirate Ship Treasure Hunt Cruise with Face Painting3 reviews
★ 4.8Family Treasure Hunt River CruiseFrom $278 reviews
★ 4.0Party Yacht Cruise along Potomac RiverFrom $7422 reviews
★ 4.5DC Combo: Narrated Scenic Boat Cruise & National Mall Bus TourFrom $8932 reviews
★ 5.0Sailboat Cruise on Chesapeake BayFrom $10238 reviews
★ 5.0Private Yacht Tour along Washington DC WaterfrontFrom $9936 reviews

Keep browsing

Potomac River CruisesMount Vernon Day Trips from Washington DCDay Trips from Washington DCWashington DC Bike ToursCycling ToursWashington DC Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Trolley ToursWashington DC Food ToursCherry Blossom Tours
Scroll to Top

Explore Washington DC

Pick a memorial, a collection or a boat.

The Mall

National MallMonuments & MemorialsAfter DarkLincoln MemorialWashington Monument

Inside the buildings

Capitol & LibrarySmithsonianNational ArchivesAfrican American HistoryWhite House

On foot and on the water

GeorgetownNeighbourhoodsPotomac CruisesBike ToursGhost Walks

Out of town

ArlingtonMount VernonDay TripsOld Town AlexandriaCherry Blossom