Georgetown Historic Walking Tour with History, Gossip, and Architecture
by DC By Foot
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$98Overview
This two-hour walking tour through Georgetown begins in the historic district known for its cobblestone streets, colonial-era homes, and garden-lined streets. A licensed guide leads the group on foot, starting with a brief introduction to the neighborhood’s history and atmosphere. The tour proceeds to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, where visitors learn about the canal boats and see a working lock that helped boats navigate the waterway. Next, the group stops at the Old Stone House, the oldest residential building in Washington DC, built in 1766 and now managed by the National Park Service. Visitors can rest in its garden while hearing about its history, including its time as a car dealership before preservation efforts. The tour then passes by one of the homes connected to the Kennedy family, discussing their presence in Georgetown and the neighborhood’s ties to Jackie and John F. Kennedy. The walk continues through streets featuring 18th and 19th-century homes, highlighting diverse historic architecture and details such as original firemarks, coal chutes, ironworks, and gas lanterns. Along the way, the guide shares stories about the Black Georgetown community, immigrant groups that shaped the area, and notable women who challenged social norms. The group visits Georgetown University, founded in 1789, viewing the Patrick Healy building’s spires and the statue of founder John Carroll while learning about the university’s influence on the neighborhood. The tour concludes near the "Exorcist" Steps, a stairway made famous by the 1970s film. Throughout the walk, the guide shares local gossip and historical anecdotes that bring the neighborhood’s past to life. The tour is led by a professional licensed guide and covers approximately two hours on foot, providing a detailed look at Georgetown’s history, architecture, and community.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Georgetown
The neighborhood of Georgetown dates back centuries and is recognized for its cobblestone streets, historic residences, and gardens. It also functions as a shopping and dining district. Walking is the best way to explore its old brick architecture and green spaces, enjoying a park-like setting.
10 min
C & O Canal
This historic canal runs through the industrial part of Georgetown. Visitors learn about the canal boats that once traveled here and see a working lock gate that allowed boats to navigate the waterway.
10 min
Old Stone House
Built in 1766, this is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Washington DC. Now part of the National Parks Service, it features a garden area for resting. Previously a car dealership in 1953, it was later preserved as a historic site reflecting a simpler era when tobacco and local stories were traded nearby.
10 min
Kennedy Family Home
Guests see one of the many homes linked to the Kennedy family, who lived in nearly a dozen different residences within Georgetown.
5 min
Georgetown University
Founded in 1789, this Jesuit university is known for its medical, legal, and undergraduate programs. Visitors view the Patrick Healy building’s tall spires and a statue of founder John Carroll. On warm days, students can be seen relaxing on the front lawn.
5 min
"The Exorcist" Steps
The tour concludes near the historic stairway known as the "Exorcist" Steps, which gained fame from the 1970s horror film of the same name.
Local Restaurant
A longstanding Georgetown restaurant established in 1933 with dark wood panels and black-and-white photos. It offers classic American food with indoor and outdoor seating and a nostalgic atmosphere.
5 min
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.
End point
Tour ends near Georgetown University at the intersection of 37th and O St NW.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Georgetown Historic Walking Tour with History, Gossip, and Architecture
by DC By Foot
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$98Overview
This two-hour walking tour through Georgetown begins in the historic district known for its cobblestone streets, colonial-era homes, and garden-lined streets. A licensed guide leads the group on foot, starting with a brief introduction to the neighborhood’s history and atmosphere. The tour proceeds to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, where visitors learn about the canal boats and see a working lock that helped boats navigate the waterway. Next, the group stops at the Old Stone House, the oldest residential building in Washington DC, built in 1766 and now managed by the National Park Service. Visitors can rest in its garden while hearing about its history, including its time as a car dealership before preservation efforts. The tour then passes by one of the homes connected to the Kennedy family, discussing their presence in Georgetown and the neighborhood’s ties to Jackie and John F. Kennedy. The walk continues through streets featuring 18th and 19th-century homes, highlighting diverse historic architecture and details such as original firemarks, coal chutes, ironworks, and gas lanterns. Along the way, the guide shares stories about the Black Georgetown community, immigrant groups that shaped the area, and notable women who challenged social norms. The group visits Georgetown University, founded in 1789, viewing the Patrick Healy building’s spires and the statue of founder John Carroll while learning about the university’s influence on the neighborhood. The tour concludes near the "Exorcist" Steps, a stairway made famous by the 1970s film. Throughout the walk, the guide shares local gossip and historical anecdotes that bring the neighborhood’s past to life. The tour is led by a professional licensed guide and covers approximately two hours on foot, providing a detailed look at Georgetown’s history, architecture, and community.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Georgetown
The neighborhood of Georgetown dates back centuries and is recognized for its cobblestone streets, historic residences, and gardens. It also functions as a shopping and dining district. Walking is the best way to explore its old brick architecture and green spaces, enjoying a park-like setting.
10 min
C & O Canal
This historic canal runs through the industrial part of Georgetown. Visitors learn about the canal boats that once traveled here and see a working lock gate that allowed boats to navigate the waterway.
10 min
Old Stone House
Built in 1766, this is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Washington DC. Now part of the National Parks Service, it features a garden area for resting. Previously a car dealership in 1953, it was later preserved as a historic site reflecting a simpler era when tobacco and local stories were traded nearby.
10 min
Kennedy Family Home
Guests see one of the many homes linked to the Kennedy family, who lived in nearly a dozen different residences within Georgetown.
5 min
Georgetown University
Founded in 1789, this Jesuit university is known for its medical, legal, and undergraduate programs. Visitors view the Patrick Healy building’s tall spires and a statue of founder John Carroll. On warm days, students can be seen relaxing on the front lawn.
5 min
"The Exorcist" Steps
The tour concludes near the historic stairway known as the "Exorcist" Steps, which gained fame from the 1970s horror film of the same name.
Local Restaurant
A longstanding Georgetown restaurant established in 1933 with dark wood panels and black-and-white photos. It offers classic American food with indoor and outdoor seating and a nostalgic atmosphere.
5 min
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.
End point
Tour ends near Georgetown University at the intersection of 37th and O St NW.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.