Explore historic Georgetown: Private Half-Day Walking Tour

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On this leisurely walking tour, you will be immersed in one of the most historically significant parts of Washington D.C., now known for its wealth of historic buildings and graceful way of life. Described as a “dirty little hole” by Abigail Adams, the former First Lady of the United States, Georgetown had humble beginnings: as a working port, on the banks of the slurry-filed Potomac River. Named after King George II, and founded in 1751, Georgetown served as a depot for the collection and shipment of military supplies during the Revolution. A textile factory, paper mill, grain stores, and more flour mills were added and when the capital was established to the east, Georgetown's character became more distinct. Georgetown became renowned as a fashionable quarter of the capital, drawing visitors from all over the world and becoming part of Washington City in 1871. After the Civil War, large numbers of freed slaves migrated to Georgetown and a thriving African American community flourished, establishing businesses and neighborhoods. However, by the 1890s, the area had undergone a drastic decline and in the aftermath of World War I, it was considered one of Washington's worst slums. However, within a generation, the trend had all but completely reversed. When a young Senator John F. Kennedy resided in the neighborhood in the 1950s, Georgetown was the place to be and be seen. Home to world-class shopping, rich history, five-star restaurants, and one of the world’s best universities, in fact, the university for anyone looking to enter a career in Washington - Georgetown is a neighborhood that simply cannot be missed. Attractions along this route: - C&O Canal: The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal operated for nearly a century, transporting coal to the residents of DC. - The Kennedys: Visit the places where the early days of the Kennedy romance took center stage. - Martin's Tavern: Opened the day after Prohibition ended, Martin's Tavern has been a storied establishment, including where JFK proposed to Jackie Bouvier in his favorite booth. - Georgetown University: The oldest Jesuit and Catholic University in the US, Georgetown University is a world-class university at the center of a historic neighborhood.