 | |
| Getting Started | |
World Guide  | |
| Airport Guides | |
| TRAVELLER TOOLS | ||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
The World | |
North America | |
Washington DC | |
Tours of the City |
|
Washington DC,
Tours of the City From April to October, themed walks are run by Washington Walks (tel: (202) 484 1565; website: www.washingtonwalks.com), such as Embassy Row, Capital Hauntings and Washington Waterfront. The two‐hour guided walks run from Tuesday to Saturday and start from designated Metro stops. No reservations are required and the tours cost US$10 (US$5 for children under 12). 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. Departure points vary depending on the tour taken and re‐boarding is allowed free of charge during the day. Tickets can be purchased from the drivers or at the Tourmobile booths, located at the various stops. Depending on the route taken, the fare ranges from US$5.25 to US$44 (concessions available) and does not include any entrance fees. Tours can take anywhere from two hours to a full day. Buses operate from 0900‐1830 from 15 June to Labour Day and from 0930‐1630 for the rest of the year. 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 Street and K Street, NW, in Georgetown, every hour 1100‐2100 and cost US$10. Bicycle Tours Bike the Sites (tel: (202) 966 8662; website: www.bikethesites.com) operates three‐hour guided tours on bicycles, travelling over a mainly flat 13km (eight‐mile) route. The tour passes an impressive 55 landmarks, including the Washington Monument, White House and Vietnam Memorial. Bicycles, helmets, water and snacks are included in US$40 fee. The starting point is the Smithsonian Metro Mall exit (south) at 1000 and 1400, from March to December. Other Tours A rather unusual tour of Washington DC is available approximately once a month, conducted by retired operatives from the CIA, FBI and KGB. The Spy Drive (tel: (866) 779 3748; website: www.spydrive.com) takes tourists on an approximately three‐hour journey around the city, pointing out espionage related sites and relating tales of the individuals involved. Visitors to Washington can book the US$55 tour online or through Ticketmaster (tel: (202) 432 7328). Dates of forthcoming tours are published online. The exact location for the Downtown departure point is printed on the ticket. |