audio walking tour washington dc

Washington, D.C. Hunt Audio Tour

Washington, D.C. , Washington, D.C., United States

App guided audio walking tour

About the tour

Welcome to the nation's capital, where history meets adventure in our Washington, D.C. audio tour! Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through this iconic neighborhood as you uncover hidden gems and discover the rich culture and fascinating stories that make this city truly unique. Imagine exploring the United States Botanic Garden, where nature's beauty intertwines with stunning architecture. Or stepping into the National Gallery of Art, surrounded by masterpieces that will leave you awe-inspired. From the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to the National Air and Space Museum, each location holds its own exciting surprises and secrets waiting to be revealed. Grab your friends or family, because this scavenger hunt is all about teamwork and laughter. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking for an unforgettable adventure, our Washington, D.C. audio tour promises an experience like no other.

Just some highlights

Engaging local history

Experience a new kind of city tour with an app-led audio guide. Visit popular destinations and explore local culture in a fun and interactive way.

Interactive challenges

Engage with your surroundings like never before. Answer trivia questions and conquer challenges based on the stories you hear during the tour.

High-quality audio guides

Enjoy humorous and authoritative narration, like a friend sharing cool anecdotes about their city.

Available offline

Download your tour to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted experience whether or not you have consistent service during your adventure.

Explore at your own pace

Control the pace of your tour. Pause, skip, or cycle through stops as you wish.

Stress-free navigation

Navigate your route with ease using our interactive map and GPS-enabled feature.

Route Information

United States Botanic Garden

Step into the oasis of the United States Botanic Garden, where nature's beauty flourishes and history intertwines with lush greenery. This living museum dates back to 1820, making it one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America.

National Gallery of Art

Welcome to the National Gallery of Art, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces! Get ready to be captivated by the works of world-renowned artists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso.

National Museum of American History

This iconic spot showcases the incredible journey and achievements of our nation. From the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired hope, to Dorothy's ruby slippers that whisked us away to Oz, you'll uncover treasures that shaped our identity.

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Tour Details

Washington dc, the national mall mp3 audio walking tour.

Duration: 80 minutes

Category: Sightseeing

Listen to the AudioSteps MP3 commentary on your own player as we guide you as you walk past all of the sights in this center of US government, monuments and museums. We'll tell you what to see and expect in the Art and History Museums of the Smithsonian, the monuments and memorials to Presidents Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. We will guide you past the memorials to the Americans who fought in World War II, Vietnam and Korea. Visit the Capitol, Library of Congress, the White House and much more. We recommend that you allow two days for this tour, to allow time to visit the museums, etc.

Depending on how much you decide to do at one time, the first part of this audio walking tour can cover between 2.5 and 3.5 miles, taking on average, between 1.5 and 3 hours of walking time. The second part of the tour covers 3.5 miles - another 2 hours of walking time. This narrated Washington audio guide runs for about 80 minutes on your MP3 Player.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

For those who like to travel in comfort

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon

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Washington DC Walking Tour: Self-Guided

Tour Details

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Welcome to the washington dc monuments walking tour.

This Washington, D.C. walking tour begins next to Pershing Park, right across from the White House south lawn. From here, you’ll make your way to the White House itself, where you can admire the seat of American power and learn some fascinating tidbits about its construction. Did you know the entire East Wing was built as a distraction?

About the tour

Head south toward Constitution Gardens and pick up some insight into D.C.’s complicated history along the way. Through the gardens, you’ll find what was once the city’s most controversial monument: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Next, you’ll head to the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most iconic memorials on your self-guided walking tour, Washington DC.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is next, where you’ll hear about the fraught political struggle which wracked the White House during this bloody conflict. As you continue east, you’ll be filled in on the aftermath of the War of 1812, and how D.C. grew into what it is today.

Next up on your Washington DC Monument tour you’ll arrive at will be the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, honoring the nation’s most revered civil rights leader. Then you’ll cross the Kutz Bridge and learn why the Potomac River is so significant to this city’s history. From this bridge, you’ll also be able to see the impressive Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Then, you’ll reach the National Mall, which you’ve definitely seen on TV plenty of times. Here’s where you’ll get an up-close look at the Washington Monument, and learn the history of George Washington’s connection to this important city.

If you like museums, the next stretch of the tour is absolutely for you. Along this route, you’ll pass the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art. There’s a reason D.C. is known as the number one place to go for museums!

On the final leg of the Washington Monuments tour, you’ll arrive at three of the most crucial buildings in the city: The Library of Congress, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The tour will conclude here, amid these three awe-inspiring structures.

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Where To Start?

Starting point: 1445 New York Avenue Northwest

How Does It Work?

• Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
• Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
• To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
• The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
• Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

Welcome / white house visitor center.

Your journey through this historic, important city begins at the White House Visitor Center, right by the White House itself. Prepare to take a stroll past the best monuments, museums, and landmarks in all of Washington, D.C.

The White House

Your first stop will be none other than the White House known around the world. Here, you'll not only get a good look at this incredible landmark, but also some little-known history about its construction

Constitution Gardens

Continuing along your path, you'll pass through the lovely Constitution Gardens, one of D.C.'s many beautiful green spaces

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The first memorial you'll reach is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a poignant, thoughtful work of art which stirred up quite a controversy when it was first unveiled

Lincoln Memorial

Up next is the iconic Lincoln Memorial, where you'll find an enormous statue of Lincoln overlooking his pavilion in front of a powerful inscription

Korean War Veterans Memorial

After that, you'll come to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, honoring those who fought and died during the Korean War. This unusual memorial blends thousands of photographs with surprising architecture, and you'll learn about all the symbolism behind it

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Next, you'll arrive at the memorial to civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. Here, you'll get a quick refresher on King himself and learn how one of his speeches inspired the design of this monument

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

You path brings you next to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, dedicated, of course, to the president responsible for saving America from the Great Depression and implementing many of the social programs we take for granted today

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

It's impossible to miss the next memorial, an immense structure dedicated to one of America's founding fathers: Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson himself may be a controversial figure, but there's no denying that this memorial is awe-inspiring!

National Mall

Next you'll arrive at the National Mall a picturesque stretch of greenway which is also home to many of Washington's most iconic sights

World War II Memorial

You'll pass the intricate and expansive World War II Memorial next, where you have the chance to pay your respects to the Americans who gave their lives in the fight against fascism and search for the two hidden "Kilroy was here" engravings

Washington Monument

You'll then approach the Washington Monument, that iconic white obelisk reaching skyward. Did you know this was once the world's tallest structure? It was actually dethroned by none other than the Eiffel Tower!

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Then it's on to the National Museum of African American History, honoring and detailing the many named and nameless African American heroes who built this country

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

After that, you'll arrive at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the ultimate place to go for anything American history related

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Next door to the American History Museum is the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, full of fascinating scientific exhibits

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

Then, stroll through the Sculpture Garden, a cozy little park full of strange, captivating works of art

National Gallery of Art

You'll pass the National Gallery of Art next, one of the finest art museums in America, and also the only one in the whole country with an original Leonardo da Vinci painting

US House of Representatives

Want to see the place where, as the saying goes, "the sausage gets made"? That's up next, at the House of Representatives, where congress meets to create and debate legislation

Library of Congress

After that you'll arrive at the ultimate library: the Library of Congress. Home to over 32 million books along with tons of other pieces of media, this building contains some serious knowledge!

United States Capitol

Next is the United States Capitol Building, that iconic domed structure you've seen on TV. Get an in-person look at this landmark and hear about how this branch of the government came into being

Supreme Court of the United States / Conclusion

Finally, you'll arrive at the Supreme Court of the United States, where the ultimate authorities on Constitutional Law bring down their gavels. The tour concludes here

Preview The Tour

  can you walk everywhere in washington dc.

While you might not be able to walk everywhere in Washington on foot, you probably won’t need a car, especially in the center where most Washington DC tours take place. Washington is a relatively small city, and unlike many American urban centers, the public transportation system is fairly robust. That means you can easily get in and out of downtown Washington without a car, and you’ll be able to walk once you make it there.

  What do visitors see at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

When your Washington monument tour takes you to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, you’ll actually be seeing two different monuments. The first is the Memorial Wall, two large granite slabs engraved with the names of those who died in the war . The other part is the Three Soldiers statue, which was added afterward when the wall itself proved to be too grim an image for the public.

  Can you visit the MLK Memorial?

 Absolutely! The Martin Luther King Memorial is open every day, 24 hours a day, and is always free to the public.

  What should you not miss in DC?

 If there’s one place you should not miss on your Washington DC tour, it’s definitely the National Mall.

  What is the best time of year to visit Washington DC?

 If you’re thinking of taking a Washington monuments tour, your best bet is to either visit between September and November or March and May.

  Is it easy to walk around Washington DC?

 The answer is yes, absolutely! As any Washington DC tour will tell you, the capital is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the United States.

  What is there to do in DC for two hours?

Funny you should ask – we at Action Tour Guide just so happen to have a Washington monuments tour that lasts for about two hours. This Self-Guided Tour will take you to all the best and most interesting monuments on the National Mall, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the controversial Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Not only that, but the tour also includes a ton of other interesting sites, like the White House, the Ford Theater, and the US Capitol building. In between stops, we’ll pepper in some information you might not know about topics like the War of 1812, President Roosevelt’s secret bunker, and even the history of graffiti.

  What is the most interesting museum in Washington?

With so many great museums on any Washington DC tour, picking the best one will depend on what you’re interested in. The Smithsonian Institute has 23 different museum branches all over the area, so there’s sure to be something for everybody. There are also some terrific independent museums in Washington as well, like the International Spy Museum or the (somewhat controversial) Museum of the Bible.

Inclusions and Exclusions

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About SelfTour

Here are the reasons selftour surpasses all other tours....

All turn-by-turn directions and descriptions are spoken for easy to easy navigation and understanding. Our tours are a complete circle so you end up where you started… not some unknown location!

All information is activated by GPS as you move.

No waiting at a specific time for others to show up. Go when you want, take a brake anytime, and resume at your own pace and schedule.

Should you make a wrong turn, there is a complete map indicating all the sites along the way. Also pictures of the individual sites are available to insure you are looking at the right sight.

Our travel experts do intense research choosing the best sites to see and the accurate information you want to know about each.

Both are available. The platform used in our apps is new technology engineered by iApp Tours using exclusive mobile software.

No more straining or pushing to get close to hear the tour guide. The audio comes directly to your ear buds or car stereo system.

If you missed something in the audio description, or didn’t understand the directions, no problem! Simply touch the position on the phone or tablet map and it will play again.

Excellent writers and professional voice actors, music, sound effects and a light delivery style make the listening fun.

Tour at a fraction of the cost of other paid guided tours. Even “free” guided tours pressure you for a “tip” or to purchase something in the guide’s “favorite store”. Our tours have no advertising or referrals.

If there’s a tour worth taking, it’s worth taking a SelfTour™

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I liked your Star Walk tour.  Walking along the many stars was more fun having someone tell me who, and about, many of the people honored.

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The voices were charming.  I particularly liked the Italian fellow.  He was like a friend leading us through his hometown.

Worried that we couldn’t keep up with a walking tour, we decided to try this app. We made a great decision! Loved being able to go at our own pace, go off the beaten path, and pick up when and where we wanted. Highly recommended!!

Great Winery Choices

I was surprised at the great choices of wineries included on the tour.  It was a nice combination of old such as Buena Vista, spectacular such the Amorosa Castle, and big sellers including BV and Beranger Bros.  The tour covered the entire area so we got to experience champagnes, white and reds.  A great way to get the full scope of California wines

I found the GPS to be a little off at some of the site locations.  It didn’t get us lost, but it was a little confusing at times.

Loved the tour.   It was an easy walk and the music and narrators made it fun.

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Embassy Row | Washington DC

Embassy Row is where you can find many of the embassies in Washington DC. These beautiful mansions now house diplomatic missions and with proper planning can be visited by the public.

There are more than 175 Embassies in Washington, DC. Some of the largest and most beautiful can be found along Embassy Row.

We'll help you find Embassy Row and take you on a tour of the history and sites you can see along the way.

• Where is Embassy Row

Tours of Embassy Row

How to visit an embassy.

• Other Things to Do in DC
• Free Tours by Foot

Where is Embassy Row?

The street that Embassy Row is on is a section of Massachusetts Avenue NW, just to the northwest of Dupont Circle.

Embassy Row usually refers to Massachusetts Ave NW between Dupont Circle and Observatory Circle, around the 20th St NW to 37th St NW.

Not every embassy is on Embassy Row and not every building here is an embassy! But a majority of the 170+ embassies in DC are located in this neighborhood.

Can you Walk Embassy Row in DC?

Absolutely! Embassy Row is just a street like any other in the city that you can drive down or walk along the sidewalk. It's the view and the stories behind the buildings that make it special.

The best way to walk along Embassy Row is with us on a walking tour!

The closest Metro Station to Embassy Row is the Dupont Circle station (red line).

There are two entrances:

• South: on the circle and 19th St NW
• North: 20th and Q St NW

From either station exit, you can see Dupont Circle and we recommend starting from there and taking Massachusetts Ave NW to the north.

You can also reach Dupont Circle on the Circulator Bus. The Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn route starts/ends at 19th St & N St NW just south of the circle.

Use this map to see what Embassies are on Embassy Row!

Guided Walking Tours:

• Historic Embassy Row & Dupont Circle
• All of Embassy Row (private only)
• Dark Side of Dupont & Embassy Row (Adults Only)
• Self-Guided Walking Tour

Download our free DC walking tour app for a GPS-enabled self-guided audio tour .

Listen to a sample of our Embassy Row Audio Tour

Join our DC by Foot guided tour of Historic Embassy Row & Dupont Circle.

Embassy Row is located just outside of the original city plan drawn up by Pierre L’Enfant.

As the city expanded, DC’s well-heeled sought to create a fashionable neighborhood and populated it with magnificent Beaux arts mansions and townhouses.  

This section of Massachusetts Avenue NW was originally called Millionaires Row after the nouveau riche began to build 60 room mansions on (what was then) the outskirts of Washington, DC. 

In time, these beautiful structures would attract foreign embassies who helped revive and retain the cultural and social fabric of the area.

Join DC by Foot on this entertaining and enlightening Embassy Row Highlights Tour and learn all about the people and forces that have turned this district into one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city and the center of the foreign diplomatic community.

Wealth, power, intrigue, scandals, curses, and political assassination fill the stories on this tour.  

Take a walk around the world and see the international side of the nation's capital city.

Sights we may cover on the Historic Embassy Row & Dupont Circle Tour:

• Millionaire's Row and historic mansions
• Different Embassies of: India, Indonesia, Ireland, Chile, Greece, Croatia, and more
• Ambassador's Residence of Turkey, Egypt, Ireland
• Dupont Circle
• Cosmos Club | Anderson House
• Woodrow Wilson House
• Spanish Steps
• Extravagant Homes
• and more...

We also offer an Adults Only version that delves into the Darker Side with stories of scandals, assassinations, and secrets of the gilded age.

We do not recommend taking both the daytime AND the adults-only tours.

Tour information

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve .

Where:  Meet your guide at the fountain in the center of Dupont Circle. Look for your tour guide in orange.

The tour ends at Dupont Circle North Metro ( map ) at 19th and Q St NW.

Purchase a guaranteed parking spot in advance near the tour’s starting point with SpotHero. To reserve your parking spot, visit the  Dupont Circle SpotHero Parking Page  and book a spot with rates up to 50% off the drive-up.

New to SpotHero?  Click here  to download the SpotHero app.

Duration:  Approximately 2 hours. Total walking is about 1.5 miles (2,4km).

When:   View our Calendar  

Contact us  to book a private tour!

Sights we cover on the All of Embassy Row Tour (private only)

If your group wants to take a guided walking tour of just Embassy Row and explore the history of diplomatic relations, embassies, and architecture of the area, this is the tour for you.

This tour runs as a private tour only and is great for school groups, but we're happy to run this tour for families or individuals as well.

• Origins of Embassy Row
• Embassy vs Chancery vs Residence
• Sheridan Circle and the site of the Letelier Assassination
• Turkish Ambassador's Residence
• Embassies of: Ireland, Croatia, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, the UK, and more!
• Former Iranian Embassy
• Memorials/Statues of: Tomas Masaryk, Robert Emmett, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Khalil Gibran
• and much more!

We cannot guarantee entrance onto the grounds of any embassies. You may be able to arrange interior visits direct with embassies and we can schedule our tour to begin/end there.

When:   Please  contact us  to book a private tour.

Where:  Tour begins at the fountain in  Dupont Circle . The tour will end outside US Naval Observatory. If you're traveling by coach, you can arrange for pick up here. For those traveling by public transportation, it is a 5-minute bus ride back to the circle on city buses.

Duration:  The tour lasts approx. 2 hours. Total walking is about 1 mile.

Cost:  For more about private tours, visit our  private tour page .

The Embassies in Washington DC (those on Embassy Row and in other parts of the city) are working government buildings.

For this reason, you aren't usually able to walk in as a tourist!

Some embassies have small cultural exhibits in the front lobby (like Côte D'Ivoire!) but unless you have an appointment for consular services or a scheduled tour, you won't usually be able to make it farther than that.

You are always welcome to contact an Embassy to ask for a tour of the building. Many Embassies are happy to do this for school groups, but it doesn't hurt to ask as an individual traveler either.

No matter what time of year you're visiting you may be able to schedule a visit to an embassy in DC.

However, if you're here in May, you may wish to check out Passport DC for Embassy Open Houses.

Passport DC 2024

An embassy's website will have information for visitors such as hours and whether you need to schedule an appointment to visit.

The most assured way is to reach out and request a tour, often led by embassy staff.

Be certain to follow their rules for what you can bring with you and what kind of identification you will need.

• Full list of embassies

During Embassy Week, you can taste treats from one country and watch dancers from another all without ever leaving the city.

Throughout the month of May every year, the diplomatic scene of Washington DC opens to the public.

This gives you an opportunity to go inside many of the embassies along Embassy Row that we talk about on our Embassy Row Tours!

Read below about the different events taking place during and the dates for Passport DC and Embassy Week.

Passport DC 2024 will be May 01- May 31, 2024

• Around the World Embassy Tour
• Short Cut to Europe: European Union Embassies' Open House
• National Asian Heritage Festival: Fiesta Asia

Around the World Embassy Tour | May 4, 2024

Time : 10 am -4 pm

How much are tickets to Embassy Week DC? Free! There is no cost to visit the embassies!

Reservations : Not Required. Photo ID is required to enter many of the embassies

Here you can explore the world. More than 40 embassies open their doors to the public to learn more about their country and their culture with food tasting, dance demonstrations, and more.

This is one of the most popular events so expect some waiting in lines. Try to visit embassies off Embassy Row for shorter lines.

Embassies with Open House for 2024

Use this map to see where some of the open Embassies are for Passport DC

Short Cut to Europe: European Union Embassies' Open House | May 11, 2024

Time: 10 am - 4 pm

Cost : Free

Reservations : Not Required, Photo ID is required to enter many of the embassies.

Similar to the week prior, this day is all about EU Member Nations. Expect some of the 28 member nation's embassies to open their doors from 10 am to 4 pm.

Tip: Embassies participating in the EU Open House will stamp your passport with their country stamp, so bring it along if you have it!

National Asian Heritage Festival: Fiesta Asia | May 18, 2024

Time : 11 am to 7 pm

Location : Pennsylvania Ave NW between 3rd & 6th St NW  www.asiaheritagefoundation.org

Reservations : Not Required

Fiesta Asia! is often voted the Best Street Fair in Washington and we agree! You'll find crafts, a talent show, demonstrations of different dances and martial arts, and of course, food!

If you've wanted to learn belly dance, Hulu, or Bollywood dancing, there will be lessons as well as 5 stages to watch the professionals.

The closest Metro to Fiesta Asia Street Festival is Archives/Navy Memorial on the Green & Yellow Line or Judiciary Square on the Red Line.

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Local Strolls: A self-guided walking tour of Georgetown, Washington, DC

Apr 27, 2024 • 4 min read

Follow this writer's favorite walking route through Georgetown, Washington, DC © DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Delve into Local Strolls, a series where writers reveal their favorite walks in their hometowns. Each route offers a snapshot of urban life, guiding you to lesser-known attractions and cherished local spots. Here, Alexa Moore takes us on a two-mile-long amble through the historic streets of Georgetown, Washington, DC.

Washington, DC , is not simply cherry blossoms and politics. It's a city with complex and diverse stories, expertly dissected into four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast, and at the center of it all lies the US Capitol . DC's oldest stories hide amongst the historic streets of Georgetown, in DC's Northwest. US presidents and Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor once called this place home. It was also home to an African-American community. Resident numbers have dwindled, but remnants like the First Baptist Church of Georgetown , founded by a former enslaved man, still stand firm. 

So, let's begin our walk.

Distance: Approx 2 miles Total walk time: 45 minutes at a leisurely pace

Any good stroll in DC must start with coffee. I'm the kind of gal who needs a little motivation to get my steps in, so I stop into Baked and Wired . The pink window panes beckon me into the split bakery and coffee shop. A dirty chai with house-made horchata is what I order – it's only 9am and I can't justify my usual red velvet cupcake this early in the day.

With long and slow strides, I stroll down picturesque Canal Street briefly. It's adjacent to the currently semi-barren C&O Canal , and the loveliest little brick houses juxtapose its dry, muddy banks. I resist the temptation to search for their property value on Zillow. 

I turn right to head up M St, Georgetown's famous shopping promenade. All the buildings are different hues, yet there's a subtle uniformity. The storefront windows are like portals into wild worlds of fashion I cannot afford. I pass the oldest unchanged structure in the city, the tan-colored relic aptly named the Old Stone House , built in 1765.

Approaching the intersection of M St and Wisconsin Ave, I meet my favorite golden-domed Neoclassical building. I adore how the dome's reflective golden hue brightens up Georgetown's streets. Built in the 1920s, it now operates as a PNC bank branch. My mind can't help but wonder how it shined in its heyday, so to Google I go. Turns out, even a century ago, it was still a bank , a reassuring reminder that while things evolve in the rest of DC and the wider world, things tend to stay the same in Georgetown.

I do a quick heel stretch before turning right and starting my ascent up Wisconsin Ave. If you continue this path, you'll eventually pass green areas like Book Hill Park and the Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Garden . However, on this particularly chilly (and lazy) spring day, I ditch my usual hike and swing left onto N St, gazing at the manicured gardens of homes and the ruby-red-brick sidewalks that lay below.

I find myself at 3260 N St, uncovering a slice of presidential (and very romantic) history. President John F Kennedy rented this home while running for Senate and met Jackie Onassis, the future First Lady, at a nearby Georgetown dinner party in 1952 .

Turning down 35th St, I arrive at Georgetown University's campus. I spot the controversial Transformers -decorated house and can't help but giggle. The burly machines juxtapose the manicured brick facade, and the "Robots in Disguise" are the stars of an ongoing legal battle between the homeowner and the city on whether the statues can stay.

I'm searching for something I haven't seen before – the infamous steps used in the climactic ending of the 1973 film The Exorcist . They're steep. There's something a bit eerie about this tucked-away staircase, so I use the handrails and focus carefully as I descend.

I continue this journey down through the Francis Scott Key Memorial Park , cross the Alexandria Aqueduct Bridge , and eventually find my way back to the C&O Canal Towpath . What a difference a few blocks make, as this side boasts mossy-green grass and pools of water reflecting the fluffy clouds above.

Finally, I head towards the river and my favorite sitting spot at the Georgetown Waterfront Park . I end my nearly two-mile saunter on a bench near the twisting path of the park's Labyrinth , a bit regretful that I didn't buy that red velvet cupcake after all.

Keep planning your trip to Washington, DC:

Explore  these top neighborhoods  after your stroll through Georgetown These experiences  should be on your DC itinerary  Find the  best times to visit Getting around DC is easier than you think –  here's how  

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