WASHINGTON, D.C.
The best way to spend a day in D.C.
The 7 best self-guided tours in Washington, with what each one covers, what it costs and how long to set aside. A shortlist for planning real days on and off the National Mall.
Ride DC by open-top bus in 24, 48, or 72 hours, add a 2-hour night monuments tour, and use Arlington, Tidal Basin, plus Georgetown audio guides.
Most Popular“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”
Self-guided audio walk of DC monuments from the White House to the Supreme Court. Lifetime access, offline maps, 45+ stories.
“We honestly did not get a chance to explore much on our own (we booked too many tours), but the bit we did listen to was great. I probably would have preferred doing the self guided.”
A self-guided walking game across the west National Mall, using your phone to solve 20+ clues from the Ellipse to the Washington Monument.
“We did the scavenger hunt as part of a bachorette party activity and it was definitely fun and learnt new things along the way. Visited multiple war memorials, the lincoln memorial. Will be a good activity for children as well.”
App-based National Mall route in Washington DC with timed stops, Smithsonian highlights, memorials, and included tickets for most major sites.
“We only had an hour to see DC, this was available as soon as we arrived and it was nice and easy to do.”
A self-guided National Mall museum scavenger hunt with 30+ challenges, film-location stops, and a loop from African American History to DC icons.
“There are many typos and inaccuracies throughout the tour (confusing 1858 with 1958, confusing teddy Roosevelt with fdr, cypher direction being outright inaccurate, some landmarks being removed), but they made us laugh really hard so we didn't care. If they decide to have the tour proofread, I'd love to help.”
Private hop-on hop-off van with audio app and chauffeur lets you shape a 4–8 hour Washington DC visit around the stops you care about.
A low-cost app-based walk through DC’s Union Station, Supreme Court, Capitol and Library of Congress, plus several free stops.
“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…”
Every corner of the capital, and every way to see it.
