Evening monument and memorial lights tours

Question

Which company do you recommend for evening monument and memorial tours on Dec. 12th?

Answer

If you're looking for an evening monument and memorial lights tour in Washington, D.C. on December 12, here are several highly recommended companies and tour options. Each offers something slightly different depending on your group size, pace, and how much walking versus riding you prefer.

Here are some top options to consider:

Old Town Trolley / “Monuments by Moonlight” Tour: This is a classic, well-established evening bus tour. You’ll ride in a comfortable, temperature-controlled coach and stop at major monuments like Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War, MLK Jr., FDR, and Iwo Jima.
DC After Dark – Private Night Tour (DCAcar): A luxury, private tour in an SUV or sedan. The chauffeur-guide can customize stops, and you get 3 hours to experience illuminated sites like the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and more.
Monumental Tours – Monumental Moonlight Tour: This is a more personalized tour, with private guides who give historical commentary and stop for close-up views. Typical stops include the U.S. Capitol, White House (exterior), Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, and Korean War Memorial.
DC Monuments Tour (Vintage Electric Car): For something charming and green, this tour uses a vintage electric car (Model-T style) for a 2-hour ride around the Mall. You’ll visit many of the major memorials, with stops for photo opportunities and narrated historical context.
Marriott / Partner Bus Tour – Night Monuments Tour with 8 Stops: A 3-hour narrated bus tour that includes 10 photo stops (White House, U.S. Capitol, WWII Memorial, MLK, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, etc.). There is an option to upgrade to include entry tickets for other attractions.

My recommendation: Given that December evenings can be chilly and the monuments look especially magical when illuminated, I’d lean toward either the Old Town Trolley Monuments by Moonlight (for a balance of cost, comfort, and stops), or the DC After Dark private tour (if you want a more intimate, customizable experience). The trolley tour is great for first-time visitors, while the private tour is ideal if you’re traveling with family or want to linger at certain memorials.

Tips for December 12:

Dress warmly — evenings in DC in December can be cold.
Book in advance — these tours are popular, especially at night when the monuments are lit.
Bring a camera / smartphone for photos — the lighting at night gives you beautiful reflections in the water at places like the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Consider timing — some tours may start around sunset; double-check the tour provider’s schedule for that date.

Overall, for an unforgettable night tour of DC’s monuments on December 12, I recommend booking one of the options above based on your group size and how “up close” you’d like to get.

Evening monument and memorial lights tours

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