washington dc tour guide book

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Washington, DC

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Up-to-date information  - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020's COVID-19 outbreak

Highlights  and itineraries  help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Eating & drinking in Washington, DC  -  we reveal the dishes and drinks you have to try

Color  maps and images throughout

Insider tips  to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Honest reviews for all budgets  - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights  give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Over  31 maps

Covers  Upper Northwest DC, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Kalorama, Downtown DC, Penn Quarter, the White House Area, Foggy Bottom, the National Mall, Capitol Hill, Logan Circle, U Street, Columbia Heights, Northern Virginia and more.

ISBN: 9781787016866

Edition: 8th

Publication Date: December 2022

Writers: Karla Zimmerman and Virginia Maxwell

320 pages,31 maps | Dimensions: 128mm width × 197mm height

Next edition due: Not yet determined

Which guidebook is right for me?

Country, city & regional guides.

• Top experience collections
• Regional itineraries recommended by experts (from a couple of days to multi-week)
• 3D illustrations and guided tours of key sights
• Extensive coverage of history and culture
• Detailed maps throughout - includes walking maps and a pull-out planning map

EXPERIENCE guides

(country, city & regional).

• Led by local experts that reveal their favorite experiences and hidden gems
• Personal itinerary building tools
• Seasonal planning calendars
• QR codes unlock additional online content

POCKET guides

(city & regional).

• Special features cover most popular sights
• Content organized by neighborhhod
• Recommended 1, 2, 3 and 4-day itineraries
• Guided walking tours

Visit Washington, DC!

Hotel and travel tips for visiting Washington, DC

Washington DC Tour Books

While you can certainly find all the information you need for your visit right here on the District, we thought you might like to see some of our favorite Washington, DC guide books. If you want to shop for more than you see here, visit Amazon.com .

Frommer’s Washington, D.C. 2024

Fodor’s Washington D.C. 25 Best 202 1 (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor’s Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon and Alexandria (Full-color Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Washington, DC

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

23 Free Self-Guided Washington DC Walking Tours

This post lists over 20 self-guided walking tours of DC, including GPS-enabled audio tours and neighborhood guides all produced by our guides here at Free Tours by Foot.

Enjoy your self guided tour? Make a donation to help support the guides. You can Venmo @canden-ftbf or Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dcbyfoot

Self Guided tours of Washington DC are a great way to explore on your own time.

Though we love showing guests around Washington, DC on our guided tours , we realize that not everyone has the time to take a walking tour.

If our tour schedule doesn’t work for you, or if you would instead explore on your own, take advantage of our free self-guided tours of Washington DC.

Each tour comes with a Washington DC walking tour map, insider information about best times to visit, photo stops and the stories and symbolism behind each stop.

Tours We Offer:

• National Mall Self-Guided Tour
• Self -Guided Tour of the White House | Lafayette Park
• Arlington Cemetery Self-Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours of Georgetown

• Other DC Self-Guided Tours

Check out our Things to Do in DC with budget advice, travel guides, and information about local Washington DC attractions, including Free Things to Do in DC , and save money with a tourist pass .

Don't forget to tag us on social media @topthingstododc when you take our self-guided tours! You can share your photos or even ask us a question! 

Self-Guided Tour of the National Mall & Memorials

The memorials tell about the lives of men and women from America's past and present.

The National Mall & Memorials Tour tells the stories from founding father George Washington to Rosie the Riveter during WWII.

You'll learn all about the history, symbolism, and a few hidden stories of these must-see sites.

Here is a sample of the tour:

You could also visit our main DC audio tours page for more samples and information. 

We even have a specific self-guided tour of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial,  Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial , and the Lincoln Memorial . 

Self-Guided Tour of the White House and Lafayette Park

The White House is the most famous building in all of America and is a must-stop while visiting Washington, DC.

While it may be a challenge to get White House Tour tickets , we recommend you at least visit from the outside and learn about it on our self-guided tour of the White House and Lafayette Park.

Learn about the heroes of the American Revolution as you stroll through the park and learn about the man it got its name from. 

The White House is also a featured stop on a number of our walking tours:  National Mall (from afar),   Lincoln Assassination ,  Secrets & Scandals , and  White House Ghost Tours .

Self-Guided Tours of Arlington National Cemetery

Established during the Civil War, Arlington National Cemetery is a testament to the incredible service and sacrifice of our many men and women in the Armed Forces.

Don't leave DC without a visit to these hallowed grounds, which are now the final resting place for over 400,000 veterans.

Though we offer a guided tour of the cemetery with a live tour guide, these self-guided tours are perfect for anyone who is short on time or would prefer a themed tour.

Interested in learning more about? Check out our guide to visiting Arlington National Cemetery !

Our Arlington National Cemetery Highlights Tour  gives you the chance to take your time exploring the cemetery. There is also an audio version available to guide you along the way. 

We also have a few self-guided tours to complement our walking and highlights self-guided tours:

• Black History of Arlington National Cemetery
• Notable Women Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

We recommend taking these after you've taken our highlights tour, as these self-guided tours expand and explore more of the cemetery. 

Older than the rest of Washington, D.C. by nearly half a century, Georgetown is a quaint neighborhood that boasts excellent shopping, critically acclaimed restaurants, and a highly reputable university.

We have a number of self-guided tours of Georgetown:

• Highlights Tour of Georgetown  
• Self-Guided East Georgetown Walking Tour  (also available in  audio tour version )
• Tour of Civil War Georgetown  
• Tour of Georgetown University  (also available in  audio tour version )
• Georgetown Cupcakes and Desserts Tour

EMBASSY ROW SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Originally called Millionaires’ Row, it was mansions and large homes built by the newly wealthy.

Today, the section of Massachusetts Ave NW north of Dupont Circle is the home to many of the embassies in Washington, DC. 

This tour will explore the neighborhood’s history and outside of embassies along the way, finishing up near the North entrance to the Dupont Circle Metro Station on the red line. https://freetoursbyfoot.com/embassy-row-tour-self/

Take our audio tour versions .

Other Self-Guided Tours of Washington DC

• U Street Food and History Tour
• Tour of the Washington National Cathedral
• Tour of Union Station
• Library of Congress Tours of the Jefferson Building
• The Only Cherry Blossom Festival Guide & Map You Need [2021]
• Adams Morgan Self Guided Tour
• Drinking History- A Walking Tour
• Tour of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
• Visit the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
• Visiting the Air Force Memorial
• Self Guided Tour of Historic Annapolis
• Old Town Alexandria Self Guided Tour  (also available in  audio tour version )

Interested in a self-guided tour that we don't yet offer? Send us a note at [email protected] and we'll work on creating that tour in the future! 

Related Posts:

• Free Washington DC Bus Tour
• DC Audio Tours
• Free DC Walking Tours

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About The Author

Canden Arciniega

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

Book a Tour

Reservations are recommended .

The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tours begin every 10 minutes until 3:20 p.m. All tours are led by our professional tour guides and visit the  Crypt , the  Rotunda  and  National Statuary Hall . The tour does not include the  Senate and House Galleries . The tour route is subject to change.

Reservations are recommended, but not required. Visit the  schedule a tour  page to select a day/time for a reservation. Same day passes may be available. Visitors without reservations are encouraged to arrive at the Capitol Visitor Center as early in the day as possible, but no later than 2:30 p.m., to obtain passes.

All tours, programs and activities are free of charge.

Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. Please leave time to go through security and review the U.S. Capitol’s  prohibited items list  before your visit.

You can begin your Capitol experience at the Visitor Center by visiting Exhibition Hall , perusing our Gift Shops or getting a bite to eat at the Capitol Cafe.

For information on tours offered in Mandarin and Spanish, please view the Foreign Language Tours page.

How Do I Cancel My Reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through your account in the Capitol Visitor Center’s online reservation system.

• Go to  https://tours.visitthecapitol.gov  (A new page will open.)
• Beneath the blue banner reading “Reserve a Tour of the Capitol,” click on the link to log in. (A sign in/signup dialog box will open.)
• In the sign in section, log in with your email address and password.
• Search for reservations by clicking “More” in the “My Reservations” tab.
• Once you have located your reservation, click the link to “Cancel.”

Washington Tourbook Guide

Including seattle, olympic national park and the san juan islands.

Explore the dramatic scenery of Washington state with the AAA TourBook guide. From the snowcapped mountains of the Cascade Range to the rainforests of Olympic National Park, the state of Washington offers a wide range of experiences for every type of traveler. Plan your next trip with the help of AAA's TourBook travel guide, available now on mobile, tablet or desktop.

With the Washington guide, you'll get advice from AAA travel experts about the best things to see and do, where to stay and how to plan the trip of a lifetime. You'll learn insider travel tips and answers to many top questions asked by travelers. This guidebook includes information about the top things to do in Seattle and other places in Washington.

Here's a sampling of what you'll find in the Washington TourBook:

• Where to see flower displays during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
• Why “Twilight” fans will want to visit the city of Forks
• How to follow the Historic Columbia River Highway by car or bike
• Why Lake Chelan is one of the most scenic spots in the Pacific Northwest
• Where to spot free-roaming caribou, elk and bison in a wildlife park
• What to experience in Seattle's Pike Place Market
• Which sightseeing tours you shouldn't miss on the Puget Sound
• How to tour the Boeing Everett assembly plant, one of the world's largest buildings
• Where to camp, hike and fish in state parks and national forests

What are some of the must-dos covered in this guide?

We know no two travelers are alike, so we've included a wide variety of things to do in each TourBook, from state parks and botanical gardens to landmarks and museums.

We cover the top attractions in Seattle including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, The Museum of Flight, Chihuly Garden and Glass and MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture), plus attractions in Tacoma, Spokane and other things to do in Washington state.

For adventurers, the guide includes listings for popular outdoor attractions like Snoqualmie Falls in Snoqualmie, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Point Defiance Park in Tacoma and Mount Rainier National Park.

You'll find all these attractions and more in this destination guide, plus ideas for family-friendly things to do and places to stay.

Will this guide help me plan a road trip?

Yes, this digital TourBook includes inspiration for scenic drives in Washington state. You can also use the high-quality maps to get started planning your own route.

Is national park information included?

The Washington tour book includes detailed information and travel tips for popular national public lands like Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. You'll also find travel information for national historic sites, national monuments and national forests throughout the region.

Explore the Washington AAA TourBook and start planning your next travel adventure today!

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A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy (History & Guide) Paperback – May 6, 2014

Purchase options and add-ons.

Join author Alison Fortier for a walk through our United States Capital and it's iconic locations.

This tour of the nation's capital goes beyond the traditional guidebook to offer a historical journey through the federal district. Visit the White House, the only executive home in the world regularly open to the public. Travel to President Lincoln's Cottage and see where he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. Look around lesser-known sites, such as the grave of Pierre L'Enfant, the city's Botanical Gardens, the Old Post Office and a host of historical homes throughout the capital. From George Washington's Mount Vernon to the Kennedy Center, trek through each era of Washington, D.C., for a tour of America's most beloved sites. Join author and Washington insider Alison Fortier as she carefully curates an expedition to our shining city on a hill.

• Part of series History & Guide
• Print length 240 pages
• Language English
• Publisher The History Press
• Publication date May 6, 2014
• Dimensions 5.5 x 0.31 x 8.5 inches
• ISBN-10 1626195293
• ISBN-13 978-1626195295
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved., a history lover's guide to washington, dc, designed for democracy, the history press.

THE ORIGINS OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHY IS OUR NATIONAL CAPITOL LOCATED WHERE IT IS? HOW DID IT GET ITS NAME?

Washington, D.C., is a government town. It is a city, and it is also a federal district created specifically to serve as the capital of the United States. Since Washington first opened its doors in 1800, its main industry has always been the public business.

Washington, D.C., is unique among American cities. It is the only one whose origins are in the United States Constitution. Article I of the Constitution establishes the power of the legislative branch to raise taxes, borrow money and regulate commerce. Article I also describes the power of Congress over a district that would serve as the seat of the United States government.

The idea of a federal district for our capital comes from a moment in our nation's early history that left a lasting impression. In 1783, the Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia when an angry mob gathered in the streets. Many in the crowd were Revolutionary War soldiers frustrated that they had not received their military pay. Congress had no authority to call in troops for protection. It had to rely on the City of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania to provide assistance. In 1783, neither came to its aid. Congress fled town.

Congress wanted to avoid similar situations in the future. Its solution was to create a federal district over which it would have exclusive authority. There was, however, no obvious location for this federal district. Many existing cities were contenders. Some preferred to keep the capital in New York City, the temporary United States capital from 1789 to 1790. New York was lively, with good restaurants, accommodations and diverse temptations.

Philadelphia, serving as the interim United States capital from 1790 to 1800, was bigger and even better. The city also went to great lengths to refurbish buildings for the use of the federal government, hoping to convert its temporary status to a permanent one.

Quite a few remembered Annapolis, Maryland, the 1783 — 84 capital, with great fondness. Princeton, another former capital but a provincial backwater, never had a chance! There were advocates for locating the capital near Baltimore, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; or near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Several states offered Congress parcels of land and financial inducements to select the capital site within their borders.

The debate over the best location for the federal district continued for years. A majority considered a central location in the new United States to be desirable. But defining what "central" meant was not easy. There was a geographic center and a population center. Placing the capital closer to the population center would shift it farther north — closer to New York and Boston. The geographic center of the late eighteenth-century United States, on the other hand, lay farther south and very close to Georgetown, Maryland. Northern states invariably argued for the population center and southern states for the geographic center.

An animated discussion also erupted over whether the capital district should be easily accessible to American regions opening up in the West. Some dismissed the importance of the West, regarding as remote the future incorporation of its scattered settlements into the United States. Others more foresighted understood that Ohio, Indiana and Illinois would one day join the Union. They considered a location on the Potomac River, flowing west to southeast, to anticipate this westward growth.

The argument over where to locate the U.S. capital grew so difficult that compromises were promoted to select two capital sites. The government would then have to move back and forth between the two places. The impracticality of this approach eventually removed it from serious consideration.

Concern grew that the disagreement over where to put the capital was so strong that it could tear the young country apart. Ultimately, the decision to locate the United States capital near Georgetown, Maryland, was a key element in a grand compromise. Northern states such as Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania had emerged from the Revolutionary War with much greater debt than the southern states. The northern states wanted the new United States to pay these debts. The southern states wanted none of this. The argument was intense.

When it looked as though all these difficult issues might never be resolved, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, in 1790, invited to dinner Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Hamilton, a New Yorker, was secretary of the treasury and the foremost advocate for the federal assumption of the debt. Madison was a U.S. Representative from Virginia and one of the South's leading statesmen. He opposed the federal government taking on state debt.

Over dinner, this remarkable threesome of Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison came up with a solution. They would package the federal assumption of the debt with a decision on the location of the U.S. capital. To convince the southern states to agree to help pay the Revolutionary War debt, the location of the new U.S. capital would be convenient to the South — on the banks of the Potomac River. The compromise that resulted from this dinner was a turning point in American history. It enhanced our national unity, giving the North and the South something each desired.

To formalize this agreement on the location of the U.S. capital, Congress passed "An Act for Establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States." President George Washington signed this act into law on July 16, 1790. The law gave the authority to the president to select the precise site for the new capital. It was well understood that George Washington preferred a Potomac River location. His own plantation, Mount Vernon, was set along the Potomac in Virginia.

George Washington took a few months to visit various sites along the Potomac. He conferred with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. By January 1791, Washington was ready to make his announcement. The federal district that would serve as the capital of the United States would be a one-hundred-square-mile territory on the Potomac River in the vicinity of Georgetown, Maryland.

Most of the District land lay along the northern bank of the Potomac River in the state of Maryland. Approximately one-fourth of the District land was on the Potomac River's southern bank, provided by the state of Virginia. The District was shaped like a diamond; each of the four sides was ten miles long. Look at a map of Washington, D.C., today, and you will still see this diamond shape. However, there is a missing "chunk" on the southwest side of the city. In 1846, when it seemed that the capital would never amount to much, the federal government returned to Virginia its territorial contribution. Today, therefore, Washington, D.C., is on land carved out only from the state of Maryland.

YOUR GUIDE TO HISTORY

MEMORIAL TO THE 56 SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE National Mall at Constitution Avenue and 19th Street NW, 20006 www.nps.gov â&8364;¢ Metro: Smithsonian

On a small island in the middle of Constitution Gardens on the National Mall sits the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The Gardens date to the 1976 United States Bicentennial. The memorial was dedicated in 1984. There are fifty-six stones, each bearing the likeness of the signature of one of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Those who signed risked their lives, the safety of their families and the security of their property. Many would suffer greatly. The British pursued the signers as criminals. John Hancock of Massachusetts was the first to sign the Declaration and did so with such flourish that an individual's signature is today sometimes referred to as "your John Hancock." Ben Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were among the other signers.

The Declaration of Independence provides the foundation for the American ideals of democracy, equality and freedom. As the Declaration states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that All Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The Declaration of Independence is on display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives (see Chapter 10).

MOUNT VERNON ESTATE, MUSEUM, LIBRARY AND GARDENS 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA, 2230 9 703-780-2000 â&8364;¢ www.mountvernon.org â&8364;¢ Admission Fee

Mount Vernon was the home of George Washington, who became our first president. In fact, he was in the parlor here in 1789 when he learned that the Continental Congress had unanimously elected him president. Washington returned to Mount Vernon after completing his eight years in office. He was so popular that he could have remained president for many more years. His decision not to run again, and thus to ensure a peaceful transition of power to the next president, John Adams (1797 — 1801), was a key moment in the early history of the United States. It set this country firmly on course to be a democracy, resisting the temptation to establish a new American "monarchy."

George Washington died at Mount Vernon in 1799, one year before his namesake city of Washington officially became the United States capital. His wife, Martha, died in 1802. George and Martha Washington are buried at Mount Vernon, the home they loved so much. In warmer weather, there is a daily wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb where they are interred.

The guided tour of his home takes less than thirty minutes. Entry to the grounds provides timed entry passes to the house. However, the grounds and outbuildings are extensive and require more time. The vistas of the Potomac River are magnificent; boat tours on the Potomac depart from the wharf in seasonal weather. The estate also includes a gristmill used for producing flour and a distillery for producing whiskey. Washington considered himself first and foremost to be a farmer.

George Washington owned more than three hundred slaves at Mount Vernon. Although he owned slaves all his life, Washington's views on slavery evolved. He expressed hope that slavery would be abolished. In his will, he freed his slaves upon the death of his wife, Martha. To remember the slaves who lived and worked at Mount Vernon, there is a simple, dignified memorial, dedicated in 1983. The Slave Memorial is the design of Howard University architectural students. It is located near the tomb of George and Martha Washington on the site of a burial ground for slaves and free blacks in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Among the many tours offered at Mount Vernon is a Slave Life Tour.

The Ford Orientation Center offers an eighteen-minute introductory film, and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center provides a multimedia experience that covers the entire life and times of George Washington, including his role in the creation of Washington, D.C. The estate also offers walking tours and family activities.

In 2013, the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington opened at Mount Vernon. This library serves as a repository for the books and manuscripts of President Washington, as well as other research resources. Access to the library is reserved for scholars and researchers and is by appointment. However, on select dates (posted on the website), tours of the library for the public depart from the Reynolds Education Center.

Mount Vernon has been open to the public since 1860. The home had fallen into great disrepair in the early nineteenth century when a group of women came together to raise money to save it. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, founded in 1853, is the oldest historic preservation organization in the United States. It continues to own and maintain Mount Vernon today.

While you are at Mount Vernon, you may notice that the coat of arms of the Washington family, which they brought with them when they came here from England, is very similar to and was the inspiration for the flag of the District of Columbia: a white background with three red stars above two horizontal red stripes.

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA VISITORS CENTER The Ramsay House, 221 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314 703-746-3301 • www.visitalexandriava.com/about-alexandria/ visitors-center â&8364;¢ Admission: Free

Alexandria, Virginia, dates to 1749, when it was incorporated as a city. It was a thriving port in the eighteenth century. It is located on the Potomac River five miles south of Washington, D.C. Many preserved and restored buildings in Alexandria are open to visitors and provide insights into eighteenth-century colonial town living.

Beginning in 1800, what is today called Old Town Alexandria was actually part of Washington, D.C. This continued until 1846, when the District returned to Virginia the land it had contributed to the federal capital.

The visitors center in the Ramsay House, the oldest building in the city, is a good starting point for a visit to Alexandria. The charming historic area offers many modern amenities, shops and restaurants, as well as historic sites to visit.

GEORGETOWN: NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, D.C.

Established by the British in 1751, Georgetown, Maryland, was a thriving port when George Washington selected a nearby site for the capital. At first, the proximity of the new capital stimulated growth in Georgetown. Large mansions were built, and the wealthy gathered here. However, Georgetown went into a decline in the mid-nineteenth century as Washington, D.C.'s advance began to take off. In 1871, Congress passed legislation called the Organic Act to create one city within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. Georgetown as a separate municipality came to an end, as it became part of Washington, D.C.

Georgetown came back as an elegant residential area in the mid- twentieth century. It was a favored residential area for officials of President Franklin Roosevelt's administration. Today, it is a National Historic District, with many beautiful homes, interesting shops and good restaurants. Orientation for a visit to Georgetown can begin with a visit to the Old Stone House.

THE OLD STONE HOUSE 3051 M Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20007 202-426-6851 â&8364;¢ www.nps.gov/olsh â&8364;¢ Admission: Free

This small stone house, built in 1765, is the oldest house in Washington, D.C. It is a good starting point for a visit to Georgetown. The Old Stone House was built by a cabinetmaker to use as both his home and shop. The house and small garden are open to visitors. The National Park Service maintains the Old Stone House; a park ranger is always on duty to explain the history to visitors.

Park rangers, by prearrangement, will also provide programs and Georgetown walks, to include the Black Georgetown Hike; a walk based on the life in Georgetown of Francis Scott Key, the author of the national anthem; and other programs. Call 202-895-6070 several weeks in advance. Information on self-guided Georgetown walking tours, including the African American Heritage Trail, is available at the Stone House.

DUMBARTON HOUSE 2715 Q Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20007 202-337-2288 â&8364;¢ www.dumbartonhouse.org â&8364;¢ Admission Fee

The Dumbarton House, circa 1800, is a Federal period home with exceptional furnishings in the Sheraton and Hepplewhite styles. The Dumbarton House serves as the headquarters of the National Colonial Dames of America, founded in 1891 to preserve, restore and interpret historic sites. The Dames currently own or protect more than eighty sites in the United States (www.nscda.org).

TUDOR PLACE HOUSE AND GARDEN 1644 31st Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20007 202-965-0400 â&8364;¢ www.tudorplace.org â&8364;¢ Admission Fee

This 1816 Federal period home was built for Martha Washington's granddaughter and her husband, Mary and Thomas Peter. The elegant interior has many pieces of furniture that came from Mount Vernon. The architect was Dr. William Thornton, the original architect of the United States Capitol. The house has five and a half acres of landscaped grounds. The tours of the house are guided; the garden tour may be self- guided. Tudor Place remained in the Peter family until 1983. In 1988, it opened to the public, managed by the Tudor Place Foundation.

ALFRED POPE AND HANNAH COLE POPE HOME 2900 Q Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20007

This private residence is not open to the public. It was once the home of Alfred Pope and his wife, Hannah. Hannah Cole was born a slave in Tudor Place. The Peters sold her to John Carter, after which she met another slave, Alfred Pope. When Carter died in 1850, Hannah and Alfred were freed. Alfred Pope went on to become a successful businessman and a member of Congress representing Georgetown when it was still within the state of Maryland.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL IN GEORGETOWN www.culturaltourismdc.org

This trail includes the Pope Home and two important churches that are open to the public. The Mount Zion United Methodist Church at 1334 29th Street NW has origins dating to 1809, although the building itself dates to 1884. The church building is on land donated by Alfred Pope. The First Baptist Church of Georgetown, at 2624 Dumbarton Street NW, was founded in 1862. There is more information on the Cultural Tourism DC website. There is also information about the African American Heritage Trail for all of Washington, D.C.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ The History Press (May 6, 2014)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626195293
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626195295
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.31 x 8.5 inches
• #359 in South Atlantic United States Travel Books
• #1,102 in Tourist Destinations & Museums Guides
• #4,592 in U.S. State & Local History

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