★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Runs daily at 10:30 AM | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Georgetown is older than Washington DC itself. It was a prosperous port town before the capital existed, and its streets still carry the stories of the people who built it — from the Nacotchtank tribe and a thriving free Black community to Cold War spies and presidents who lived here before the White House.
This is the original Historic Georgetown walking tour, developed by our own COO Canden Arciniega — an expert in Georgetown history and the author of Wicked Georgetown and Images of Georgetown. It has been so widely copied that other tour companies have started running versions of it. There is only one original.
Not to be confused with our Ghosts of Georgetown Tour — this daytime tour focuses on the history, architecture, and the stories of the people who shaped one of DC’s most iconic neighborhoods over 300 years.
Check Dates & Book Your Spot
This tour runs daily at 10:30 AM and spots fill up fast. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so there’s no risk in reserving your spot now.
⏱ Duration: Approximately 2 hours
📍 Meets at: C&O Canal at Lock 3, between 30th and Thomas Jefferson St NW. Tour ends near Georgetown University at 37th and O Streets NW. (map)
🚇 Getting here: Metro Blue or Orange Line to Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. Georgetown is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Parking is available nearby via SpotHero.
👟 Physical level: Easy – approximately 1 miles of walking through Georgetown’s historic streets. Some uneven terrain and hilly sections.
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.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
The tour begins here at Lock 3 — the waterway that once ran through Georgetown’s industrial heart. Hear about the canal’s role in shaping the neighborhood and why it nearly disappeared entirely.
The Old Stone House
The oldest unchanged residential building in Washington DC, built in 1765 and now a national park site. Most visitors walk right past it. Our guides stop and tell you what happened inside.
The Kennedy Homes
Before the White House, the Kennedys lived in Georgetown. Hear about Jackie and John’s time in the neighborhood — before and after his assassination — and the houses that still stand today.
18th and 19th Century Architecture
Learn to read Georgetown’s buildings the way our guides do — original firemarks, coal chutes, ironworks, and gas lanterns that tell the story of who lived here and when. Few neighborhoods in America have this density of architectural history still intact.
Black Georgetown, Immigrants, and Women Who Broke the Rules
Georgetown’s history is not just the story of wealthy white families. Hear about the prosperous free Black community that shaped the neighborhood, the immigrants who built it, and the women who defied the social norms of their time.
Martin’s Tavern and Georgetown University
The oldest family-run restaurant in DC has hosted presidents, power brokers, and one very important marriage proposal. The tour ends near Georgetown University — hear how the neighborhood shaped the institution and vice versa.
Why tour with a guide?
Georgetown has 300 years of stories. You only have two hours.
You could walk Georgetown’s streets on your own and admire the architecture. But without a guide you’d be looking at beautiful buildings without understanding what happened inside them — or who lived there, or why it matters.
- The original tour, by the original expert. This tour was developed by Canden Arciniega, author of Wicked Georgetown and Images of Georgetown. No other company has this depth of research behind their Georgetown tour.
- Stories most guides don’t know. The Cold War spy connections. The Civil War hospital where a female doctor may have been a double agent. The truth about Georgetown’s “cobblestones.” These are the details that make this tour unlike anything else in the city.
- Architecture brought to life. Our guides know how to read a building — the firemarks, the coal chutes, the ironwork. Every detail tells a story about who lived here and when.
- Your questions get answered. See something that catches your eye? We stop and talk about it. No audio guide ever did that.
Everything before you book.
Meeting point
The C&O Canal at Lock 3, between 30th and Thomas Jefferson St NW. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire at the canal. Parking is available nearby — book a guaranteed spot in advance via SpotHero. (map)
End point
The tour ends near Georgetown University at 37th and O Streets NW.
Schedule
This tour runs daily at 10:30 AM. Check the booking calendar for availability during your visit.
Getting there
Metro Blue or Orange Line to Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. Georgetown is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Rideshare is also a convenient option. There is no Metro station in Georgetown itself.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes — approximately 1.5 miles including some uneven terrain
- Water bottle
- Camera — Georgetown is one of DC’s most photogenic neighborhoods
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine
Accessibility
Georgetown’s historic streets include some uneven terrain and hilly sections. This tour is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers on public departures. For accessible options please contact us about a private tour.
Buildings visited
This is a street-level walking tour. We view all sites and homes from the street and do not enter any private residences.
What’s included
- Licensed professional historian and tour guide
- Georgetown restaurant, bar, and experience recommendations from your guide
- Tour developed by the author of Wicked Georgetown and Images of Georgetown
The map below shows the approximate tour route. Your guide may adjust based on group pace and conditions.
Ready to Walk With Us?
This tour runs daily and fills up fast. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, no risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between this tour and the Ghosts of Georgetown tour?
This is a daytime history and architecture tour focused on Georgetown’s 300-year story — the people, the buildings, and the neighborhood’s development from a colonial port town to one of DC’s most sought-after addresses. The Ghosts of Georgetown tour is an evening tour focused on the darker, more mysterious side of that same history. Many guests do both.
Do you enter any buildings on this tour?
No — this is a street-level walking tour. We view all sites and homes from the street and do not enter any private residences. Your guide will share photos and details of the interiors where relevant.
Is this tour family-friendly?
Yes — this tour is suitable for all ages. The stories are engaging and the route is manageable for older children. Children under 4 are free.
Is there a Metro stop in Georgetown?
No — 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 at the C&O Canal. Rideshare is a convenient alternative.
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.
How early should I arrive?
We recommend arriving at the C&O Canal at Lock 3 at least 10 minutes before the tour begins. The area around M Street can be busy so allow extra time to find the meeting point. Your guide’s name and phone number will be in your reminder email the day before.
Can I do a self-guided audio tour instead?
Yes — if our guided tour schedule doesn’t work for you, we offer a GPS-enabled self-guided audio tour of Georgetown recorded by our expert guides. You receive an MP3 file, a PDF, and an embeddable Google Map so you can explore at your own pace. Book the audio tour here.
Can’t Make a Guided Tour? Try Our Self-Guided Audio Tour.
Our GPS-enabled Georgetown audio tour was recorded by our expert guides and lets you explore the neighborhood at your own pace — with the same stories and local knowledge, on your own schedule.
After booking you receive an MP3 file, a PDF guide, and an embeddable Google Map. An offline option is available so you don’t need data running while you walk.
Book the Georgetown audio tour here.
We also offer GPS-enabled audio tours of the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Embassy Row, Old Town Alexandria, Georgetown University Campus, and East Georgetown.
