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THE SMITHSONIAN CASTLE
— The Museum that started it all – the Smithsonian Castle is a 10-minute stop on our tour. The gardens inside the magnificent iron gate are seasonal and picturesque. On a brief walk -with photo-ops- we discuss Mr. Smithson, a scientist and a citizen of Great Britain who never visited the United States but passed his sizable fortune on the United States in 1835“ to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution an establishment for the increase and diffusion of Knowledge.” Today the Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum in the world.
IWO JIMA MEMORIAL
— Our tour also includes a short trip to a neighboring state, Virginia, for a view of Arlington National Cemetery and a 15-minute walk at Marine Corps Memorial / Iwo Jima. You’ll have ample time to capture images from all angles as we discuss the background of the battle for Iwo Jima during WWII and the highly unusual story – involving a Pulitzer Prize winning photo – that led to the creation of this immense statue.
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
— Recently the Jefferson Memorial has been undergoing cleaning and dome-repair, but it remains open and is a 15 to 20-minute stop on our tour with stunning views of the White House, Tidal Basin and Bureau of Engraving and Printing – where US dollars are printed. We will explore inside the dome where there is a 19-foot statue of our 3rd President. We discuss Jefferson’s contribution to our country as writer of the Declaration of Independence. Bathrooms & small museum on premesis.
MLK JR.MEMORIAL
— During the 15-minute Martin Luther King Jr Memorial stop (with restrooms) very little walking is involved. Our van pulls close to the entrance and we are almost immediately walking into the plaza where the 35-foot bas-relief statue of MLK is situated. We cover the history of the statue and the quotes along the wall behind the statue. Then we move to the nearby Tidal Basin and Cherry Trees that are positioned all around the Tidal Basin and MLK Memorial. You’ll capture postcard perfect shots of the MLK statue & Cherry Trees with the Jefferson Memorial in the distance.
US CAPITOL
— The US Capitol stop takes about 10 minutes. We will be getting out of the van to explore this site. The van stops directly in front of the Capitol on the west side – where the Presidential Inauguration takes place every four years. We discuss the architecture of the Capitol, the history of the dome as well as the statue on top. We will also be very close to the equestrian statue of President Grant and the reflecting pool in front of the US Capitol. Excellent photos are available everywhere you turn!
VIETNAM MEMORIAL
— The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a black granite wall, 300 feet long, inscribed with the names of all of the United States soldiers killed or missing in action in the Vietnam War from 1956 to 1975. We approach the Wall on a 15-minute walk past bronze statues of the Three Soldiers which reveal to us exactly how US troops looked during that war. As we walk the length of the wall we will discover artifacts left along its length that day by families and veterans. If guests wish to find a name on the wall that can be accommodated using the Park Service directories nearby or go to vvmf.org for the location of the name (panel and row number) . After reviewing the Soldiers and the Wall we are met by our van parked nearby.
KOREAN MEMORIAL
— At the Korean War Memorial, we will take 10 minutes to circle the path around 19 stainless steel statues representing a US Army platoon in the field during the Korean War. During day tours the reflection of the 19 statues in a nearby granite wall clearly shows that counting the mirror image there are 38 statues of soldiers present – commemorating the 38th parallel – the proposed boundary between North and South Korea. During night tours the ghostly quality of the statues becomes obvious. The Korean War is known as the “forgotten war”, its 1950’s timeframe falling between WWII and Vietnam. By using stainless steel – that appears surreal in after dark, sculptor Frank Gaylord captures the wispy quality of vanishing ghosts to illustrate how history has forgotten this conflict.
Lincoln Memorial
— Our 45-minute stop begins at the Lincoln Memorial but also includes a walk through the Korean War Memorial (10 minutes) and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (15 minutes). There are restrooms in the lower level of the Lincoln Memorial.
— At the Lincoln Memorial (20 minutes) you will be able to climb the 58 steps (elevator available) to the chamber where you will see the seated statue of Abraham Lincoln our 16th President flanked by two of his famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. There are breathtaking views from this memorial in all directions.
World War II Memorial
— This 20-minute stop includes a restroom break. At this stop we walk around the World War II fountain and allow plenty of time for visitors to find the column dedicated to their home state for photos to commemorate their visit. The vistas from the World War II Memorial – west to Lincoln and east the Washington Monument – are memorable and perfect for more photos.
WHITE HOUSE
— On our day tours the White House is a 15 minute stop that includes the 3 block area directly around the North face of the White House located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.
— We loop through Lafayette Square, stop in front of the White House and the West Wing, then move on to the exteriors of Blair House and The Eisenhower Executive Office Building. This area is full of photo ops!
— Occasionally there are Secret Service closures of this area. If there are security closures for then we will re-route either on foot or by van to nearby areas that are allowed.
— Tours of the interior of the White House for US citizens are scheduled by contacting the office of the Senator or Representative of the citizens’ home state.
— Tours of the interior of the White House for visitors from other countries are scheduled by contacting the visitor’s Embassy in Washington DC.
WASHINGTON DC PRIVATE SUV TOUR
— Black SUV seats 3 guests plus tour guide or 4 guests with driver only
- Phone chargers and complimentary water provided
- Umbrellas provided for frequent DC showers
- Hungry? Guide and driver have suggestions for restaurants nearby
— Length of tour, pick up time/ drop off-time is up to you
- Complimentary pick up within 5 miles of White House
— Tell us your wish list, bucket list or must-see list then relax – you’re on your way
— Bags, luggage, extra shoes, jackets may be left securely in the SUV with driver
— Private tours with guide – your guide will accompany & narrate at each site
- Guide available to take photos & suggest best angles and shots
— Private tours without guide – driver will cover basic facts & provide site maps
- call your driver for pick-up whenever you wish
- for overseas visitors we provide a US cell phone
— Drop-off as close as legally possible to sites, landmarks, entrances
- Some walking will be required – wear comfortable shoes
- if outdoor tour is planned, dress for changeable DC weather
— Samples of some of our guest’s favorite itineraries for private tours
- Six Hour Private Tour Including Alexandria, VA: All Mall Monuments, Memorials and major sites including US Capitol grounds, White House North and South Face, World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr, Memorial, Smithsonian Castle. Then off to see the Iwo Jima Memorial and Air Force Memorial. Afterwards, lunch in Alexandria, VA and a walking tour of the town founded in 1751. George and Martha Washington shopped here.
- Six Hour Private Tour including Two Museums – All Monuments and Memorials as above but add the National Portrait Gallery & American History Museum. Includes lunch in a nearby DC restaurant TBD. There are six Smithsonian Museums opening in May 2021 and more will follow. Add another hour for a private ticketed Museum like the Spy Museum or the Museum of the Bible.
WASHINGTON DC NIGHT TOUR
— Our 3 Hour Small Group Night Tours are for up to 10 guests or fewer in a climate-controlled van
- complimentary water
- chargers provided for all devices
— Moderate walking involved – wear comfortable shoes
- We will bring you as close to each site as legally possible
— Frequent bathroom breaks
— Plenty of opportunities to get out and take pictures
— All tours begin in front of Grand Hyatt 1000 H St, NW
- Vans will pull up at Starbucks on corner of 11th and H St, NW
— All tours end at Grand Hyatt – exactly where we began
— If you are staying at a hotel near the White House, we can pick up at hotel – let us know!
— Umbrellas available for DC showers but if rain is intense, we cancel & refund ticket price
— What do we see? We’ll spend 15 – 25 minutes at each of the following sites:
- White House
- Washington Monument
- US Capitol
- World War II Veterans Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Martin Luther King Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
— Want to see even more?
- Ask us about our PRIVATE TOURS
WASHINGTON DC DAY TOURS
— Our 4 Hour Small Group Day Tours are for up to 10 guests or fewer in a climate-controlled van
- complimentary water
- chargers provided for all devices
— Moderate walking involved – wear comfortable shoes
- We will bring you as close to each site as legally possible
— Frequent bathroom breaks
— Plenty of opportunities to get out and take pictures
— All tours begin in front of Grand Hyatt 1000 H St, NW
- Vans will pull up at Starbucks on corner of 11th and H St, NW
— All tours end at Grand Hyatt – exactly where we began
— If you are staying at a hotel near the White House, we can pick up at hotel – let us know!
— Umbrellas available for DC showers but if rain is intense, we cancel & refund ticket price
— What do we see? We’ll spend 15 – 25 minutes at each of the following sites:
- White House
- Washington Monument
- US Capitol
- World War II Veterans Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Martin Luther King Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Marine Corp Memorial
- Air Force Memorial & Pentagon
— Want to see even more?
- Ask us about our PRIVATE TOURS