Have you ever been on an open top, double decker tour bus? They are so much fun when visiting a city and you want to see as many sites as you can in a short time! This Labor Day weekend, my family and I took one for the first time in Washington DC aboard the hop-on hop-off sightseeing BIG BUS.
When we visited Arlington, VA earlier in the year, we didn’t get a chance to use our vouchers due to Mother Nature not being on our side. However, this weekend the weather was picture perfect for our visit to the nation’s capital.
BIG BUS Tours Washington DC
No matter if you are a DC native or this is your first time (or you’re return visitor like me), BIG BUS Washington DC is a great way to take advantage of exploring attractions, museums and more at your own pace! Here are some of the reasons a ride on the BIG BUS should be on your ‘Things to do in DC‘ list:
- Unlimited Rides for 1 or 2 days.
- Fantastic Photo Ops & Amazing Views
- Hop Off and On at Any Stop
- Live-guided or recorded Commentary (free headphones are provided)
- Family-Friendly (kids under 5 yrs old travel free, age 5-15 yrs pay reduced fare)
There are 3 Day Tour loops: Red, Blue, Yellow that will take you all around the District. You can even transfer between the routes, just be sure to know the last departure times. SobeSavvy Tip: Download the Free BIG BUS App for an interactive city guide map route planner and more >>>>here!
My #HeighPartyof3 chose the “Red Loop”, which has 22 stops and is the official tour of the National Mall including the National Memorials and Monuments. Take a look of some of what my husband, our daughter #outandaboutAva and I experienced during our tour :
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 1- Union Station
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 2- US Capitol
Inside Air & Space Museum | BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 4
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 5- Smithsonian Castle
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 6- Washington Monument West
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 7- Bureau of Engraving
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 8- Jefferson Memorial
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 10- Lincoln Memorial South
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 13- African American History & Culture Museum
BIG BUS Washington DC ‘Red Loop’ Stop 19- Madame Tussauds
There are options to complete your sightseeing experience by creating a combo and adding on extras such as top attractions like Madame Tussauds to further your Washington, DC experience. We enjoyed seeing not only seeing historical figures and celebrities in wax but also joining all 45 commanders in-cheifs in the U.S. Presidents Gallery. Check out my >>>Youtube video <<< recaping some of the fun at STOP 19 of the ‘Red Loop’, Madame Tussauds + see more photos via fun slideshow>> here.
Where to Buy BIG BUS Tickets
- From any uniformed BIG BUS staff
- www.bigbustours.com
- The BIG BUS mobile app
- On the bus at any BIG BUS stop
- Your hotel
- By phone : 1-877-333-8689
I hope to check out the other routes as well as try their night tour which offers an illuminated look at the Capital’s world-famous memorials and monuments. BIG BUS Tours are also in other US Cities like Miami, New York, Las Vegas and more. My family and I really enjoyed the BIG BUS Tour and hope you are inspired to take one soon!
#HeighPartyof3 loves to explore & have fun ~ Thanks for the memories BIG BUS Tours !
SobeSavvy 
Living in DC over the summer, I had the time to explore everything on foot, but I saw the Big Bus tours everywhere! Were I only there for a limited amount of time again, I would definitely look into getting tickets for the Big Bus because it’s so much more convenient than walking everywhere.
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I agree! It also made me miss living in a walkable city. I liked how we were just confined to the bus , so we could ride and hop on and off to walk.
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Good tour! Thanks for sharing! I have gone to D.C. plenty of times and not once have I actually done a tour. I will have to get one in. There really is so much to see!
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You are right ..so much to see, so little time. But this tour helps to get it in if you are limited on time.
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Girl do you ever stay home. You are always out and about doing something.
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Yep I do, but I also enjoy traveling and exploring with my family especially during the summer months.
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This looks like so much fun!
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It was! Couldn’t ask for a better day!
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I grew up right outside of DC and I’ve kind of wanted to go back and act as a tourist! this looks fun!
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Same as my husband/I. We both grew up in MD. Go for it Molly! I recommend playing tourist for the day, especially with the little ones. Great seeing the city thru her eyes. What’s old is new again!
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I grew up outside DC and never heard of the bus. It sounds so fun!
xo, Lee
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One of the routes actually goes to Arlington/Pentagon city as well. They really have done a good job connecting visitors to all the must see spots thru metro DC. Those buses are everywhere but not sure how long they have been in business.
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Ahh, I’ve always wanted to ride one of those double decker buses, and DC seems like a great place to give it a try. So many wonderful sight-seeing opportunities. It looks like your family had a great time!
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We enjoyed it ! They have 2 other routes we want to check out too. Definitely a fun way to explore a city.
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I lived in the Northern VA area for almost a year and always wanted to play the tourist and do a double decker bus ride! Next time I visit my sister I’ll have to make sure we do it!
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Yeah..I am from Md and visited DC often but never done it. Playing tourist was fun! Our daughter was the inspiration.
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Oooh it looks like you all had such a fun trip in DC! I did a double decker hop-on-hop-off bus tour in San Fran a few years ago, and I was freeeeezing (I didn’t bring a jacket and it was late fall and I insisted I wanted to sit in the top section ::facepalm::) but it was such a convenient way to see the city!
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Yes my daughter was insisting we sit on the top and I’m glad we did. Better views/photo ops! We lived part time in San Fran for work and so I know of their temps.
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This looks like it was so much fun! The last time we went to DC we flew in and took the subway to National Mall. We did a lot of walking! We could have seen so much more by doing a bus tour! Plus I’ve always wanted to ride on a double decker bus! One day…
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Yes, LaToya give it a try one day! It is a walkable city but you I think will enjoy the experience of walking some, riding some. Hopping on and off along the way!
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Hop on hop off is the way to go! Looks like you had beautiful weather in DC.
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The weather…It was like baby bear’s soup in Goldilocks and the 3 bears: not too hot, or too cold..just right!
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Looks like so much fun. I hope to take a trip there soon. Thanks for sharing!
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I hope you do too! Thanks for reading & commenting!
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I’ve never taken a double decker bus tour but I have officially added it to my list of things I want to do!! This looks like so much fun! I haven’t been to DC as a tourist since High School – I would love to share an adventure like this with my Kiddies!
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