★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Family-friendly | Runs nightly | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Among the manicured gardens and Victorian row houses of DC’s most historic neighborhood lie deep, dark secrets about a forgotten past. Historical figures walked these streets, documented their experiences in letters and journals – and some, it seems, never left.
This is not a jump-scare tour. We’re historians, not ghost hunters. What we offer is something better: the darker side of Georgetown’s real history, told by guides who know where the bodies are buried. Literally, in some cases.
Halloween vibes. All year long.
This tour was researched and written in part by our own COO Canden Arciniega, author of Wicked Georgetown: Scoundrels, Sinners and Spies, published by The History Press.
Check Dates & Book Your Spot
This tour runs nightly and spots fill up fast — especially on weekends and around Halloween. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so there’s no risk in reserving your spot now.
⏱ Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
📍 Meets at: Outside the Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW, near 30th and M St. Tour ends at the Exorcist Steps at 36th and Prospect St NW. (map)
🚇 Getting here: Metro Blue or Orange Line — Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. Georgetown is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Rideshare is also a convenient option.
👟 Physical level: Easy — approximately 1 miles. Some uneven terrain.
We don’t just show you the sites.
We tell you the stories.
Every stop on this tour has a story most visitors never hear. Our guides bring them to life.
The Old Stone House
The tour begins here — the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC, built in 1765. The staff have reported seeing an 18th-century woman and child wandering the rooms. Visitors often describe an unwelcoming energy and the feeling of being watched. Our guides start here for a reason.
The Civil War Hospital
During the Civil War, Georgetown’s grandest homes became hospitals. What happened inside them — and what residents of those apartments report experiencing today — makes for one of the most unsettling stops on the tour.
The Curse of Abraham Lincoln’s Son
A story that connects Lincoln’s family to Georgetown in a way most people have never heard — and a curse that some believe still lingers. Our guides know the full account.
The House That Hates Electricity
A past resident of this Georgetown home refused to install electricity during his lifetime. His ghost, according to our guides, has made his feelings known ever since. Watch the street lights as you pass. This one is hard to explain.
The Nanny Who Never Left
A story of undying devotion — and very specific rules. One of the most memorable stops on the tour, and one that tends to stick with guests long after they’ve gone home.
The Exorcist Steps
The tour ends here — the 75 stone steps made famous by the 1973 film. Hear the true local story that inspired the movie, and then decide for yourself whether you dare to walk down them at night.
Why tour with a guide?
Georgetown at night is one thing. Georgetown at night with a guide is something else entirely.
You can walk these streets any evening on your own. But without a guide you’re just walking past buildings. Our guides turn those buildings into stories — stories rooted in real history, documented in letters and journals, and told by people who have spent years uncovering them.
- Historians, not actors. We don’t do jump scares or theatrical gimmicks. We share documented history from the darker side of Georgetown — which turns out to be far more unsettling than anything scripted.
- Written by someone who literally wrote the book. This tour was developed in part by Canden Arciniega, author of Wicked Georgetown. The research behind these stories goes deeper than any other ghost tour in the city.
- Genuinely family-friendly. More humor than screams. Suitable for curious kids and adults alike. Nobody jumps out at you.
- The Exorcist Steps at night. There is simply no better way to end an evening in Georgetown.
Everything before you book.
Meeting point
Outside the Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW, near the corner of 30th and M St. The Old Stone House is the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC and is easy to spot. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire outside the building. (map)
End point
The tour ends at the Exorcist Steps at 36th and Prospect St NW. The closest Metro stations are Foggy Bottom/GWU or Rosslyn on the Blue, Silver Orange lines. (map)
Getting there
Metro Blue or Orange Line to Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. Georgetown is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Rideshare is a convenient option, especially for the return journey from the Exorcist Steps.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — approximately 1.5 miles including some uneven and hilly terrain
- Water bottle
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine
- Camera — Georgetown at night is one of DC’s most photogenic settings
Accessibility
Georgetown’s historic streets include some uneven terrain and hilly sections. This tour is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers on public tours. For accessible options please contact us about a private tour.
What’s included
- Licensed professional historian and tour guide
- Georgetown restaurant, bar, and experience recommendations from your guide
- Stories you won’t find anywhere else — researched and developed by the author of Wicked Georgetown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour actually scary?
It depends on your definition of scary. Nobody jumps out at you and there are no theatrical gimmicks. What we offer is something we think is more unsettling — real documented history from Georgetown’s darker past, told by guides who know how to tell a story. Most guests describe it as fascinating, eerie, and genuinely surprising. Some find specific stops quite unnerving. You have been warned.
Is this tour family-friendly?
Yes — this is one of our most popular family tours. The content is more history than horror, with more humor than screams. It is suitable for curious kids of all ages. Nobody jumps out at anyone. Children under 4 are free.
Do you actually believe in ghosts?
Our guides are historians first. We present the documented history and the accounts left behind by the people who lived and worked in these buildings. What you choose to believe is entirely up to you. We will say that some of our guides have had experiences on this tour that are difficult to explain.
What is the Exorcist connection?
The 1973 film The Exorcist was based on a real case that took place in the DC area. The steps at 36th and Prospect St NW featured in the film have become one of Georgetown’s most visited landmarks. Your guide will tell you the full story — both the film and the real events behind it — at the end of the tour.
Is there a Metro stop near Georgetown?
Georgetown does not have its own Metro station. The closest station is Foggy Bottom/GWU on the Blue and Orange lines, approximately a 15-minute walk from the meeting point. Rideshare is a convenient alternative, especially for the return journey from the Exorcist Steps at the end of the tour.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella and weather-appropriate clothing. In the event of severe weather, we will contact all guests by email and text with alternative options or a full refund.
How do I cancel or reschedule?
Reply to your confirmation email to cancel or reschedule. Full refunds are available up to 24 hours before the tour. We offer flexible rescheduling and can often accommodate you on another date with short notice. Guests who booked via a third-party platform must cancel through that platform.
Are there restrooms on the tour?
No! This tour takes place in a residential area with no restroom options on the tour or at the tour start.