★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Expert local guides | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Washington DC’s most well-known tours cover the monuments and memorials. These ones go further.
Our specialty tours explore the topics and locations that don’t fit neatly into a standard sightseeing itinerary such as the civil rights movement, the history of DC’s LGBTQ+ community, Cold War espionage, the hidden stories of the National Cathedral, and more. Each one is built around a specific theme, led by a guide who knows it in depth, and designed for visitors who want more than the usual tour of the capital.
DC Has More Stories Than Any Standard Tour Can Cover.
Go deeper on the topics that matter to you
A two-hour monuments tour can only go so far. Our specialty tours are designed for visitors with a specific interest — whether that is the civil rights movement, LGBTQ+ history, Cold War espionage, or a particular corner of the city most visitors never reach.
Guides who know their subject
Every specialty tour is led by a guide with genuine expertise in the topic. These are not generalist guides reading from a script — they are historians and educators who have spent years researching the stories they tell.
The DC most visitors never see
Some of these tours cover neighborhoods and buildings that most visitors to DC never reach. Others take familiar landmarks and reveal the layers of history that standard tours leave out entirely. All of them are worth your time.
Specialty Tours
Browse our full lineup of specialty tours below. Not sure which one is right for you? Scroll down for a quick guide.
Not Sure Which Tour Is Right for You?
Interested in civil rights history?
Our civil rights tours go well beyond the Lincoln Memorial and the MLK Memorial — exploring the neighborhoods, organizations, and individuals who drove the movement forward in Washington DC specifically. Essential for anyone who wants to understand the full arc of American history.
Looking for LGBTQ+ history?
Washington DC has one of the most significant LGBTQ+ histories of any American city — and most of it never makes it onto a standard tour. Our pride history tours explore the neighborhoods, events, and individuals who shaped that story.
Fascinated by spies and Cold War history?
Washington DC was one of the most active arenas of Cold War espionage in the world. Our spy tours reveal the dead drops, the double agents, and the extraordinary stories that played out on streets you can still walk today.
Want to explore beyond the Mall?
Some of our most memorable specialty tours take you to places most DC visitors never reach — the National Cathedral, historic neighborhoods, and sites that tell a different side of the city’s story. If you have already done the monuments, these tours are your next chapter.
Planning a group or private experience?
Any of our specialty tours can be booked as a private experience for your family, group, or organization. We can also build a completely custom itinerary around a specific theme or topic. Contact us about a private tour.
Looking for something for students?
Many of our specialty tours are popular with school groups and curriculum-aligned educational programs. For dedicated student group experiences visit EducaTours by Foot — our educational tour program for K-12, homeschool, and university groups.
Ready to Go Deeper?
These tours exist because the standard DC itinerary leaves too much out. Our guides have spent years uncovering the stories that deserve to be told — and they are ready to share them with you.
Browse the tours above and reserve your spot. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before every tour. Questions? Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.