Historic Georgetown Architectural Walking Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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: • Chesapeake & Ohio Canal • Old Stone House • Laird-Dunlop House • Newton D. Baker House • Lydia English Seminary School for Girls • Grafton Tyler Double House • Christ Episcopal Church • Hyde-Addison School • Yellow Tavern • Pomander Walk • Volta Labratory • Georgetown Prepatory School • Georgetown University Healy Hall • Georgetown University Library • The Tombs • Georgetown Car Barn • Francis Scott Key Memorial • Cady's Alley • Georgetown Waterfront
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(78)
Brian did a fantastic job with the pace of the tour and bringing the history of the neighborhood alive. Definitely recommend taking this tour and ask for Brian.
Thank you so much, Brian is the best! :)
Brian was incredible. Very knowledgeable on the history of Georgetown and DC in general. This 2 hour tour was exactly what we needed for a perfect Sunday fall morning. Kennedys, Georgetown U, Alex. Bell lab, Tranformers and Exorcist. What else coukd one ask for? I recommend this tour for anyone that can walk and especially for young people middle school age and up to learn about the formation of DC, the C&O canal
What a kind review, thank you so much!
Exceptional. Knowledgeable pleasant and fun. I will definitely go on another of their tours. This was done in the extreme DC heat. But still worth it
We're very happy to read your review, thank you!
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour of Georgetown. It was so interesting exploring the area for two-and-a-half hours, seeing and learning about its many historic properties. My guide, Christine, was excellent; her knowledge of Georgetown's architecture and fascinating history was impressive, and she made this such an enjoyable afternoon. Based on this experience, I hope to have the opportunity to see more of DC with DC Design Tours.
We hope so too! Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review!
Our tour with Brian was absolutely wonderful - perfectly paced, loaded with lots of great information, stories and insights. A perfect complement to museum visits and the Cherry Blossom festival. Thumbs up!
Thank you for the thumbs up, and we hope to tour with you again! :)
Enjoyed a fabulous Georgetown tour with Brian today. His knowledge and insight brought the neighborhood to life. I’m a local and this is my 2nd tour with DC designs. Highly recommend them! And Brian!
We're so delighted to read your review! Thank you!
Excellent tour to get to know Georgetown. The Guide was very friendly and provided his clarity to explain the history and picturesque facts about the places where we stopped. Highly recommended
¡muchas gracias!
This is my second DC Design tour. The guides each time have been informative and interesting, and I learned some little known facts and seen things I had not seen and also looked at familiar things in a new way. They are the best.
Thank you so much for your review, and being a repeat customer! Hope to tour with you again soon!
Kim, the tiur guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Nice way to see Georgetown and learn its history
Thank you for taking the time to review Kim's Georgetown tour!
ompany only cares about money; disappointed. My wife and son were on Georgetown tour that was OVERBOOKED with 24 people instead of advertised maximum of 20. The tour guide had no microphone or any equipment; they couldn’t hear half of the commentary. Being such a huge group, the tour moved very slowly. My wife and son were disappointed and left early. Do NOT book with this company as apparently it is a normal practice for them to overbook!
Hi Max, thanks for letting us know your concerns. I spoke to your wife at length on this matter. The tour had an additional two people (22), and it is not common practice for tours to be overbooked or usual for the groups to be that large. This was a very busy holiday weekend and, while our average size is around 8-12 people, occasionally tours do sell out, as was the case here. Unfortunately, one guest brought two additional people without purchasing tickets in advance or contacting the office and our guide did not feel comfortable turning them away. Your wife did not mention to the guide that she was having trouble hearing, instead texting very angry messages to our office. I offered her an immediate refund if she chose to leave the tour early, which she did not. I also contacted our guide to make sure she was being heard by everyone. Our guide made an extra effort to chat with your family and discuss Georgetown University in detail, since your daughter expressed an interest in the school. Your family did not leave early and stayed for the entire 2.5 hour tour. Your wife booked three tours with our company, and while we’re grateful for your business, she also purchased child priced tickets, despite your kids being well beyond 12 years old. I’m glad your family enjoyed the two other tours with us, and I hope they have a great rest of their time in DC!
