Great place to go kayaking or paddle boarding! The first time I went I had a strange experience. I ended up losing about 10-15 minutes of paddling time because we were told to put on life jackets then the employee just walked away. My friend and I weren't sure what to do so we just waited. There was another group waiting as well but they were taking pictures and talking with one another. My friend and I had our life jackets on and kept waiting. There were two male employees that were standing on the dock that kept looking up at us but didn't come get us or say anything. After waiting for almost 15 minutes, the boys told us they were waiting for everyone to be ready, referring to the other girls that didn't have their life jackets buckled and were taking pictures. I was a little annoyed that I lost some of my paddling time because of a group that I wasn't associated with and the fact that it took that much time for an employee to tell us what to do. Other than that, I've always had a good time at the boat center. The prices are pretty good and the view and experience are super fun! read more

Thompson Boat Center - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Chaotic dock environment in the mornings with many unsupervised student crews moving boats. I got hit in the head by one once. No apparent dockmaster. I've seen dogs running on the dock and kids playing catch. There are personal items including clothing, shoes, and bottles left underfoot up and down the dock. The person answering the reservation line sounds totally out of it, like they are impaired. This business needs much better supervision. Hopefully new staff will correct things in the 2026 season. read more

This is the boat center with boundaries that allow you to take beautiful pictures of Georgetown, the Kennedy Center, and the Lincoln and Washington memorials. I rented a stand up Paddleboard for an hour and had a blast! It was $24.50 after taxes for that hour. The Paddleboards are older but serve the purpose. The guys running the dock were nice but didn't really provide any tips for a rookie. There was a lot of traffic and , naturally, waves. I didn't feel comfortable enough to stand up (yup I'll own it) but I paddled from the boat house to memorial bridge and back. I'd recommend considering other modes of transport here (like kayak) if you're a less experienced paddle boarder like me, unless you want to fall into the Potomac. read more

Boat house right next to the Georgetown waterfront a short walk from the Kennedy Center. Kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and even hydrobikes available for rental here. Sculling classes for all levels are also offered here, check out http://boatingindc.com/thompson-boat-center and click on Classes! Parking lot is very small but you can park at one of the garages on the waterfront (either the main public garage or the one next to the Swedish Embassy) and just walk down. I've rented a sea kayak here several times, just to paddle around the Potomac or to get better photos of one of the crew regattas from the water vice the crowded dock - the staff is friendly and in addition to providing level-appropriate guidance (including safety requirements!), always willing to answer questions. Another (free) feature - the sunrises are among the more stunning in the D.C. region from TBC's vantage point! And before or afterwards, a leisurely meal at one of the Washington Harbor restaurants. A perfect capstone to a summer or fall outing solo, with family, or with friends! read more

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I rented a kayak from Thompson's for a morning ride around Teddy Roosevelt Island. Anika greeted me warmly and expertly moved me in and out of the water without a single splash. She had a great sense of humor and was very encouraging. The views were incredible and little effort was required in my one-man vessel. To my surprise, the water was very low and (several times) I kayaked into mud flats. I saw a family that pulled their kayaks onto the island, got out, and splashed in the water. They were having so much fun! *Note: I recommend kayaking at sunrise or sunset for an enhanced experience. read more

Really nice facility. The staff are super knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous. During big events I have no idea how they keep the place clean, but they do! read more

If you have yet to see DC from the water, that's just gotta end now. Take off your tie, life's not that serious, and head to Thompson Boat House. Located right off Rock Creek Parkway and the Kennedy center, Thompson Boat Center is one of those rare gems in the city that gets you out of city chaos quickly and relatively I expensively. You can rent single or double kayaks here, and they charge hourly rates- check my pictures for pricing current as of this posting. After a quick check in, where you sign a waiver and deposit your drivers license, you can snag a small locker for 50 cents to store your purse, bike helmet, etc. then grab a life jacket (included with your rental), and head to the dock. Don't forget to bring your yellow receipt like I first did! When I visited, a staffer was wiping out boats, and he greeted me promptly, helped me in to my cute yellow kayak and offered some pointers. Then I was off. Make no mistake- this is a bit of a workout so dress accordingly- sandals with straps, a tank and shorts are perfect. I wouldn't do this in a chiffon dress before drinks at the Ritz. But that's just me! For novices, I suggest hugging the shore a bit, and paddling hard for 5 min then check your location. you can gain serious distance quickly on the water which makes a difference when you're paying by the hour OR you are overly ambitious and forget that you have to paddle back. Off the water, your arms a little sore, there's a great rush from the freedom you gain from the excursion. FYI- kids can boat, too, as long as they're accompanied by an adult in the boat. I hope you check out and enjoy Thompson Boat Center. read more

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I am in LOVE with the concept of nature in the city. Kayaking on a hot day, views of the monument, Arlington sky scrapers, and humongous beautiful stone/steel bridges... It's breath taking. I try to kayak 3 or 4 times a summer, I've tried the competitor kayak company down the street and it was overpriced and crowded. Thompson boat center staff knows what they're doing and are very helpful. They clearly explain to you the kayak boundaries, and tips for having a good time. If you're looking for a way to spend a summer morning, you gotta stop by here, and there's plenty of great restaurants within walking distance after your workout! read more

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I took the 'Learn to Scull' class. $200 for 2 days. The first day the Instructor, Nate, was patient and taught the 5 of us, though we were at varying levels of experience rowing. I enjoyed the first day. The second day, the Instructor, Axel, seemed to take a military approach to the class. He started with a written exam with no warning, then took us out for sculling and seemed very aloof as if he didn't want to be there. He ended the class with the water test. My boat and another student's boat kept overturning, and Axel kept encouraging us to come another day and that he was over his time. The other student and I insisted on finishing, and were finally successful doing so. Sculling seems enjoyable, but I do think the Instructors should be patient with the beginners who have never done this before. read more

The staff are very nice, but the equipment is in desperate need of repair and maintenance. My alumni rowing team is paying a significant amount to use their boat, but it's always missing footboards and seats. The cox boxes either aren't charged or just don't work... and some of the speaker wires are broken. I had to yell and scream commands to my crew when the cox box failed. The coach we hired had to use chewing gum to help attach the fin. We've been paying a lot for the rental so I hope they will make some improvements in the conditions of the equipment... I would like to know that the boat won't fall apart while we're in the middle of the Potomac. read more

I like a lot of things about renting kayaks from the Thompson Boat Center. I like the professional/athletic vibe, the huge stock of boats, and the convenient hours. I like the parking. I just don't like that they are so far down the river, meaning that to get up into the pretty parts of the Potomac you have a lot longer of a haul. Some people might also not like that they don't have stand-up paddleboards. read more

Boating in DC is perfect for boating enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and folks looking for an opportunity to get outside without trekking outside of DC. The location is offers the traditional kayaks, but also sculls boats. It is the hub of high school crew. For those coming during the week, be prepared to move around teams and their boats. There is plenty of space fore everyone, but is a bit different from the other Boating in DC locations. I recommend this activity for all ages and group sizes! You can see the city from a different perspective and enjoy being outside during the hot DC summers! DC Boating is open until October so you have plenty of time to go back again and again! read more

The prices are reasonable They have a lot of different options to choose from The staff is accommodating and super friendly The experience is fun I take away 1 star because they had no AC while in their facility filling out forms and the person that fitted my life jacket did it improperly so it had to be fixed... a mistake that was caught : ) I will say its a little daunting that you have to avoid boats... large boats. If you somehow find yourself in the middle of the water, prepare to be honked at and have to paddle as fast as your arms can handle to get out of the boats way. I will come back again, for sure! read more

Everyone who has dealt with this boat center knows how terrible their communication is. All their emails are defunct, the call center never calls you back, and the center has absolutely no relation to the phone number on file. There is misrepresented information all over and no communication between the boat center and call center. Hydrobikes which have been out of commission for months are neither moved to another location nor taken from the website. Do NOT take the learn to scull or sculling classes. It was the most useless $180 ever spent. They have 1 instructor for 8 people of varying experience levels, and I got maybe 5 minutes of instruction over a whole week class. You should have at most 1 instructor/2 boats as most teams do. The class was useless and expensive. Instead, go to the Capital Rowing Club and take lessons there. This center is disorganized and incredibly infuriating to deal with. Not to mention everything is nonrefundable, regardless of the quality of the product, which is just bad. Stay away from this center if you're looking to get into rowing. You'll get the worst most frustrating experience in the world. read more

I was aggressively spoken to by one of the staff members here. I was on the dock with a friend sitting quietly when a female asked us to get off the dock immediately. We began putting our shoes on. She then told us to "hurry" and at that point I got up with one shoe on to leave the dock. I then left and told the women to have a good day where she responded with a threat saying "you better not make the same mistake again". I have never in my life been spoken to by a staff member of any kind in this manner. I felt threatened and unsure of the source or reason behind her anger in the first place. I will not be returning to this company ever again. read more

I'm gonna be totally candid here. People from my "demographic" aren't exactly famous for kayaking. By demographic, of course I mean short people (wink wink), so I don't know the first thing about kayaking. Ever adventurous, I thought I'd give it a shot anyway and was told to go to Jack's or Thompson. I picked the latter because it was right off Rock Creek Parkway. I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting to feel out of place because I see the crew teams from the local colleges there all the time. I figured it was for expert Olympic Kayakers who enjoy the additional challenge of treading through the microbial experience that is the Potomac River rife with its mutagenic properties a la every science fiction movie. But they were cool. When I asked which one was less likely to flip over and kill me, a canoe or kayak, they told me to go with the kayak. Down on the dock, the guy was patient as I kissed the ground one last time and he gave me a few pointers on how to make it back alive. Two hours later, I was ready to compete in the 2016 Olympics. Calm water (except getting caught in the wake of one of the tour boats that scared the crap out of me), and beautiful scenery made for one memorable experience. At $10/hr or $28/day, I think I'll be back. read more

Awesome place. I was bored on a saturday afternoon and wanted to take advantage of the excellent weather and after searching around I found this place online. You can rent kayaks, canoes or bicycles here. The location is right on the gorgeous georgetown waterfront and there is a parking lot near the boathouse (actually finding parking there seems very difficult though). You can park nearby though in a garage that is 7 dollars all day. After circling around for parking we gave up and went into a garage. My friend and I rented bikes and unfortunately they were out of multispeed bikes. (bikes were $7/hr). The bikes were fine although having to brake by peddling backwards made me slightly fear for my safety hahah. It took a little getting used to and I'd have to say I still prefer the brakes on a multispeed. The location is good because its near lots of trails including the mount vernon trail and you can easily ride around dc. Staff was very friendly. Definitely recommend read more

Marvelous! I went here for my first time this past weekend and I absolutely fell in love. My opinion may be a little bias considering that I do not frequent other kayak places but I don't think it could get simpler than this. This place is perfect for the first time kayak-er, family, or afternoon date. Honestly, gentlemen....ladies would swoon over this kind of summer treat, I highly suggest it. It's super cheap and well worth it on a sunny day. The possibilities are endless, you can go see the monuments, relax under the Key Bridge, or check out all the boats on the waterfront. I recommend you pack a lunch, dock your kayak on Teddy Roosevelt Island and enjoy the afternoon! (Please have you kayak back by 6). read more

This review is for their classes specifically, I can't speak to their rentals (although after my experience I wouldn't bother with either really). I registered my two daughters for their "Learn to Scull" class a few weeks ago, class started this past Tuesday. It's $200 for 4 days of class, 6 hrs of total instruction. That's steep. I'm expecting professionalism and a great class. That's not even remotely what I experienced. It's also interesting that another reviewer paid $180 for a 5 day class just last year around this time. So they've increased the price and reduced the instruction time. I called on Day 1 to ask what my girls would need for class, seeing as the only communication I received was an e-mail receipt that I'd paid for the class (and not even dates of when the class was, just that I'd paid). I'm met with a young lady who says "Um, let me see if they're even still having class," followed by some instructions to wear closed-toed shoes (good to know), wear a mask (covid), and bring water. Got it. We show up, weather stinks, they spend the entire time watching a video, using the rowing equipment, and looking at the sculls for a few minutes. Now while this part might be a touch unfair, I'll just include that I had a really hard time getting to the boat center because Rock Creek Parkway is turned into a one way road at rush hour. My GPS doesn't know this and I scramble all over DC to figure out how to finally get south enough down the parkway that I can actually get in the correct lane to line myself up correctly. 20 extra minutes of driving in circles. There is no other way there but this way. A little communication of that fact would have been SO helpful. Day 2, the weather is REALLY bad. So bad that I've received multiple flash flood warnings on my phone 30 minutes before it's time to go. Trees are coming down. Long story short, I called the center four times in the hour before class. No one answers, voicemail box full. I also tried the option to have someone call me back, no response. 15 minutes before class would have started someone answers my call from the call center and I'm told "Oh no, they closed, class was cancelled, that's why no one is answering the phone." Ok, makes sense, weather really was awful. Day 3, show up for class and ask what the plan is for make-up. I'm greeted with a blank stare and "Oh, um, we HAD class yesterday." I explain my saga. I'm told "Well, we didn't answer the phone because the weather was bad and we were scrambling to get equipment in. We did class inside." Let that sink in. The weather was BAD. I ask why I wasn't called (there are literally four students from two households). I ask what can be done and if I can talk to their management. I'm given an email address. No, I'd like to speak to someone in person or on a phone. This person proceeds to call the manager, walk out of the room, and is gone for several minutes having a conversation that I'm not privy to. She hands me the phone and I ask what this person (Lenni Walters) has already been told and she refuses to tell me. I repeat the exchange and the MANY shortcomings of our experience so far. How are my girls supposed to take the test on Day 4 when they've missed a day? I'm met with a lot of "well, we don't have to call you unless we cancel" and "whelp, you're basically SOL, we don't guarantee they'll pass the class anyway" attitude. It wasn't until after a lot of back and forth and asking for a refund that she offers to have my children completely redo the class another week. This should have been the solution from minute 1. Completely inept way of handling this situation. Shows a real lack of management ability and customer service skills. I've requested a refund and been told they'll "consider it." Unreal. Do yourself a favor and save yourself the trouble of bothering with this company. read more

What a fun place to go on a nice afternoon! They have affordable hourly and daily rentals on boats such as canoes and kayaks, and bikes. The kayaks are $8/hr for a single and $10/hr for a double. They have single ($4/hr) and multi speed bikes ($8/hr). As far as how to pay, you leave your credit card while you're out and then they ring you up when you return so you don't have to estimate how long you'll be out and pay ahead of time. The area is in a great location. If you're out on a boat you have a great view of Georgetown and Foggy Bottom. If you're on a bike, the Arlington Cemetery and a bike trail that goes all the way to Mt. Vernon are within biking distance. The boat house itself is within walking distance of the Foggy Bottom metro, and there is 3-hr parking in a nearby lot. The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is because the service is a little disorganized. They seemed overwhelmed by the Memorial Day business and couldn't handle all the customers very well. They had a mixup over which boats were out, and ended up promising double kayaks to at least 3 groups of people, myself included, when none were available. Luckily, we were able to straighten this out at the dock when we went down to get our boat, by getting two single kayaks instead, and they did not charge extra. But if we had been set on a double kayak, we would have had to wait much longer. As I haven't been here on a regular weekend, I can only say that this was because of the holiday rush. Hopefully I'll be back to find out! read more

Thompson Boat Center is essentially a 4-star experience, but since sculling (rowing where each person has two oars) is probably my all-time favorite way to see D.C., I'll give TBC the bump-up to five stars. You simply cannot find better views of the District than on the Potomac via kayak or shell. Conveniently located off Rock Creek Parkway, with easy access to Virginia, and just outside most of Georgetown's bustle, Thompson's location cannot be beat. I took the beginners' learn-to-scull class, a five-day program, this summer. I've always been taken by the mystique of rowing, but never put the oars to water, until taking the class. If you are considering the course, I recommend following Cyra O.'s advice (http://bit.ly/IG2yym), and signing up for the novice class for the very next week. Unfortunately, I chose to see if I liked it first (I did), and then thanks to scheduling conflicts and the apparent popularity and demand for the classes, never ended up signing up for the novice class this season. You snooze, you lose. Next year, though! Don't make my mistake: Sign up early. Though pretty quick to pick up most sports, sculling was a challenge, but by the end of the class I felt competent enough to take a shell out on my own. (Note: You cannot take a shell out at Thompson unless you've demonstrated your skills, by the learn-to-scull class, or another arrangement.) I was by no means proficient, or land or take off from the dock gracefully, but can get around in a "tub" shell (read: not the sleek, narrow, fancy shells rowed by those of more experience or prowess). Thankfully, when you take one of Thompson's classes, you can buy a discounted drop-in card to continue your skills. I was able to get a five-row pass for $60. The other drop-in cards require a bigger financial commitment (and are designed for way more than five rows). If you can't get in the novice class, this is a good way to maintain your skills, on your schedule. An added bonus: The staff at Thompson is really nice, and doesn't judge you for selecting a tub, or on the inadequacies of your take-offs or landings. Out of curiosity, I researched other East Coast sculling locales (Boston, Philadelphia, Annapolis, and Richmond) and found that most places either charged way more than $150 for a beginner's class, or even more expensive and often, required you to be proficient in sweep rowing (each person, one oar, on alternating sides of the shell) before being allowed to learn sculling. In town, it seems other places offer sculling, but on a private lesson basis. All in all, D.C. is pretty lucky to have TBC in its backyard. If you've ever been wondering how to row, Thompson is definitely the place to learn. read more

For $15 you can take out an ultra sturdy "sea" kayak for an hour. If you want a workout that is challenging because your boat is a big heavy sturdy box, this is the place to go! That said, I am not sure that Jack's down the road can do better for you. They did appear to have newer shinier big sturdy box boats. All that said, I saw multiple lesser heron, a big group of male wood ducks, several families of mamma ducks and ducklings and canada geese and goslings. I also observed a dudes who bike to the woods and drink beer together along the Potomac culture. So it was totally worth the $15 and the annoyingly heavy boat. Favorite part of the trip, after the wood ducks: the two guys with their dog in a canoe. The dog was wearing a life jacket. Other info: Yes, you can park a car nearby, or lock up your bike in front of the boathouse. They have lockers that can be used for two quarters, spacious handicap accessible sex segregated single bathrooms, and workers at the dock to help you in and out of your boat. Instructions and safety concerns are minimal, a plus for me, but maybe not for you. read more

First came to Thompson Boat Center in search of a place to get in some rowing with a former crew teammate... sadly they told us our team rowing experience didn't count as training and if we wanted to take out a rowing shell, we'd have to take one of their courses. Well, I never went back for the class... mainly due to my schedule... the thought of waking up in the wee hours of the morning to go row (and pay to row) was just not appealing (how I made it through college with 4am practice, I do not know). I did, however, go back to do some kayaking. The kayaking is great for either an individual activity, with a date, or with a group. I went once with a group and we packed a picnic lunch to eat after our kayaking 'workout.' Great place and reasonable kayak rental rates. They also rent bikes but haven't yet tried that out. read more

TBC manager and staff are top notch hosts for water sports on the Potomac. Everything from sculling shells to kayaks to canoes and paddle boards are available for rent. Several great rowing clubs. TBC has it all. See you on the water! read more

Most awesome time I've had outdoors in D.C. This is open until the end of october so take advantage of this beautiful fall weather to rent a kayak! I rented a kayak with my friend ($17/hr) which holds 2 people, and so it was extremely affordable and easy! We got in and had a wonderful time. We got there in the afternoon, and so we had to wait a little bit as all of their boats were out at the time. However, if you go early in the morning, you may be in luck and won't have to wait. There is also a bathroom if you need it/to change your clothes, and a locker for you to put your stuff in - only $0.50. VERY cheap, affordable, efficient, and overall awesome for a fun afternoon or morning out. So beautiful! read more

What was I thinking to wait so many years after moving to the area to canoe in the Potomac?! Thompson Boat Center was exactly what I was looking for -- a relatively cheap place to rent a canoe that's not too difficult to get to by public transit. (We took the red line to Farragut North, then the Circulator to 30th and Whitehurst Fwy, which is not actually a freeway there.) I saw other posters note that if you don't rent early you will likely not get a boat. However, we rented at 2:30 p.m. on a Sunday in July and there were still two canoes left when we got there. (They may've been out of kayaks, though.) Also, people bring them back throughout the day. I'm sure it's still advisable to call in advance and know there's a risk that they will be out when you get there, especially if you don't go early. The rates were $12/hour for a canoe (with partial hour pricing, too), and $24 for all day. Life vests were included. It's nice and close to Roosevelt Island, which was nice to picnic on (though I believe there was some poison ivy there). There is a lot of air traffic, especially right in that area of the river -- both helicopters and airplanes from DCA -- which was a bit annoying. But, overall it was a lovey way to spend the afternoon and I have no complaints about the rental place. We saw two turtles and a beautiful great blue heron. read more

The website is accurate in terms of hours and pricing. I opted for a single kayak ($15/hour) so my friends could share the double since they were sisters ($20/hour). We were told it would take an hour to kayak around Theodore Roosevelt Island, so between checking in, changing shoes, and getting in and out of the kayaks and of course, the kayaking itself, it took an hour. It's expensive but a great way to enjoy the weather. Next time I'll probably try the daily rate of $40/day. Kayaking around the island, I felt like we were in a rush to make the journey and get back without having to go over. I'm not sure what would happen if we had taken the rentals out for an hour and fifteen minutes, for example. Would we have been charged more? The guys helping us get in and out of the kayaks were really nice and great. They kept the kayaks steady and helped me load and unload my bag. They do have restrooms in the boat center, and there are canoes, bikes, and sculls for rent as well. I might rent a bike from here next time for $30/day. It's nicer than having to worry about going over 30 minutes and paying more on the Capital Bikeshare program. Then again, finding a place for your rented bike is more of a chore than using Capital Bikeshare.... read more

Embarrassing side note: I've lived in D.C. for just over a year and had no idea I could just take a stroll from the Foggy Bottom metro to the banks of the Potomac and take out a kayak for the day! So thank you Samantha Brown for featuring D.C. in your weekend getaways show! The staff at Thompson Boat Center is friendly, the prices are affordable ($10/h for a double kayak), and equipment seems to be in great condition. There are small coin-operated lockers for valuables but there are only about 12 of them. You can also request for a kayak with a waterproof compartment. They seem to be really busy on the weekends, but don't be discouraged by the long line. They'll take down your name if they're out of whatever it is that you requested but you won't have to wait too long. There's a small patch of grass overlooking the river, where you can lay down and catch some rays. For anyone who's yet to experience this part of D.C., I highly recommend it. You will gain a new appreciation for the District! read more

I really enjoyed myself this past Saturday. Great location literally at the Georgetown waterfront. I loved the views to the monuments and how relaxing it was so just spend the day rowing, or just laying back to tan when I needed a break. There are many Kayaks and bikes etc. The only problems I faced were that there was only ONE double Kayak and its was 1 pm, so get there early. I got mean mugged by some guy and his brother bc I took the last one. Being that they cut in front of me and I made it a point so that I could get that ONE dbl Kayak. Its only fair if they cut in line. Also, crew Kayak teams are there, even the weekends. It was pretty annoying having to get yelled at from the coach because we were in their way while trying to get back to the dock. other than that, the prices are okay: $20 for an hour, $40 for two, and $45 all day $15 for a single kayak one hour. read more

Grab a kayak from here if you want to get a nice view of the memorials and monuments. Go to Keybridge Boathouse if you want to go down the river! read more

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I visited this place roughly 8 years ago and enjoyed miles of biking on the Capital Crescent trail. Fast forward to 2018, and Thompson boat center is mostly focused on boating activities. The bike selection is poorest at best, more expensive than years ago ($6/hr to $11/hr), and single gear bikes only. However, because of it's very convenient location I recommend using Thompson. read more

See D.C. at water level. Thompson is one of those places you intend to try for ages and then you finally do go and then you want to go every day. TBC is a no-frills boat rental place. Their kayaks are well worn (to put it politely). Who cares? TBC is cheap and easy walking distance from Foggy Bottom Metro. (Or at least, if you don't think the walk from FB to TBC is easy, why are you planning to spend a couple of hours in a kayak?) I finally got to see the 3 Sisters up close and Georgetown from an entirely new angle. Added bonus, there are no grouchy people on the water. (The snakeheads get them. Honest!) read more

After having so many friends from out of town visit DC and seeing the same museums and monuments every time, I decided to get creative and I started bringing people here for a truly different DC experience. Compared to other rental places on the Potomac, this is the cheapest, though I believe the prices fluctuate by season. Of the few times I went, the people were always really patient and helpful and at least once cut me a break on coming back a little bit over the hour without charging for two. You can rent kayaks and canoes for one two people and they also rent bikes. The views out on the river are great and it's a really peaceful activity for a weekend afternoon. On occasion, you'll see the crew teams from the universities practicing out there, and you'll feel bad about your own rowing abilities but it'll be fun to watch. read more

BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. One of their employees scolded me for wanting to rent a hydrobike because employees shouldn't have to carry them down to the water. And she tells me this while she's at the front desk eating spaghetti out of a Tupperware bowl and spilling it on her employee uniform. Very awkward. And also the "last boat out" times advertised online, and even confirmed on the phone, are NOT RELIABLE. I burned an hour going to the boathouse and learning that the times I was told online and on the phone were not correct, so wasn't able to rent. It's unfortunate they are like this because it's so close to my house. Will have to strongly consider just buying my own kayak for next season. read more

Excellent boat rental company! I rented a tandem kayak ($17/hr) this morning and had a great time. Taking the advice of other reviews, we got there at 8:30 on Sunday morning (they opened at 8) and there were plenty of kayaks available. The guy behind the desk was helpful and there were lockers ($0.50 each, bring quarters!) to put our stuff in while we were on the water. The workers at the dock got our boat ready, told us our boundaries and off we went. We spent about 2 hours on the water and they charged us for an hour and a half, which was nice. Everything about the day was great and we will definitely be heading back there on another sunny Sunday morning! read more

Beautiful location but the woman at the check in does not know service with a smile. She was very cold and somewhat rude when barking order to potential patrons. I won't be coming back here. read more

(Note: I've updated my review; see last paragraph.) Negative experience all around. We're DC natives and wanted to take our friends from out of town on a bike ride up toward Alexandria. We looked online for bikes and opted for Thompsons because it was close, even though it was more expensive than other options. We got down there and rented six "multigear" bikes for $25 each. The first thing I noticed is that the "multigear" bikes were 7-speed beachcombers, not 21-speed mountain bikes as I was used to. OK, I figured-- there's not that many hills in DC. The second thing I noticed was that my chain popped right off my gears just by shifting around the parking lot. A properly adjusted derailer won't do that, but I figured I could deal with it. In general the bikes looked cheap, had some wear and weren't being well maintained. But-- we were there already, so we took them. I should say also that there wasn't much of an attempt at any sort of customer service; the attendants were surly and seemed somewhat annoyed that we wanted bikes that fit us. When we asked for helmets, instead of looking they told us (repeatedly) that helmets weren't required in DC. That's nice, but that's not what we asked. We ended up only getting three helmets because that's all they had. Then it got worse. One of us slipped our chain within a mile; then my girlfriend discovered that the gear shifter on her bike was broken and wouldn't "hold" a gear. We switched and I had to ride the whole way holding the shifter in place with my hand. After we got to Alexandria we realized no one had a lock (yes, I should have asked) and so we had to carefully secure them while we looked around. Realizing that we were running short on time, we called the Boat Center to ask if we had any margin of error to the 6pm deadline. Yes, they said-- until we walk out the door for the day, then we call the police and report all the bikes stolen. Oh. We hurried back and this time someone's chain actually BROKE. In two. It's pretty tough to break a chain; it's got to be cheap, old, or poorly maintained. My friend called me on my cell phone and told us they would call the boathouse and have someone come out and pick them up. We continued on and made it back; the first thing someone said was "You're late." Duh; I called and told you that 30 minutes ago. I asked if they had sent someone to pick up my friend and they looked around in bewilderment. I recounted the story and finally they found someone who knew something. Except-- "We're not picking her up. She's taking the metro." WHAT? Your crappy bike breaks down and you don't even have the decency to pick someone up-- instead expecting them to lug the POS on the metro, pay the metro fare, and drag the lifeless corpse back to the waterfront? I demanded that someone go out and pick her up; they refused. Apparently they depend on the personal transportation options of their employees to conduct their business, and no one had a car that day. Then the manager had the gall to tell me (again and again) that they hadn't charged me for the defective bike. Yes, you did, I told him. No we didn't, he told me. Yes you did, I told him-- look at the receipt and do the math. He kept insisting I wasn't accounting for tax-- this was all while his own employee was telling him that he DID charge me for the defect. Nothing like telling your customers they are WRONG WRONG WRONG. Finally he broke out a calculator ($25 times six? Come on....) and refunded me the one bike (not the one with the broken shifter, of course). I know what you're thinking. An apology? Nooo.... in response to my comment about the broken chain, I got told that as far as they were concerned it could be MY fault since for all they knew, we were "jumping curbs and stuff." (This is a 45-year old mother of two we're talking about here.) A******s. At this point I'd had enough and demanded that someone go down to the metro to meet my friend and get the bike. The surly underlings (of course) refused, but I demanded to see the manager and he reluctantly agreed. What a crappy experience. My only consolation is that I never have to go there again and now that you've read all this, neither do you. Update: I just found out Thompsons charged my credit card twice for the same rentals. Why, oh why, can I not give this place 0 stars? Second Update: Once I contacted Thompsons about the faulty charge, someone contacted me and said all the right things, as well as helped refund my money. I can't say I'll go back, but there's obviously someone there with some sense of customer service and I have to give them some credit for that. read more

I am writing strictly about the learn to row beginner sculling class, which costs $150. The learn to row class is 5 days and only 4 of them are on the water. I did sweep rowing years ago and i was able to pick up sculling, but i felt sorry for the real newbies who struggled mightily and got very discouraged. I think the price is very fair for what you get -- a small class with 2 coaches. It's just that you should be realistic about what your proficiency level will be if you just take the one class. My advice if you have never rowed before is to schedule the beginner course one week, and then the "novice" class (which is the next level of skill) for the very next week so you really can get up to speed to take out a boat on your own read more

The kayaks were fine and the staff was great. I thoroughly enjoyed my day on the river. I posted on the yelp photos of the beautiful scenery. read more

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For years, my husband and I have been renting canoes at Fletcher's Boat House (up the river, toward the American Legion Bridge), which is great, if you're looking for serenity and not to see the sights of Georgetown. Then, a couple years ago, we discovered Jack's Boat House, which is on K Street under Whitehurst Freeway. That place has an awesome location, but the prices are RIDICULOUS! I just want to row a canoe for a couple hours, not sit around in their fancy multi-colored Adirondack chairs and have a BBQ using their grill. Just rent me the damn canoe, people--all the "fluff" I can live without. $14 per person PER HOUR is highway robbery. I hope Jack is living the high life because he's robbing his customers blind! So, we just found Thompson's and we never ever knew that people from the general public could rent canoes there (we thought that place was just for the Crew teams from GW and Georgetown to use). Thompson's is the place to be, and it's still in the heart of Georgetown so you can see the sights and go over to Roosevelt Island for a picnic. We will be going to Thompson's forever more. For $24, you can rent a canoe for the ENTIRE DAY (versus Jack's for $28/hour). Jack can kiss it - he just lost two very good--and frequent--customers! read more