FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs

Tickets

All tickets are plus tax. Each gondola holds 4-6 adults. The VIP gondola holds four people.
  • Adult – $17.50
  • Child – $13.50
  • Military – $15.50 with valid military ID purchased only at The Capital Wheel Ticket Booth
  • National Harbor One VIP Gondola – $50 per person
View tickets, special packages and offers here.

Yes, with valid ID, Military tickets are priced at $15.50 each, plus tax. Military tickets must be purchased in person, with proof of a valid Military ID; they cannot be purchased online. Also, visit our Deals & Events page for additional offers.

If you are looking for an exceptional experience, The Capital Wheel’s National Harbor One (the VIP gondola) provides an especially luxurious ride with its leather bucket seats, and glass floor. National Harbor One can accommodate up to four riders. VIP tickets at $50 per person allow you to step right to the head of the line, and a photo package is included, too! National Harbor One is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth on the pier the day of your visit.

Click HERE to purchase tickets.

Reservations are not required for The Capital Wheel.

Tickets are good for one admission during operating hours (not unlimited rides per day). The tickets are not timed, so you can experience The Capital Wheel at your convenience. The tickets will expire 60 days from the date of purchase.

Tickets can be purchased or at the onsite ticket booth located in front of The Capital Wheel. Click to buy tickets.
Yes, you can scan your ticket barcode from your smartphone.

If you have lost your email ticket confirmation, please contact info@iconattractions.com please tell us the email address you used to purchase the tickets and the name they were under. In most cases we can easily look them up for you and resend.

Visa, Discover, MasterCard & American Express. The Capital Wheel does not accept cash or Applepay at this time.

The Capital Wheel is a safe and slow ride for people of all ages and conditions, including pregnant women, small children, and babies. Children under the age of 2 ride free with a ticket and accompanying adult.

Hours & Weather

Operating hours subject to change due to holidays and special events. For our standard operating hours please see our calendar.

The Capital Wheel will operate in most weather conditions. Only extreme weather such as high wind speeds and/or local lightning may cause the attraction to temporarily shut down.

Riding the Capital Wheel

Each flight of The Capital Wheel lasts approximately 12-15 minutes.

Each gondola has seating for 4-6 adults. National Harbor One (the VIP Gondola) can seat up to four people.

Each gondola is air-conditioned and heated, so you can ride in comfort year-round.

Strollers are not permitted on the gondolas, but we provide a space for you to park it! We are not liable for any damaged or stolen items.

Yes, all of our gondolas are accessible to guests using wheelchairs. Guests using wheelchairs and riding in our standard gondolas have the option of either riding with their wheelchair or transferring from their wheelchair onto the seating in the gondolas. The gondola door is 32 inches wide, and we have a ramp that allows wheelchairs to roll directly into the gondola. Please note that, due to space limitations, each standard gondola can accommodate a guest (with their wheelchair) and 2-3 additional riders.

Guests that wish to ride with more friends or family or that simply do not wish to bring their wheelchairs on board may, of course, transfer from their wheelchair to the regular gondola seating.

Guests riding in The Capital Wheel’s National Harbor One (the VIP gondola), must transfer from their wheelchair to the gondola as the bucket seating design of National Harbor One does not accommodate wheelchairs on board. For our guests transferring out of their wheelchairs, The Capital Wheel is happy to store your wheelchair safely and securely on the loading platform, so it is immediately available to you at the conclusion of your ride.

We know you love your pets and we love animals, too––but they are not allowed in the gondolas (with the exception of service animals).

Service animals are allowed on The Capital Wheel.

Trip Planning

National Harbor has a wide variety of hotels please visit https://www.nationalharbor.com/where-to-stay/ to book your stay.

You may visit various pages on this website to find out more information about The Capital Wheel and you can also visit www.natonalharbor.com for more information about the area.

Hours vary for each location. Please check our calendar for more information.

Our awesome email newsletter is sent several times a month. It’s a great opportunity to stay updated on all the most current news, discounts and special events happening at The Capital Wheel and Flight Deck. To get our newsletter delivered to your inbox, join now!

Group Sales

Yes, Discounts for groups over 10 are available, please contact Group Sales at info@iconattractions.com

Specific time reservations are not required though recommended for larger groups.

Yes, for pre-purchased group tickets only, we offer complimentary tickets per 10 tickets purchased. We also provide a complimentary ticket for Tour Operators.

FLight Deck

To host an event at the Capital Wheel, please contact Group Sales at email events@iconattractions.com.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted at The Capital Wheel. You may purchase beverages at Flight Deck during normal hours of operation.

Parking

Paid parking is available throughout National Harbor. For more information, please visit nationalharbor.com/directory-parking.

Buses can park wherever parking is available, for more information please visit https://parking.nationalharbor.com/bus-parking/