6 Self-Guided Tours in Washington DC Worth Booking

1.Best of DC: Hop-on Hop-off, Night Tour, and Arlington Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75Our pick

Use a 24, 48, or 72-hour Big Bus pass for DC sights, then join a two-hour open-top night tour. Digital commentary plays in several languages, while audio guides cover Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown, and the Tidal Basin. Erica and her crew may lead the evening ride.

“Great way to see DC, day and night tours. Erica and crew are amazing guides. Hop off the bus to see exactly what you want to”

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2.Washington DC Monuments Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $16Best value

Use Action’s Tour Guide app to walk more than two miles from the Woodward Building to the Supreme Court, with White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol, and other major sights along the way. Audio starts automatically, works offline, and gives you lifetime access to repeat the route.

“Tour guide has a Good overall in-depth understanding of all the memorials. Van was comfortable and clean.”

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3.Washington DC Monuments self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Explore the west half of the National Mall on a self-guided, English-language game for up to six people. Follow your phone from the Ellipse past the White House, war memorials, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument while solving 20 or more challenges.

“It was good, we went to many places but the questions were very challenging. But overall we really enjoyed this hunt!”

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4.National Mall Expedition: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.)

Use an English-language app to explore 10 Washington DC landmarks, from the Capitol and National Archives to the Lincoln Memorial and White House. The private tour costs $5 per group of up to 15 and takes about one to three hours, but the starting instructions and entry details need careful attention.

“Had a good time on this tour with my mom. You see a lot of the major Sights of D.C. at your own pace with the app”

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5.Washington DC Museums self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

This private, self-guided hunt leads your group of up to six from the National Museum of African American History and Culture around the Capitol, Smithsonian museums, and Washington Monument. You solve 30+ challenges at your own pace, using internet access and English or French clues.

“The hunt had my teen quickly engaged while we worked the clues. Even though we got off track around the FBI building clue, we found our way back to continue on. For an adventure that keep my teen engaged, you get four stars. Minus one for typos through out the clues.”

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6.Washington DC Neighborhoods Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

This English-language self-guided tour links Union Station, Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, Florida House, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the Library of Congress. Your private group of up to 15 follows a personalized app route for roughly two to four hours, ending at the Library of Congress.

“A disaster. Couldn’t get guide to continue story after his two minute intro about his self. Went back into Union station and tried to start over. Same thing. Then tried to check in with virtual guide. Couldn’t connect. Tried to go manually. Still didnt connect. Found it very frustrating. Tour was to include admission to Library of Congress, which is free, anyway! I wasn’t told a reservation had to be scheduled before going to the Library of Congress, until just before finding my way to the Library. Couldn’t get in without a reserved time. I’m a senior cit so maybe that was my problem. And they kept asking to connect…”

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