Whether you want to see all of D.C. and Northern Virginia’s most historic landmarks or simply take your pet out to sea this summer, these cruises will get you there.
Boomerang Family Fun Treasure Hunt Cruises
Where You Go: Roaming the Potomac River looking for lost treasure
What You Get: Hunt for treasure along the Potomac. As pirates try to take on the boat, you can shoot at them with water cannons. Once the battle is won, celebrate with pirate music, dancing, limbo, face-painting and, of course, treasure.
Who It’s For: Little pirates
Odyssey Cruises
Where You Go: Starting at the Wharf and heading to Jefferson Memorial with views of the other iconic D.C. memorials, cruising under four bridges that span the Potomac—Francis Scott Key, Roosevelt, Arlington Memorial and the 14th Street bridges—with alternate routes going to Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor
What You Get: Live music and fine dining all from a glass-enclosed ship
Who It’s For: More luxe pals
National River Tours
Where You Go: Setting off from the Washington Harbor in Georgetown, the boat floats along the river with an in-depth history lesson on each of the nation’s memorials and landmark buildings
What You Get: Live narrated cruise along the Potomac River
Who It’s For: History buffs
Key Bridge Boathouse
Where You Go: Anywhere you want along the Potomac River—Georgetown waterfront, Roosevelt Island, C&O canal—for rentals or join a cherry blossom tour, a sunrise paddle or yoga practice, stand-up paddleboard yoga or fitness class, daytime monument tour, full-moon paddles or twilight paddles
What You Get: Rentals for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and hydrobiking
Who It’s For: Active
participants
Potomac Riverboat Company Canine Cruise
Where You Go: Set sail from the Alexandria City Marina and cruise around the Alexandria seaport
What You Get: One-hour sightseeing tour along the Alexandria coastline with your furry friends in tow
Who It’s For: Furry friends
Embark DC
Where You Go: Launches from Georgetown waterfront and features iconic sites down the Potomac River along Old Town or Mount Vernon
What You Get: Private, customized cruises for up to six passengers
Who It’s For: Private parties
Trolley Pub Arlington
Where You Go: Peddle along Clarendon roads and stop in some of the area’s restaurants like Bar Bao, Don Tito, Oz Restaurant, Iota Back Alley and more
What You Get: A leg workout (you are the power behind the engine) and specials at 10 Clarendon restaurants
Who It’s For: Land lovers
Ferry It Around
Don’t want to spend all day on the waters? Just take a quick jaunt around or to and from your destination.
Potomac Riverboat Company
- Alexandria to National Harbor
- Alexandria to the National Mall
- Alexandria to Nationals Park
George Washington’s Mount Vernon by Water Cruise aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon
Take a round-trip cruise or a one-way hop to George Washington’s home. You get a narrated tour and, since you depart from Washington, D.C. a look at all the historic landmarks. All cruises include admission to Mount Vernon.
Alexandria by Water Seaport Cruise
Visit places along Alexandria’s waterfront, like Founders Park, the Old Yacht Basin, Admiral’s Row, Jones Point Lighthouse and more during a 40-minute narrated tour.
