Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Washington DC
Gilded Age mansions, high-stakes diplomacy, and sordid scandals converge in Dupont Circle, once on the rural edge of the capital and later a playground for Washington’s wealthy. Today, its tree-lined streets showcase some of the city’s most striking architecture, from stately Neoclassical residences to eclectic Arts & Crafts homes. On this two-hour walking tour, we’ll trace the evolution of Embassy Row and the surrounding Dupont neighborhood, uncovering the stories behind the grand façades. Meet the city’s social climbers, power brokers, and eccentric residents—from influential socialite Alice Roosevelt Longworth to Evalyn Walsh McLean and her infamous Hope Diamond. Here, architecture and ambition intertwine with the story of Washington’s dramatic turn-of-the-century transformation.
Dupont Circle is the heart of this historic neighborhood, with a photogenic fountain at it's center by the designers of the Lincoln Memorial.
Walk along Embassy Row and see some of the city's most impressive properties, spanning the architectural gamut from Neo-classical to Beaux-Arts to Queen Anne and more. Meet the city’s social climbers, power brokers, and eccentric residents—from influential socialite Alice Roosevelt Longworth to Evalyn Walsh McLean and her infamous Hope Diamond.
Hear the story behind the the opulent Indonesian Embassy, once home to the Hope Diamond.
This imposing mansion was the former home of the wealthiest power couple in Washington DC, now headquarters to the the Nation's oldest patriotic organization.
A gorgeous beaux-arts mansion off Sheridan Circle, where music legend Ahmet Ertegun got his start.
A Civil War monument with a bizarre backstory, designed by the sculptor of Mount Rushmore.
A quiet residential neighborhood off Embassy Row who's name means "Beautiful View" in Greek. Now home to some of Washington's most influential characters.
Former post-presidency home of Woodrow Wilson
Washington's own modest version of the famed European landmark makes for a quiet hidden oasis in the middle of the city.
The first modern art museum in the United States
Dupont Circle and Embassy Row Architectural Walking Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 10 stops.
Prices start at $48 per person for this Washington DC experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is Look for your guide at the Dupont Circle Fountain in the center of Dupont Circle.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
I took this tour with Sam in late August 2026. I was not familiar with DuPont Circle, and interested in exploring a different part of DC. Sam gave a great tour. He shared his love of architecture, some local lore, and many humorous antedotes. Highly recommend!
Thanks so much! We appreciate your review of Sam's tour!
New-ish to the area and thoroughly enjoyed this tour. I have been "enamored" by Dupont Circle and the Embassies since my arrival here and this tour gave me a great overview and historical reference to both. Two hours was perfect and it was not a taxing physical venture.
Welcome to the neighborhood, and thank you for reviewing our Dupont Circle & Embassy Row tour! Hope to see you again soon! :)
This was a great tour. Our tour guide sam was full of facts and stories which made the tour very interesting. Loved hearing the history of those beautiful buildings. This is a great way to explore DC
Thank you so much!
My friends and I enjoyed the architectural walking tour around Dupont Circle, Embassy Row and Kalorama. We met at the Dupont Circle fountain, which is easy to get to from the Metro. Our guide Mark was full of information about the history of the buildings, and the people who lived and died there. He had pictures to show how it looked in the past. It's a combination of walking and standing, all outside. Wear comfortable shoes.
Thank you so much for reviewing Mark's tour!
Walk around the neighborhood of DuPont Circle with a knowledgeable guide who relayed both the architecture of the homes and the stories of the lives of the rich and famous owners.
Thank you Shawn!
We are locals who take walking tours in cities all over the world, yet we had not taken a walking tour in DC! We booked the Embassy Row tour for my native Washingtonian husband’s birthday. This was one of the best walking tours we have had anywhere. There were maybe 12 of us most of them tourists. Sam is entertaining, knowledgeable and really enjoys what he does. There is gossip, there are jokes, there are wonderfully told stories and of course, there is attention to the architectural details. Sam made the whole area come alive while still being attentive to a person who was in a wheelchair. The wo+ hours of a cold day flew by. We have lived here forever and learned a ton of new things about Embassy Row, Dupont Circle and the Phillips. Our new plan is to take all of DC Design’s tours over the next couple of years. Don't go anywhere, Sam1
Wow, thank you so much for this stellar review of Sam! We so appreciate the endorsement, especially from longtime locals. Hope to see you again soon!
So glad we took this walking tour! Our guide Sam was welcoming and knowledgable, and he kept us moving at a good pace while entertaining us along the way and making sure to answer all our questions. I will not hesitate to book another DC Designs tour next time I'm in the area!
Thank you Wendy! Hope to see you again soon!
We had a fantastic day with Sam! He has the best energy, you could definitely tell he loves history, his job and telling intriguing stories. A group of us friends who live in Dupont Circle thought it'd be fun to check out the tour to learn more about where we live and we now know the most interesting facts about our neighborhood. Now when we have visitors to DC, we'll be able to impress them with our knowledge :) This tour is a recommendation for both visitors and residents of DC!
Thank you so much! We really appreciate your review, especially from a local! :)
We enjoyed our Embassy Row Tour with Carolyn so much that we booked a Georgetown Tour with he as well for later in the week. Incredibly knowledgeable. Fun! HIGHLY recommend!
Thank you so much! I had a great time touring with you both! :)
Highly recommend this tour for tourists and locals alike. I have lived around DC for years but learned so much! Sam, our tour guide, was wonderful. Absolutely knew his DC history and architecture styles - and was thoroughly entertaining! Looking forward to doing more with DC Design!
We love to hear that, thank you so much!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dupont Circle and Embassy Row Architectural Walking Tour | 2 hours | 5.0 (123) | $48 | |
 DC: US Capitol & Library of Congress / Supreme Court Guided Tour | 3–4 hours | 5.0 (166) | $65 | View |
 Washington DC Monuments Tour by Electric Cart Day and Night | 2 hours | 4.8 (3,179) | $54 | View |
 Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + boat cruise | 6 hours | 4.7 (3,710) | $89 | View |
 DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Boat Cruise, National Mall, Tickets | 6 hours | 4.7 (1,590) | $69 | View |
 DC Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, National Mall, Tickets | 3 hours | 4.6 (5,882) | $63 | View |
 Washington DC Monuments & US History Moonlight Guided E-Cart Tour | 2 hours | 4.3 (8) | $44 | View |