Georgetown Was Here First
The oldest neighborhood in Washington didn't ask permission. Walk from George Washington's bankrupt canal and the Exorcist steps to a university built by a man who passed as white, the Georgetown mansion where the United Nations was invented, and the bar where JFK proposed — through the part of the city that existed before the city did.
What You'll Experience
Plan your walk
Know the route before you buy
- Starts at
- Introduction
- Ends at
- The Reveal
- Walking plan
- 2h · ~2.0 miles
- Schedule
- Start, pause, and resume anytime
Included in the app
- Professional narration
- GPS-triggered stops
- Downloadable tour audio
- Ask the Historian Q&A
- Optional end-of-tour reveal
- All 9 story stops
A taste of what you'll hear
9 stops, each with its own story. Here's a preview.
"You're in Georgetown. Which means you're standing in a neighborhood that is older than the country it belongs to. Georgetown was a tobacco port forty years before anyone decided to put a capital city here."
"Georgetown University. Look at that building — Healy Hall. Three hundred and twelve feet long. A clock tower two hundred feet tall. Named after the man who built it and nearly killed himself doing it."
"All right. Seven stops. Georgetown. Time to sort out what was real and what was mine. I'll mix them together. It's more fun that way."
Tour itinerary
Every stop on this walk
Explore the route before you go. Each stop has its own story preview, location details, and place in the larger tour.
- 11IntroductionYou're in Georgetown. Which means you're standing in a neighborhood that is older than the country it belongs to.38.9048, -77.0607 Read this stop
- 22The C and O CanalThe C and O Canal. George Washington's most expensive bad idea, and it starts right at your feet.38.9048, -77.0607 Read this stop
- 33The Old Stone HouseThe Old Stone House. The oldest building in Washington, D.C., on its original foundation — and it's only still standing because of a lie.38.9056, -77.0616 Read this stop
- 44The Exorcist StepsThe Exorcist Steps. Ninety-seven of them — dropping sixty feet from Prospect Street to M Street below.38.9058, -77.0710 Read this stop
- 55Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown University. Look at that building — Healy Hall. Three hundred and twelve feet long. A clock tower two hundred feet tall.38.9076, -77.0723 Read this stop
- 66Dumbarton OaksDumbarton Oaks. This is the house where the United Nations was invented. Well — invented might be strong.38.9144, -77.0631 Read this stop
- 77Tudor PlaceTudor Place. One family lived in this house for a hundred and seventy-eight years. Six generations.38.9112, -77.0647 Read this stop
- 88Martin's TavernMartin's Tavern. If these booths could talk, half of Washington would lawyer up. This is the oldest family-owned restaurant in Washington, D.38.9068, -77.0634 Read this stop
- 99The RevealAll right. Seven stops. Georgetown. Time to sort out what was real and what was mine. I'll mix them together. It's more fun that way.38.9068, -77.0634 Read this stop
Stories first
Every stop is built around people, conflict, ambition, and consequences—not a plaque read aloud.
Most of it is true. The extra mischief is just a wink at the end, but the story is what carries the walk.
Have questions? Just ask.
Curious about something you heard? Want to know more about a place? Ask us anything — we have a lot to say. It's more fun when it's a conversation.
Ready?
Download the app, head to the starting point, and press play. The stories start themselves.
Get the AppBefore you go
Quick answers
How much is this tour?
$9.99 as a one-time purchase in the iOS app. The Washington DC city pack is $14.99 and includes every currently available tour in the city.
Can I use it with spotty cell service?
Download the tour audio on Wi-Fi before leaving. Cached narration plays without streaming; map tiles and other online features may still need a connection.
Do I have to start at a specific time?
No. Start when it suits you, pause for a detour or meal, and resume later. Check the opening hours of any venue you personally plan to enter.
Are admission tickets included?
The purchase covers the Bad Historian audio experience. Transportation, food, and admission to third-party attractions are not included.
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Georgetown Was Here First
$9.99 · one-time