Bite-Sized Tours, offered at 12 noon each weekday, September 24 - October 1, are abbreviated tours making them perfect for a lunchtime journey. Grab a coworker and get outside for an educational walk through DC’s neighborhoods. All bite-sized tours are one hour or less and some require reservations.

Monday, September 24
12 noon-1 pm

President’s Neighborhood, Southern Tour

Meet and end at The Octagon Museum, 1799 New York Ave., NW. 
Neighborhood: Downtown

Nearest Metro Start: Farragut West, 18th Street exit or Metrobuses 32, 36 or 80
Nearest Metro End:   Farragut West, 17th Street exit or Metrobuses 32, 36, or 80

Fitness: Low, < 1 mile
Wheelchair accessible 
Stroller accessible
Reservations required.

Tour Theme: Eye on the Arts in conjunction with Art4All DC

Join the Neighbors to the President Consortium, a group of historic sites and museums in the White House neighborhood, for a walking tour of our sites led by Consortium member, The Octagon Museum. This tour begins at the Octagon and includes exterior tours given by staff of the Art Museum of the Americas, DAR Museum, and the American Red Cross. The tour will end at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Exteriors only.

Presented by Neighbor’s to the President Consortium and led by The Octagon Museum staff members.

Monday, September 24
12 noon-1 pm

Jews Serve: Inside the National Museum of American Jewish Military History

Meet and end in front of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, 1811 R St., NW.
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

Nearest Metro Start: Dupont Circle, Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn Circulator bus, Metrobuses S2 or S4 16th St. Metrobus toward Federal Triangle
Nearest Metro End: Dupont Circle or Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn Circulator bus

Fitness: Low, 2 floors
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Washington in Conflict

See the National Museum of American Jewish Military History which recognizes the service of Jews in the Armed Forces, serving since 1654. Learn about the founding group of Civil War Veterans who organized the Hebrew Veterans Union, currently the Jewish War Veterans, and see the exhibits “Fallen Heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan,” and “Women in the Military: a Jewish Perspective.” Visitors meet living history interpreters acting as Jewish Medal of Honor recipients. Go behind the scenes for a  a special Civil War artifact table created for WalkingTown DC.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization National Museum of American Jewish Military History and led by historian Dr. Sheldon Goldberg.

Note: A children’s treasure hunt is available. No flash photography.

Tuesday, September 25
12 noon-1 pm

Discover the History and Development of Mount Vernon Triangle

Sponsored by: 

Meet and end at Carnegie Library at Eighth and K Sts., NW.
Neighborhood: Mount Vernon Triangle

Nearest Metro Start: Gallery Pl-Chinatown or Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center or Georgetown-Union Station Circulator bus
Nearest Metro End: Gallery Pl-Chinatown or Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center

Fitness: Moderate, .5 miles
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Neighborhood History

This once-forgotten neighborhood comes alive as Bill McLeod describes Mount Vernon Triangle’s rebirth with new retail, offices, and apartments, and its rich past, including the remaining historic buildings and the social and economic forces that led to its decline and current reviva.l You will also have a chance to visit a new apartment complex , office building, or a historic church.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District and led by Executive Director William McLeod.

Tuesday, September 25
12 noon-1 pm

A Toast to the Brewmaster's Castle

Meet and end at the Heurich House Museum (aka "The Brewmaster's Castle"), 1307 New Hampshire Ave., NW.
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

Nearest Metro Start: Dupont Circle or Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn Circulator bus
Nearest Metro End: Dupont Circle or Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn Circulator bus

Fitness: Low, .5 miles
Wheelchair accessible
Reservations required.

Tour Theme: Eye on the Arts in conjunction with Art4All DC

Visit the fireproof and technologically innovative castle that brewer Christian Heurich built. The Christian Heurich Brewing Company, DC's most successful brewery, once sat at the site of the Kennedy Center. Heurich’s home still contains the original family furnishings and decorations and features Heurich's bierstube (a beer-drinking room for entertaining. Heurich lived to age 102, and after the brewery closed in 1956, no other beer was brewed within DC until DC Brau opened in 2011.). Join us for a beer in Heurich's honor after the tour.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization Heurich House Foundation and led by Curator of Collections Scott Nelson.

Wednesday, September 26
12 noon-1 pm

History and Production of U.S. Currency

Meet at 14th and C Sts., SWnear Holocaust Museum entrance. End at 400 Raoul Wallenberg Place,  15th St. exit.
Neighborhood: National Mall, Downtown

Nearest Metro Start: Smithsonian, Independence Avenue exit or Metrobus 52 to 12th St. and Independence Ave.,
Nearest Metro End: Smithsonian

Fitness: Low, .75 miles
Wheelchair accessible
ASL
Reservations required.

Tour Theme: Washington in Conflict, Green DC, Other: Currency Production

Get an inside look into how money is printed—from blank currency sheets to finished notes, with inside info on types of inks and the history of U.S .currency and its link to the Civil War.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization Bureau of Engraving and Printing and led by Project Manager of Tours Kevin Nance.

Wednesday, September 26
12 noon-1 pm

Lafayette Square in the Civil War Era West

Meet in front of the Decatur House on Lafayette Square, 1610 H St., NW at the corner of H St. and Jackson Pl., NW. End at Lafayette Square, off of H St. and between Jackson and Madison Pls., NW.
Neighborhood: Downtown

Nearest Metro Start: Farragut North, K Street exit
Nearest Metro End: Farragut North

Fitness: Low, .5 miles
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Washington in Conflict

Today's noontime tour focuses on the sites, events and colorful personalities associated with the western side of Lafayette Square during the Civil War era. Hear about the notorious Rebel spy who used her "feminine wiles" to extract military secrets from gullible Yankees, the spectacular efforts of a southern senator living in the Decatur House to win back his unfaithful wife, the clever ruse of the banker who saved his mansion from Union Army occupation after he had to flee the country, and what was perhaps Washington's most scandalous affair and murder of the mid-19th Century. Meet at noon in front of the Decatur House on Jackson Place below H Street, NW.

Presented and led by Vice President of the Lincoln Group of D.C., native Washingtonian, and lifelong Civil War buff Craig Howell.

Note:Tour takes place outside only, no interiors of locations.

Thursday, September 27
12 noon-1 pm

The Original L. Ron Hubbard House in Washington D.C. Museum

Meet and end in front of the L. Ron Hubbard House Museum, 1812 19th St., NW, between S and T Sts., NW.
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

Nearest Metro Start: Dupont Circle, North exit
Nearest Metro End: Dupont Circle

Fitness: Low, < 1 mile
Spanish
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Eye on the Arts in conjunction with Art4All DC

Walk through American author, humanitarian, and Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard's 1957 office. See the world through his personal photographs and artifacts. See where Hubbard discoveries began to influence of human rights, religion and culture. The tour includes photographs of Hubbard's early world travels. Visitors can also step into his 1957 office to see his personal artifacts.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization The L. Ron Hubbard House Museum and led by the Curator and Director of the House Nathaniel Bernard. 

Note about directions: From Dupont Circle North exit, walk east on Q St., NW to 19th St., NW. Turn left and walk north on 19th St., NW. The Museum is located between S and T Sts., NW.

Thursday, September 27
12 noon-1 pm

Canal Park in Washington, DC's Capitol Riverfront Neighborhood

Sponsored by:

Meet at Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station, New Jersey Avenue exit at New Jersey Ave, SE and M St., SE.
Neighborhood: Capitol Riverfront

Nearest Metro Start: Navy Yard-Ballpark or Union Station-Navy Yard Circulator bus via Capitol Hill
Nearest Metro End: Navy Yard-Ballpark or Union Station-Navy Yard via Capitol Hill

Fitness: Low, .75 miles
Reservations required. Tour Theme: Green DC

Canal Park is being built atop a remnant of the old Washington Canal, L'Enfant's waterway that was once linked to the Potomac to the Anacostia River. You'll be amazed to see not only how the new three-block long park reflects the old canal, but also at how it will be one of DC's most exciting green destinations. This hard-hat tour takes you behind the scenes as the park's rain and sculpture gardens, skating rink, performance venue, and restaurants are being assembled before our eyes.

Presented by Canal Park Development Association and led by its Executive Director Chris VanArsdale and Brian Pilot, AIA, LEED® AP, STUDIOS Architecture.

Note: This is a hard-hat tour of a construction site.

Thursday, September 27
12 noon-1 pm

President’s Neighborhood, Lafayette Park Architecture Tour 

Meet at the Jackson Statue at Lafayette Square on H St. between 15th and 17th Sts., NW. End at The Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

Neighborhood: Downtown

Nearest Metro Start: Farragut West, 17th St. exit or Metrobuses 32 or 36 
Nearest Metro End: Farragut West or Metrobuses 32 or 36

Fitness: Low, < 1 mile
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Tour Theme: Eye on the Arts in conjunction with Art4All DC

Join the Neighbors to the President Consortium, a group of historic sites and museums in the White House neighborhood, for a tour of the Lafayette Park area led by Consortium member, National Park Service (NPS), President's Park. The tour starts at the Andrew Jackson statue in the center of the park where a NPS President's Park Volunteer will discuss the architectural aspects of one of the most recognized federal plazas in the world. Tour includes stops at the Treasury building, Decatur House, the White House, Renwick Gallery, and Blair House as well as the statues in Lafayette Park. Attendees may view the Renwick Gallery exhibit, 40 under 40, Craft Futures, following the tour. Exteriors only.

Presented by Neighbors to the President Consortium and led by National Park Service, President's Park Volunteer.

Friday, September 28
12 noon-1 pm

Penn Quarter

Meet outside Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro station, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter, Downtown

Nearest Metro Start: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
Nearest Metro End: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter

Fitness: Low, 1 mile
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Neighborhood History

“Penn Quarter” describes downtown's Seventh Street corridor, where the 19th century meets the 21st. Hip hotels, restaurants and loft apartments continue to sprout up amidst attractions like the International Spy Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Shakespeare Theatre and National Building Museum. Most of these are housed in buildings constructed during the 1800s, making this walk an irresistible urban scavenger hunt to discover a bygone era--a time when Chinese, German and Italian immigrants lived and worked on and around Seventh Street. If you know where to look, you can find the old U.S. Patent Office where newcomer Emile Berliner filed applications for the first microphone and disk record ever invented, where shopkeepers once “lived above” and “worked below,” and the ornate archway welcoming you to DC’s Chinatown.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization Washington Walks and led by Washington Walks Founder Carolyn Crouch.

Friday, September 28
12 noon-1 pm

Lafayette Square in the Civil War Era East

Meet in front of the statue of Lafayette on Madison Pl., NW, above Pennsylvania Ave., NW. End at Lafayette Square, off of H St. and between Jackson and Madison Pls., NW.
Neighborhood: Downtown

Nearest Metro Start: Farragut North, K Street exit
Nearest Metro End: Farragut North

Fitness: Low, .5 miles
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Washington in Conflict

Today's noontime tour focuses on the sites, events and colorful personalities associated with the eastern side of Lafayette Square during the Civil War era. Hear how a 19th century, “Dream Team” of lawyers litigated the first successful insanity defense on behalf of a prominent citizen charged with murder in Washington’s own Trial of the Century. Learn about the gruesome attack on Secretary of State William Seward that coincided with the Lincoln assassination, and the last days in the colorful life of Dolly Madison. Meet at noon by the statue of Lafayette on Madison Place above Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Presented and led by Vice President of the Lincoln Group of D.C., native Washingtonian, and lifelong Civil War buff Craig Howell.

Note:Tour takes place outside only, no interiors of locations.

Friday, September 28
12 noon-1 pm

U Street

Meet outside U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro station, 13th Street exit, 1240 U St., NW. End at 14th and U Sts., NW.
Neighborhood: U Street

Nearest Metro Start: U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo
Nearest Metro End: U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo

Fitness: Low, 1 mile
Stroller accessible
No reservations required. 

Tour Theme: African American Heritage

Explore the neighborhood that was home to African American intellectuals, business leaders, and families. The businesses they owned and the houses they lived in are featured on this walk. U Street was dubbed “Black Broadway” for the numerous movie theaters, nightclubs, and ballrooms frequented by jazz musicians like Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, Jelly Roll Morton, and Duke Ellington. You’ll see a theater and club where these icons performed, the first full service YMCA for African Americans, one of the few hotels that welcomed a black clientele, and the first memorial to African American soldiers who fought in the U.S. Civil War. See homes occupied by the Ellington family throughout the Duke’s childhood.Walk along streets where rioting extinguished the heyday of the area for years—but not forever. U Street has rebounded to become a must-see corridor for out-of-town visitors and locals alike.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization Washington Walks and led by Washington Walks tour guide Amy Kunz.

Monday, October 1
12 noon-1 pm

The Original L. Ron Hubbard House in Washington D.C. Museum

Meet and end in front of the L. Ron Hubbard House Museum, 1812 19th St., NW, between S and T Sts., NW.
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

Nearest Metro Start: Dupont Circle, North exit
Nearest Metro End: Dupont Circle

Fitness: Low, < 1 mile
Spanish
No reservations required.

Tour Theme: Eye on the Arts in conjunction with Art4All DC

Walk through American author, humanitarian, and Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard's 1957 office. See the world through his personal photographs and artifacts. Experience where Hubbard discoveries began to influence of human rights, religion and culture. The tour includes photographs of Hubbard's early world travels. Visitors can also step into his 1957 office to see his personal artifacts.

Presented by Cultural Tourism DC member organization The L. Ron Hubbard House Museum and led by the Curator and Director of the House Nathaniel Bernard.

Note about directions: From Dupont Circle North exit, walk east on Q St., NW to 19th St., NW. Turn left and walk north on 19th St., NW. The Museum is located between S and T Sts., NW.

Monday, October 1
12 noon-1 pm

Canal Park in Washington, DC's Capitol Riverfront Neighborhood

Meet at Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station, New Jersey Avenue exit at New Jersey Ave, SE and M St., SE.
Neighborhood: Capitol Riverfront

Nearest Metro Start: Navy Yard-Ballpark or Union Station-Navy Yard Circulator bus via Capitol Hill
Nearest Metro End: Navy Yard-Ballpark or Union Station-Navy Yard via Capitol Hill

Fitness: Low, .75 miles
Reservations required.

Tour Theme: Green DC

Canal Park is being built atop a remnant of the old Washington Canal, L'Enfant's waterway that was once linked to the Potomac to the Anacostia River. You'll be amazed to see not only how the new three-block long park reflects the old canal, but also at how it will be one of DC's most exciting green destinations. This hard-hat tour takes you behind the scenes as the park's rain and sculpture gardens, skating rink, performance venue, and restaurants are being assembled before our eyes.

Presented by Canal Park Development Association and led by its Executive Director Chris VanArsdale and Brian Pilot, AIA, LEED® AP, STUDIOS Architecture.

Note: This is a hard-hat tour of a construction site.