The Washington DC Sightseeing Day Pass: Save Big at 15+ Monumental Attractions

I bought these tickets for the sole reason that we wanted to go to the Smithsonian Museum during our visit to DC and I wasn’t able to get tickets directly. You need a timed entry pass and none were available on the dates we planned to visit DC. This pass advertises admission to the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I called and talked to two different people to confirm that these passes would indeed get me into these museums even though you you need a timed entry pass. I was assured we could get in and that I would be sent a link to get my tickets. The only link I got was for the day pass but nothing for timed entry passes. The email we received told us to meet at the National Mall off Constitution Avenue. For those of you not familiar with the area, the National Mall is huge and we had know idea exactly where to meet but we went there thinking there would be signs or something directing us where to go. We got there and nothing. It was pouring rain and we were wondering around trying to find the meeting spot. I called the number to speak to the tour guide directly. I was put on hold for about 20 minutes only to be disconnected. I called again and the same exact thing happened. I called a different number and it went straight to voicemail. I sent a chat asking someone to call me back. It’s been a day and never heard back. I called a third time and finally got ahold of someone and they told me I needed to be at the Spy Museum. It clearly states on my confirmation that we were to meet at the National Mall.....nowhere does it say the Spy Museum. So we took a city bus to the Spy Museum. We went to the Spy Museum and they told us we couldn’t get in without a timed entry pass. We then took the bus that comes with this pass and went to National Museum of American history. The bus was literally “raining”....water coming out of the vents and dripping all over the seats. The PA system was broken, too, so the bus driver took us to another bus that was working. We didn’t bother getting on the second bus and walked to the National Museum of American History. When we went to the ticket window, the same exact thing happened. You can’t get in without a timed entry pass. Then we learned that half of the place advertised on this pass are completely closed due to Covid. So basically the only thing this pass is good for is a bus ride that takes you to these places. If you want a bus ride to these places, you can ride the Circulator bus which is free and is part of Washington DC public transportation system. They are very easy to catch and come by every 20 minutes. This whole thing really spoiled our visit to DC. I requested a refund yesterday and received an automated response that they were reviewing and would get back to me within 7 days.

First of all I was sold a 2 day ticket for Monday and Tuesday when the bus only runs Friday-Monday. The bus never showed up at 9:00am which is what time the ticket has for pick up. I tried calling several numbers and was connected to an agent twice only to be “ disconnected “. Finally just rented bikes and toured on our own. I am trying to get a refund!