Washington DC · WASHINGTON DC WALKING TOURS

15 Washington DC Walking Tours Worth the Shoe Leather

88 tours  ·  from $10 a head

Washington is flat, wide and longer on foot than it looks. These 15 walks cover the Mall, Georgetown, Capitol Hill and Arlington, priced by length, with a note on the ones that ask for comfortable shoes.

Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour & Changing of the Guards - What the guide adds to a short visit
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Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour & Changing of the Guards

1.Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour & Changing of the Guards

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,566 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55Our pick

This 2 to 2.5-hour Arlington tour covers about two miles, with a guide leading you to the Changing of the Guard, the USS Maine Mast Memorial, Civil War graves, and the Kennedy family graves. Groups are capped at 15. Guides include Meg, Derrick, Christina, Skye, Dash, and Liam, though your guide depends on the date.

“Derrick was an exceptionally knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly tour guide. We highly recommend this tour when visiting this very large, memorable cemetery for the first time.”

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DC: Hop-On Hop-Off with 17 Stops plus Arlington Walking Tour - The Lincoln Memorial rewards a proper stop
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DC: Hop-On Hop-Off with 17 Stops plus Arlington Walking Tour

2.Hop-On Hop-Off with 17 Stops plus Arlington Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 2,238 reviews · from $49

Ride Big Bus’s open-top route past 17 DC stops, including the National Mall, White House and Lincoln Memorial, with recorded commentary in five languages. Hop off to explore, then, with a 48 or 72-hour ticket during its seasonal operating period, join a two-hour Arlington National Cemetery walking tour at 1pm.

“The bus driver made an extra stop for us called a requested stop to let us off right by the museum where we were going. Everyone was very helpful!”

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Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour - From the Old Stone House to the Colonial
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Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour

3.Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 610 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Join a licensed guide for a 90-minute, English-language walk from the Old Stone House through Georgetown’s old streets, past sites tied to hauntings and true crime, and on to the Exorcist Steps. Guides have included Wayne, Trevor, Sonia, Ingeborg, and others. Expect neighborhood history, spooky tales, and a family-friendly nighttime outing.

“Very fun and informative tour! Learned a lot about parts of Georgetown I did not know about even as a lifetime resident of the area. Jim was great!”

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Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour & Neighborhood Walk - Georgetown’s history comes between bites
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Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour & Neighborhood Walk

4.Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour & Neighborhood Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 437 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Walk about 1.5 miles through Georgetown with a guide, stopping at four local eateries for four to five food samples and one drink pairing. Stops vary, but may include an Indian-owned restaurant, an Italian cafe and grocery, and a military-focused bakery. Vegetarian tastings are available, and the group is limited to nine.

“Elizabeth was a great guide. She was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We enjoyed all the sights and history plus the food stops introduced us to awesome restaurants and shops in Georgetown. I highly recommend!”

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Gastronomic Georgetown Walking Food Tour - Old Stone House: Georgetown before the capital
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Gastronomic Georgetown Walking Food Tour

5.Gastronomic Georgetown Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 373 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84

Spend about three and a half hours walking Georgetown with a guide such as Robert, Wayne, James, or Christian. Expect four food stops, stories about the neighborhood’s pre-DC past, and landmarks including the Old Stone House and C&O Canal. The group is capped at 12, and dietary needs must be noted when booking.

“Lots of interesting historical short stories were shared by our tour guide, Robert. We had a good time.”

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Ghosts of D.C. - Walking Tour - The Supreme Court meeting point and the Capitol stories
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Ghosts of D.C. – Walking Tour

6.Ghosts of D.C. – Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 344 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Start at the Supreme Court at 9 p.m. for a 90-minute English-language walk around Capitol Hill, with ghost tales tied to the U.S. Capitol and Folger Shakespeare Library. Guides such as Chris, Richard, Allegra, and Rizzo mix local history with spooky stories. Expect an easy walk of about a mile, a small group, and a nighttime view of federal landmarks.

“I take ghost tours because I learn the often untold or hidden history for a city. A good story teller really does make the experience so much more enjoyable. Well done.”

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Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour - Homes turn architecture into neighborhood gossip
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Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip, & Architecture Walking Tour

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

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

Spend about two hours walking Georgetown with a licensed guide and no more than 14 other people. See the C&O Canal, the 1766 Old Stone House, Kennedy-linked homes, Georgetown University and the Exorcist Steps, while hearing local history, architecture and gossip. Guides such as Vicky, Becca, Wayne and Ingeborg have led the tour.

“My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Becca on a rainy/damp/cold morning. We live in the area and thought it would be fun to be a tourist for the day and learn more about Georgetown. Becca didn't disappoint! Thanks, Becca, for keeping us so engaged as we braved the weather! Highly recommend.”

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Smithsonian Museums Walking Tour with Reserved Air & Space Entry - Natural History: the Hope Diamond and dinosaur fossils
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Smithsonian Museums Walking Tour with Reserved Air & Space Entry

8.Smithsonian Museums Walking Tour with Reserved Air & Space Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Visit the Natural History, Air and Space, and American History museums with a guide in a group of no more than 15. Expect about two miles of walking, a fast-moving look at major exhibits, and reserved timed entry to Air and Space. Guides such as Shane, Christina, and Dash are praised for adapting the stops to your interests.

“There was so much to see that you couldn’t possibly cover it in one day, but my tour guide Claudia did an amazing job. I didn’t care to spend as much time in the Museum of Natural History because I had spent a lot of time at that museum in New York many years ago. So, we tailored the experience to spend more time and the museum of American history and the air and space Museum, which were both amazing! It’s important to let the guy know what you’re interested in seeing, because there is really so much to absorb.”

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DC's Original Food and History Walking Tour - What $112 includes, and what it does not
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DC’s Original Food and History Walking Tour

9.DC’s Original Food and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 255 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $112

Walk about 1.5 miles through U Street, once known as Black Broadway, with a local guide and food stops that may include Ben’s Chili Bowl, an Ethiopian cafe, Cuban pastries, and ice cream. The three-hour tour starts at 11:30 am, costs $112, and includes lunch plus a donation that funds three meals for a DC resident in need.

“Fantastic afternoon exploring and learning about U Street from the Civil war era to today with our fun and knowledgeable tour guide Soneka. Loved every one of the tastings which were generous and satisfying, but not overwhelming. We are avid walking food tour fans for exploring cities around the world. U Street was one of our favorites. We live nearby in MD and can’t wait to do it again when bringing future guests to DC”

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A Guided Walking Tour through Historic Old Town Alexandria - Gadsby’s Tavern and a well for ice
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A Guided Walking Tour through Historic Old Town Alexandria

10.A Guided Walking Tour through Historic Old Town Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

This 90-minute Old Town walk starts at Ramsay House and ends on cobbled Captain’s Row. A local guide such as Tim, Wayne, or Eileen connects colonial sites with stories about George Washington, the Revolution, and everyday language. Expect an easy pace, a group of up to 30, and a $30 ticket. Some historic interiors are not included.

“Our guide was Tim, who owns his own company, History Tours of Alexandria. He knows his history extremely well and has chosen places of great historical meaning and many interesting anecdotes to go with them. we definitely give him the highest rating and would recommend his tour to anyone visiting Alexandria.”

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Tastes of Georgetown Food & History Small Group Walking Tour - Georgetown stories between courses
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Tastes of Georgetown Food & History Small Group Walking Tour

11.Tastes of Georgetown Food & History Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 203 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Spend about three hours walking Georgetown with a local guide and a group of no more than eight. Expect several generous food tastings, drinks, and stories about the neighborhood and its restaurants. Guides have included Neka, Joe, Mary, and Richard. Vegetarian options are available with advance notice, but vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets cannot be accommodated.

“Jenn is very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the tour. The tomato tart was wonderful. The Kennedy tidbits were a plus.”

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Dark Nights in D.C. - Walking Tour - A small group and a guide who carries the evening
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Dark Nights in D.C. – Walking Tour

12.Dark Nights in D.C. – Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 201 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

At 9 pm, a guide leads this adults-only walk from the Octagon Museum to three historic sites near the White House, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Decatur House, and Lafayette Square. Expect murders, ghost stories, and overlooked DC history, told by guides such as Mike, Matthew, Shelby, and Rizzo. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and stays outdoors.

“Our tour guide was spectacular! She was knowledgeable and entertaining. She also had the coolest water bottle ever.”

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Haunted DC Night-Time Walking Tour on Capitol Hill - Ghost tales, presidential spirits, and the guide’s role
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Haunted DC Night-Time Walking Tour on Capitol Hill

13.Haunted DC Night-Time Walking Tour on Capitol Hill

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 172 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $25Best value

At 8:30 pm, meet your guide at 237 Pennsylvania Ave. SE for a 90-minute walk around Capitol Hill. Expect ghost stories, presidential lore, and history told in character. Guides have included Davy Crockett, Anna Seurat, Clover, and Mary Surratt, though the guide on your date may differ. The group is capped at 10.

“Very fun and entertaining. It was family-friendly which I had expected by the reviews, not a scary experience.”

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Haunted Alexandria Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour - Old Hat Bar gives the evening room to breathe
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Haunted Alexandria Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

14.Haunted Alexandria Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Spend about 2.5 hours walking Old Town with a costumed guide, hearing ghost stories tied to places such as Carlyle House and a gelato shop with a tragic love story. Stop at King & Rye, Old Hat Bar, and Union Street Public House, with time to buy drinks. Guides have included Magic, Katie, Sam, and Liz.

“What a great time I had. The two guides were very professional and informative. Even the guy that was in training did a great job. As a local person here, I can appreciate this kind of experience. I would definitely do this again.”

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Washington DC: Walking Tour and African American Museum - The White House from Lafayette Square
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Washington DC: Walking Tour and African American Museum

15.Walking Tour and African American Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 157 reviews · 3 hours · from $80

Meet your English-speaking guide at Lafayette Square for a three-hour walk past the White House, the Capitol, and the Washington Monument, with stories about African American history in DC. The tour includes a reserved entry time at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which you explore on your own. Guides have included Nur Gray and Dr. Koura Gibson.

“Our tour guide Nur did a fantastic job giving us great insight to the parts of DC that we visited. It was not the best of weather but we really enjoyed the tour! And the museum experience was amazing. So glad we booked- it was the highlight of our visit.”

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New in Washington DC Walking Tours

★ 4.6Highlights Guided Walking TourFrom $586 reviews
★ 4.7U.S. Capitol & Monuments Walking TourFrom $5610 reviews
★ 4.6The Ghosts of Washington D.C. Walking TourFrom $2914 reviews
★ 3.9National Mall Walking TourFrom $2512 reviews
★ 5.0Private National Mall Walking Tour7 reviews
★ 5.0Monuments & Memories History Walking TourFrom $254 reviews
★ 5.0Georgetown Architecture Walking TourFrom $438 reviews
★ 4.1African American Heritage Walking TourFrom $9017 reviews
★ 5.0Walking Through George Washington’s AlexandriaFrom $304 reviews
★ 5.0Socialites and Spies of Georgetown Walking TourFrom $3024 reviews
★ 4.0Washington DC Museums self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt4 reviews
★ 3.5Washington DC Monuments self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt6 reviews
★ 4.5Sweet and Savory Scandalous White House Walking Food TourFrom $6012 reviews
★ 5.0Dark History: Scandals of Capitol Hill Evening Walking TourFrom $598 reviews
★ 5.0Presidents’ Residences Walking Tour: Lafayette Sq + Foggy BottomFrom $278 reviews

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