I have completed two virtual tours with DC Design Tours, and I assure you there will be many more. This is a terrific opportunity in our current environment to have safe and educational entertainment! Many aspects of a virtual tour are important (visual, audio, ability to take photos) but one of the most important is the knowledge level of the host/guide. I have been very impressed with the information shared about history, anecdotal stories and how the areas are utilized in present times. Please consider this for not only yourself, but gift tours to kids (great educational experience) , family and friends as an amazing opportunity to see outside your front door. read more

Great tour of Georgetown from a local tour guide. Would recommend to anyone who wants to learn the interesting history behind Georgetown.

What a wonderful tour and innovative tourism company! I took the Cleveland Park tour with the company owner, Carolyn, and I found it to be extremely informative, fun, and tailored to our needs, even on a public, group tour. I'm from DC and aim to learn more about my hometown, so I'll be going on many more of these tours! read more

I took a personal tour of Georgetown with Carolyn. There is quite a lot of history that we either never learned or misunderstood. A quality tour such as this one is priceless and triggers a desire for further exploration. Tours are wonderful resources to get to know a new area. DC Design Tours is an exceptional resource for Washington DC. I was very impressed with Carolyn's command of history and architecture. I am very grateful for her patience with my questions. I look forward to taking another tour if the opportunity should arise. Carolyn has a great conversational style. You can tell right away that she is passionate about her subject. I learned so much and added to my appreciation of what I knew or thought I knew. If you simply enjoy exploring, this is for you. There's something for everyone: history, politics, architecture, and even pop culture. Carolyn has a way of engaging that makes the tour feel tailor-made for you. read more

As a longtime DC resident, I've been loving Carolyn's tours of various neighborhoods - such a neat way to get to know my city better with fun tidbits and history. Carolyn is knowledgeable, friendly, and prompt with responses. Highly recommend her tours to those new to DC as well as longtime residents! read more

Just took my fourth tour with DC Design tours (Embassy Row Guilded Age) as a local, and this company continues to deliver great experiences time and time again! Every guide I've been with has been so informed, friendly, and fun - the research they do on the history behind these areas is bar none. I have never been on another tour that goes this in depth, and really tells the story of a neighborhood. I'll keep going with them every time! read more

DC design tours has given several excellent zoom tours to my organization . Carolyn is charismatic and knowledgeable about the history of many neighborhoods in DC. She shares her stories with great photos and maps. My organization has been so happy with these tours. Some of the members have gone on to visit DC for in person, live tours. They are even more thrilled with these great walking tours! read more

I have been on several DC Design Tours now and I have to say they are the best. The guides are knowledgable and make it fun. I learn something new each time. DC Design Tours accommodates our walking speed and is mindful of our time. Their customer service is impressive. Thank you and keep up the good work! read more

I have attended several versions of DC Design Tours and continue to be impressed each and every time. In a city where the tallest monuments dominate the skyline, these tours really bring a unique perspective of what's in between the eye catching sites. Often pointing out less obvious features of buildings and architecture, their commentary definitely highlights design elements otherwise overlooked by traditional tour companies. As a local, this tour kept surprising me and I have also brought out of town friends who were thrilled to experience DC this way for the first time. What's been most important to me is how Carolyn and her staff are truly professional. You can tell these programs are designed and led with great integrity and passion by folks who are local to and love their city. Sam even had a few good jokes that made me laugh out loud! Top of the line experience in DC - worth every dollar and happy to support this small business who is making a huge impact. read more

This was an awesome tour, offering a really great mix of architecture, history, and culture. Carolyn was an excellent tour guide and incredibly knowledgeable of Georgetown and DC history in general. Would definitely return for another tour! read more

Had a wonderful tour of DuPont with Sam. He was warm and friendly and extremely engaging. Each stop had a funny and insightful story and Sam made sure everyone was keeping up. I will definitely book more walking tours with this company. read more

We took the Iconic Capital Hill tour with Sam. The meeting location was clear & Sam was right on time. The tour was well layed out & Sam was fabulous. Not only was he knowledgeable about all the sites & history; he made it very comfortable for us to ask questions. He also shared some great anecdotes. Would definitely recommend this tour. read more

My friend and I took the Georgetown tour with guide Sam Bowersox. It was great. Not only did Sam know all about the buildings, he knew about the history and personalities, He was funny and engaging. We had a wonderful time and learned a lot, The pace was comfortable. read more

Friendly and knowledgeable guides--if you enjoy walk-in tours and have an affinity for history & architecture you will have a great experience. Recommend! read more

Amazing tour! We learned so much and would recommend everyone in DC to take it. Sam was amazing!!!

I was looking for a walking tour of a DC neighborhood, and stumbled across the Embassy Row tour. This was one of the best tours I've ever been on. Our guide was incredible and covered so much history and architecture in two hours. There is truly no better way to see city. You can explore a neighborhood/city on your own, but without the knowledge of the incredible guides, you miss the stories and history that make the city come alive. We enjoyed this tour so much that we booked another guided tour of Georgetown the very next day. Highly recommend that tour as well. In my opinion, these tours are a must if you're visiting DC. read more

I've lived in the DC area all my life and learned so much new info on the Embassy Row tour. Our guide was a great storyteller and full of interesting historical and anecdotal stories about the people and places of DC. Can't wait to go on another DC Design Tour. read more

The Adam's Morgan Tour was incredible! So interesting, so informative and SO FUN! Glad we did it on the first day of our visit to DC because we got to show off everything we learned to our local friends who knew nothing about the fascinating history of that area. Having taken walking tours in cities and countries all around the world, I consider myself a connoisseur. DC Design tours is one of my top faves along with Live Oak Historic Tours in Savannah. Now I can't wait to get back to DC to do the other tours! read more

It was a wonderful tour starting at the Cathedral and then through some nearby Cleveland Park neighborhoods. The guide was so knowledgeable and, even though I've lived in Cleveland Park for a long time, I learned so much. I would highly recommend this tour! read more

Sam led a fabulous tour - not too fast and not too slow. He was very detailed in his facts but wrapped everything in a story so that nothing was dull or boring. I also appreciated that the tour was held (and not cancelled) even in the middle of the Coronavirus shutdown. It was a great 2.5 hours without having to talk about hand washing or health scares. I will definitely be taking another tour with DC Design Tours. read more

The tour of the Georgetown area was wonderful! Sam is an excellent guide--professional, knowledgeable, and personable. I learned so much and it was very enjoyable-- so much better than just wandering around alone. I definitely will recommend your company to friends and I look forward to taking more of your tours when I'm in the area again! read more

DC Design Tours - Architectural Tours Near Me

Carolyn keeps a pace that may be difficult for some seniors and those who have mobility issues. There were four of us, my friend and me (in our 70's) and another couple we didn't know. For much of the time, there was heavy rain. It was as if the other couple got a private tour and we got the public one as we lagged behind. We began a discussion at one place and the three of them continued it as my friend and I lagged increasingly further away from them. (Earlier that day my friend and I did another walking tour with another leader who kept a comfortable pace for the entire group.) Carolyn has wonderful stories to share and a comprehensive understanding of the historical context of what she showed us. She is also affable, energetic and enthusiastic. I definitely recommend her tour for those able to keep her pace. For some seniors and others who need to take it slower there are better options. read more

DC Design Tours are wonderful. I have done three tours as a local and I learn so much about the city I've been living in for many years! The guides are all wonderful. I can't recommend DC Design tours enough to both locals and visitors! read more

This tour was AMAZING!!!! I have been on several tours all around the world and I have not had a better tour experience. I learned so much and the guide was very very prepared! I learned so much even though I had done a lot of tours in the area before. If you love history and design this is a great tour for everyone! I especially loved how they came prepared with pictures from the past to help you visualize the transition from history to the present. This tour is a must-see in DC. I am recommending it to everyone! read more

We had such a wonderful tour with Ellery. Ellery was animated, funny, and super knowledgeable. We went on the DuPont Circle and Embassy Row tour. Learned A LOT! So much great information packed into 2 hours. Really really great way to spend a few hours in DC. Highly recommend. read more

Loved the tour!! Carolyn did a great job providing a bigger context. I would recommend booking her or her team for a private tour.

Our tour of the monuments was FANTASTIC!!! It was everything promised plus much more. Personable, efficient, professional, informative with inside info, and our guide was truly passionate about the subject - which was infectious!! Total thumbs up!!!! read more

Sometimes it just pays to pick up the phone and call. I wanted to schedule a tour of the monuments and when i looked at their calendar it said that they were closed. So i called them. Carolyn offered to do a private tour for us. It was just for my son and myself. We did a twilight tour and it was amazing. Our guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable. I highly recommend them and would do another tour with them. read more

Such an awesome way to learn the city and it's neighborhoods in a totally unique way. I especially recommend the tour for locals, actually!

The tour guide and founder of this company was incredibly knowledgeable about not just the architecture but the history of the occupants and properties. She seemingly has an engaging, informative anecdote for every notable property we came across. The details were extensive but not dry and we had a great time. I intend to take friends on several of her other tours around DC. read more

A friend and I went on the Arlington National Cemetery tour on Veterans Day. It was an incredibly wonderful experience. Our guide, Carolyn, was so informative and truly passionate about what we were seeing. Since her dissertation was about General Montgomery Cunningham Meigs, the main founder of the Cemetery, she was enthusiastic and a wealth of knowledge about the sites, graves, inscriptions and their meaning, explaining the changing of the guard, and the general history of the area. Would definitely recommend her tours and will be looking into the others offered. Thank you! read more

DC Design Tours is an amazing experience! I live in Georgetown and took my family on the Georgetown tour while they were in town for the weekend. We all loved it! Whether you're a longtime DC resident or just passing through, this is an amazing way to spend the morning. The tour is designed to show you the most historic homes and sights in Georgetown, all while mostly staying in the shade (important for DC in July). We walked about two miles, but with so many frequent, interesting stops that the time flew by. Our guide Frances was incredibly knowledgeable and kept a perfect pace for our group. Can't recommend this experience highly enough! read more

My husband and I took the Dupont Circle/Embassy Row Tour and it was an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Carolyn, not only was fun and engaging--she was also an architect, so she was very knowledgeable about the different achitectonic styles and the history behind the buildings. She truly made turn-of-the-century Dupont Circle come alive for us with her wealth of anecdotes and insight into the lives of its past occupants. Regardless of whether you're a history/architecture buff or just visiting DC for the first time, this is a truly enjoyable experience, and very different from your run-of-the-mill sightseeing tour. Highly recommended! read more

We took the Adams Morgan tour and had a great time. Signing up for the tour online was easy. We even got a reminder with all the meeting and an overview of the trip the day before. Carolyn was great at mixing up interesting historical facts about DC along with architectural details. This tour was a fantastic way for locals and tourists to learn about a part of the city away from the usual spots. read more

I have done two DC Design tours, Georgetown and Dupont/Embassy Row, and both were an incredible experience. The guide, Sam, was fun, engaging, and had so many cool facts to share. I have lived in the DC area for almost 9 years but found myself blown away by what I learned on these tours. They make great gifts and I recommend them even for locals. A great COVID-19 tour/activity. DC Design tours are the best! Thank you, Sam! read more

Sam was fabulous! Great sense of humor, genuinely enthused and knowledgeable about his subject matter and well beyond, and flexible with all of the members of our group. Totally totally recommend Sam and DC Design Tours. Bravo! read more

Sam was very personable and entertaining throughout the tour. His knowledge about the history of the city and his passion for design were obvious. He presented information in an intriguing and easily understandable way for architects and amateurs alike. I highly recommend this tour! read more

We had a great time on our Saturday afternoon tour through Dupont/Embassy Row! Carolyn was fun and super informative. We're locals and enjoyed learning about some hidden gems and their history in our city! The walk is not too strenuous, only one real hill during the whole tour so should be walkable for most. Looking forward to checking out some of the other tours! read more

This is THE tour around town. Knowledgable is the word. There are tons of aaahhhhh~~~ moments here with the Georgetown tour I was in learning about the neighborhood. Definitely recommended. read more

While visiting family we took a tour, the DuPont Circle/Embassy Row, a couple of weeks ago with Carolyn as our guide. The two hour tour flew by! Carolyn has an engaging personality, is deeply committed to continually build her knowledge of the area and was very willing to answer all of our questions. In that I am a remodeling contractor, I was very interested in the architectural details of the building but found myself equally caught up in the history of the families who owned some of the buildings. The pace was leisurely and my brother and I agreed that it would work well for teens and retirees. She seemed to excel at keeping a variety of people interested in the content. She is very conversational in her style so it doesn't feel "canned" at all. I highly recommend taking a tour with Carolyn! read more