Tours
Rule #1: Be Flexible. Rule #2: See Rule #1.
My mission is to guide you to the places that YOU want to see! All tours are customized to the specific personal interests of each group, family or customer, allowing you to explore desired destinations during your visit to the Nation’s Capital. My philosophy is that designing the right itinerary is a big part of a great tour!
Your time in the Nation’s Capital is precious, and a lack of planning or awareness of the city’s events and traffic patterns can seriously limit your itinerary. With Jim as your veteran tour guide, efficiently visiting destinations on your list will be a breeze. Maximize your time to take advantage of your Washington, D.C. visit!
Whether it’s a day-long or week-long visit, his goal is to makes it effortless for you so you can sit back and enjoy.
Types of Tours
- Limousine private tours
- Tours for groups, families, couples or individuals
- Tours for foreign dignitaries, celebrities, foreign and U.S. military, corporate executives, international travelers
- Tours via vans or mini-bus
- Motor Coach sight-seeing
- Walking tours
Excursion tours include the following cities and venues:
- Alexandria
- Annapolis
- Gettysburg
- Mount Vernon
- Charlottesville (Monticello and the University of Virginia)
- and New York City
Example 5 Day Itinerary
1st Day
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam Vets Memorial
World War ll Memorial
Marine Corps Memorial
White House
Arl Nat’l Cemetery
2nd Day
U.S. Capitol
Supreme Court
Library of Congress
U.S. Botanic Garden
Eisenhower Memorial
U.S. Grant Statue
American Hist. Museum
3rd Day
FDR Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
ML King Memorial
Washington Monument
U.S. Botanic Garden
4th Day
African American History and Culture Museum
National Archives
Mount Vernon
5th Day
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
Air Force Memorial
National Building Museum
Navy Memorial
Old Town Alexandria, VA
Other Venues
National Zoo
Ford’s Theatre
Hillwood Estate and Museum
Holocaust Museum
Planet Word
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Octagon House
U Street
Organization of American States
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Union Station
National Public Radio
The Wharf
Lincoln Cottage
Monticello/Charlottesville, VA.
Gettysburg Pennsylvania
Disabled American Veterans for Life Memorial
National Law Enforcement Memorial
Congressional Cemetery
Fort Myer Stables
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, MD
American Red Cross
Daughters of the American Revolution
Society of the Cincinnati
National Museum of the U.S. Army – Fort Belvoir, VA
Navy Museum – Wahington Naval Yard
Navy Memorial – Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Embassy Row and National Cathedral
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Franciscan Monastery
Air and Space Museum/Udvar-Hazy (Dulles Airport)
Georgetown/Georgetown Harbor
U Street Neighborhood
Organization of American States
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Union Station
National Public Radio
The Wharf
Lincoln Cottage
Monticello/Charlottesville, VA.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Disabled American Veterans for Life Memorial
Tour Topics
Monuments, Memorials, Art, and Architecture
As the son of an accomplished architect, Jim strives to give his tourists the best experience possible with exciting commentary about the monuments and their history.
Cruising past the Supreme Court in a limo is nice, but wouldn’t you rather pop into the iconic courthouse while there is a lecture going on?
With Jim as your Washington, D.C. tour guide, the possibilities are endless!
- Washington National Cathedral
- White House (Exterior) and White House Visitor’s Center
- U.S. Capitol
- Smithsonian Institution Museums
- Jefferson Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Washington Monument and National Mall expanse
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Library of Congress
- National Archives
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- National Building Museum
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Theodore Roosevelt Memorial (Roosevelt Island)
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
- Navy Memorial – Pennsylvania Avenue
- American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
Example Architecture Tour Itinerary
- The National Cathedral and The Bishop’s Garden
- The Supreme Court, Folger Shakespeare Library, and The Library of Congress
- The Smithsonian Castle Building and The National Gallery of Art
Tour Topics
Military Tours
Jim is unmistakably an expert guide for the Arlington National Cemetery, the country’s most celebrated cemetery. He’s currently completing a book about Arlington National Cemetery.
National War Memorials
- World War II Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Take a trip to the U.S. Navy Memorial, the Marine Corps “Eye” (I) Street Barracks, the horse stables at historic Fort Myer, and other lesser-known but notable military venues in the D.C. vicinity.
Here are some other military destinations to visit with Jim as your guide
- Arlington National Cemetery, and serves as the official liaison of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of the Washington D.C. to the cemetery
- The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
- Gettysburg Battlefield and National Military Park (one-day trip)
- U.S. Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) War Memorial
- The Star Spangled Banner and the Price of Freedom exhibits at the American History Musuem
- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
- National Museum of the U.S. Army
- U.S. Navy Museum (Washington Navy Yard)
- U.S. Navy Memorial
- National Museum of the Marine Corps (Quantico, VA)
- American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
- The U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland. (Note that Jim has special access)
Example Military Tour Itinerary
- The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, The Air Force Memorial, and The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
- Arlington National Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, and National Museum of the U.S. Army
- Gettysburg Battlefield and National Military Park
Tour Topics
Museum Tours
If you’re interested in art museums, history, and Smithsonian museums, Jim will create an amazing itinerary for you.
Some sites include:
- Planet Word Museum
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (currently under renovation)
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- The National Gallery of Art
- The National Portrait Gallery
- The National Museum of the American Indian
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture
- The Museum of the Bible
- The Holocaust Museum
- The International Spy Museum
- The National Archives Museum
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center – National Air and Space Museum (Dulles, VA)
Tour Topics
Off the Beaten Path Tours
Your time in the nation’s capital is precious. With Jim as your veteran tour guide, efficiently visiting destinations on your list will be a breeze. Maximize your time to take advantage of your Washington, D.C. visit!
Take a look at a few “Off the Beaten Path” tour spots to incorporate into your itinerary
- Washington Nationals Baseball Park
- Civil Rights and African American tours
- Cultural destinations
- Shopping hot spots
- Child-friendly destinations
- Theaters
- Franklin, Eleanor, and Theodore Roosevelt tours (Roosevelt Island)
- Campus tours of area colleges and universities
- Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, tours
- Neighborhood tours: Georgetown, Penn Quarter, U Street Corridor
For “Foodies”
Find out important information to know — where is the best French or Italian cuisine? The best Mexican and Chinese food in Washington? The best ice cream and gelato? Prepare to indulge in the most delicious bites in town! Jim will show you the romantic and memorable night spots — heavy on the ambiance!
Example of Off the Beaten Path Tour Options
- Washington Nationals Baseball Park
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Planet Word
- The National Building Museum
- Folger Shakespeare Library
- National Museum of the U.S. Army
- Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Why you should choose Jim
When navigating the D.C. monumental historical, architectural, or cultural scenes, it takes a pro with plenty of expertise in the field to ensure that you get the most out of your time so you can see more. Jim’s services are adapted to the interests of individuals and groups, providing you with a unique and special experience.
How can Jim enhance my visit in a way that other tour guides cannot?
As an expert in American history and with an extensive background in the federal government, Jim makes certain that you hit all of the sites on your list while and while he narrates with stimulating commentary, stories, and facts. With the perfect combination of people skills, humor, and a wide range of knowledge, you can anticipate the most personal and pleasant tour experience alongside Jim. So come prepared with those burning questions! Any tour guide could lead you to various D.C. buildings, but Jim’s unparalleled access to renowned places and understanding of the inner workings of the federal government provide you with top-notch, thought-provoking observations like no tour.
How long is each tour?
It’s up to you … Jim offers full-day, half-day, multiple-day, and evening tours. By narrowing down your specific interests and availability, he’ll create an itinerary that is best for you or your group. In an ideal world, we would make DC traffic much less of a burden by teleporting from one destination to another … while we can’t promise that method of transportation yet, you can capitalize on your time with Jim’s proficiency in navigating D.C. traffic and events.
Who are past clients?
His clients have ranged from small groups, families, VIPs, celebrities, corporate executives, to international travelers. Every year, several well-known large groups who annually visit the nation’s capital request Jim’s mastery in tours year after year and include the Boy Scouts of America, Future Farmers of America and high school and college groups.
What other tourist destinations can I visit with Jim besides D.C.?
Jim’s certifications allow him to lead you on premium tours throughout several major East Coast cities. Tour service areas include: Annapolis, Maryland; Charlottesville, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; New York; and various New England cities. As distinguished as the Washington, D.C. vicinity is, any history enthusiast knows of the importance of many other U.S. locations that have also shaped our nation. Allow Jim to advance your comprehension of all of the wonderful and awe-inspiring history that The United States has to offer!
Popular Tour Destination
Washington National Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, features classical gothic architecture and is the second-largest cathedral in the country. With Jim as your guide, there’s no need to worry about special events that may impact on the scheduling of your tour. Tours are carefully planned around events and services so that you can take in all of the awe-inspiring scenery and sights the cathedral has to offer.
Arlington National Cemetery
As an author in the midst of writing a book on Arlington National Cemetery, Jim is an ultimate specialist in leading your exploration of this most famous burial ground in the United States. History buffs will travel through time with an up-close-and-personal look at graves of notable figures such as presidents, explorers, Supreme Court Justices, politicians and diplomats, as well as leading military figures. Be sure to look out for Jim’s upcoming book, Sacred Space: Arlington National Cemetery.
D.C. Behind the Scenes
With Jim, avoid the crowds and walk right into places that are notorious for long waiting lines. Jim knows how to navigate his way around Washington, D.C., such as the best time of day to see each site, tickets that may required, security requirements, and constantly changing hours of operation.
Get the inside scoop on some of D.C.’s most noteworthy government structures and experience his special access to buildings within the Federal Triangle. Check out hot spots like the Smithsonian Institution museums while minimizing waiting in long lines. A tour with Jim is completely customizable and geared towards providing you with the highest-level personalized D.C. experience.