Water tours in Washington, D.C., offer different ways to see the monuments and landmarks of the nation's capital. Water tours in Washington include daytime cruises, day or night cruises with meals included, as well as kayak tours.
With a Potomac Riverboat Co. tour, you can enhance your tour of the capital by seeing it from an old-fashioned boat such as an authentic steamwheeler or a skipjack sailboat built in 1906. The company also offers tours on more modern double-decker boats. The Washington Monuments cruise allows you to get on and off throughout the day at different points along the route.
Potomac Riverboat Co.
205 The Strand
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-0580 or 877-511-2628
potomacriverboatco.com
Get a view of the capital from both land and sea in an amphibious D.C. Duck. The 90-minute Duck tour starts on land and then moves into the Potomac River. The vehicles are authentic originals from 1942, when they were built for use by the country's armed forces. Duck tours are not available November through March.
D.C. Ducks
Union Station
Washington, DC 20018
800-213-2474
dcducks.com
Spirit of Washington offers a variety of entertainment-oriented Potomac River tours, including lunch, dinner, moonlight and dance cruises--even one featuring a gospel lunch. Large groups and special events are welcome.
Spirit of Washington
Gangplank Marina
600 Water St. S.W.
Washington, DC 20024
spiritofwashington.com
If you'd rather take a more active tour, Potomac Paddle Sports offers four-hour kayaking tours of the monuments. Historical information is provided. The company says the tour is appropriate for people with little or no kayaking experience, and anyone age 12 and up is welcome. Besides enjoying a unique view of the monuments, you may see local wildlife such as herons or kingfishers.
Potomac Paddle Sports
11917 Maple Ave.
Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-2628
potomacpaddlesports.com
