About this experience
Established fifty years before the Capital, Georgetown began as a gritty port city on the banks of the Potomac River, described by Abigail Adams as a "dirty little hole". Despite its modest start, Georgetown is now home to palatial mansions, elegant cemeteries, stately churches, and a world-class University. We'll explore the highlights and secrets of DC's most exclusive neighborhood, discussing architecture, history, scandal, and more. By the end of the tour, we'll see Georgetown's full transformation in this rags to riches tale.
At a glance
- Duration: 2 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 2 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Local guides to help you plan
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Guide
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Guide reveals how to tour Cedar Hill, secure tickets, and reach the front door where the story truly begins.
Georgetown Washington DC Travel Guide
Plan your Georgetown Washington DC travel guide with hidden canal paths, historic streets, and one surprising detail most visitors miss.
Georgetown Food and Restaurant Guide
Hungry for Georgetown’s best bites, hidden cocktails, and waterfront favorites? This food and restaurant guide reveals where your next unforgettable meal begins.
What is included
- Local guide
Not included
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
Our tour begins outside the favorite coffee/dessert shop for Georgetown locals, Baked & Wired. Grab a snack and let's go exploring! We'll start at the C&O Canal, getting an overview of the storied history of Georgetown.
Then we'll peek inside the oldest building in Washington DC, before leaving the main drag to explore the neighborhood.
We'll stroll along cobble stone streets, discussing the homes of movers and shakers like Jackie Kennedy and Ben Bradley. We'll see imposing mansions, stately churches, and a formerly salacious establishment, before crossing Wisconsin Avenue to the west side of town.
Making our way over to Georgetown University and down the Exorcist Steps, we'll wrap up on the banks of the Potomac River at the beautiful Georgetown Waterfront.
Sights we discuss include:
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Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
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Old Stone House
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Laird-Dunlop House
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Newton D. Baker House
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Lydia English Seminary School for Girls
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Grafton Tyler Double House
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Christ Episcopal Church
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Hyde-Addison School
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Yellow Tavern
•
Pomander Walk
•
Volta Labratory
•
Georgetown Prepatory School
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Georgetown University Healy Hall
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Georgetown University Library
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The Tombs
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Georgetown Car Barn
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Francis Scott Key Memorial
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Cady's Alley
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Georgetown Waterfront
Meeting and pickup information
- Meet your guide outside local favorite coffee shop, Baked & Wired.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- DC Design Tours
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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Service animals allowed
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