Even for independent travelers who normally brave it out with a guidebook and good walking shoes, there is so much to see in DC, you are well advised to join a tour. The National Mall alone is two miles long and while many of the sights are dotted around the mall it’s easy to miss some great monuments without a little local know how. The good news is DC is well served by a range of tour companies and there is literally a tour option for every interest.
If a traditional bus tour takes your fancy you have a number of options. Tours typically cost between $20 and $30 and allow you to hop on and off so you can tailor the tour to suit your interests. The bus tour is a good choice if you find if difficult to walk longer distances. It is also the tour to take if you want to see Arlington cemetery, as it is not included in some of the other tours. The trolley tours company (www.trolleytours.com) offers tours in cute old style trolleys. A slightly cheaper option is Tour mobile bus tours (www.tourmobile.com).
A twist on the bus tour is the DC duck tour (www.dcducks.com). This tour takes place in a World War 2 amphibious truck. The first part is on land and then the vehicle takes to the waters of the Potomac River. This is a great option if you are traveling with kids or if you would like the hassle taken out of choosing what to go see.
If you are feeling adventurous then the Segway tour might be the right option for you. Traveling on a personal transportation device, it starts off with a lesson in
segway driving. The three hour tour then takes in the city sights. This isa great experience although it can be a bit nerve wracking driving the segway along busy sidewalks.
Pick this tour if you are comfortable on your feet for three hours and if you would like to try something new. While this is one of the most expensive tour options it is great fun.
If your vacation is starting to take a toll on your waistband you might like a tour that includes some exercise. Take a cycling tour with www.bikethesites.com or a running tour with www.cityrunningtours.com/dc
to learn about DC while burning calories.
The layout of the city center is particularly suited to biking and this could be a great family tour option.
The bike the sites tour company also offers strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters hire.
Finally if you fancy something bit different, What about a ghost tour? Try this walking ghost tour at http://www.washingtonwalks.com /tours/dc-hauntings.shtml
This list is not exhaustive and there are even more great tours that can be found with a little Internet searching. Pick a tour that suits your budget, interests and mobility needs and you are sure to have a great time in DC.