Sightseeing and Dining Cruises
City cruises.
City Cruises (formerly known as Hornblower Cruises & Events) offers water experiences beyond compare. Choose from a variety of cruises including: dinner cruises, brunch cruises, lunch cruises, cocktail cruises, sightseeing cruises, and holiday cruises. All of the vessels are conveniently docked at The Wharf, giving you the perfect launch point to explore the nation’s capital from the water.
Odyssey Savor delicious entrees and desserts as this glass-enclosed vessel drifts by the sights—accompanied by a relaxing atmosphere and live music.
Spirit of Washington Cruises A unique mix of dining, entertainment, and views, Spirit of Washington offers offers lunch, dinner, and holiday cruises, plus a variety of themed cruises.
Elite Private Yachts Host your own event or plan an unforgettable jaunt on the Potomac by chartering one of our two private yachts. Our sleek vessels are the perfect backdrop for weddings and other special occasions.
Water Taxi Come to The Wharf’s Transit Pier to catch a ride on the Water Taxi to Georgetown in DC, Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, or National Harbor in Maryland—and enjoy the scenic views of the nation’s capital from the Potomac. Sightseeing Cruises See the famous monuments of Washington, DC from an entirely new perspective on this narrated sightseeing cruise. You’ll travel along the Potomac River while taking in breathtaking views of the Washington monuments and famous landmarks.
Sightseeing cruises depart from Transit Pier (970 Wharf St SW). Dining cruises (all others) depart from Pier 4 ( 580 Water St SW ).
Learn about Getting to The Wharf , including metro and parking directions.
Get Your Fill at The Wharf
Fresh seafood is a given on the waterfront. But The Wharf offers more, including a wide selection of distinctive choices for food, drinks, and entertainment while you eat. Watch the chefs prepare your meal. Listen to music. Or just people-watch while you savor the flavors of The Wharf.
Do It All on the Waterfront
Whether you like to be on the Potomac or prefer the sparkling views from land, The Wharf offers ample things to do and ways to enjoy the water. Dine in one of our fabulous restaurants. Browse our shops. Or join us during one of our festivals. Take a look at our upcoming events to plan your next visit.
3 of the Best Washington DC Dinner Cruises
One of Washington DC’s most overlooked features is its waterways. At the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, the ribbon of water widens considerably as it heads towards the Atlantic, with the former river easily visible from behind the Lincoln Memorial. And all that walking along the National Mall can be hungry, thirsty work. Luckily there’s a type of tour in Washington that can solve that problem while allowing you to continue sightseeing. If you head roughly a mile south of the National Mall, you’ll reach the Wharf Marina from which beautiful ships set out onto the river to offer a fresh perspective on DC.
Special dinner cruises are one of the most popular forms of river tours to take in Washington DC. There are a few to choose from, all of which offer competitive prices and delicious buffets. Vegetarians and vegans may not have the best choice however on these tours due to the buffet style of the spread, although for the sweet tooth out there, that matters little as the dessert buffet is where the action is at. Here are our favorite three dinner cruises to take in Washington DC, after looking into a number of different considerations like the food quality, safety on board, duration and value for money.
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- Washington DC
- Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
- Dinner Cruises
Washington DC Odyssey Dinner Cruise
- 2.5 to 3 hour Washington DC dinner cruise
- Freshly prepared 3-course dinner
- Dine and dance to live music
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Two and a half to three hour cruise on the Potomac River
- A three-course plated dinner with attentive tableside service
- Unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water
- The most breathtaking views of the nation's greatest landmarks, including the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial
- Curated music selection by Odyssey's live band
- Guaranteed table for your party size
- Other beverages
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (Optional)
Departure & Return
Gangplank Marina, Washington DC
Please note: All cruises begin boarding 1 hour prior to the departure time. Tickets may be picked up at the dockside kiosk up to one hour prior to the cruise. In the rare event of a schedule change, you will be contacted with updated information.
What To Expect
Enjoy a sightseeing dinner cruise along the Potomac River and Washington, DC's beautiful waterfront, departing from Gangplank Marina at 600 Water Street SW. This excursion covers the Potomac River with fascinating views of DC's famous monuments and the city's historic waterfront.The Odyssey is a modern dining ship with three exquisitely decorated glass atrium dining rooms, offering amazing river views of the nation's greatest monuments from every table. These inner dining areas offers plenty of comfortable seating with large picture windows to see the sites. There is also an open-air observation deck (reminiscent of the European canal ships) and dance floors. The Captain and crew greet the guests as they arrive and the ship's photographer will record the moment for each party, if desired.For the 3-course dinner, there is a tasting trio, entrees and desserts. To begin, choose from roasted summer vegetable salad, rock shrimp spheres or whipped goat cheese. The entrees include crab and mussel gratin, Romesco crust salmon, maple mustard glazed chicken, braised short rib, cauliflower steak or steak and lobster tail (additional charge). For dessert, there's duo of sorbet, Odyssey signature bread pudding, mountain berry shortcake or chocolate decadent cake.After eating, dance the night away to live music. The evening begins with softer standards before shifting to more high-energy dance music after dinner.Throughout the cruise, enjoy stunning views of the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Reagan National Airport, the United States Naval Research Laboratory, Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge and much more.ItinerarySample Menu (subject to change)Tasting TrioShrimp & Watermelon: English Cucumbers | Pickled Shallots | Extra Virgin Olive OilRoasted Summer Vegetable Salad: Yellow Corn | Zucchini | Caramelized Onions | Heirloom TomatoArugula | Herb VinaigretteWhipped Goat Cheese: Candied Pecan Herb Crust | Balsamic Strawberries | CrostiniEntreesJumbo Lump Crab Cakes - Sweet Corn, Red Pepper & Thyme Succotash | Cajun Cream SauceOven Baked Atlantic Salmon Filet: Lemon Orzo with Red Onions & Sun-Dried Tomatoes | Citrus Dill SauceMaple & Mustard Glazed Chicken Breast - Fingerling Potatoes & Chives | Haricot Verts | Dijon Mustard Cream SauceBraised Beef Short Rib - Idaho Potato & Horseradish Mash | Baby Carrots | Pearl Onions | English Peas Cabernet Sauvignon SauceGreek Zucchini Fritters - Lemon Orzo with Red Onions & Sun Dried Tomatoes | Spring Onion & Cucumber TzatzikiDessertsDuo of Sorbet: Seasonal Sorbet | Fresh FruitGranny Smith Apple Parfait: Cinnamon Spiced Apples | Almond & Oat Crumble | Candied Chili BaconSalted Caramel Cake: Dark Chocolate Ganache | Raspberry SauceOdyssey Signature Warm Butter Cake: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream | Blackberry Sauce*Menu subject to change. Please inform your server if anyone in your party has a food allergy.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Dress code is smart casual such as nice slacks and collared shirts. No jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip flops are worn on the cruise
- All interior areas of the ship are non-smoking, guests who smoke may do so on the outdoor observation decks only
- Cruise duration is approx 2.5 to 3 hours
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Your Contact Details
Questions or requests.
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