6 Washington DC Architecture Tours Worth Flying For

1.Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 321 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49Our pick

Spend about two hours walking Georgetown with a licensed guide such as Vicky, Becca, Wayne, Eli, or Ingeborg. See the C&O Canal, Old Stone House, Kennedy homes, Georgetown University, Martin’s Tavern, and the Exorcist Steps while hearing history, architecture, and neighborhood gossip. Groups are capped at 15.

“This tour was the perfect length and had a ton of information. Our tour guide was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dupont Circle and Embassy Row Architectural Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Meet a local guide in Dupont Circle for a two-hour walk past grand homes, embassies, Sheridan Circle, Kalorama, the Spanish Steps, Woodrow Wilson’s former home, and the Phillips Collection. Guides such as Sam, Natalie, Christine, and Mark mix architectural detail with memorable stories about Washington’s elite.

“Fun and interesting tour - loved learning about the architecture and history of Du Pont Circle and Embassy Row. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Historic Georgetown Architectural Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Walk about 2 miles through Georgetown with a local guide, beginning at Baked & Wired and ending at the waterfront. Expect stories about the C&O Canal, old mansions, Jackie Kennedy, Alexander Graham Bell, Georgetown University, the Exorcist Steps, and neighborhood life. Small groups, English narration, and a 10am start make this an easy first look at the district.

“The streets and the houses were beautiful and full of stories The guide was very nice with a wonderful knowledge about the history”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.DC: Georgetown History & Architecture Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 69 reviews · 2 hours · from $39Best value

Walk through Georgetown with guides such as Vicky, Wesley, Becca, and Ingeborg, stopping at the C&O Canal, Old Stone House, Martin’s Tavern, historic homes, and Georgetown University. Expect two hours of local history, architecture, political gossip, and practical dining tips at a relaxed pace.

“Enjoyed walking and viewing Georgetown homes’s architecture and stories of past residents. Wesley, our guide, was excellent and interesting!! We appreciated the dining tips too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Embassy Row: Architecture, Mansions & International Intrigue

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49

Walk from Dupont Circle along Embassy Row with a licensed guide such as Becca, Mark, Tyler, or Dan. In two hours, you’ll see grand former mansions now used by embassies, the Saraswati and Gandhi statues, Sheridan Circle, Woodrow Wilson’s home, and the Spanish Steps. Expect an easy neighborhood walk with stories, architecture, and a few scandals.

“Tour guide well informed and covered many of the embassies as well as providing the history of DuPont Circle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Start beneath Union Station’s great clock and walk about one mile through Capitol Hill with a local guide such as Sam. You’ll see the Supreme Court and Capitol, enter the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, and finish at the Capitol Visitor Center, where a free interior tour may be available.

“Thanks for a great tour. Sam was personable, informative, and fun! Especially enjoyed the historical nuggets along with the architectural info.”

Check availability →Read our full review