The Background
Anacostia River Explorers Boat Tours educate the public on the river’s history, infrastructure, wildlife, conservation efforts, and much more. While you learn, you’re taking in the surrounding beauty. Run by the Anacostia Riverkeeper non-profit and funded by the city of DC, these tours help protect and restore the waterway for the local community.
The Standout Features
Here’s why this date will float your boat:
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Free: Getting a boat cruise for $0 is an incredible deal. Period.
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Romantic: Being on the water at dusk sets the mood for sparks to fly.
- Collect Fun Facts: On this quirky tour, you’ll learn fascinating tidbits about DC’s unique history that you can share at the watercooler.
- Escape: While on the river, you forget you’re still in the city. Disconnecting lets you focus on each other.
The Experience
Date Lead Up - Boarding our Vessel
DC traffic is worse than expected, so despite leaving early, I arrive a little after 6pm. Check congestion and allow plenty of time! My date is easy to spot in his bright red shirt. At first, we don’t see anyone. I’m thrilled we didn’t miss it.
Before long, a man with “Anacostia Riverkeeper” stitched on his Navy polo pops out of the dock door. “Who’s here for the river tour?” he bellows with a big smile. Then, 20 of us pass through the Dock D&E gate and follow him towards our boat.
With our guide’s help, we file onto our vessel. After a quick group picture, our captain starts the engine. My shipmate and I are on plush white seats in the second row. Though every view is great, we’re partial to ours.
Date Main Event - We're Cruising
Now, our driver picks up speed. The breeze tosses my hair as the guide shares historical facts about the surrounding buildings. While I listen, I watch Nationals Park stadium pass by. Next, we spot sailboats dancing in the wind, swaying back and forth with each gust. If I hold up a picture frame, the scene could be a painting.
As the tour continues, we stumble upon sites I’ve never seen. Yacht clubs dot the shore, including the first African American-owned club in the country. Our captain points to an unremarkable bridge. Then he explains that John Wilkes Booth escaped after assassinating Abraham Lincoln over that bridge. The wardrobe of Narnia, dirty industrial history, the town’s shipbuilding roots, and more fill our ears as we move downriver.
The waterway ends at a rowing school. Sculling and sweep boats paddle next to us, so close you can almost touch them. As we turn our vessel around, we’re hit with a gorgeous surprise. Thick brushstrokes of orange, pink, and gold fill the sky. The sunset glistening off the river creates a romantic scene. As if reading my mind, my date grabs my hand.
Date Wrap Up - Land Ho
Before long, we pull into the dock. When I leave the boat, it’s bittersweet. I slow my pace as I climb the ramp, eager to spend a few more moments in the calm atmosphere. With each step, I’m brought back to reality. By the time I reach the gate, I’m ready for us to continue the evening together.
The Planning
No need to do all the planning yourself. Here are the highlights, though always double check!
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for... | ✔ First date ✔ A few dates in ✔ Steady couple |
| Seasons | Tours are available April - October |
| Typical Hours | Tour start times vary but tend to be around 6pm. |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Cost | Free! |
| Booking | Book online here. Public tour tickets open two weeks before the tour date. Sometimes tours are available but a "sign-ups coming soon!" button is still displayed. Click on the button to check if tours are actually available. |
| Website | |
| Address | 1492 4th Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003 |
| Transportation | Street parking is limited. The Yards Lot Q is a one-minute walk to Yards Marina. The nearest metro station is Navy Yard-Ballpark (10 min walk away) and the closest Capitol Bikeshare station is at Tingey St SE and 3rd St SE (5 min walk away). |
| Attire | Wear what's comfortable. No need to dress up. |
| Contact Info | Phone: (202) 863-0158 ; Email: info@anacostiariverkeeper.org |
| Special Features | Bird watching tours starting from Anacostia Park are available on select Saturday mornings. There are also occasional special boat tours such as the Festival del Rio. |
| Accessibility | All tour launch locations are ADA accessible and boats can accommodate non-motorized wheelchairs. If you need accessibility accommodations or have questions, email info@anacostiariverkeeper.org. |
The Pre- and Post-Date Options
If you want to keep the date going, we have a cheat sheet to guide you to your next destination. You can visit these places before your date, too. Make this list your own. The map shows the Yards Marina (purple), as well as bonus date options (green) in one place. Before you go, though, always check times in case something’s changed.
- Albi (2 min walk): Arabic for “my heart”, this highly decorated restaurant certainly has captured DC’s. A mix of Palestine flavors and local ingredients amidst gorgeous decor makes this place a must-see. Not up for those Michelin prices? This spot is perfect for drinks and dessert. Closed Sun-Mon, Open Tues-Sat: 5-10pm.
- Emmy Squared Pizza (3 min walk): Sink your teeth into their signature Detroit-style pizza with its classic squared shape. Their double-stacked Le Big Matt burger is also rated one of the best burgers in cities across the US. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. Open Mon-Sat: 11am – 11pm, Sun: 11am – 10pm.
- The Salt Line (8 min walk): Enjoy Chesapeake and New England dishes from oysters and lobster rolls at this local seafood staple. Note: there is an automatic 4% operational surcharge which is not part of gratuity. Open Mon-Thurs: 4-10pm, Fri: 12 – 11pm, Sat: 11am – 11pm, Sun: 11am – 10pm.
- Chicken + Whiskey (10 min walk): Hailed as the best Peruvian chicken spot in DC, you can’t miss it! With +99 whiskies to try, the winning combinations for your taste buds are endless. Kitchen open Sun-Tues: 11am – 10pm, Wed-Sat: 11am – 12am. Bar open till 2am on Fri & Sat.