Historic Georgetown Walking Tour

Overview

Take a guided walking tour of a historic neighborhood older than DC itself. One of our guides (Canden Schwantes) wrote the book(s) on Georgetown. See the colonial charm of canals, cobblestoned streets, historic homes, & intriguing history.

You will see and hear stories of:

- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal - a waterway through the industrial part of the neighborhood.

- Old Stone House - oldest residential building in the district, now a National Park site.

- Homes of Jackie & John F. Kennedy - hear about their time in Georgetown before and after his assassination

- 18th and 19th Century Homes - learn about the diverse, historic architecture of the houses and the stories of those who have lived here. Look for original firemarks, coal chutes, ironworks, and gas lanterns.

- Hear stories of the Black Georgetown community, immigrants who shaped the neighborhood, and women who bucked social norms.

- Georgetown University - see the famous campus and learn how the neighborhood influenced it.

City: Washington DC

Tue 03 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

Tue 03 Feb

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

What's Included

Professional, Licensed Guide

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Georgetown

The port Georgetown goes back centuries and is today know for its cobblestone streets, historic homes and gardens, and is seen as a shopping and dining district. Exploring the area on foot is the best way to go back in time and enjoy the park like atmosphere with all of its old brick and greenery.

C & O Canal

The historic canal through the industrial section of Georgetown, guests will learn about the canal boats and see a working "lock" (gate) the helped the boats travel to and from along the canal.

Old Stone House

Certainly one of the oldest buildings in the entire city, this quaint spot is run by the National Parks Service and has a lovely garden to sit and take a rest in. Built in 1766, it was a car dealership by 1953 when it was taken over for historic preservation. Now it is ours to enjoy and remember a simpler time when tobacco and tall tales traded at the nearby port.

Georgetown University

Founded in 1789, this prestigious Jesuit University is know far and wide for its medical, legal, and undergraduate programs. See the towering spires of the Patrick Healy building and the statue of founder John Carrol. On a warm day students will lounge in the grass out front throwing frisbees, reading, and socializing.

"The Exorcist" Steps

We end the tour near the Exorcist Steps, a historic stairway that became famous thanks to the 1970s film of the same name.

Show 2 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (223)

reginal_losangeles

Apr 2019

While visiting Washington, DC, I went on 2 Free Tours by Foot this Saturday - the Historic Georgetown tour with Erin and the Lincoln Assassination tour with Boglarka. Erin is a school teacher and tour guide. Boglarka is a full-time tour guide. Both women were excellent tour guides. They were much more energetic, more insightful, and funnier than a more expensive tour guide I used Friday night. On Friday night, I arrived in DC too late to join a group tour, so I went on a small private tour that included car service. This private tour was fine and very convenient, but nothing special, especially for the price. On Saturday, my schedule allowed me to fit in 2 Free Tours by Foot, and those are the tours I loved and will remember for years to come. I will seek out Free Tours by Foot the next time I'm in DC or in any of the other cities they cover. The tour guides are excellent. You get a little exercise by walking. And you pay what you feel is fair. The tour guides don't pressure you to over-pay. But they're so good, you'll want to thank them and pay for their time. Book early and go!! Highly recommend!!!

PSU79

Jan 2019

We took the historic Georgetown tour that also covered the Glow holiday art installations. The evening was chilly but perfect for the art and Rebecca was a wealth of knowledge. I recommend this tour for locals and visitors. Wonderful!

Geri L

Dec 2018

Historic Georgetown along with Georgetown Glow. Dan was a great, enthusiastic tour guide. He was loud and easy to understand. He had a great personality. And he knew his stuff. The only downside was that the tour started at 4 p.m. - a little too early to see all the glow installations lit up! I would definitely do another tour.