FAQ for DCBF Tours

Thanks for booking a tour with us! We’re excited to share DC with you.

You have already gotten an email or text from your tour guide with their cell phone number (remember to text them directly and not reply to the automated text for a quicker response).

THIS PAGE INCLUDES FAQS FOR ALL OF OUR TOURS.

Please pay attention to which tour you booked as different tours have different meeting spots! The tour you booked has a specific meeting spot that is included in your confirmation email as well as the email you got from your guide. All tours we offer are included on this page; please ensure you are looking at the right tour section.

Historic Georgetown

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does the Historic Georgetown tour start? Please meet your guide at Lock 3 on the C&O Canal (map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9HxGJsCHYsoLMFQf9) (this is for our daytime historic tour, NOT the ghost tour). This is the actual address – there is no street address for this park.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Foggy Bottom/ GWU – about a 10-12 minute walk
  • Major Bus Stops: on M St NW (one block north of our tour start).
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: give them the address of Baked & Wired 1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007 and stop in for a pastry before the tour. You can see the tour start from the bridge in front of Baked and Wired.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are no restrooms on the tour! However, you can find restrooms in a number of local restaurants and cafes before the tour (we loved Baked & Wired). There are restrooms at the end of the tour on Georgetown University campus.

Where will the tour end? The exact ending point ends based on the day and the guide (local events, weather, how the tour is going can affect this) but it is always in the vicinity of Georgetown University around 36th and O St NW. This is about a 10-12 minute walk from where we started.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Memorials and Moonlight

(The Skip the Line Washington Monument & National Mall tour has different information!)

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does Memorials and Moonlight tour start? These tours start at the Lockkeeper’s House at 17th and Constitution Ave NW (map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/ze8bGhc9ZFBxKaaq6)

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Farragut West or Farragut North
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions:
    • The tour starts at the Lockkeeper’s House which does not have a dedicated address but is located at 17th and Constitution Ave NW. There are places to drop off just in front based on traffic. Please double check if you put in Lockkeeper’s Hosue into Lyft/Uber app that it is bringing you to NW DC (sometimes Lyft brings you somewhere on the other side of town in NE DC)

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? Yes! The memorials will all have nearby restrooms so there will be opportunities on the tour. There are no public restrooms at the tour start however.

Where will the tour end? The exact ending point ends based on the day and the guide (local events, weather, how the tour is going can affect this) but it is always somewhere at the Lincoln Memorial.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Skip the Line Washington Monument & National Mall Tour

(The Memorials and Moonlight tour starts at a different location)

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does the National Mall & Washington Monument tour start? This tour starts at 10 Henry Bacon Drive at the Lincoln Memorial Gifts & Cafe. We are not affiliated with the store. https://g.co/kgs/n8fqMmB

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Foggy Bottom / GWU
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions:
    • The tour starts at the 10 Henry Bacon Drive at the Lincoln Memorial Gifts & Cafe. There are places to drop off just in front based on traffic.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? Yes! The memorials will all have nearby restrooms so there will be opportunities on the tour. There are no public restrooms at the tour start however.

Where will the tour end? The tour ends at the Washington Monument where you’re guide will give you tickets to go to the top!

What are the security regulations? You will have to go through security to go inside the Washington Monument. It is standard and similar to museums.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Capitol Hill & Library of Congress

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does the Capitol Hill tour start? The tour starts at 1 Constitution Ave NE. (map) Meet your guide at the steps of the Reserve Organization of America at the corner of 1st and Constitution Ave NE. The building says Reserve Officers Association of America above the stairs.

NOTE: If you type in 1 Constitution Ave NE into Apple Maps; it sometimes takes you half a block away!

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Capitol South or Union Station – about a 10 minute walk
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts at 1 Constitution Ave NE. There are places to drop off right in front

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are no restrooms at the start of the tour. There will be restrooms inside both the Library of Congress and Capitol Visitor Center.

Where will the tour end? Our 2.5 Hour walking tour ends inside the Capitol Visitor Center when we hand you off to the Capitol Docent. There tour is 45-50 minutes and will end back in the Capitol Visitor Center.

What are the security regulations? We will be entering going through security to enter the Federal buildings. The Capitol has strict requirements. Please view them here.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 5 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text. GUIDES CANNOT ASSIST WITH FINDING THE GROUP IF YOU ARE MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATE. This tour has timed tickets for entry to multiple locations and security, so if you’re more than 15 minutes late, we will not be able to accommodate you. please contact us to see about rescheduling for another time. No refunds will be possible for late arrivals.

Arlington Cemetery

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does the Arlington Cemetery tour start?: Meet your guide at the benches outside the Welcome Center after security.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Arlington National Cemetery
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts at the Welcome Center. There is a dedicated taxi drop off in front.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

There is a dedicated paid parking lot at Arlington Cemetery. The lot closes one hour after the cemetery. it is $3/hr with a maximum of $12 and you cannot park there overnight.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are no restrooms on the tour but there are restrooms in side the Visitor Center before you start the tour.

Where will the tour end? The exact ending point ends based on the day and the guide (local events, weather, how the tour is going can affect this) but it is always somewhere near Memorial Avenue with easy access back to Visitor Center and Metro.

What are the security regulations? You will need to go through security to enter Arlington Cemetery. View the requirements here.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Ghosts of Georgetown

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does Ghosts of Georgetown tour start?: Meet your guide starts at the Old Stone House, which is 3051 M St NW. (this is for the GHOST tour, not the daytime historic tour)

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Foggy Bottom/ GWU – about a 10-12 minute walk
  • Major Bus Stops: on M St NW.
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts at the Old Stone House, which is 3051 M St NW. There are places to drop off right in front.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are no restrooms on the tour! There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby.

Where will the tour end? The exact ending point ends based on the day and the guide (local events, weather, how the tour is going can affect this) but it is always in the vicinity of the Exorcist Steps at 36th and Prospect St NW. This is about a 10-12 minute walk from where we started.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Lincoln Assassination

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where does Lincoln Assassination tour start? Meet your guide outside St John’s Church at 16th and H St NW. Be sure to go to the front of the church on 16th Street and not the Parish House around the corner. The front of the church has a columned entrance and faces 16th St NW.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: McPherson Square – a 2-3 minute walk
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: St John’s Church at 1521 H St NW Washington DC 20005. There are places for drop off right in front.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are no restrooms on the tour nor near the start of the tour!

Where will the tour end? The tour ends outside of Ford’s Theatre at 10th and E St NW.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Eastern Market Food Tour

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Eastern Market Metro
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts out side Capitol Hill Books at Address: 657 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are restrooms on the tour and inside Eastern Market itself.

Where will the tour end? The tour ends at Eastern Market Metro Station.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

National Archives and American History Museum

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Federal Triangle
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts outside the American History Museum, Constitution Ave side. 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are restrooms on the tour.

Where will the tour end? The tour ends at the National Archives.

What are the security regulations? You will have to go through security at both museums. Please do not bring any weapons. Most other items are allowed but in bags (no eating or gum inside the museum but they are fine in your bag). Luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Capitol Hill Scandals

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Capitol South Metro
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts out side Capitol South Metro Station which is easy to pull up on rideshares.

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? No! There are no restrooms on the tour or near the start due to the evening tour time.

Where will the tour end? The tour ends near the American Indian Museum, which is a short walk to Federal Center SW.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.

Embassy Row

Is this tour in English? Yes! All our tours are in English.

Where should I park? We always recommend using public transportation.

  • Closest Metro: Dupont Circle
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxi Directions: The tour starts in the center of Dupont Circle. You will need to be dropped off on one of the side roads as you cannot stop on the circle itself – Starbucks is a good location as they have bathrooms: Address: 1501 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

If you do need to park, we have advice on street parking and garages here.

Are there restrooms on the tour/near the tour start? There are NO restrooms on the tour but there are some coffeeshops nearby to tour start, such as Starbucks.

Where will the tour end? The tour ends near the north entrance of Dupont Circle Metro.

What are the security regulations? We do not enter any buildings on this tour so there are no security requirements.

Do I need to show the guide a ticket or confirmation? No! You can check in with the guide using your name. No need to show a ticket.

Help! I’m late, what do I do? Just let the guide know via text (make sure you text them directly and not the auto text. The guide can help you find the group when you arrive. The group is at the meeting spot for about 10 minutes after the tour start.

If you text the guide AFTER the tour start, it may take some time for them to reply as they are actively leading the tour for other guests. Guides will NOT answer phone calls during a tour, so please text.