Washington, DC City Guide - Tours of the City

Walking Tours
From April to October themed walks, such as Capital Hauntings and Washington Waterfront, are run by Washington Walks (tel: (202) 484 1565; website: www.washingtonwalks.com). The tour of Embassy Row not only focuses on the architecture of the imposing turn-of-the-20th-century residences near Dupont Circle but brings them to life with juicy stories about former inhabitants. The daily two-hour guided walks start from designated Metro stops. Themes of these tours vary from day to day so call ahead. No reservations are required. For DC walking tours that include neighbourhoods, black heritage, grand hotels and a whole lot of other interesting themes, check out Washington DC Walking Tours (website: www.tourdc.com) and Cultural Tourism DC (website: www.culturaltourismdc.org). DC by Foot (website: www.dcbyfoot.com) is another outfit offering free walking tours of the sights that incorporates a well-balanced blend of history and entertainment. Talking Street, individual walking tours done by mobile phone and narrated by celebrities such as Larry King, Steven Tyler and Sigourney Weaver allows visitors to explore the city at their own pace (tel: (202) 396 8687; website: www.talkingstreet.com).

Bus Tours
Tourmobile Sightseeing Trams (tel: (202) 554 5100 or 1 888 868 7707; 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. Reboarding is allowed free of charge during the day. Tickets can be purchased from the drivers or at the Tourmobile booths. Fares do not include any entrance fees. Buses operate from 0830-1830 from 15 June to Labour Day (first Monday in Sep) and from 0930-1630 for the rest of the year. Daily two-hour Old Town Trolleys guided tours offer 100 points of interest with ‘on and off' privileges at 19 stops, allowing passengers to enjoy attractions at their leisure (tel: (202) 832 9800; website: www.historictours.com/washington).

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 1 800 405 5511; website: www.capitolrivercruises.com). The tours depart daily from Georgetown Harbour, 31st and K Street, NW, in Georgetown every hour from 1200 (the last cruise departs at 1900, 2000 or 2100 depending on the season). Other boat tours include the lunch and dinner Spirit Cruises that leave from Pier 4 at Sixth and Water Streets (tel: (202) 484 2320 or 1 866 302 2469; website: www.spiritcruises.com). C & O Canal Boat Rides float past historical sites on a recreated canal boat and are narrated by park rangers in period clothing (tel: (202) 653 5190; website: www.nps.gov/choh).

Paddling yourself along the Georgetown waterfront is a more active but equally agreeable way to see the sights. Jack's Boathouse, 3500 K Street, NW (tel: (202) 337 9642; website: www.jacksboathouse.com), hires out canoes and kayaks.

Bicycle Tours
Bike the Sites (tel: (202) 842 2453; website: www.bikethesites.com) runs guided tours on bicycles lasting three hours over a mainly flat 13-km (8-mile) route passing an impressive 55 landmarks, including the Washington Monument, White House and Vietnam Memorial. Bicycles, helmets, water and snacks are included in the fee.

Other Tours
DC Ducks tours are aboard 1942 ‘restored' amphibious crafts and give visitors a 90-minute land/water sightseeing experience (tel: (202) 832 9800 or 1 800 213 2474; website: www.dcducks.com). The tours depart hourly from Union Station and are available between mid March and October).

Another unique way to see the city is on a City Segway Tour. The three-hour scooter experience offers historical sites and photo ops with trained guides (tel: (202) 626 0017 or 1 877 734 8687; website: www.citysegwaytours.com/washington).

Grab your camera and check out the Washington Photo Safari, a sightseeing tour guided by a professional photographer (tel: (202) 537 0937 or 1 877 512 5969; website: www.washingtonphotosafari.com).

Washingtours & Events offers multilingual guides on site for special events (tel: (202) 234 1806; website: www.washingtours.net). Site Seeing Tours, Inc specialise in African American Heritage tours which include the Underground Railroad, Duke Ellington and Civil Rights. Tours are done by bus or on foot (tel: (301) 445 2098; website: www.siteseeingtoursinc.com).