There's more to Washington, DC than the National Mall.

(Image from the South Capitol blog.)

From Cultural Tourism DC:

Join us for 50 FREE walking tours in neighborhoods across Washington! Explore Washington’s Neighborhoods at Their Springtime Best!

Choose from 50 walking tours (a few boat and bike tours too!) led by professional and volunteer neighborhood guides across the city. From Anacostia to U Street, you'll experience vibrant street life and uncover little-known historic treasures.

Check the schedule on our website, pick your tours, and just show up although bike tours require advance reservation. Call 202-661-7581 for more information.

Just a couple of the tours that look particularly interesting include:

Metro: Behind the Scenes
Saturday, 9 – 10:30 am
Meet at the Metro Center Metro station (13th Street exit).
Happy 30th Anniversary Metro! Ever wondered about the history of the DC Metro system? Ever wanted to know the stories behind the stops and what's coming up next? Spend a few hours wandering underground and learn little-known facts about the city's transportation network from Metro's interim general manager, Dan Tangherlini. Presented by Metro

Anacostia
Saturday, 10:30 – 11 am
Meet at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W Street, SE.
DC's first suburb, Old Anacostia was established in the 1850's as Uniontown, and most of its homes were built around 1900. While it was home to many white Navy Yard workers, its most renowned resident was leading abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who was the first to integrate the neighborhood in 1870. His grand home, Cedar Hill, was his final residence. Led by volunteer guide Yavocka Young and presented by Main Street Anacostia, Inc.

Congressional Cemetery
Saturday, 11 am – 12:15 pm Meet at E and 18th streets, SE.
Begin outside the historic wrought iron gates and step back into the earliest days of the Federal City with the tombs of city founders such as William Prout and Griffith Coombe. The tour includes tombs of noted Americans from the 20th century as well, such as John Philip Sousa and J. Edgar Hoover, in addition to the newly planted 9/11 Memorial Grove. Led by Patrick Crowley, vice chair of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery, and presented by Congressional Cemetery.

Boat Tour of Maritime Washington
Saturday, 3 – 5 pmMeet at the American Spirit, Slip A26 (first one against sea wall),
Gang Plank Marina, 600 Water Street, SW (across from Waterfront Metro station).
In 1792, Tobias Lear rode his horse down a narrow path on Jenkins Hill to the foot of the Anacostia River, near the present site of the Washington Navy Yard. Sent by President George Washington, Lear had instructions to figure out how to develop the Anacostia and Potomac riverfronts. Learn how Lear and Washington's vision grew and expanded into a vibrant waterfront on this boat tour. Come see for yourself the modern waterfront area and the current vision for maritime Washington. Led by Carl Cole and presented by the National Maritime Heritage Foundation.

Index Keywords: cultural-heritage-tourism