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 !