Getaway Ideas for Washington, DC: A Getaway Guide for a Day or a Weekend

DC in a Day Tour

Capital Dome

The All Day Washington, DC tour will take you to the area's popular monuments and museums.

There is so much to see and do in the Washington, DC area, it's almost impossible to fit it all into a short period of time. To make sure that you hit all of the important spots, you'll want to take one of the tours below. This is a great way to pack your itinerary with sightseeing and make sure that no important spot is left out.

All Day Washington, DC Interior Buildings Tour

• On this all-day tour, you'll get to see the monuments and museums that this area is known for. When you step off the coach you'll be able to visit the White House (or the White House Visitor's Center when the White House is not available), Ford's Theatre, Peterson House, the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, American History Museum, Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, Library of Congress and the National Air and Space Museum. From the comfort of the coach, you'll also see the FBI Building, Federal Triangle, Ellipse, National Christmas Tree, Tidal Basin, the Legislative and Judicial Branches of the US Government, US Botanical Gardens, the National Gallery of Art, Natural History Museum, Hirshorn Museum, the Castle, the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial, US Navy Memorial and the Grant Memorial.

DC/Embassy Row/Arlington Cemetery Tour

• This four-hour tour will first take you by coach to see the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and Marine Corps Memorials. From the coach you'll see the US Capitol, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, House and Senate Office Buildings, FBI Building, White House, Federal Triangle, Embassy Row, Georgetown, US Navy Memorial and Corcoran Gallery of Art. Then you'll board the tram to Arlington Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Kennedy grave sites and the Changing of the Guard.

Gettysburg Tour

• This ten-hour tour, available only on Mondays, will take you on a scenic trip to the historic town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. There you will see one of the largest military dioramas in the United States. The Gettysburg Diorama will tell you the tales of the battle at Gettysburg along with lights and sound effects. The tour will give you an in-depth understanding of the battle that was held there, the largest battle fought on U.S. soil. Then you will see Cemetery Ridge where President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, you'll visit the home of George Washington Shriver and where Civil War bullets and medical supplies were discovered 133 years after their use.

Lil Red Trolley Tour Pass

• This tour can be as short as 2 and a half hours to as long as all day. When you want flexibility in seeing what you want to see, this tour offers it! You can view the sights of the Capitol on this motorized trolley car. The tour covers the major sights in a loop that takes approximately two and a half hours. You choose your own stops and decide when and where to get off. When you're done viewing a particular site, wait for the trolley to stop by again and hop back on. The trolley can take you to places like the US Capitol, Museum of Women in the Arts, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Monument, Holocaust Museum, National Mall, National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art and more.

Mount Vernon/Washington After Dark Dinner Combo Tour

• Need the perfect tour for a romantic day for two? The Mount Vernon/Washington After Dark Dinner Combo Tour offers you exactly what you are looking for. The full-day tour will not only show you the breathtaking Virginia countryside, you'll also see the grandeur of the capitol of our nation. In the daytime, you'll go to Mt. Vernon, the home of President George Washington. You'll be able to tour his estate and the surrounding area. Once dusk begins to descend, you'll get a voucher for a meal at Union Station. After you two have enjoyed dinner, you can hold each others hands as you take in the sights of Washington After Dark, with the glowing domes and luminescent spotlights. The three-hour coach tour will take you to see landmarks like the Library of Congress, US Capitol, Kennedy Center, Supreme Court, house and Senate Office Buildings, White House, Pennsylvania Avenue, Capitol Reflecting Pool, and many of the area memorials.

Washington, DC All Day Combination Tour

• This tour is a combination of the Mount Vernon/Old Town Alexandria Tour and the DC/Arlington Cemetery/Embassy Row Tour. It is a great way to fill a full day's itinerary.

The Wonderful Busch Gardens Tour

• The Busch Gardens Tour will take you to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. The theme park has been the recipient of many awards and when you visit, you'll see why. The theme park is divided into six different old world European "countries" and you can experience the thrills of the numerous rides and enjoy the shows and restaurants. It's an adventure to remember.