Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
*2025 Schedule - Tour is offered the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 2pm.
Check out one of DC's most unique features, less than a mile away from the National Mall, in the historic Shaw neighborhood, near the Convention Center.
The Alleyways of DC served a distinct purpose as a city planning feature, but they also provided a hidden safe space where escaped enslaved people and the poor could find inexpensive housing and live their lives away from prying eyes. While city officials condemned life in the alleyways as dangerous, dirty and diseased, they were in fact a place where communities sustained each other and provided security.
Tour is 1.5 hours with a halfway stop at La Colombe Coffee.
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Up to 2 hours of a unique walking tour experience by a knowledgeable guide.
Coffee and/or Tea
Departure Point
909 M St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
The northwest corner of M Street and 9th Street NW
Return Details
909 M St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
The northwest corner of M Street and 9th Street NW
909 M St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA Blanche K. Bruce was the first African American to serve a full term as Senator, and rose to his position during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War. The tour starts as the location of his residence while he was serving his Senatorial term. 10 minutes
Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA Blagden Alley is one of DC's most well-preserved historic alleyways. Once the subject of a study of DC alleyways, it is now the site of art galleries, hidden-away restaurants and coffee shops. 30 minutes
924 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA The tour makes a pit stop at this popular coffee spot. 15 minutes
44 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA Beginning in 2015, a series of works were commissioned by artists with a history in the Shaw neighborhood and in Blagden Alley — They created a stunning display of new works painted directly on the garage doors of several buildings in Bladgen Alley. 5 minutes
Naylor Ct NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA Naylor Court is a former site of alleyway stables, and later old fashioned garages. It is a part of the Blagden Alley - Naylor Court Historic District. 30 minutes
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
michelle s
18 Aug 2025
I learned so much! Guide was full of well researched facts, including historic photographs with an engaging presentation.
Y4834TAkarenl
10 Aug 2025
I recommend Katie's tours to all my friends. As a local, I appreciate that she's knowledgeable and passionate about DC history. She finds and shares stories and factoids that's fascinating, fun and educational. This is my third and favorite tour. I am excited to do more of them.
Odyssey488145
07 Aug 2025
Katie was so knowledgeable and fun, informative and entertaining. She knew how to keep the tour moving so we didn’t get bored, but also gave us time to rest. She had so many great stories about the alleyways of Washington, DC. I’m a local, so I’ll definitely be taking more of her tours!
This tour in
Washington DC
is organized by
Off the Mall Tours
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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