This is definitely a unique fun way to visit the famous Mount Vernon. It's $50 per person and an…read moreoptional extra $10 for a breakfast buffet (eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pastries, croissants, OJ/coffee/tea.) I recommend the breakfast option if you have a good appetite and it's a good deal. Mount Vernon has a food court and restaurant in their visitor center, but nothing special. The $50 includes the round trip ferry cruise, admission and mansion tour of Mount Vernon. The cruise leaves at 8:30a and takes 1.5 hours to reach Mount Vernon as it passes through the Potomac River. Throughout the ride, there is some commentary about some sites we pass by. You arrive at Mount Vernon at 10a and have to meet back at the port by 1:15p, leave by 1:30p and return back to DC by 3:00p. I thought it was a good amount of time to tour the mansion and explore Mount Vernon grounds, along with the visitor center that has a George Washington exhibit. Highly recommend the Spirit cruise!

I don't know what some people's beef was with this cruise line. it was an awesome way to visit…read moremount Vernon from dc. Taking a tour bus cost roughly $100, and this was only $45 regular price- I was able to get a promo code online which made it about $40. You have to pick up your paper tickets at the dock before you board around 815. Then you set sail around 830 and arrive at mount Vernon at approx 1000 am It's about a half mile up to the house from the docks, but there's stuff to see along the way. You can also catch a shuttle that runs every so often. You get about 3.5 hours on the grounds to explore. I've heard some people say this isnt enough time - I can kind of see where they are coming from. Mount Vernon is huge! But for me personally, I felt it was enough time to hit the high lights. They served food (I had a breakfast sandwich) and drinks (including alcohol) on the boat for a fee. My coffee and sandwich was under $5 which seemed very fair. The bottom two decks are enclosed and the top is open - view from the open top deck is worth it. you pass lots of sights like national harbor, fort Washington, Alexandria, etc I went more towards the off season so in summer I can see it being packed. In fall it was not so busy that you felt crowded but not so empty that it felt weird. The boat leaves from 600 water st. I highly recommend!

We had wonderful service by Andrew who kept our mimosas following and wonderful views of the…read morePotomac. The DJ kept the vibes going during the cruise. The food was alright, a standard brunch buffet, we were there more for the views and mimosas. Kudos the manager who got us a great table with a view

We went valentines day 2026. ill cut tot the chase... the cruise was from 7-930 pm. We got seated…read morequickly however we didn't get served until close to eight. Some people were just getting their meal at 8:45. There were two DJs one to the left of the boat and one to the right. Unfortunately, we ended up on the the right with the DJ that played music so old and slow I could almost smell the mold off of the album covers The sad part about this was there was a mixed age group on the right side. The couple next to me were clearly in their early 20s I am mid 50s even still, none of us could identify with these old slow songs the DJ was playing. The dessert came literally when we were pulled back into port. The complimentary roses they advertised were extremely wilted. My total package cost was over $530 dollars and I felt as though what they delivered did not live up to what they advertised. Thank Goodness for the lovely lady sitting across from me who detracted from what surely would have been a disappointing evening.

The National Ferry Corporation runs a cherry blossom boat ride out of the Washington Marina this…read moreseason. The parking - not free, and no entry unless you have a key card (though why post public rates?). If you try to get here via GPS, note that the entry point is at the north end of the marina - GPS will lead to you to the middle (which is a good long block walk South). Dock hands are short with people, though not employed by the Marina, I think, but the NFC? Street parking is difficult but easier to deal with than the marina parking lot (for members only). Or walk from a farther off lot.

I chose this cruise because it was being offered on groupon, it was a okay cruise for the…read morediscounted price. I took my girlfriend on it and she liked it. BE ADVISED the parking situation is TERRIBLE, they don't tell you this but the $15 parking they advertise is FALSE, they do not let ANYONE park on "their" parking lot. *As an alternative I recommend looping around and parking on the meter's directly across the street*, do not bother parking near the marina, it's dirty and unsafe. I was really unhappy with the parking situation because if you don't find parking near by you'll end up paying minimum $10 just for parking. There are two cruises Cherry Blossom Cruise and Sunset Cruise, we chose that one because it's longer with 90 minutes on the water and 30 minutes return time. It was better than expected in terms going close to the air port (it was cool seeing planes take off and land) and some other historical monuments. Although we didn't see anything very significant such as the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorial. Snacks, drinks, and alcohol were available on board. You will not find any main course meals but light amenities are available. Overall it was an okay cruise, but with the weird parking situation something is definitely up with this company.

One ride with a transfer and and setting foot in three key stations should be enough for a review…read moreof Washington D.C.'s Metro system (operated by WMATA in concert with a bus system). I guessed that this rapid rail system was inaugurated after the Bay Area's BART and before Atlanta's MARTA. That was the case, with it being inaugurated in the bicentennial year while BART kicked off in 1972 and MARTA in 1979. Some people are weird about using public transit. If the entire route might be very sketchy, I can see why one might avoid it. However, if transiting between major business and governmental hubs, and especially during daylight hours, I don't understand why someone would not use it. My Washington D.C. Metro trip was on the cheap, augmenting an earlier cheap experience that same day. In coming in from Virginia's Hampton Roads area into the nation's capital on Amtrak, grandiose Union Station is the place one gets off the train. Parts of Union Station are not sufficiently modernized, so struggle some, go the distance, and find the entrance to the Metro station located there. WMATA has single ride and day passes. Like BART and MARTA, cards with magnetic strips are needed to get in and out of your first and last station. The trains are punctual and surprisingly clean. The rolling stock definitely looks like that of the BART or MARTA era, except that the sides are slightly tapered upward, which gives them a sleeker look. Having always gone into the District with a rented car or someone else's, hunting for street parking was what is was all about! But that was a while ago and the District keeps getting busier. While I appreciate the grandeur of D.C., it's not my kind of town. That said, I've seen many photos of Washington's Metro, with most of them focused on the subway station at Union Station. I thought that this was a unique design and looked like it might be of the scale of Atlanta's Peachtree Center station. It is anything but that, being a lot "cozier" in scale, and that same template is used in many of their subway stations. But it's not a bad design, because, in addition to doing its job, manages to look '70s and space age at the same time. In addition to electronic boards telling you which trains are due, a unique feature is the lighting in the pavement that signals when a train is coming in and how to board it. The system's layout looks serpentine. I'm sure there's a logic to that. It might have to do with two rivers merging in this area and streets that are rarely gridded in the larger area. In Atlanta, there are many narrow winding streets; however, they superimposed a cruciform layout for their rapid transit system while, in the D.C. area, they did not. That means more that more familiarization is needed, which would require using it regularly. Most tourists won't get to that level that easily. There are 6 lines, all of which come into D.C., and then continue to service adjacent Virginia and Maryland. One thing that might make it more understandable is that 3 of the lines seem to share a trunk through an important swath of the District. In other cities, the main subway station is often under the main train station. Here, Union Station is but a stop on one line, with Metro Center and L'Enfant Plaza being the most important (transfer) stations. Still, the Metro goes to almost all of the historic landmarks and sites, key governmental buildings, and a number of colleges, one of which - the University of Maryland - is outside the District yet in its service area. Not that I had time, as I was headed to DCA Airport, but I noticed that Metro trains do not go to Georgetown, which might have to do with the topography and many green spaces in the Northwest quadrant of the District. The closest Metro station is at Dupont Circle and, from there, one can take a bus, a taxi, or a rideshare. If not oppressively humid or wintry, the remainder is walkable. I might have given WMATA 3 stars because of the ongoing delays in opening the Silver line to Dulles Airport (IAD), the large international hub airport for the metropolitan area. Much like how Denver's mega airport had teething problems with their then new baggage conveying system, the signaling and control system on newer stations was among the last things to create hiccups and they had to postpone acceptance of the project and opening up the Dulles Airport station, which had been sitting there looking ready to go. With the Silver line now open to IAD and beyond, and the ease of getting the DCA, I'll go with 4 stars. It might be fun to use the system to explore some key sites in D.C. and its surroundings, but that would depend on if and when I'm in that area again.

I like riding the metro. As someone who grew up near DC and moved to NoVA the Metro has been a…read moreconvenience for me in terms of getting around DC so I don't have to deal with hectic drivers or traffic. I've been riding this public transit nt entire life. However the last five weeks have been such a headache from WMATA's customer service that it's really made me consider if I need to just suck it up and drive into DC or take the bus. I used the SmartTrip app to reload my MetroCard and for over a MONTH the funds have been "pending". I called WMATA customer service, I emailed them multiple times, and even reached out to their official Reddit account. And I've been ignored, invalidated, gaslit a couple times, and some instances I've been disrespected by staff that clearly didn't want to be at work. I've always come with a level head but firm tone given how many times I've contacted WMATA and they have not resolved my issue. I'm irate and feel very disrespected and expected more from WMATA. As of 04/17 this issue still hasn't been resolved.

Great experience with lots of views and stops to hop off and look around and visit. The tour was…read moreabout 2 hours for 40$. It's a bit confusing at the dock so make sure you get on the right boat unlike us who mistakenly got on the wrong boat and missed our tours of historic places . The ride was still beautiful. We stopped at three different locations before returning back to base. Drinks are optional for purchase down in main floor of boat along with restrooms and indoor seating.

I really enjoyed the City Cruise water taxi. The trip was very smooth-- on time, and easy to find…read more The views of the river were really relaxing, and I felt comfortable the whole time! You can sit either indoor or outdoor on the Boat. If you are indoor, remember to wear a mask. There is also a bathroom on the boat, as well as a snack counter. This is a fun experience for out-of-towners, but also something that took me quite a while to try as a local! Definitely a great experience to take a day trip to Mt. Vernon this way, which is what I did. Pros: Easy to find: The boat is bright yellow and says "water taxi" in black letters on it. It is impossible to miss it, I would think! Very helpful for the directionally challenged! I boarded at the Wharf, but I know that there are numerous stops. Quick Onboarding: Getting on-board was a very quick process. It is advised by the company that you arrive 15 minutes early, and I can see why, because the water taxi quickly boarded folks and took off punctually. I was able to book the trip online, and received a QR code, which I showed to a man with a scanner who was boarding people on the boat. Sooth trip: Overall, the trip was very calm and smooth. We made good speed, but nothing super fast, as there were many paddle boarders and kayakers on the water. I am sure that the bumpiness or smoothness of the ride is largely out of anyone's control, and more dependent on the weather, but my ride sure was relaxing! Fun facts, but not too many!: As you make your way on the water, the speaker shares a few fun facts about buildings that you pass, and some history on the land you see. I thought that the amount of information provided was good-- enough for me to learn something new, but not annoying or nonstop. Space: The water taxi that I boarded, which left around 8:30, was crowded but not overwhelmingly so. I actually found a spot near the bottom entrance of the boat, which was a pretty unique place to sit, and extremely comfy! No one else was really too close to me aside from the friend I traveled with, so I felt I had good space! Transport to fun places!: I took the water taxi from the DC Wharf, to Mt. Vernon-- the trip was about 80 minutes each way, and made stops all along the way. I could have also gotten off in Old Town, Alexandria, for example! This is a unique way of visiting these spots for a reasonable price. For what it's worth, Mt. Vernon was awesome too! Cons: - The confirmation emails that I received after booking online were a bit confusing, just in how they were organized and worded. As I read the email, it seemed that it was listing my initial departure time incorrectly. Eventually I figured out what the email intended to say, and was able to access my QR code, but I did have a little initial confusion there.

My group had an amazing time with Hipstoricdc. Carlos was a great tour guide. Thanks for a fun…read morefilled adventure Carlos!!!!

During my recent trip to Washington DC and Virginia for a sister's weekend, we spent the day with…read moreCarlos from Hipstoricdc. From start to finish everything about our day was perfection. From the moment Carlos picked us up in his amazing vehicle, until he dropped us off later on in the day, we made the most fabulous memories together! His attention to detail was amazing. He opened and closed our doors. He escorted us into each winery. He communicated with the winery staff to make certain we were situated. He took pictures of the day, which he shared with us later. He provided a lovely charcuterie snack for us. He was a wealth of knowledge about wines and wine making and the history of the area and the beautiful vistas. As you can see, I could go on and on!! I have already recommended Carlos and Hipstoricdc to others!! Thank you Carlos for such an amazing experience!

Y'all better come get you one of these . . . it's a voyage to opulence!!!…read more When I tell you S&S Charters knows how to put on a show!!!! Captain Shane and the crew ushered us onto this beautiful vessel, gave us a tour of the multiple seating options (including two outdoor-front of the catamaran-seating areas, and an indoor oasis with kitchen and restrooms- fit for about 12-13 people), curated a scenic tour of the Harbor and open waters, AND kept the music going!! And...plus...also...if you decided not to bring your own food (which you can do) there is an option to have a private chef on board (which we did )! AND I CAN'T skip the Birthday Package they had set up!! The baloons, the lights, the cake, the libations!!!! Now I think we have universally banned the use of the word "moist" unless it's related to a cake...but I'm going to use it because it's related to the cake! Delicious! I sliced it up before we ended our trip and everyone was more than satisfied. When you go on your outing tell Captain Shane I said, "Hi" ‍!!!

If you want to catch a vibe while witnessing the breathtaking views of Baltimore then you…read moreabsolutely should book this veteran-owned boat company. They have great pricing, exceptional service, and plenty of space. This is perfect for a bachelorette party, a romantic date, or hanging with your friends as this company provides extras such as party packages, a photographer and a private chef. Book this charter NOW so you can turn up on the water this summer.

Food is palatable. Food is palatable. Nice atmosphere. Senic service. Drinks are drinkable.read more

We paid too much for the worst experience ever! We arrived at the pier at 10:30 am. Although there…read morewere long lines and boarding was suppose to start at 11 am with an 11:30 am departure, they didn't start boarding until 11:20 am and we departed at 12 pm. We paid $233 (plus $30 for 2 glasses of wine) for a guaranteed window table. The windows were dirty and above shoulder level. Because of crowded tables, loud music, & pore acoustics, we couldn't carry on a conversation. Even our smart watches warned us about loud noise. The food was mediocre and the service was poor. We had to ask 4 times to pay for our wine. The boat traveled in circles and there was very little notable scenery (i.e., only Fells Point, distant Washington Monument, Anacostia Bridge). Save your money and avoid this tourist trap!

This was worth every penny! Finding the starting location was easy and only a block from a metro…read morestop. A staff member made sure bikes were the correct height and we were introduced to our tour guide. He was very helpful in navigating the city, making sure our group of 4 stayed together and was very knowledgeable. He was happy to let us walk around sites on our own and took pictures for us. If a memorial or location was blocked and we could see it, he adding something else in to make it worth our time and money. Excellent tour and a really fast way to get around and see everything in 3 hours!

Great experience . Bikes were very comfortable. We would totally use his Viking company again never…read morewent back to Washington.

As always, DCAcar is our go-to transportation partner due to their exceptional customer service and…read morereliability. We experienced issues with our corporate credit card during several recent bookings, and the DCAcar team was incredibly gracious in honoring the rides to ensure our executives arrived where they needed to be without disruption. As of this morning, the credit card issue has been resolved, and we're especially grateful to partner with such an outstanding family-owned transportation company that consistently provides top-notch service and truly cares for its customers.

The best driver experience we have ever had! Knew the city so well and was a wealth of…read moreinformation. Would highly recommend. Our driver was Kevin.