Events DC WalkingTown is DC’s best public tour program, featuring guided walking tours in neighborhoods throughout the District of Columbia. Join us for eight days to visit eight wards and learn about our unique city.
This year, we will host more than 50 walking and biking tours in September, offering authentic and memorable tours that help residents and visitors enjoy, appreciate and learn about the District of Columbia.
Do you have an existing tour or would you like to share a story from your neighborhood? Submit it today! All submissions are subject to approval. An Events DC staff member will contact you if your tour is selected. Complete the registration form here.
Your role as a WalkingTown volunteer is to assist the tour guide, helping with check-in and making sure everyone, including you, has a memorable experience on the tour.
Please let us know if you want to volunteer by completing this form. In early September, you will be able to select the tour, date and time of your preference. Please note that the WalkingTown tours take place from September 13 through the 20.
Thank you for your volunteerism and for helping to make WalkingTown one of the best tour programs in Washington!
Please click here to find the list of 2025 tours and register.
Take a look at the description of the 2025 tours.
1. Echoes of Black History: Stories Between the Stones
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tour description:
This walking tour explores the powerful — and often overlooked — stories of Black history on and around the National Mall. From Freedom Plaza and Lafayette Square to the Lincoln Memorial, you'll experience iconic landmarks while uncovering hidden histories in plain sight — from the Marion Barry statue and the Lincoln Memorial to the legacy of Paul Jennings at the White House and the erased footprint of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign.
This reflective experience invites guests to consider what is honored in public spaces, what is missing and why that matters. Along the way, you’ll explore themes of visibility and invisibility in Black history — the stories etched in stone and the ones still waiting to be told.
As a special bonus, each participant receives a timed-entry ticket to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to continue their journey independently.
Tour Guide: Lauri Williamson; Local tour guide and author, 111 Places in Black Culture in Washington, DC That You Must Not Miss
Ward: 2
2. Battle of Fort Stevens Walk
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tour description:
Fort Stevens is the site of the only Civil War battle fought in the District of Columbia. Here on July 11 and 12 in 1864, Union soldiers, with the support of comrades at nearby forts, stopped a Confederate invasion of Washington. It was here on April 12 that President Abraham Lincoln was shot at by Confederate soldiers while observing the battle from the fort’s parapet wall.
We will explore the fort and battleground, discuss the significance of the battle and visit the cemetery where forty-one of the city’s defenders are buried.
Tour Guide: Russ Norfleet; Certified master guide withThe Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC
Ward: 4
3. The Springland Farm, America's Most Important Vineyard
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
This tour is all about stories. It focuses on the amazing history of the Springland Farm located just north of Cleveland Park. Founded in 1814, the farm included arguably America’s most important vineyard. The Father of American Viticulture was the farm’s founder, John Adlum. By 1850 half of the wine in American came from grapes from this farm.
We’ll talk in depth about the 34 enslaved individuals who worked the Adlum farm, the second largest holding of slaves in DC. We’ll visit two historic designated farm properties. We’ll also talk about the cholera epidemic that nearly wiped out the Adlum family in 1849 and a fake manumission.
The tour will also explore the major institutions that were founded on the farm in the 1900s: the National Bureau of Standards, International Chancery Center, and University of the District of Columbia.
Stories, stories and more stories.
Tour Guide: Chuck Ludlam; Founder of the Springland Farm Community, located on what was the John Adlum farm.
Ward: 3
4. From Tenleytown to Wesley Heights--A Mixture of Education, Religion and History
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Where do religion, culture, news, security and beauty all exist within a bit over a mile of each other? They’re on Nebraska Avenue from Tenleytown to Wesley Heights. On this stretch of land stands the National Presbyterian Church and school and the Methodist Seminary. It has the stunning ambassadorial residence of Japan and the former one of Sweden. Nearby and next to each other are the headquarters of both NBC Washington news and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (yes, really?!?) And then there is American University with its beautiful arboretum-designated landscaping and rich and somewhat scandalous history.
Tour Guide: Ellen Malasky; Certified master tour guide
Ward: 3
5. Birds from the Greco-Roman Times to the Present: A Birding and Architectural History Walk
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Time travel with us on this bird and DC neoclassical architecture walk! The walk starts at Union Station, through Lower Senate Park, pauses at the US Supreme Court, and ends at the US Capitol. While looking out for birds, we shall also examine the many Greco-Roman architectural elements present on Capitol Hill government buildings that were first introduced in Greek and Roman antiquity. See if you can spot avian life incorporated as sculptural elements in these neoclassical buildings! After this walk, we hope that when you next visit the Parthenon in Athens or the Pantheon in Rome, you'll better appreciate the "mystic chords of memory" (President Lincoln, first inaugural address delivered at the US Capitol) that connect our contemporary experience on the National Mall to the peoples who lived in the Greco-Roman world many centuries ago. You are strongly encouraged to bring a pair of binoculars if you have one.
Tour Guide: Brian Wee; Science lead at the DC Bird Alliance
Ward: 2
6. Art & History are Alive in the Cemetery: A Wandering Tour of DC's Oldest Burial Ground.
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Historic Rock Creek Cemetery was established around 1726 and is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Mid-Atlantic region. The churchyard has a history dating to almost 75 years before the District of Columbia was established. Join this tour to wander through portions of this 86-acre Nationally Registered Landmark known for its beautiful parklike settings and magnificent pieces of funerary sculpture, including the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens Adams Memorial, nicknamed "Grief". We will also talk about famous - and infamous - luminaries buried here who helped to shape not only DC, but very nation itself. Art and History are truly alive in the Cemetery!
Tour Guide: Donald Harrell; Former DC resident and content contributor to this cemetery tour
Ward: 4
7. Penn-Branch: A View From The Top
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Stately detached homes, quiet tree-lined streets and striking vistas that can stretch from Downtown to Silver Spring are just a few of the charms of the Penn Branch neighborhood in Southeast Washington, DC. Discover the area’s history as part of a sprawling resort and planned development by a syndicate of prominent businesspeople that included Sen. George Hearst, President of New York Central Railroad Chauncey DePew and the Havemeyer family that owned Domino Sugar. Along the route, we'll pass a diverse array of homes that include works by notable DC architects such as H. Clay Ashby, Clifton White, Marcus Hallett, as well as Black architect R.C. Archer.
Tour Guide: Jim Byers; Neighborhood historian, tour guide, author, host of WPFW 89.3 FM’s "Latin Flavor" and a featured guest on WETA's "If You Lived Here" (Season 2)
Ward: 7
8. Fort Stanton Park Hike
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Fort Stanton Park occupies the heights above Anacostia where the Union army constructed fortifications to defend Washington during the Civil War. These forts had a combined garrison of more than 500 men, but they never saw battle. They were abandoned in 1865 and the remains of earthworks and ditches can still be seen in the woods. The surrounding land went back to nature and was added to the National Park system in 1926. Today, Fort Stanton Park is home to a recreation center, an urban farm, a reservoir for DC Water and the southernmost section of the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker trail. Its more than 150 acres of woods include deep cut stream valleys, stands of towering tulip trees and several small rock outcroppings. Join the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy founder for a two-mile loop through the park with commentary on its history, flora and restoration efforts.
Tour Guide: Nathan Harrington; Executive director of Ward 8 Woods Conservancy and professional tour guide
Ward: 8
9. Alexandria Joins The Party: How the Alexandria Canal enabled the City of Alexandria to enjoy the economic benefits of the Washington, DC system of canals
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
In the early 19th century, the City of Alexandria was a part of Washington, DC. Alexandrians knew of the then-existing Washington City Canal and the newly constructed Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal. They were very worried about being left out of the canal-driven boom in commerce, so they petitioned the US Congress for their own canal. The Alexandria Canal Company was chartered in 1830 and the Alexandria Canal began operations in 1843. As Alexandria joined the (canal) party, business began booming almost immediately. This 11-mile biking tour will tell the history of the Alexandria Canal, and explore its entire length from Alexandria, VA, to Georgetown in northwest Washington via the Alexandria Aqueduct Bridge.
Tour Guide: Tom Haser; Self-taught historian and National Park Service volunteer
Ward: 2
10. Sustainability Lives in Congress Heights!
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Join us for an enagaging and enlightening sustainability-themed tour to see examples of how DC's environmental programs come to life in one area of Congress Heights.The tour will last approximately two hours and cover nearly two miles, including stops at Sycamore & Oak, RiverSmart Homes, Oxon Run Park and KIPP DC - Honor Academy Public Charter School. Please note that the route does involve hills.
Tour Guide: Oana Leahu-Aluas; Staff member, DC Department of Energy and Environment
Ward: 8
11. Adams Morgan The Economics of Displacement and Moments of Resistance
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Learn about bank redlining and community activism that contributed to riots and police occupation in the 1960s, as well as revolutions in Central America and the Horn of Africa during the 1970s and 1980s. Discover the cultural contributions of immigrants from Chile and Central America, and the displacement caused by the conversion of apartment buildings into condominiums in the 1970s and 1980s. Hear about the transformation of residential housing and local retail services into bars and nightclubs in the 1980s and 1990s, and how this process continues today with brief moments of pushback and resistance.
Tour Guide: Eddie Becker; Investigative researcher
Ward: 1
12. A Walk Through Time in Brookland
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Walk back in time and contrast Brookland today with Brookland during five earlier historic periods: the Native American Woodlands Period, Washington County, the Civil War Era, Trolley Car Suburb and the City Neighborhood (1960 to today). Photos from the guide’s personal collection will show representations of neighborhood sites during these various periods. See the various architectural styles of Brookland’s buildings as well as those that are on the Historic Landmark registry and the sites and homes associated with such famous Brooklanders as professor and poet Sterling Brown, ornithologist Robert Ridgeway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (The Yearling), botanist and Four H leader Carrie Harrison and US government executive Robert Weaver. The lives of Ralph Bunche, John Preston Davis, Walter and Jean Kerr and Bishop Fulton Sheen will also be considered with reference to their time in Brookland. The tour guide will point out in Brookland as well.
Tour Guide: John Feeley; Longtime resident, local writer, co-author of Brookland and volunteer tour guide
Ward: 5
13. Scandal & Stone: The Untold Architecture of Downtown DC
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Step into the shadows of Downtown DC where stunning architecture hides scandal, power plays and untold stories. On this two-hour walking tour, we’ll explore grand hotels, Romanesque towers and forgotten facades that once hosted spies, secret societies, political mistresses, media coverups and labor battles. From the opulent Willard Hotel to the haunted halls of Hotel Monaco, we'll uncover the city’s polished surface—and the chaos underneath. This isn’t your typical monument tour. It’s scandal in stone. Please note: This is an outdoor walking tour. We will not enter the buildings.
Tour Guide: Ayana Everett; DC native, licensed tour guide and founder, Untold DC Tours
Ward: 2
14. Frederick Law Olmsted and the US Capitol Grounds
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Commissioned by Congress in 1874 to design the grounds of the US Capitol, Frederick Law Olmsted created an innovative landscape, presenting the building to greatest visual effect while overcoming numerous design challenges. Explore the history and design of the Capitol grounds while learning about its intricate features: the Olmsted-designed marble terraces, brick Spring Grotto, masterful stone and ironwork and carefully crafted views and circulation paths. Presented by the Olmsted Network and the United States Capitol Historical Society; led by volunteers from the USCHS.
Tour Guide: Steve Livengood; Public historian, US Capitol Historical Society, and board member, Olmsted Network
Ward: 6
15. Charles Dickens in Washington DC
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tour description:
The famous English novelist Charles Dickens visited the USA and Washington DC in 1842. He was only thirty years old but was already a huge celebrity because of the unprecedented success of novels such as The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. His time in the US and DC was not altogether happy and he wrote a book about his visit, with scathing comments on DC culture and politics. Stephen Mead has made a specialty of performing excerpts from Dickens' works and on this fun and informative tour, we will hear what Dickens said about DC and enjoy extracts from the works which made him famous in the US.
Tour Guide: Stephen Mead; Tour guide and professional storyteller
Ward: 1
16. Mapping Arts and Culture in Historic Georgetown
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tour description:
"Before there was a DC, there was Georgetown."
As one of Washington, DC’s oldest neighborhoods, Georgetown offers a rich tapestry of American history and urban charm. Often described as a village within the city, it stands today as a unique blend of the historic and contemporary—with cobblestone streets, beautifully preserved architecture and a vibrant mix of shopping, dining and outdoor recreation.
But Georgetown is more than just picturesque—it’s also a hub for arts and culture, with over 50 ways to engage creatively with the neighborhood. This walking tour explores the cultural side of Georgetown, from public art installations and historic sites to galleries, studios and cultural venues. Along the way, participants will be invited to share their own ideas and visions for public art and cultural programming in the area.
Please note: This is an outdoor walking tour; we will not enter any buildings or interior spaces.
Tour Guide: Nancy Miyahira; Community leader and director of arts and culture programs at the House of Sweden
Ward: 2
17. Art & History are Alive in the Cemetery: A Wandering Tour of DC's Oldest Burial Ground.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tour description:
Historic Rock Creek Cemetery was established around 1726 and is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Mid-Atlantic region. The churchyard has a history dating to almost 75 years before the District of Columbia was established. Join this tour to wander through portions of this 86-acre Nationally Registered Landmark known for its beautiful parklike settings and magnificent pieces of funerary sculpture, including the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens Adams Memorial, nicknamed "Grief". We will also talk about famous - and infamous - luminaries buried here who helped to shape not only DC, but very nation itself. Art and History are truly alive in the Cemetery!
Tour Guide: Donald Harrell; Former DC resident and content contributor to this cemetery tour
Ward: 4
18. Beyond the Insurrection: The History of Political and Social Protest on the National Mall
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tour description:
We all have some memory of the political protest that occurred on January 6, 2021. Protesters used violence in an attempt to subvert the 2020 United States presidential election and forcibly stormed the United States Capitol as Congress was in session to certify the 2020 election results. The protest that occurred on January 6, 2021, was unlike the majority of political protests that have taken place in Washington, DC, for more than 125 years, the foremost reason being that it used violent civil disobedience.
On this tour, you’ll learn about the established tradition of political protest in the United States of America which is guaranteed to all its citizens in its Constitution. We will explore sites along the National Mall as we discuss what makes a successful political protest and how this tradition came to be.
Tour Guide: Zach Patalingjug; Tour company owner and licensed tour guide
Ward: -2
19. Discover the Birds of Capitol Hill
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tour description:
Join us for a morning of birdwatching in one of Washington, DC’s most charming green spaces — Senate Park. Just steps from the U.S. Capitol, this historic urban oasis provides important habitat for resident and migratory birds alike. Whether you’re a seasoned bird lover or just curious, this guided walk will help you sharpen your observation skills, learn to identify local species by sight and sound, and connect with nature in the heart of the city.
Tour Guide: Maria-Elena Montero; Nature lover
Ward: -6
20. Charles Dickens in Washington DC
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
The famous English novelist Charles Dickens visited the USA and Washington DC in 1842. He was only thirty years old but was already a huge celebrity because of the unprecedented success of novels such as The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist. His time in the US and DC was not altogether happy and he wrote a book about his visit, with scathing comments on DC culture and politics. Stephen Mead has made a specialty of performing excerpts from Dickens' works and on this fun and informative tour, we will hear what Dickens said about DC and enjoy extracts from the works which made him famous in the US.
Tour Guide: Stephen Mead; Tour guide and professional storyteller
Ward: -1
21. Brookland: Past, Present and Future
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
The Brookland neighborhood in northeastWashington, DC, has a rich and interesting history that dates back more than 100 years. Come stretch your legs and discover that history on a walking tour of Brookland's cultural and historic landmarks. Come experience the civic pride and "people power" that contributed to creating and maintaining one of the most appealing -- yet little-known -- neighborhoods in DC.
Tour Guide: Caroline Petti; President Emerita, Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association and a DC and neighborhood historian
Ward: -5
22. Scandal & Stone: The Untold Architecture of Downtown DC
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Step into the shadows of Downtown DC where stunning architecture hides scandal, power plays and untold stories. On this two-hour walking tour, we’ll explore grand hotels, Romanesque towers and forgotten facades that once hosted spies, secret societies, political mistresses, media coverups and labor battles. From the opulent Willard Hotel to the haunted halls of Hotel Monaco, we'll uncover the city’s polished surface—and the chaos underneath. This isn’t your typical monument tour. It’s scandal in stone. Please note: This is an outdoor walking tour. We will not enter the buildings.
Tour Guide: Ayana Everett; DC native, licensed tour guide and founder, Untold DC Tours
Ward: -2
23. Frederick Law Olmsted and the US Capitol Grounds
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Commissioned by Congress in 1874 to design the grounds of the US Capitol, Frederick Law Olmsted created an innovative landscape, presenting the building to greatest visual effect while overcoming numerous design challenges. Explore the history and design of the Capitol grounds while learning about its intricate features: the Olmsted-designed marble terraces, brick Spring Grotto, masterful stone and ironwork and carefully crafted views and circulation paths. Presented by the Olmsted Network and the United States Capitol Historical Society; led by volunteers from the USCHS.
Tour Guide: Steve Livengood; Public historian, US Capitol Historical Society, and board member, Olmsted Network
Ward: -6
24. Walk, Snap & Discover: Penn Quarter in Arabic
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Don’t miss the chance to explore Penn Quarter, the beating heart of Washington and one of its most vibrant neighborhoods! This walking tour, offered entirely in Arabic, takes you on a journey that blends history, culture and modern energy. From the iconic Friendship Arch in Chinatown to world-class museums like the National Portrait Gallery, through Ford’s Theatre where one of the most important chapters of American history was written, and on to lively landmarks such as the US Navy Memorial and Capital One Arena. Along the way, enjoy a wonderful mix of art, architecture and local flavor, all within a short and easy walking distance. A unique experience awaits you!
لا تفوّت فرصة استكشاف حي بن كوارتر، القلب النابض لواشنطن وأحد أكثر أحيائها حيوية! جولة ممتعة سيرًا على الأقدام تُقدَّم بالكامل باللغة العربية، تأخذك في رحلة تجمع بين التاريخ والثقافة والطاقة العصرية. من قوس الصداقة الشهير في الحي الصيني، إلى المتاحف العالمية مثل المتحف الوطني للصور الشخصية، مرورًا بمسرح فورد حيث كُتبت إحدى أهم صفحات التاريخ الأميركي، وصولاً إلى الساحات النابضة بالحياة مثل النصب التذكاري للبحرية الأميركية وصالة كابيتال وان أرينا. خلال هذه الجولة، ستستمتع بمزيج رائع من الفن والعمارة والنكهة المحلية—all في مسافة قصيرة يسهل التجول فيها. تجربة فريدة بانتظارك!
Tour Guide: Hanane Nafidi; NO INFO
Ward: -2
72. Historic Theatre Walking Tour
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Journey with us through the theatrical history of Washington, DC – literally! Theatre Week 2025 is proud to bring back the fan-favorite walking tour of downtown DC theatres. Co-Hosted by Farar Elliott (Curator and Chief, Office of Art and Archives in the U.S. House of Representatives) and Chris Geidner, Journalist and Blogger, Law Dor. This two-hour tour celebrates the past, present, and future of your favorite downtown venues. Kicking things off at the historic National Theatre, this guided exploration of the Penn Quarter neighborhood features stops at Ford's Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company – plus some fun facts about the #dctheatre community at large. After the tour (optional), enjoy a $45 ticket offer to see The Merry Wives of Windsor, featuring a cast of many favorite local performers at Harman Hall, Shakespeare Theatre Company. lus some fun facts about the #dctheatre community at large. After the tour (optional), enjoy a $45 ticket offer to see Merry Wives, featuring a cast of many favorite local performers in Harman Hall, Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Tour Guide: Co-Hosted by Farar Elliott (Curator and Chief, Office of Art and Archives in the U.S. House of Representatives) and Chris Geidner, Journalist and Blogger, Law Dork.
Ward: -2
25. Queering Capitol Hill
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Capitol Hill has long been a social and residential center for Washington, DC’s gay and lesbian community. It has also been a neighborhood for bars and clubs, innovative women’s businesses and our federal government. Join this tour to hear stories of radical lesbian separatists, First Amendment fights, the underpinning of LGBT religious organizations, interactions with Marines and other tales from eight decades of gay and lesbian life in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol.
Tour Guide: Philip Clark; Researcher and writer
Ward: -6
26. Historic Oak Hill Cemetery
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Take a walk through one of Washington, DC's most scenic and historic cemeteries that overlooks Rock Creek Park near Dumbarton Oaks and is known for its striking Renwick Chapel and the many notables buried here. Led by a native Washingtonian and longtime tour guide, the group will visit the graves of Philip and Katherine Graham, Benjamin Bradlee and others associated with The Washington Post; important Civil War Era figures such as Lincoln's Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, his personal secretary John Nicolay, Union General Jesse Reno and philanthropist W. W. Corcoran; and contemporary figures such as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and architect Arthur Cotton Moore.
Tour Guide: Craig Howell; Native Washingtonian, veteran DC tour guide and expert on the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln
Ward: -2
27. Art & History are Alive in the Cemetery: A Wandering Tour of DC's Oldest Burial Ground.
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Historic Rock Creek Cemetery was established around 1726 and is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Mid-Atlantic region. The churchyard has a history dating to almost 75 years before the District of Columbia was established. Join this tour to wander through portions of this 86-acre Nationally Registered Landmark known for its beautiful parklike settings and magnificent pieces of funerary sculpture, including the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens Adams Memorial, nicknamed "Grief". We will also talk about famous - and infamous - luminaries buried here who helped to shape not only DC, but very nation itself. Art and History are truly alive in the Cemetery!
Tour Guide: Donald Harrell; Former DC resident and content contributor to this cemetery tour
Ward: -4
28. Biking Tour: A Tale of Two Canals
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Join this guided group bike ride along the path of the 19th-century Washington City Canal (WCC) and its connection to the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal, thus connecting the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers through the city center. Highlights 0f the ride include the Navy Yard Terminus of the WCC, Canal Park, Freedom Plaza, Lockkeeper's House, Georgetown Terminus of the C&O Canal and C&O Canal Park.
Tour Guide: Nathan Mathai
Ward: 2,6
29. Scandal & Stone: The Untold Architecture of Downtown DC
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Step into the shadows of Downtown DC where stunning architecture hides scandal, power plays and untold stories. On this two-hour walking tour, we’ll explore grand hotels, Romanesque towers and forgotten facades that once hosted spies, secret societies, political mistresses, media coverups and labor battles. From the opulent Willard Hotel to the haunted halls of Hotel Monaco, we'll uncover the city’s polished surface—and the chaos underneath. This isn’t your typical monument tour. It’s scandal in stone. Please note: This is an outdoor walking tour. We will not enter the buildings.
Tour Guide: Ayana Everett; DC native, licensed tour guide and founder, Untold DC Tours
Ward: -2
73. Rediscovering the African American and Quaker Cemeteries in the Heart of Adams Morgan
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
How were Washington's busiest Reconstruction-era Black cemetery and its only Quaker burial ground nearly lost to time? Walk through Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan and learn how grassroots activism spurred a 21-year project to document, protect and commemorate Mt. Pleasant Plains Cemetery, where more than 8,400 African American Washingtonians were buried following the Civil War, and the much smaller, much older Friends Burying Ground. Find out what the archaeology revealed about these invisible cemeteries. Learn about the cemeteries' connection to heroic men and women of the Underground Railroad. Finally, see the names of the buried at the Ancestors Pavilion, which descendants and their allies persuaded the city to create in 2024.
Tour Guide: Mary Belcher; Founding member of the grassroots Walter Pierce Park Archaeology and Commemoration Project
Ward: -1
78. Comedy Walk DC
Sunday, September 14, 2025
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Comedywalksdc is 90 minute stand up routine with the National Mall as the stage. Your guide is a professional stand up comedian. He will take you on a 90 minute walk that will be 80%comedy and 40% fact. He will take you from the Renwick Gallery, to the Blair House, the White House, the Old Executive Building, the Corcoran Gallery, the hidden river under DC, the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and end up by the Lincoln and the Vietnam Veterans Memorials. Along the way your comic will stop and perform stand up routines which may or may not relate to the spot where you stop.
Tour Guide: Mark Palchick; Owner Comedywalksdc
Ward: 2
30. All Good in Deanwood
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tour description:
Explore the rich culture and history of Historic Deanwood on a walkable tour that blends nature, music and community spirit. Begin your journey at Marvin Gaye Park, where the late artist once walked, and enjoy the serene green space along the Watts Branch stream. The park’s trails and murals celebrate Gaye’s legacy while offering a peaceful escape. As you continue through the neighborhood, admire the early 20th-century homes and churches that speak to Deanwood’s deep-rooted African American heritage. The community’s green spaces, tree-lined streets and friendly vibe make walking a pleasure. Wrap up your tour with a delicious meal at The Strand Restaurant, a local favorite that honors Deanwood’s culinary traditions with soul food classics served in a welcoming setting. This tour of Deanwood invites you to experience one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods through its sights, sounds and flavors all at your own pace.
Tour Guide: Paul Spires; Main Street manager and tour guide
Ward: -7
31. We Are Still Here: Deaf Native Presence in DC
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tour description:
This immersive walking tour explores the intersection of Deaf history, Indigenous identity and cultural continuity in Washington, DC. Anchored by the current exhibition "We, Native Deaf People, Are Still Here"! at Gallaudet University’s National Deaf Life Museum, the tour highlights the enduring contributions of Native Deaf people to Gallaudet’s legacy and Deaf culture.
Participants will explore historic landmarks on Gallaudet’s campus including Kendall Green, Chapel Hall, and surrounding neighborhoods, while reflecting on themes of language, education, survivance and self-determination.
This ASL-accessible experience bridges museum storytelling with the physical and cultural landscape of DC, inviting participants to consider what it means to be present and persistent in the face of erasure.
Please bring water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. QR codes will offer expanded content. Participants are welcome to wear items that honor cultural or community identity.
Tour Guide: Noel King; Curator
Ward: -5
32. Over The Rainbow: A Queer Feminist History Tour
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Explore feminist history through a queer lens in the nation’s capital. Explore how Washington, DC has been a pivotal location for the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for equal rights, express non-conforming views and enact policy to protect civil rights. Walk with your licensed professional tour guide throughout the Downtown DC neighborhood that is rich with theaters, street art and historic venues. Hear about Dr. Mary Edward Walker and her scandalous decision to wear pants! Learn which of America's first ladies attempted to break away from secret service and escape the White House in search of a rainbow. Meet Princess We’wha who identifies as "Two Spirit" in the Zuni culture. Revisit iconic DC sites with a fresh perspective, adding a splash of color to those old black and white stories.
Tour Guide: Rebecca Fachner; DC tour guide, historian and co-host of the Tour Guide Tell All Podcast
Ward: -2
33. Beyond the Closet: The Persecution and Liberation of Washington, DC's LGBTQ+ Community
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
Today Washington, DC, is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly jurisdictions in the country with gay-friendly laws, an inclusive school curriculum, anti-discrimination protections and marriage equality. But from the 1940s to the 1970s, this city was ground zero for actively uncovering closeted gay federal government employees and firing them without justification. On this walking tour, see Washington's iconic government buildings through the eyes of the committed government servants who were persecuted because of their sexual orientation. See the sites where the brave few chose to fight back and demand their civil rights. Also see where they built their own communities and paved the way for today’s more inclusive city. Our country chose fear over competence and denied the service of hundreds of eminently qualified researchers, diplomats and leaders. But in the end, learn how this discrimination caused the LGBTQ community to organize, to unite and to emerge from the closet.
Tour Guide: Zach Patalingjug; Tour company owner and licensed tour guide
Ward: -2
34. Brookland: Past, Present and Future
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Tour description:
The Brookland neighborhood in northeastWashington, DC, has a rich and interesting history that dates back more than 100 years. Come stretch your legs and discover that history on a walking tour of Brookland's cultural and historic landmarks. Come experience the civic pride and "people power" that contributed to creating and maintaining one of the most appealing -- yet little-known -- neighborhoods in DC.
Tour Guide: Caroline Petti; President Emerita, Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association and a DC and neighborhood historian
Ward: -5
35. Brushstrokes & Backstreets: A Walking Tour of Murals in NoMa
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Tour description:
Step into the vibrant streets of NoMa and see why this area is called the Mural Capital of DC. See more than 20 stunning large-scale works that transform walls, alleys and unexpected corners into a colorful outdoor gallery. Each mural was created by talented emerging and established artists during "NoMa in Color" — the neighborhood’s celebrated 10-day mural festival held every fall. In 2025, the festival marks its 10th anniversary, making this the perfect year to experience a decade’s worth of creativity, color and community.
Tour Guide: Sherri Cunningham; Communications director, NoMa BID
Ward: 5,6
36. Downtown Jewish Washington: A Changing Landscape
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Learn the story of one Jewish neighborhood in Washington, DC, and watch the neighborhood change with time as we move from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to today. Walk into the historic heart of Jewish life along the Seventh Street, NW neighborhood that was once a hub of Jewish commercial and religious life in the nation’s capital. Hear about and examine cross cultural connections as you learn about the many communities that lived together in a neighborhood that was always changing.
Tour Guide: Jonathan Edelman; Collections curator
Ward: 2,6
37. Beyond the Insurrection: The History of Political and Social Protest on the National Mall
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
We all have some memory of the political protest that occurred on January 6, 2021. Protesters used violence in an attempt to subvert the 2020 United States presidential election and forcibly stormed the United States Capitol as Congress was in session to certify the 2020 election results. The protest that occurred on January 6, 2021, was unlike the majority of political protests that have taken place in Washington, DC, for more than 125 years, the foremost reason being that it used violent civil disobedience.
On this tour, you’ll learn about the established tradition of political protest in the United States of America which is guaranteed to all its citizens in its Constitution. We will explore sites along the National Mall as we discuss what makes a successful political protest and how this tradition came to be.
Tour Guide: Zach Patalingjug; Tour company owner and licensed tour guide
Ward: -2
38. Georgetown Spies, Lies & Politics
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Walk the cobbled streets of Georgetown and learn about the secrets that lurk beneath this neighborhood's charming exterior. Wind your way through a web of political corruption, espionage and scandal that stretches back to the Cold War. Secrets were whispered here, and lives were ruined. Georgetown was not always the quaint neighborhood it seems today.
Tour Guide: Laura Bruckmann; Licensed tour guide and strategy manager at Unscripted Tours
Ward: -2
39. Birds from the Greco-Roman Times to the Present: A Birding and Architectural History Walk
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tour description:
Time travel with us on this bird and DC neoclassical architecture walk! The walk starts at Union Station, through Lower Senate Park, pauses at the US Supreme Court, and ends at the US Capitol. While looking out for birds, we shall also examine the many Greco-Roman architectural elements present on Capitol Hill government buildings that were first introduced in Greek and Roman antiquity. See if you can spot avian life incorporated as sculptural elements in these neoclassical buildings! After this walk, we hope that when you next visit the Parthenon in Athens or the Pantheon in Rome, you'll better appreciate the "mystic chords of memory" (President Lincoln, first inaugural address delivered at the US Capitol) that connect our contemporary experience on the National Mall to the peoples who lived in the Greco-Roman world many centuries ago. You are strongly encouraged to bring a pair of binoculars if you have one.
Tour Guide: Brian Wee; Science lead at the DC Bird Alliance
Ward: -2
40. Downtown Jewish Washington: A Changing Landscape
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Learn the story of one Jewish neighborhood in Washington, DC, and watch the neighborhood change with time as we move from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to today. Walk into the historic heart of Jewish life along the Seventh Street, NW neighborhood that was once a hub of Jewish commercial and religious life in the nation’s capital. Hear about and examine cross cultural connections as you learn about the many communities that lived together in a neighborhood that was always changing.
Tour Guide: Jonathan Edelman; Collections curator
Ward: 2,6
41. St. Elizabeths East: A Campus Brought to Life
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Nestled in the heart of the nation’s capital, St. Elizabeths East is a 183-acre historic campus transforming into a vibrant hub of opportunity. Once home to one of the country’s first psychiatric hospitals, the site now stands as a beacon of economic promise and cultural revival. This dynamic community blends restored historic architecture with modern innovation—serving as a gateway to federal access, local entrepreneurship, arts, sports, education and wellness. St. Elizabeths East is not just a place; it’s a living legacy being reimagined for future generations.
Tour Guide: Anthony Moore; Development manager and neighborhood aficionado
Ward: -8
42. Brushstrokes & Backstreets: A Walking Tour of Murals in NoMa
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Tour description:
Step into the vibrant streets of NoMa and see why this area is called the Mural Capital of DC. See more than 20 stunning large-scale works that transform walls, alleys and unexpected corners into a colorful outdoor gallery. Each mural was created by talented emerging and established artists during "NoMa in Color" — the neighborhood’s celebrated 10-day mural festival held every fall. In 2025, the festival marks its 10th anniversary, making this the perfect year to experience a decade’s worth of creativity, color and community.
Tour Guide: Sherri Cunningham; Communications director, NoMa BID
Ward: 5,6
43. Renewing Dupont Circle
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Tour description:
Dupont Circle is ever changing. Come for a walking tour of the commercial areas and discover the changes planned for the area. Learn about its glittering past, activist history and plans for the future.
Tour Guide: Bill McLeod; Executive director, Dupont Circle BID and professional tour guide
Ward: -2
44. The History, Art and Architecture of the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Discover the art and architecture that made the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building a "symbol of a new day" during the Great Depression. Designed by local architect Waddy Wood and completed in 1936, the Interior’s headquarters structure features more Public Works Administration (PWA) artwork than any other Federal building. An overview of the U.S. Department of the Interior past and present will provide context for the "Department of Everything Else" and explain how the agency has evolved since its founding in 1849. As part of this indoor tour, you will visit the museum and also see a selection of the more than 40 painted murals by New Deal-era artists, plus several of the 1941–1942 photomurals by Ansel Adams. For those in need of special assistance (such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired), please notify museum staff in advance; special needs will be accommodated whenever possible.
Tour Guide: Jason Jurgena; Registrar, US Department of Interior Museum
Ward: -2
45. A Walk Through Time in Brookland
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
Walk back in time and contrast Brookland today with Brookland during five earlier historic periods: the Native American Woodlands Period, Washington County, the Civil War Era, Trolley Car Suburb and the City Neighborhood (1960 to today). Photos from the guide’s personal collection will show representations of neighborhood sites during these various periods. See the various architectural styles of Brookland’s buildings as well as those that are on the Historic Landmark registry and the sites and homes associated with such famous Brooklanders as professor and poet Sterling Brown, ornithologist Robert Ridgeway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (The Yearling), botanist and Four H leader Carrie Harrison and US government executive Robert Weaver. The lives of Ralph Bunche, John Preston Davis, Walter and Jean Kerr and Bishop Fulton Sheen will also be considered with reference to their time in Brookland. The tour guide will point out in Brookland as well.
Tour Guide: John Feeley; Longtime resident, local writer, co-author of Brookland and volunteer tour guide
Ward: -5
46. Scandals of Capitol Hill
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
This fully outdoor tour promises a unique blend of history, mystery and intrigue, providing an in-depth look at the vibrant tapestry of Capitol Hill. Join us as we wander through the echoes of time, unraveling the hidden stories that have shaped the political landscape of our nation's capital. Immerse yourself in the captivating narratives that breathe life into these historic landmarks.
Tour Guide: Andrew Hartsmith; Licensed tour guide and Operations Manager at Unscripted Tours
Ward: -6
47. Dupont Mansions of the Gilded Age
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
Through gripping storytelling, you'll learn about Dupont Circle’s hidden ties to national scandals and explore the ghosts—both literal and metaphorical—that haunt the neighborhood to this day. From its darker days of political machinations to the whispered tales of its haunted buildings, this tour sheds light on a side of Dupont Circle few ever see.
Tour Guide: Liam Gideon; Licensed tour guide and owner and CEO of Unscripted Tours
Ward: -2
48. Abraham Lincoln’sJourney to the Emancipation Proclamation
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Tour description:
The April 1862 DC Emancipation Bill paid compensation to slave holders for taking their property. In July President Lincoln asked Congress to enact a national program of compensated emancipation. See his detailed proposal, written in the President’s own hand, during a tour of Lincoln artifacts in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he worshipped regularly during his presidency. Hear about how, with the private counsel of church pastor Phineas Gurley, Lincoln decided to issue the January 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation with no offer of compensation. The tour begins outdoors at the hitching post where Lincoln tied his carriage when he entered the church. The rest of the tour is indoors, ending with an easy climb into the bell tower to view the clockworks and chimes that are the only physical memorial to President Lincoln ever created and paid for by his family.
Tour Guide: Len Shabman; Chairperson, history program of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
Ward: -2
49. Adams Morgan The Economics of Displacement and Moments of Resistance
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
Learn about bank redlining and community activism that contributed to riots and police occupation in the 1960s, as well as revolutions in Central America and the Horn of Africa during the 1970s and 1980s. Discover the cultural contributions of immigrants from Chile and Central America, and the displacement caused by the conversion of apartment buildings into condominiums in the 1970s and 1980s. Hear about the transformation of residential housing and local retail services into bars and nightclubs in the 1980s and 1990s, and how this process continues today with brief moments of pushback and resistance.
Tour Guide: Eddie Becker; Investigative researcher
Ward: -1
50. American Naval Heritage on the National Mall
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
How did Scottish-born John Paul Jones become one of the most renowned naval heroes of the American Revolution? How did President Franklin Delano Roosevelt develop his love for the US Navy, and how did it change the course of history? Why will tall ships visit five American cities next summer? Come explore our naval heritage at two National Park Service sites: the John Paul Jones Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
Tour Guide: Joseph Mohr; National Park Ranger at the National Mall and Memorials
Ward: -2
75. The National Mall: America's Front Yard
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tour description:
The National Mall is often described as "America's Front Yard". But who decides what it looks like and takes care of it? Listen to and share stories of how the landscape changes over time reflecting evolving American culture, values and politics. Visit memorials while strolling through the park.
Tour Guide: Gray Green; Professional Tour Guide
Ward: -2
79. Comedy Walk DC
Sunday, September 14, 2025
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tour description:
Comedywalksdc is 90 minute stand up routine with the National Mall as the stage. Your guide is a professional stand up comedian. He will take you on a 90 minute walk that will be 80%comedy and 40% fact. He will take you from the Renwick Gallery, to the Blair House, the White House, the Old Executive Building, the Corcoran Gallery, the hidden river under DC, the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and end up by the Lincoln and the Vietnam Veterans Memorials. Along the way your comic will stop and perform stand up routines which may or may not relate to the spot where you stop.
Tour Guide: Mark Palchick; Owner Comedywalksdc
Ward: 2
51. We Are Still Here: Deaf Native Presence in DC
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tour description:
This immersive walking tour explores the intersection of Deaf history, Indigenous identity and cultural continuity in Washington, DC. Anchored by the current exhibition "We, Native Deaf People, Are Still Here"! at Gallaudet University’s National Deaf Life Museum, the tour highlights the enduring contributions of Native Deaf people to Gallaudet’s legacy and Deaf culture.
Participants will explore historic landmarks on Gallaudet’s campus including Kendall Green, Chapel Hall, and surrounding neighborhoods, while reflecting on themes of language, education, survivance and self-determination.
This ASL-accessible experience bridges museum storytelling with the physical and cultural landscape of DC, inviting participants to consider what it means to be present and persistent in the face of erasure.
Please bring water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. QR codes will offer expanded content. Participants are welcome to wear items that honor cultural or community identity.
Tour Guide: Noel King; Curator
Ward: -5
52. Abraham Lincoln’sJourney to the Emancipation Proclamation
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Tour description:
The April 1862 DC Emancipation Bill paid compensation to slave holders for taking their property. In July President Lincoln asked Congress to enact a national program of compensated emancipation. See his detailed proposal, written in the President’s own hand, during a tour of Lincoln artifacts in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he worshipped regularly during his presidency. Hear about how, with the private counsel of church pastor Phineas Gurley, Lincoln decided to issue the January 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation with no offer of compensation. The tour begins outdoors at the hitching post where Lincoln tied his carriage when he entered the church. The rest of the tour is indoors, ending with an easy climb into the bell tower to view the clockworks and chimes that are the only physical memorial to President Lincoln ever created and paid for by his family.
Tour Guide: Len Shabman; Chairperson, history program of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
Ward: -2
53. American Naval Heritage on the National Mall
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tour description:
How did Scottish-born John Paul Jones become one of the most renowned naval heroes of the American Revolution? How did President Franklin Delano Roosevelt develop his love for the US Navy, and how did it change the course of history? Why will tall ships visit five American cities next summer? Come explore our naval heritage at two National Park Service sites: the John Paul Jones Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
Tour Guide: Joseph Mohr; National Park Ranger at the National Mall and Memorials
Ward: -2
54. The History, Art and Architecture of the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Discover the art and architecture that made the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building a "symbol of a new day" during the Great Depression. Designed by local architect Waddy Wood and completed in 1936, the Interior’s headquarters structure features more Public Works Administration (PWA) artwork than any other Federal building. An overview of the U.S. Department of the Interior past and present will provide context for the "Department of Everything Else" and explain how the agency has evolved since its founding in 1849. As part of this indoor tour, you will visit the museum and also see a selection of the more than 40 painted murals by New Deal-era artists, plus several of the 1941–1942 photomurals by Ansel Adams. For those in need of special assistance (such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired), please notify museum staff in advance; special needs will be accommodated whenever possible.
Tour Guide: Tracy Baetz; Chief curator, US Department of Interior Museum
Ward: -2
55. Scandals, Murder and Politics: Lafayette Square Tour
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Join DC by Foot for a walk through the neighborhood around the White House to talk about presidential affairs, duels, murders and scandalous first ladies. Our guide will take you through this small park, known as Tragedy Square, for the true stories of some of the city’s darkest secrets. This tour is designed for adults and, while you can decide what constitutes an adult, the stories will have scandalous content.
Tour Guide: Rebecca Grawl; Professional DC tour guide and co-author, 111 Places in Women's History That You Must Not Miss: Washington, DC
Ward: -2
56. Branching Out: Touring the Trees Brookland Can't Live Without.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
Join DC Department of Transportation's Urban Forestry unit and Casey Trees for an immersive walking tour spotlighting the vital role trees play in Washington, DC's urban environment. Our guides will lead you through Brookland, highlighting the city's diverse tree species, their unique characteristics and their incredible ecosystem services. You'll learn how these living giants combat pollution, manage stormwater, cool the city and improve air quality, all while uncovering how your actions can ensure the urban forest's lasting survival.
Tour Guide: Alexander Grieve; Tree tour guides
Ward: -5
57. Egyptian Symbols In Washington
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tour description:
The tour will explore the Egyptian buildings and symbols found in Washington DC. It will give an overview of Washington History and the influence of African culture.
Tour Guide: Wayne Griffith; DC Historian
Ward: 2;6
58. Silent Valor: Black History at Arlington National Cemetery
9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Tour description:
Walk among the heroes whose names are etched in both stone and history on this powerful Black history tour of Arlington National Cemetery. From Medgar Evers to Thurgood Marshall, the Tuskegee Airmen to the U.S. Colored Troops, this walking tour honors African Americans who served, sacrificed and helped shape the nation. Their courage and legacy come to life as we explore their stories—some celebrated, others long overlooked—within these sacred grounds. Black history is American history, and its presence here speaks volumes.
Tour Guide: Lauri Williamson; Local tour guide and author, 111 Places in Black Culture in Washington, DC That You Must Not Miss
Ward: -2
59. Egyptian Symbols In Washington
9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Tour description:
The tour will explore the Egyptian buildings and symbols found in Washington DC. It will give an overview of Washington History and the influence of African culture.
Tour Guide: Wayne Griffith; DC Historian
Ward: 2;6
60. Hillcrest Architecture: Hidden Gems of SE
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Challenging popular assumptions about "East of the River” neighborhoods, this highly-rated tour offers lessons on the area’s history and its stunning houses. Many of the homes were designed by such legendary architects as Wilfred V. Worland, A.H. Stoneman, Leon Chatelain and pioneering black architects R.C. Archer, Jr., Lewis W. Giles, and Yettikov Wilson. Also experience an interior tour of architect John Joseph Earley's Art Deco house. The tour will conclude with a stop at the Skyland Town Center, the first major retail development in Southeast DC in over three decades.
Tour Guide: Jim Byers; Neighborhood historian, host of WPFW 89.3 FM’s "Latin Flavor", featured guest on WETA's "If You Lived Here" segment that highlighted the Hillcrest neighborhood and renowed guide celebrating his 22nd year offering this dynamic tour
Ward: -7
61. St. Elizabeths East: A Campus Brought to Life
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Nestled in the heart of the nation’s capital, St. Elizabeths East is a 183-acre historic campus transforming into a vibrant hub of opportunity. Once home to one of the country’s first psychiatric hospitals, the site now stands as a beacon of economic promise and cultural revival. This dynamic community blends restored historic architecture with modern innovation—serving as a gateway to federal access, local entrepreneurship, arts, sports, education and wellness. St. Elizabeths East is not just a place; it’s a living legacy being reimagined for future generations.
Tour Guide: Anthony Moore; Development manager and neighborhood aficionado
Ward: -8
62. A Walk Through Time in Brookland
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Walk back in time and contrast Brookland today with Brookland during five earlier historic periods: the Native American Woodlands Period, Washington County, the Civil War Era, Trolley Car Suburb and the City Neighborhood (1960 to today). Photos from the guide’s personal collection will show representations of neighborhood sites during these various periods. See the various architectural styles of Brookland’s buildings as well as those that are on the Historic Landmark registry and the sites and homes associated with such famous Brooklanders as professor and poet Sterling Brown, ornithologist Robert Ridgeway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (The Yearling), botanist and Four H leader Carrie Harrison and US government executive Robert Weaver. The lives of Ralph Bunche, John Preston Davis, Walter and Jean Kerr and Bishop Fulton Sheen will also be considered with reference to their time in Brookland. The tour guide will point out in Brookland as well.
Tour Guide: John Feeley; Longtime resident, local writer, co-author of Brookland and volunteer tour guide
Ward: -5
63. Art & History are Alive in the Cemetery: A Wandering Tour of DC's Oldest Burial Ground.
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Historic Rock Creek Cemetery was established around 1726 and is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Mid-Atlantic region. The churchyard has a history dating to almost 75 years before the District of Columbia was established. Join this tour to wander through portions of this 86-acre Nationally Registered Landmark known for its beautiful parklike settings and magnificent pieces of funerary sculpture, including the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens Adams Memorial, nicknamed "Grief". We will also talk about famous - and infamous - luminaries buried here who helped to shape not only DC, but very nation itself. Art and History are truly alive in the Cemetery!
Tour Guide: Donald Harrell; Former DC resident and content contributor to this cemetery tour
Ward: -4
64. Walk, Snap & Discover: Penn Quarter in Arabic
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Don’t miss the chance to explore Penn Quarter, the beating heart of Washington and one of its most vibrant neighborhoods! This walking tour, offered entirely in Arabic, takes you on a journey that blends history, culture and modern energy. From the iconic Friendship Arch in Chinatown to world-class museums like the National Portrait Gallery, through Ford’s Theatre where one of the most important chapters of American history was written, and on to lively landmarks such as the US Navy Memorial and Capital One Arena. Along the way, enjoy a wonderful mix of art, architecture and local flavor, all within a short and easy walking distance. A unique experience awaits you!
لا تفوّت فرصة استكشاف حي بن كوارتر، القلب النابض لواشنطن وأحد أكثر أحيائها حيوية! جولة ممتعة سيرًا على الأقدام تُقدَّم بالكامل باللغة العربية، تأخذك في رحلة تجمع بين التاريخ والثقافة والطاقة العصرية. من قوس الصداقة الشهير في الحي الصيني، إلى المتاحف العالمية مثل المتحف الوطني للصور الشخصية، مرورًا بمسرح فورد حيث كُتبت إحدى أهم صفحات التاريخ الأميركي، وصولاً إلى الساحات النابضة بالحياة مثل النصب التذكاري للبحرية الأميركية وصالة كابيتال وان أرينا. خلال هذه الجولة، ستستمتع بمزيج رائع من الفن والعمارة والنكهة المحلية—all في مسافة قصيرة يسهل التجول فيها. تجربة فريدة بانتظارك!
Tour Guide: Hanane Nafidi; NO INFO
Ward: -2
65. Walking history and architecture tour of Chevy Chase DC
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour description:
Take a 1.5-hour walking tour of the original sections of the Chevy Chase DC neighborhood. Visit the section of Connecticut Avenue, NW between the DC Line (at Chevy Chase Circle) and Livingston Street, NW including slected blocks on either side of the Avenue. Learn the history of the area, from indigenous peoples to the 20th century, with additional focus on the development and architecture of the neighborhood by the Chevy Chase Land Company.
Tour Guide: Keene Taylor; Board member of Historic Chevy Chase DC
Ward: -3
66. Queering Capitol Hill
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Capitol Hill has long been a social and residential center for Washington, DC’s gay and lesbian community. It has also been a neighborhood for bars and clubs, innovative women’s businesses and our federal government. Join this tour to hear stories of radical lesbian separatists, First Amendment fights, the underpinning of LGBT religious organizations, interactions with Marines and other tales from eight decades of gay and lesbian life in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol.
Tour Guide: Philip Clark; Researcher and writer
Ward: -6
67. Battle of Fort Stevens Walk
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Fort Stevens is the site of the only Civil War battle fought in the District of Columbia. Here on July 11 and 12 in 1864, Union soldiers, with the support of comrades at nearby forts, stopped a Confederate invasion of Washington. It was here on April 12 that President Abraham Lincoln was shot at by Confederate soldiers while observing the battle from the fort’s parapet wall.
We will explore the fort and battleground, discuss the significance of the battle and visit the cemetery where forty-one of the city’s defenders are buried.
Tour Guide: Russ Norfleet; Certified master guide withThe Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC
Ward: -4
68. Historic Foggy Bottom: Rowhouses, Alleys, Residents and Art
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
Walk along shady tree-lined sidewalks as we tell the updated story of what made the Foggy Bottom neighborhood important in DC’s history. The four-block Historic District showcases a 19th century working class neighborhood, featuring 130-year-old brick alley dwellings and streets lined with 12-foot-wide distinctive rowhouses. We’ll share the area’s history, how it changed over time, what was lost and what remains – and why it’s called Foggy Bottom. Listen to stories of the lives of Irish, German and Russian immigrants and African American residents who made the area their home. Go back to a time when the neighborhood’s businesses – saloons, grocery stores, churches and even a funeral home – met its residents’ needs. See brewery worker houses, DC’s most notorious alleys and a 110-year-old livery stable. As a bonus, guests will view the 2025 biennial Arts in Foggy Bottom exhibits, featuring original creations by 12 artists, and Foggy Bottom’s flowering gardens.
Tour Guide: Frank Leone; Co-Chair Foggy Bottom Association History Project, licensed DC tour guide and Foggy Bottom resident
Ward: -2
74. Rediscovering the African American and Quaker Cemeteries in the Heart of Adams Morgan
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tour description:
How were Washington's busiest Reconstruction-era Black cemetery and its only Quaker burial ground nearly lost to time? Walk through Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan and learn how grassroots activism spurred a 21-year project to document, protect and commemorate Mt. Pleasant Plains Cemetery, where more than 8,400 African American Washingtonians were buried following the Civil War, and the much smaller, much older Friends Burying Ground. Find out what the archaeology revealed about these invisible cemeteries. Learn about the cemeteries' connection to heroic men and women of the Underground Railroad. Finally, see the names of the buried at the Ancestors Pavilion, which descendants and their allies persuaded the city to create in 2024.
Tour Guide: Mary Belcher; Founding member of the grassroots Walter Pierce Park Archaeology and Commemoration Project
Ward: -1
69. Beyond the Closet: The Persecution and Liberation of Washington, DC's LGBTQ+ Community
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Today Washington, DC, is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly jurisdictions in the country with gay-friendly laws, an inclusive school curriculum, anti-discrimination protections and marriage equality. But from the 1940s to the 1970s, this city was ground zero for actively uncovering closeted gay federal government employees and firing them without justification. On this walking tour, see Washington's iconic government buildings through the eyes of the committed government servants who were persecuted because of their sexual orientation. See the sites where the brave few chose to fight back and demand their civil rights. Also see where they built their own communities and paved the way for today’s more inclusive city. Our country chose fear over competence and denied the service of hundreds of eminently qualified researchers, diplomats and leaders. But in the end, learn how this discrimination caused the LGBTQ community to organize, to unite and to emerge from the closet.
Tour Guide: Zach Patalingjug; Tour company owner and licensed tour guide
Ward: -2
70. Frederick Law Olmsted and the US Capitol Grounds
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Commissioned by Congress in 1874 to design the grounds of the US Capitol, Frederick Law Olmsted created an innovative landscape, presenting the building to greatest visual effect while overcoming numerous design challenges. Explore the history and design of the Capitol grounds while learning about its intricate features: the Olmsted-designed marble terraces, brick Spring Grotto, masterful stone and ironwork and carefully crafted views and circulation paths. Presented by the Olmsted Network and the United States Capitol Historical Society; led by volunteers from the USCHS.
Tour Guide: Rose Rakas; Licensed DC tour guide, and volunteer, US Capitol Historical Society
Ward: -6
80. Comedy Walk DC
Sunday, September 14, 2025
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tour description:
Comedywalksdc is 90 minute stand up routine with the National Mall as the stage. Your guide is a professional stand up comedian. He will take you on a 90 minute walk that will be 80%comedy and 40% fact. He will take you from the Renwick Gallery, to the Blair House, the White House, the Old Executive Building, the Corcoran Gallery, the hidden river under DC, the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and end up by the Lincoln and the Vietnam Veterans Memorials. Along the way your comic will stop and perform stand up routines which may or may not relate to the spot where you stop.
Tour Guide: Mark Palchick; Owner Comedywalksdc
Ward: 2
71. Art & History are Alive in the Cemetery: A Wandering Tour of DC's Oldest Burial Ground.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tour description:
Historic Rock Creek Cemetery was established around 1726 and is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Mid-Atlantic region. The churchyard has a history dating to almost 75 years before the District of Columbia was established. Join this tour to wander through portions of this 86-acre Nationally Registered Landmark known for its beautiful parklike settings and magnificent pieces of funerary sculpture, including the famous Augustus Saint-Gaudens Adams Memorial, nicknamed "Grief". We will also talk about famous - and infamous - luminaries buried here who helped to shape not only DC, but very nation itself. Art and History are truly alive in the Cemetery!
Tour Guide: Donald Harrell; Former DC resident and content contributor to this cemetery tour
Ward: -4
