Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Take a guided walking tour of a historic neighborhood older than DC itself. One of our guides (Canden Schwantes) wrote the book(s) on Georgetown. See the colonial charm of canals, cobblestoned streets, historic homes, & intriguing history. You will see and hear stories of: - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal - a waterway through the industrial part of the neighborhood. - Old Stone House - oldest residential building in the district, now a National Park site. - Homes of Jackie & John F. Kennedy - hear about their time in Georgetown before and after his assassination - 18th and 19th Century Homes - learn about the diverse, historic architecture of the houses and the stories of those who have lived here. Look for original firemarks, coal chutes, ironworks, and gas lanterns. - Hear stories of the Black Georgetown community, immigrants who shaped the neighborhood, and women who bucked social norms. - Georgetown University - see the famous campus and learn how the neighborhood influenced it.
Inclusions
What's included
- Access to the side yard of the neighborhoods oldest building
- Professional, Licensed Guide
- Entrance to Georgetown University Campus (we can't get you admission!)
What's not
- Gratuities
Itinerary
The port Georgetown goes back centuries and is today know for its cobblestone streets, historic homes and gardens, and is seen as a shopping and dining district. Exploring the area on foot is the best way to go back in time and enjoy the park like atmosphere with all of its old brick and greenery.
The historic canal through the industrial section of Georgetown, guests will learn about the canal boats and see a working "lock" (gate) the helped the boats travel to and from along the canal.
Certainly one of the oldest buildings in the entire city, this quaint spot is run by the National Parks Service and has a lovely garden to sit and take a rest in. Built in 1766, it was a car dealership by 1953 when it was taken over for historic preservation. Now it is ours to enjoy and remember a simpler time when tobacco and tall tales traded at the nearby port.
See one of many homes associated with the Kennedy family, who lived in nearly a dozen different homes in the neighborhood.
Founded in 1789, this prestigious Jesuit University is know far and wide for its medical, legal, and undergraduate programs. See the towering spires of the Patrick Healy building and the statue of founder John Carrol. On a warm day students will lounge in the grass out front throwing frisbees, reading, and socializing.
We end the tour near the Exorcist Steps, a historic stairway that became famous thanks to the 1970s film of the same name.
A Georgetown institution, this restaurant has been locally owned since 1933. The dark wood panels, black and white photos on the wall, and the regulars at the bar give this place a certain sense of nostalgia and ambiance. The classic American fare keeps people coming back year after year with both indoor and outdoor seating
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5383
- 424
- 39
- 22
- 11
Ratings come from 419 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Tour begins at the Chesapeake And Ohio Canal Historical Park In Georgetown by Lock 3 between Thomas Jefferson and 30th St NW - there is a large park on the north side of the canal. Look for your guide in orange.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 15 travellers
- Operated by
- DC by Foot
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Washington DC
- Its from-price is 51% below the median of the 158 city tours we list in Washington DC.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 18 of 158.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Washington DC
Washington, DC is the US capital, a planned city on the Potomac, with a National Mall of monuments and museums and cherry trees in spring.
Washington was planned as a capital in the 1790s, with broad avenues radiating from the Capitol. The National Mall stretches from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool. Memorials to Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr stand around the Tidal Basin, where cherry trees bloom in late March or early April. The White House stands just north of the Mall.
Top-ranked sights in Washington DC: The White House, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial.
Special offers in Washington DC
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
