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Alleyways of DC: Hidden History Walking Tour
5.0
34 Ratings
Washington
Explore DC’s historic Shaw alleyways, uncover hidden stories, and enjoy a coffee break. Join our 1.5-hour tour every 1st Sunday at 2pm.
Explore DC’s historic Shaw alleyways, uncover hidden stories, and enjoy a coffee break. Join our 1.5-hour tour every 1st Sunday at 2pm.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site - Blanche K. Bruce was the first African American to complete a full term as a Senator, achieving this milestone during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The tour begins at the site of his residence during his senatorial service.
- Blagden Alley Northwest - Blagden Alley is…
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site - Blanche K. Bruce was the first African American to complete a full term as a Senator, achieving this milestone during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The tour begins at the site of his residence during his senatorial service.
- Blagden Alley Northwest - Blagden Alley is one of Washington, DC’s best-preserved historic alleyways. Once the focus of a study on DC alleyways, it now hosts art galleries, hidden restaurants, and coffee shops.
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters - The tour includes a stop at this well-loved coffee establishment.
- D.C. Alley Museum - Starting in 2015, artists with ties to the Shaw neighborhood and Blagden Alley were commissioned to create a remarkable collection of new artworks painted directly on the garage doors of several buildings in Blagden Alley.
- Naylor Court Northwest - Naylor Court, once home to alleyway stables and later vintage garages, is part of the Blagden Alley - Naylor Court Historic District.
What's Included
- Up to 2 hours of a unique walking tour experience
- Knowledgeable guide
- Up to 2 hours of a unique walking tour experience
- Knowledgeable guide
What's Not Included
- Tea and coffee
- Tea and coffee
Additional Information
2025 Schedule - Tours are available on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 2pm.
Discover one of Washington DC’s most distinctive features, located less than a mile from the National Mall in the historic Shaw neighborhood, close to the Convention Center.
The Alleyways of DC were originally designed as a city planning element, but they also offered a…
2025 Schedule - Tours are available on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 2pm.
Discover one of Washington DC’s most distinctive features, located less than a mile from the National Mall in the historic Shaw neighborhood, close to the Convention Center.
The Alleyways of DC were originally designed as a city planning element, but they also offered a concealed refuge where escaped enslaved individuals and the impoverished could find affordable housing and live their lives away from public scrutiny. Although city officials criticized life in the alleyways as hazardous, unsanitary, and unhealthy, they were actually places where communities supported one another and provided safety.
The tour lasts 1.5 hours and includes a midway stop at La Colombe Coffee.
Location
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
Vermont Avenue Northwest
The northwest corner of M Street and 9th Street NW
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(34 Ratings)
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Lizziel73
Apr 24, 2025
Fantastic Tour - Brilliant tour. Different from the norm and really interesting. Katie knew her stuff and answered lots of questions. I loved getting to see a part of DC that tourists would usually walk right past. I hope to be back soon to try one of her other tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeandv3470qj
Apr 22, 2025
Great tour of an interesting part of DC! - It's an interesting slice of DC history. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and open to multiple questions. It was a great tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Odyssey488145
Apr 20, 2025
Engaging, well-researched, fascinating - Katie gave a fascinating tour of a little-known part of Washington history — its alleyways. She painted a picture of the life of the working-class, mostly African-American residents who lived in makeshift dwellings behind the fancy row houses. I can’t wait to take more of her tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R3359vwmattheww
Apr 14, 2025
Fun and informative tour about a hidden side of DC! - We did the Alleyways tour -- learned a lot and had a great time! Plus, Katie was stellar. I strongly recommend the tour to visitors and locals alike.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimothydc
Apr 8, 2025
Fascinating Art and History Packed Into Two-Square Blocks - If you're looking for a great historical walking tour of a tiny enclave of Washington DC's many neighborhoods, the Historic Alleyways Guided Walking Tour sponsored by Off The Mall Tours is the way to go. There is so much fascinating history packed in this two-square blocks' radius and a good opportunity to scout out local eateries, bars, and businesses that you might not otherwise have the chance to experience. Katie, our tour guide, is so knowledgeable and gracious, making all her tour guests feel welcome and engaged. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
235wendyt
Nov 4, 2024
Excellent way to see beyond the tourist sights! - Easily one of my favorite DC tours (we're local and go on quite a few!). Katie had real historic insights and put them into the context of today's city life. If you feel like you know all there is to know about DC, take this tour and you'll learn more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris_r
Oct 23, 2024
Alleyways of DC - This was an incredibly fun learning experience! Our guide was knowledgeable, personable, and entertaining! I highly recommend this tour to anyone wishing to know about the important role alleyways played in the history of DC.
Review provided by Viator
B1442iadavids
May 6, 2024
Injecting modern perspectives into history to ignite it - Katie was a wonderful tour guide! She was well-informed, highly engaged with her subject and open to discussion about various elements of the material she shared. My friends were also impressed and grateful that they had been invited to join the tour. Katie does her homework and recognizes that communities change and evolve. She is a history student. Katie has also learned how to share the past in the context of present-day life to bring the past to life. I highly recommend this tour and Katie as your guide,
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thecluelessronin
Apr 12, 2023
An Enlightening Tour to Our Local History - I mentioned the tour to my friends as a new thing to learn more about the area we lived or worked close to.
We learned so much. From me geeking out about the significance of the names of Metro Stations relating to the history to my friend realizing she was walking to work and passing so much history, we enjoyed ourselves so much!
Katie is a fantastic storyteller and such a nice person. She obviously knows her history and delivers the knowledge with compassion and the respect it deserves.
Now I wonder what history I am driving or walking by and it's made my commute so much more interesting. Definitely recommend it for locals and tourists alike!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
110bogdant
Mar 16, 2023
Gem off the beaten path--A tour not to be missed - Excellent tour. The tour guide and owner of the company, Katie, is passionate about DC and history. She is generally an erudite and inspired speaker with deep knowledge of the community. I have also done other tours with this company and wholeheartedly recommend each of the ones I have done (e.g., wives that won the Cold War). If you have more than a couple days in DC, do not miss this opportunity to explore the city beyond the standard tourist sites. Even as somewhat of a local, I have found these opportunities genuinely eye-opening.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
