WalkingTown DC Returns September 30 – October 6: Dozens of Free Walking Tours Highlight the History, Art, and Culture of the District's Four Quadrants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

Media Contact:
Michelle Cragle, Director of Marketing
MCragle@CulturalTourismDC.org
202-638-8368

WalkingTown DC Returns September 30 – October 6
Dozens of Free Walking Tours Highlight the History, Art, and Culture of the District's Four Quadrants

Washington, DC (September 17, 2013) – WalkingTown DC returns this fall offering a week of more than 40 free guided neighborhood walking tours, September 30 to October 6. This popular event introduces DC residents and visitors to the art, culture, and history of Washington, DC through eight "bite-size" lunchtime tours, eight after-work "happy hour" tours, and 24 tours throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6.

Cultural Tourism DC created WalkingTown DC 13 years ago to attract residents and visitors to the city's historic neighborhoods. Since then it has become an annual fixture in the community, expanding to highlight new development and neighborhood change within the District.

WalkingTown DC tours are led by professional guides, community leaders, historians, and others who volunteer their time and expertise to share the riches of DC neighborhoods.

What will you see on WalkingTown DC? The site of the Beatles' first American show, evidence of the Irish influence on the city, African American cemeteries that served as part of the Underground Railroad, and more. Participants can also experience a guided Cultural Tourism DC Neighborhood Heritage Trail tour, as well as previews of upcoming Heritage Trails. WalkingTown DC is the only time during the year that historians and community leaders conduct tours of these trails, which are otherwise self-guided.

Some of the exciting tour offerings include:

· Author and authority on DC's prohibition Garrett Peck leads the Tuesday, October 1 evening Temperance Tour of prohibition-related sites.

· Senior Warden and history aficionado Jim Jones leads the Wednesday, October 2 lunchtime Art Is Alive At The Cemetery tour, which explores Rock Creek Parish and Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington's only Colonial Era church and churchyard.

· Costumed actor/re-enactor "Detective McDevitt" meets you at Ford's Theatre for a walk reexamining the clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy on the Saturday, October 5 afternoon History on Foot: Investigation Detective McDevitt.

All WalkingTown DC tours are free and open to the public. Some tours require advanced registration. The complete schedule of WalkingTown DC tours, and instructions for making reservations, is available online at www.CulturalTourismDC.org. Many tours are wheelchair and stroller accessible. Tours vary in distance and pace, accommodating all fitness levels.

WalkingTown DC is made possible by presenting sponsor CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, with additional support from BB&T Bank.

 

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Founded in 1996, Cultural Tourism DC, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, affirms the importance of culture and heritage to local neighborhoods and the city's economic prosperity by developing, delivering, and celebrating authentic cultural experiences for area residents and visitors. Annual signature programs presented by Cultural Tourism DC include: Art4All DC, WalkingTown DC, the DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails, Embassy Chef Challenge, and Passport DC.

City:
Washington, DC
Date:
September 17, 2013

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