Capitol River Cruises · Washington Harbour, Georgetown
A 45-minute narrated cruise on the Potomac aboard the Nightingales, from Georgetown's Washington Harbour down past the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument to the 14th Street bridges and back. Pick it for the memorials in the evening light from the water, with a drink in hand.
The boat is the Nightingales, and it leaves from Capitol River Cruises at 3050 Water St NW, on the Georgetown waterfront at Washington Harbour. It heads south down the Potomac under the Key Bridge, past the Watergate, Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Kennedy Center, then the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington House on the far bank, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial, as far as the 14th Street bridges, where it turns back. The ride is narrated and lasts 45 minutes.
This one is a cross-sell on a night-tours site for a reason: it shows the memorials you will see on foot later from a side you don't get on the Mall, low on the water as the light goes golden. There is no time on foot at the memorials; you stay on board. The Kennedy Center's main building has been closed for renovation since July 2026, so enjoy it from the river as you pass. A bar and light snacks are on sale, there are restrooms on board, and you cannot bring your own alcohol, per the listing.
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure. Cruises run rain or shine, and the listing says the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. Food, drinks and gratuity are not included. Washington Harbour has restaurants and shops around it, which makes dinner on the waterfront an easy next step.
Check in at Capitol River Cruises, 3050 Water St NW, 15 minutes before departure.
The boat heads south past the Key Bridge, the Watergate and Theodore Roosevelt Island.
The Kennedy Center, then the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Memorial Bridge, with Arlington House across the river.
Past the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial to the 14th Street bridges, then the boat turns.
The return leg in the last light, back to Washington Harbour.
★★★★★It was perfect! We had a great time, and it was a beautiful evening with great views of the capital!
★★★★★It was wonderful!!!! we really enjoyed it. We did the 8pm one, the breeze felt amazing. They explained all the history and we took such beautiful pictures. [...] It’s 100% worth it.
★★★★★Relaxing and scenic. Crew members were very personable.
★★★★★There were 8 of us in our group and we all enjoyed this experience. It was in our top excursions of our trip to the DC area.
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45 minutes, per the listing, from Georgetown's Washington Harbour to the 14th Street bridges and back.
The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial, plus the Kennedy Center, the Watergate and Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Yes. There is a fully stocked bar with light snacks for purchase. You cannot bring your own alcohol, per the listing.
Capitol River Cruises, 3050 Water St NW, at Washington Harbour in Georgetown. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.
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The memorials and the Kennedy Center from the Potomac at sunset.
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