This article was updated on May 28, 2025.
All aboard! This summer, take in DC’s monuments and landmarks, learn about the history of the area, or party it up with friends on one of the many water adventures the DMV has to offer.
Captain a boat
970 Wharf St., SW
Sail across the Washington Channel—no boating license necessary—in a GoBoat you can rent at the Wharf. The electric boats travel almost silently at a speed of about three to four miles an hour—perfect for leisurely sightseeing along the Channel. GoBoats carry up to eight passengers, including pets, for an additional fee. Bring whatever provisions you’d like, and it’s anchors away! (daily, $168+)
Explore on a paddleboard
Multiple locations in DC and Virginia
Test your balance and paddling skills on a standup paddleboard (aka a “SUP”); rentals are available throughout the area. Just south of Alexandria, paddlers can explore Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, the largest freshwater tidal wetlands near DC, with paddleboards rented from Belle Haven Marina. Boating in DC also rents boards in Georgetown, the Wharf, Alexandria, and Fletcher’s Cove (daily, $16.80+ for Boating in DC rentals, $30+ for Belle Haven Marina).
Sail on a historic ship
201 N. Union St., Alexandria
Travel back to the 18th century aboard the Tall Ship Providence, docked in Alexandria. Guides dressed in period garb talk about the life of sailors in the Revolutionary War. Providence will be under repair until mid-July, when she will return for dockside programs such as tours, with programs like sunset sails pending the boat’s renovation ($55+ for daily sunset cruises, Wed-Mon; $24 for dockside tours).
Party with friends
Multiple locations in DC
Choose a starting point—DC’s Wharf or Navy Yard—and invite some friends to cruise across DC waters on a Potomac Paddle Club pontoon. Sip and sail by sites such as the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge and the Pentagon. Boats can accommodate between 16 to 20 people, and are equipped with coolers, USB charging stations, and Bluetooth speakers. (The boats, once outfitted with pedals for passengers to pump, have taken out the pedals and now operate strictly on a motor.) Enjoy the on-boat bar at the Navy Yard location, or bring your own beverages to stay hydrated on the water (daily, $45+).
Go on a Classic DC Outing
1501 Maine Ave., SW
Prepare to move your feet on the Tidal Basin’s pedal-powered, four-passenger boats. Boating in DC offers one-hour rentals for this classic DC experience (daily, $38 on weekdays, $40 on weekends and holidays).
Take a culinary cruise
970 Wharf St., SW
Upgrade your boating experience this summer on a yacht. Nautiste—a woman-owned yacht-charter company—launched in 2023. Choose from three luxe classic yachts: the 72-foot Patriot, the 42-foot Independence, or the more intimate 32-foot American Pie. Despite their classic elegance, each is equipped with lavish modern amenities. Enjoy a two-hour happy hour or a three-hour full-service dinner cruise for up to 13 guests, or host a dockside reception for up to 30. The fleet ports at the Wharf, but additional boarding locations are available for an added fee (private bookings, prices vary).
Throw a tiki party
3100 K St., NW and 355 Water St., SE
If you’re looking for a booze cruise, Potomac Tiki Club has you covered. There are two boats to choose from: the smaller tiki boat (up to six people), Tikito, is BYOB and leaves from Navy Yard; the larger boat departing from Georgetown fits eight to 18 people, and offers alcohol for purchase or a corkage fee for wine from home (daily, $50+ for Georgetown cruises, $375+ for Navy Yard).
Visit a local bar on a boat
3100 K St., NW and 1492 4th St., SE
The local bar Whitlow’s has a 47-passenger tiki boat cruise in collaboration with Sea Suite Cruises. Whitlow’s on Water— which has televisions, music, and an open-air bar mixing up summery drinks—sails the Potomac River. The boat is also available for private charters (daily, $40+, Georgetown, Navy Yard). (Here’s more.)
Paddle the Anacostia River
4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg
Spend some time exploring a quiet stretch of the Anacostia River by yourself in a single kayak, or take a serene canoe trip with a partner. Rentals can be booked from Bladensburg Waterfront Park through October (daily, $25+ for Prince George’s and Montgomery County residents, $33+ for non-residents).
Enjoy sunset views
3000 K St., NW and 580 Water St., SW
Capitol River Cruises and City Cruises are great boat options for sunset tours, date-night dining, and monument sightseeing around DC. On City Cruises, you can have a three-course meal or dance to a live DJ while coasting the Potomac; on special occasions, there are fireworks shows, too. Capitol River Cruises ship out around 8 PM for 45-minute journeys past the Kennedy Center, the Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial, with narration and refreshments (daily, $25+ for Capitol River Cruises; daily, $52+ for City Cruises).
Voyage to Mount Vernon
145 National Plaza, National Harbor; 0 Cameron St., Alexandria
Tickets will be available soon for this round-trip water journey to historic Mount Vernon. First, patrons cruise to George Washington’s former estate by way of a water taxi, which departs from Alexandria and National Harbor. On-board guides provide narration as guests pass sites such as Fort Washington. After the boat ride, passengers have three hours to tour Mount Vernon before the boat ride back (schedule TBA, $56+).
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
