5 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Washington DC

One of the coolest things to do in Washington during your holiday is to take a boat trip on the Potomac River. Not only will you get to see some of the most famous monuments from a different perspective, but you'll also enjoy a delicious banquet followed by a great party with dancing on board. Ready for a memorable day?

Are you up for a different kind of night in Washington? Make the most of your stay in the US capital and dress up for a night cruise with dinner included on the Potomac River.

During this type of tour, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city's most beautiful monuments as the sun sets and the landscape is lit up with twinkling coloured lights. It's a magical experience!

Exploring the waters of the Potomac River on a leisurely boat ride to see the illuminated Washington skyline is a great way to start the evening. Take a seat and relax with the views, because later the evening will become more exciting. You'll need your energy to dance the night away on board the boat with live music after dinner. Bring your camera because you'll experience Washington like never before!

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• Duration: 3 hours
• Price: £104
• Recommended if... you're looking for a special night out with dinner, skyline views and live music.

Day trippers and those travelling with their families can also enjoy a fun morning cruise on the Potomac River with lunch included if you have other plans for enjoying the evening in the US capital.

A boat trip around Washington is a very original way to see the city skyline, as it gives you a more complete and different view of the city from the water. During the tour, you can admire some of the city's most beautiful monuments from the comfort of the boat deck and take some of the coolest photos of your trip while the captain tells you anecdotes about the history of Washington.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and in the afternoon, a fun party with a DJ will begin. You'll have a blast on the dance floor!

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• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: £49
• Recommended if... you prefer to enjoy the views and a relaxed lunch in the sun rather than a night out.

If you prefer an exclusive midday experience, this brunch cruise in Washington DC is ideal. For approximately 2 hours, you will sail aboard a luxurious yacht while enjoying a brunch buffet with coffee, tea and private table service. All with the best views of the Potomac River.

The tour is perfect for discovering the city's main attractions from the water: the Capitol, Reagan Airport, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the city of Alexandria are just some of the sights you'll see while enjoying a carefully selected menu.

In addition, live music on board adds the perfect touch to the experience. Whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends or family, this cruise is an excellent way to experience Washington from a different angle, with all the comfort and elegance of a five-star experience.

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• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: £108
• Recommended if... you fancy an elegant day out with food and unforgettable views.

Enjoy a relaxing 2.5-hour sailboat ride through the waters of Washington DC. On board an elegant sailboat and in a small group, you'll see the city's main monuments from the Potomac River with a unique and peaceful perspective.

During the tour, you'll pass by such iconic landmarks as the Capitol, the White House and the Washington Monument. This experience includes informative commentary so you can learn about the history of each place while enjoying the breeze, natural landscapes and a relaxed atmosphere with snacks and water on board.

The small group size makes this tour perfect if you are looking for a more intimate and personalised experience. The pace is leisurely, ideal for unwinding, taking spectacular photos from the water, or simply sitting back and enjoying the scenery as you cruise through the heart of the capital.

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• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Price: £78
• Recommended if... you want to enjoy a relaxed trip in a small group along the Potomac River.

There's no better way to end the day than with a sunset sailboat tour of Washington DC. Sail for about 2.5 hours through Chesapeake Bay and see the city's most iconic monuments as the sun sets over the horizon.

The experience is designed for those seeking a more peaceful and romantic atmosphere. On board, you'll enjoy bottled water and snacks while the golden lights of the sunset reflect on the water. A perfect plan whether you're travelling as a couple or simply want to see the city from a different perspective.

With the sky changing from orange to violet, landmarks such as the Capitol and the Pentagon become even more spectacular. Don't forget your camera, because this tour guarantees unique photos and unforgettable memories of your time in the US capital.

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• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Price: £94
• Recommended if... you're looking for a romantic or peaceful experience at the end of the day in DC.

There is no doubt that Washington is an exciting city full of history and amazing monuments. Most tourists visiting the city tend to take a walking or bus tour of its streets, sometimes forgetting that the Potomac River offers amazing views of the US capital.

That's why, if this is your first time in Washington and you want to get a complete overview of the city, I recommend taking a cruise on the Potomac. There are many tours available! They're also great fun, because not only will you sail along the river on a relaxing trip, but some cruises also include lunch or dinner and even hold parties on board with DJs. Sounds great, doesn't it?

So if you're looking for something original and different to do during your holiday, you should definitely include a cruise in Washington in your plans. You can find options starting at almost £60.

At Hellotickets, you can compare prices, schedules and availability of tickets and day or night cruises. You're sure to find the tour that suits you best!

The Potomac River is one of Washington's main tourist attractions, and tours along its course usually vary in length depending on the theme of the cruise.

Some tours are limited to a short trip along the water to enjoy the views of the riverbank, but if we're talking about cruises in Washington that include lunch and a party on board, they usually last 2 to 3 hours.

As they are not too long, these types of activities are perfect for the morning or evening, allowing you to rest your legs after a long day of sightseeing. Then you can spend the rest of the day visiting other places in Washington.

It depends on your preferences, but in my opinion, Washington at night is something to behold.

Taking a leisurely boat ride at sunset while admiring the city's main monuments illuminated and sailing along the Potomac River is a magical experience not to be missed.

If you add to that a great party with music on board, I think it's the perfect ending to a unique and very special evening during your holiday.

You can book your place on a cruise in Washington online and in advance of your travel date. Simply choose the time you want to do the activity, the number of passengers and the day you want to go to check availability.

Then fill in the fields requested to make the booking and proceed with the payment. It's that easy!

This is a very unique activity, so by booking online from home, you won't have to worry about getting tickets once you're in Washington. You'll be sure to have them with you before you land, and instead of queuing at the ticket office, you can spend that time doing other things!

Because it's a super fun and original way to explore the city from a different perspective!

On board the boat, you'll not only see some of Washington's most beautiful sights and monuments, but you'll also spend a relaxing time sailing along the river before enjoying a delicious dinner and a party with music and dancing. What more could you ask for?

You'll have a great time and take home unforgettable memories of your stay in the capital!

What's more, with daytime and evening cruises available, you can choose the one that best suits your tastes or circumstances. For example, if you're travelling as a couple, you can spend a romantic evening on the night cruise watching the sun set and the Washington skyline gradually light up before enjoying dinner and dancing.

On the other hand, if you are travelling with your family, you can opt for the daytime cruise with a buffet lunch and dancing with a DJ. The kids are sure to love riding on the boat and sailing along the Potomac River. It will be a very original plan that they will never forget!

Along the route, some of the most popular sites you will see are: