Did the paddle boats at the Tidal Basin and it was such a fun little moment. Super chill, easy to do, and the views are beautiful--especially with the cherry blossoms out. It's one of those simple activities that just makes the day feel special. Perfect if you're out walking around DC and want to switch it up for a bit. I'd definitely do it again. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such a great experience. Did this on a Friday early afternoon and it was slow. I believe we were the first one to go out that day. With that being said it was a fast process from signing waivers and getting on the boat. Staff was friendly and had positive attitudes. Looking forward to doing this again! read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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3/29/25 We tried to beat the crowds by coming early...everyone else had the same idea. The line was ten deep and we decided on the spur of the moment to do the paddle boats. We lined up 45 minutes prior to their 9 am opening. We're in our late 50's..the hubster exercises daily and I walk. We decided to rent it for 2 hours just in case we underestimated our fitness level and we weren't rushing around the tidal basin. Our game plan was to take pictures in front of the monuments and maybe get up close to the lower lying branches to take pictures. We took a breaks along the way and enjoyed the quiet away from the crowds. It took us about 70 minutes to accomplish the objectives so an hour is possible. If you wanted to slow it down even more, do the two hours. There is no military discount. Service dogs are allowed. I did notice two dogs sitting on the dock. I guess while their owners went paddling. Not a great idea in my opinion. You are mandated to use a life vest . The boats fit 2-4 people but only two will be paddling. By the time we got off the boat at 10:15 am or so, the line was over an hour long. It could be longer as it depends when the paddle boats come back in and they don't really monitor the time closely. read more

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Experience... 10/10 Price... 10/10 If you're in DC during the week, this is the place to make a stop. Going on a Sunday in July, I was expecting the experience to be overcrowded, but I was pleasantly surprised! This will be quite the physical experience, and you must be prepared for that. If you go in the summer, make sure to bring water The price wasn't bad either! After taxes and fees, we rented a paddle boat for $45. The views are the best part of the experience. If you're a plane person, this is right in the approach to DCA, and I loved being able to watch the planes. The monuments of the Mall are also well within reach. The views of the Washington monument look amazing! read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Views from the center of the Basin. - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My wife found this activity and suggested we do this with our daughter. We decided to do it on Sunday morning and we had a nice experience. Parking was pretty easy on a Sunday morning. Staff had the place open on time and had us on the water quickly. I didn't see a bathroom which was a major booboo for us with a kid. With that said there is a free bathroom about 7 minute walk away towards the Washington Monument. We paid $40 for an hour paddle boat rental which doesn't seem like a good deal unless you are splitting this two ways. On Thursday they do have a cheaper price which would have been a good option. Staff was nice but quiet and to the point. I wouldn't suggest this on a real hot and sunny day either. Probably best during spring, fall, or early morning. read more

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Easy online reservation process, and we were able to access a boat before our reserved time when we arrived early. Paddle boating was a fun, breezy way to pass some time between museums. The service wasn't super friendly, but the workers were quick and efficient. read more

The ease of getting a boat and going and the views of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial were great. One hour is plenty of time on the paddle boat. There were ducks that would follow the boat so that was fun for the kids. I will return some time. read more

Three and a half stars. Waivers are not as mandatory as the website makes it sound, and we barely heard a word from their staff (if you don't like your activity time being taken up by instructions, you'll love it here). Googling informed us that the strap wraps around on the outside of the life vests, not the inside. Not sure how often they actually get cleaned, since they just have you put them right back inside the storage chests when you're done. Take 2-person boats if you want to stay friends with everyone in your group; we compromised by turning our 4-person boat back to dock halfway through in order to have them steady it while we switched places (at the cost of never quite making it to MLK memorial). The paddling itself is fun, once you figure out that paddling hard doesn't do you much good other than calorie burning. I'll probably come back for a day date just to try a swan. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Duck outpaddling our 4-person boat. - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was fun! I don't think this is the best boat company in the whole world. They weren't super super nice and it was kind it expensive. Also the life jackets are kind of gross. However, I'd still go back! It was really cool to be able to see monuments from the water. You can basically paddle to the Jefferson monument, the MLK memorial, and some other areas. I also like how they have a lot of boats. Do not feel like you have to make a reservation in advance. They don't seem like they would ever run out ! read more

We had a bit of time before our tour at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving (totally worth it btw), so we were looking for something to do for an hour or so. How do you top paddle boating around with monuments in the background?! You can get regular paddle boats for $20 (the four-person paddle boat is a bit more) or a motorized swan boat for $35. My daughter was with me and she really wanted to ride around in a swan, so that's what we did. The staff was friendly and helpful. They helped wrangle us all into boats and out of them, and when we came back a little early, they let us know we still had plenty of time - I love that they wanted to make sure we got our money's worth. This was probably the best $35 I spent in DC. I'd definitely do it again. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Loved everything about this! - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If you're a tourist and aren't scared off by steep price tags, renting a paddle boat for one hour (note: you'll be too tired for more than hour so don't even try to get it for longer) isn't the worst idea. Per hour, it's $18 for a two person paddle boat, $30 for a four person boat, and $34 for a swan paddle boat (seriously, don't cave for this option- it's cheesy). It's a good way to see DC's key monuments up close (the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument) and from afar (Lincoln Memorial and US Capitol) without the crowds. All you need to worry about is not peddling into other boaters. Warning: You may think it's a quick trip to the Jefferson Memorial and back to dock, but it's a longer, more exhausting trip than you think. Paddling with someone else takes a lot of communication and coordination. Be prepared to fight, but push through. By the end of the hour, your legs will be sore and ready for a break. Pro-tip: If you're going to do this, go during the Cherry Blossom Festival. It's beautiful. Book months in advance as they fill up fast! Happy peddling! read more

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This is a super fun spot to enjoy your time in DC. You can enjoy the view of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument on the water. You'll get a good leg workout using the paddle boats. It's especially fun with a few friends or family members. This is definitely a go-to spot for tourists. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - View of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial from the paddle boat on the water. - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really enjoyed this DC activity! There is parking (approx. $2/hr) directly in front of the dock where the paddle boats are rented, which was really convenient. There was also plenty of grass space if you wanted to have a picnic. The paddle boat experience itself was slightly pricey in my opinion ($35/hour) but I still had a great time and got great pictures. The experience included views of: the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. The staff was friendly and helpful. I will definitely be taking my family, from out-of-state, to this spot. read more

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The guys working the dock are great! The paddle boats are definitely older and little wonky. They work, but could use some improvement as the peddles probably need to be greased and sit a little sideways, sometimes it feels like only one person is pedaling. It's a great way to get a good view of some of the monuments and nice little leg work out at the same time! read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Jefferson memorial - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a "mist-do once" great experience, and an intetesting way to see the Tidal Basin monuments and cherry blossoms from the water. The actual boats are ok, but there's some age to them and this requires some fitness on your part. The customer service was ok - fairly quick and efficient, but smiles don't come with your fee. Worth the cost ($20 or so) though for something different from the typical museum or walking and pointing. An hour tour is plenty to get you near the other side, and back. You might catch the US Coast Guard and government helicopters passing overhead, which add to the uniqueness of this experience. I might not do it again, but I'm glad I did it once. read more

A nice outing if winding down the day in the city. It can be bit pricey if renting the 4 person boat for $32 an hour. Also if you have long legs, you will need to wear flexible attire. Staff is super friendly and they are more than willing to assist you. Handicapped Parking is readily available, but $6 for only 3 hours maximum. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My fiancé and I planned for a weekend during the cherry blossom festival in DC and we were able to make advanced reservation online. It was great to skip the line and get straight to a boat for the time slot we reserved for (there was a loooong line waiting by the pier). It is really fun to paddle the boat around the tidal basin and the views are amazing! And it's only $15/hr! They take all kinds of payments. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Beautiful - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The paddle boats have a reputation for just being for tourists, but it's really a fun way to spend an hour on a nice day. The views of the monuments are really fantastic. The best part: those moments where you stop the paddling, let the tide carry you, and just enjoy the view and light rocking. It's incredibly relaxing. You get one hour with no canopy for $12 and one with canopy for $19. Some people don't want the canopy covering up the rays, but I found it essential. An hour out in the basin would burrrrn. Seriously, you'll be steaming. If that sounds cool to you, go for it, but the canopy didn't mess up the views at all. We had a great time, and a great workout! read more

3.5 stars! Dorkiness abounds! Paddling around the Tidal Basin is what you're supposed to do when you have tourist oriented friends in town. After suffering the crowded walkway around the basin this weekend (Cherry blossoms out in full bloom), my friend and I decided that paddling our way to personal space freedom was the way to go. 2 person boat $10/hr, +$2/15 minutes over 4 person boat $18/hr, +$4/15 minutes over You only need 1 hour(or less), unless you're lugging a lot of weight (friends or kids) and can't circle the whole basin twice in that amount of time. Btw, I don't remember paddleboating being this hard before (or maybe I'm just weak and/or fat, who knows?). I was annoyed we didn't get a boat with a canopy. And the lifejackets don't fit very well if you have over an A cup ladies. Or weigh more than 100 lbs. Closed Columbus Day Weekend, but otherwise open (weather permitting) 10am to 1 hr before dusk. Open after Columbus Day Weekend to Labor day 7 days a week; Labor Day to Columbus Day Weekend Wednesday to Sunday. Overall, fun times and a great view of the Jefferson memorial and the cherry blossoms, but not something I would feel inclined to do off cherry blossom season. **Note: The Jefferson is under some rehab, so there's an ugly fence and yellow structure in the water to prevent you from getting too close or a from taking a good picture - if there wasn't a structure and/or we got a canopy on our boat, this would have been 4 stars read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My boyfriend and I had a really great time here. We came about an hour before they closed so it was really quick getting suited up and what not. The staff is funny and friendly, and it's a nice way to enjoy the sights of the city in an unique way. Honestly the canopy is not neccessary. It doesn't really do much to block out the sun and it's kind of ill-fitting around the boat, blocking the chance for pictures. You don't need an ID as a deposit; just pay your 12 dollars. You can see the Jefferson Memorial and Monument across the water while you paddle. Great, cheap date idea during the day. I will be back sometime when it gets a little cooler. Overall, no complaints. read more

I definitely recommend paddle boating in dc. If nothing else it's great to check out the scenery from the water. The paddle boats weren't the most comfortable paddle boats that I have been on. It would be nice if there was some type of pad on the seat and the seats are very deep (deeper than other ones I have been on) so makes you feel the pressure on your behind even more. The staff were cool and helpful, offering assistance to get on/off the boat as needed. We paid about $14 for a 2-person boat for an hr ride. That is very reasonable compared to others. It took a little under an hour to paddle leisurely around the lake with a bit if cruising as well. read more

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This past weekend my friends and I decided to go to the paddle boats and we had a great time. This activity has always been on our "D.C. to-do list" (we've lived in D.C. for over 4 years). There was not a wait to get a boat and the staff was very helpful. Being out in the water is so peaceful and calming. I would highly recommend getting the boat with covering because some of us got sun burnt or heat rashes because we were out there so long. I had no problem convincing my friends to go with me since it only cost $10 per person. Great price for a great experience! read more

Kinda expensive but what else do you expect? It's $16 for 2 for an hour. I thought there'd be a wait or a line of some sort due to it being a huge tourist attraction, but there wasn't! Grey and I went around 4 for Labor Day and it wasn't too hot. I bet it'd be a beautiful spot to be in during the cherry blossom season, so I'm hoping to do it then also! Side note: I'm an avid runner so I thought that pedaling wouldn't be too bad, but oh no no no it was not. I can't imagine having four people to one boat, since there's only two pedaling seats. read more

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Fun activity and great way to see the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Memorial from a different perspective! $20 for a 2-seater paddle boat. An overhead shade costs additional but we were ok without it around 4:30pm on a hot and humid August day. Had a great time! read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had booked almost a month in advance for someone's birthday and 2 days before the scheduled date they cancelled due to someone else renting all equipment. Disappointed in the lack of notification/communication. read more

We had a great experience at the paddle boats, first off the staff was very friendly and chatty and after our nice conversation hooked us up with a discount to the swan (usually $35). we then proceeded to put our life vests on and enter the swan which was clean and up to condition. We then spent an hour living our best lives on the swan paddle boat. read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My husband and I got a 4-seater paddle boat today and had a ball with another couple. It was a 85 degree sunny day and a ton of people out! It was $36 for an hour for a 4-seater not. They note weight for capacity. The 2-seater boat went up to about 410 lbs. They offer the umbrella for the boats but don't have enough for every boat. Everyone is given a life jacket. If you are y'all, pedaling could be stressful on the knees (beware!) Other than that, great and very SCENIC experience! read more

With visitors in tow, I decided that we would give Thomas Jefferson a visit and get out on the water in the paddle (née pedal) boats. We drove down as there is a small lot right by the dock. The lot was packed on a Saturday afternoon so we circled around twice before a space opened up. Cost is $8/hour for the 2-seater and $16/hour for the 4-seater. Our group of four split into two 2-seaters since the 4-seater only has two pedalers. No way was I going to haul two non-pedalers' behinds around. We paid upfront and made our way to the life jacket station. So gross. Most of the jackets were wet and some of them appeared moldy. I put on the most visually sanitary life jacket I could identify and still felt and smelled the sweat of a thousand tourists. Safety first though, right? It's like riding a bike but with a lot more effort and at a fraction of the speed. Not the most fun on a hot summer day. We made a straightaway for the Jefferson Memorial for some photo opps and made our way back. It got pretty miserable with the heat so our entire journey ended in 35 minutes. It's fun to do once but I advise going on a warm day in late spring or cool day in early fall. read more

2.25 stars While there appears to be general consensus that this is a quintessential DC thing to do with visiting friends playing tourist, I would disagree. Of course, this may be biased since I was one of the paddlers. The four person boat comes equipped with a canopy to keep you out of the sun and works quite well. Why this doesn't come on the two person boat seems incomprehensible to me, but whatever. Even on a cooler day, the canopy makes being out in the water much nicer. Should you have more than two people in your party, this makes your decision making difficult; should you suffer in the sun and split up into two person boat, or paddle the extra weight of your additional party? Now I don't think anyone will say that I don't love my friends, but I'll be hard pressed to ever willingly paddle around their extra 200 - 400 pounds around the Tidal Basin again. There isn't enough room on the boat to really stand, much less trade places, so once you're positioned in a paddling seat, you're paddling the entire time. If you're with cheap Asians, that means you'll be taking advantage of the entire hour to get your money's worth. The paddle boats may just be the most inefficient form of traversing the Tidal Basin ever. It seems that paddling harder doesn't make the boat go any faster. It just makes your thighs burn more. You can get some pretty sweet views, but it can hard to enjoy them while your passengers/cargo are heckling you to go faster. I personally think the views are just as good as you'd get if you walk around the Tidal Basin. It'll probably be faster too. I'd also take some tissue to wipe off some of the nasty Potomac water that may occasionally splash into the boat. Nice. read more

I did this during the Cherry Blossom festival! I am very surprise that they didn't raise the price since there's tons of tourists here. It was definitely a good deal : $8 for two seater, you can spend an hour looking at the cherry blossom from a different angle and its much less crowd than all the people on land. I will definitely go back even it's not cherry blossom season anymore...I am sure it will be a nice way to cool down in the summer!! Additional information: Walking Take Raoul Wallenberg Pl./15th Street toward the Jefferson Memorial and look for the Tidal Basin Paddle Boat dock Metrorail Take Metro to the Smithsonian Station (Blue/Orange lines) and use the 12th Street & Independence Ave.exit. Walk west on Independence toward 15th Street. Turn left on Raoul Wallenberg Pl./15th Street and continue toward the Jefferson Memorial and look for the Tidal Basin Paddle Boat dock. Columbus Day Weekend thru March 14 - closed March 15 thru Labor Day - open 7 days a week (Weather Permitting) After Labor Day until Columbus Day Weekend - open Wed thru Sun (Weather Permitting) 10am-6pm (last boat out at 5pm) read more

$16/1 hour. Thought this was a little pricey but hey, first time in DC so why not. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Incredibly hot and there are only a select amount of boats with the shade. We got one without the shade. Overall, fun experience. You can see the Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, and Monument. Can't really see the FDR monument though. Come prepared with a hat, shades, and sunscreen if you go in the summer. read more

I first paddled or peddled one of these boats several years ago to get a different perspective on the Cherry Blossoms in April and I've been doing it every year since (you will get some great photos this way). However, it's also an awesome way to get a new perspective on the Jefferson Memorial, get some exercise and get a little sunshine too! These boat bikes cost $8 for a two-person paddler and $16 for a four-person rental. The only downside is that on a nice day there tends to be a really, really long line. But you better hurry because boat/bike rentals are only available through Columbus day until they close up shop for the Winter! read more

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Visited with the family today (3/23/16). Had reservations for a 4 person boat for an hour. Staff was helpful in getting the boat going. Safety considerations seemed reasonable. My only mistake was possibly over-anticipating how much a 14yo and a 9yo would actually want to do the peddling on the boat. They talked a big game, but when the paddle wheel hit the basin, there was a bit of griping to be heard. Still, the views were nice and we enjoyed seeing the cherry blossoms. They are not quite a peak, but the Cherry Blossom Festival is going on so it was nice anyway! You MUST make a reservation this time of year. Going it any other way will be a very frustrating wait. They book very far in advance (like everything else in DC this time of year). read more

After 2 solid days of visiting museums and memorials I was a bit numbed and looking for a bit of wild and crazy fun. Luckily as I walked down Maine towards the Jefferson Memorial I stumbled upon it - PADDLE BOATS!! (However, I concede that my version of wild and crazy might differ from yours dear reader). Instead of experiencing another moment of "Wow that sure is a big statue" and "Pretty sweet job of founding there, Founding Father" I got to splash around the tidal basin while pretending to care about Jefferson (as the memorial crowns the basin). The price was more than fair ($10 total for a 2-seater for an hour), and I got to get a bit of exercise in and had a valid reason to consume another 1K calorie+ meal later in the day. While I hated that our boat didn't have a canopy to protect us from the sun, that was minor annoyance in an otherwise perfect experience. read more

Great place to have paddle boats. Been here once before..years ago..and again this past weekend Went for cherry blossoms, but that gets boring after awhile since all we saw are tons of trees with buds and tons of people. Nice way to spend an hour ($12 for 2 people or $19 for 4 people) instead of trying to maneuver thru people. On a sunday afternoon during cherry blossom season, wait was not too bad..maybe 30 min..idk. Only reason I give it 4 stars is that the paddles are insanely inefficient and don't really get you anywhere without an excessive amount of paddling. But, it's okay because the boat has a warning on it that tells you that rapid paddling will cause soreness and tiring, so you've been warned. On top of that, the people manning this place are not angry people, which is nice. We need less angry people running anything that interact with customers. read more

I was looking for something small and fun to do on my recent DC trip and came across the Tidal Basin Paddle Boats. Working out, enjoying the sun, and playing around in the agua separating the Jefferson Memorial & the Washington Monument - what's not to love? We arrived on the Saturday of Easter weekend just after noon and there was no wait. Contrary to signs posted at their front desk, you do not need to leave an ID with them. Or at least we didn't have to. $12/hour for a 2 person boat is extremely reasonable! There was a short wait for more adult lifejackets to free up - and they are mandatory - but after that we were on our way. It was pretty difficult to paddle against the current and my boyfriend and I would rigorously paddle for a few minutes before stopping and letting the current take us away as we soaked up the sun's rays. What a nice little break in our day! The employees here are pretty friendly and they don't seem to mind if you come back a minute or two after your 1 hour limit. As we docked our boat, we noticed a huge line forming! They try not to send out too many boats at one time as it's difficult to keep track of everyone. Not sure if I'd wait an hour for these boats, so come early and skip the lines! P.S. Paddleboating is a legit cray leg work out! My thighs were stone hard as I was paddling. I think my boyfriend was impressed. ;) read more

Sunny spring day + water + paddle boat + someone you love = guaranteed good time at Tidal Basin. What a spectacular way to take in the sights of the memorials, as well as get a decent quad workout and catch some rays. Its chill - you pay $10 for an hour (for a 2 person paddle boat - there are 4 person boats available as well). Although you are supposed to pay a couple bucks for every 15 minutes you go overtime, I have no idea how this is regulated. The people working here are beyond laid back...perhaps we just hit it on a less busy day, but no one seemed concerned about people going overtime. There IS a little safety reinforcement/patrol speed boat that some high school aged looking kid operates...probably just to make sure that people keep their life vests on (but who would take theirs off anyway? surely not me...cough cough...) Anyway, that added just humor to the experience. Great views, great way to relax, and perfectly acceptable for both tourists and visitors to enjoy. read more

Today (5/26) Staff closed office and prematurely ended paddle boat excursions three hours early under the threat of rain and high winds (no rain, nor wind predicted in forecast). Staff very unprofessional. Many disappointed families. read more

Expect a MUCH more intense workout than whatever you had in mind. This is nothing like pedaling a bike or even kayaking. This is brute pedal force in the water with the wind blowing against you and the current fighting every stroke you take. With that being said, the views are incredible, it's $18 for two people for an hour, so some pretty inexpensive entertainment. Great view of the cherry blossoms and Jefferson Memorial, but it's far from a walk in the park. read more

Visited during Easter Weekend, 2015. Schools are closed and it was Cherry Blossom weekend, so I expected the lines and crowds to be insane. We attempted on Sunday, but the lines were long and by the time we circles back, the lines were the same, with only an hour to go. We came back on the Monday following Easter Sunday at about 11:30AM and waiting for about 25 minutes or so. 24$ for 4-person boat, for an hour, or $15 for 2-person boat for an hour. Life jacket usage is included. Staff is very helpful and friendly. Peddlin' ain't easy. The basin is pretty big, so a quick trip across the basin to the Jefferson Memorial and back may have you feeling the burn the next day, or maybe I'm just lazy and unfit. Also, lazy-guy tip, but not sure if it is the way the boats were designed, but peddling in reverse is a lot easier on the legs and moves faster?! Bring a camera also, lots of great shots on a sunny day. Recommended to anyone. read more

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