By Joshua Duvauchelle
The Best Offbeat Tours in Washington, DC
Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, is home to internationally recognized landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the White House. Millions of visitors descend on the city every year to discover its rich history and the role it plays in U.S. politics. If you're looking for an untraditional view of the city or just tired of the typical museum and monument tours, take an offbeat tour of the capital. Whether you're looking for ghosts or relics of bygone wars, offbeat tours give you an unconventional window into the region's history and culture.
Courage! A Civil War Tour
Pretend a time machine transports you to the 1800s as you walk through the city on the Courage! tour, presented by Natalie Zanin's Historic Strolls. Led by a local city expert playing the part of a Civil War-era citizen, this tour gives you a chance to learn about the colorful past of Washington, D.C., when it was known simply as Washington City. Discover the real stories of Civil War legends such as Mathew Brady, and hear excerpts from Civil War journals and diaries. At the end of the tour, you'll receive a Civil War souvenir.
Courage! A Civil War Tour
10th Street & East Street
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
(301) 588-9255
www.historicstrolls.com
A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington
If you're visiting the city in December and you're a fan of Charles Dickens, you will enjoy this offbeat tour. A Dickens of a Tour takes visitors through the streets of Washington, D.C., right past real houses and buildings that Charles Dickens visited. Guided by a character from Dickens' famous novel, "A Christmas Carol," guests will learn about the author and the city's history. Watch for live reenactments of "A Christmas Carol" in the side alleys and doorways of various buildings along the way. You can obtain tickets at the tour location 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
A Dickens of a Tour
10th Street & East Street
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
(301) 588-9255
www.historicstrolls.com
Take a Tour of the Tastebuds
Let Cafe Atlantico's famous executive chef, Jose Andres, take you on a culinary tour of the international cuisines of Washington, D.C. A television celebrity, Andres's famous tasting menu is so exclusive you need to book a seat at the six-person Mini Bar a month in advance. If you're lucky to get a reservation, be prepared for an enthralling tour of the city's gastronomical landscape. Andres will expertly create 30 or more mini-meals over the course of the evening, featuring outrageously delicious inventions like premium foie gras spun in a sugary web of fluffy cotton candy.
Cafe Atlantico
Second Floor
405 8th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-0812
www.cafeatlantico.com
Resources
About the Author:
Joshua Duvauchelle is an editor and journalist who has been writing since 2000. His work has appeared in various national and international magazines, including "Honolulu Magazine." Duvauchelle graduated with honors from Trinity Western University, holding a Bachelor of Arts in professional communications, and earned a certificate in applied leadership and public affairs from the Laurentian Leadership Centre.
Photo Credits:
Washington, DC Skyline image by dwight9592 from
Fotolia.com
