Dupont Circle & Embassy Row: Mansions of the Gilded Age
Trace the rise of DC’s elite through the beer barons, diplomats, and "parvenus" who transformed a muddy square into the city’s most prestigious neighborhood.
$69
1.5 Hours
Tour Description
Optional Add Ons
textExtraName
textExtraDesc
textExtraPrice
Starting Location:
1307 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Starting Your Booking...
Please do not refresh or close this window.
Highlights
Dupont Circle Fountain: Decode the allegorical symbols of Sea, Stars, and Wind in this marble masterpiece.
The Brewing Legacy: Discover why DC was once called the "Sodom of Suds" at the Heurich House.
The Anderson Way: Step into the world of Larz and Isabel Anderson and the rigid protocols of the Society of the Cincinnati.
The Patterson Mansion: Hear the wild saga of Cissy Patterson, from a Russian kidnapping to hosting Charles Lindbergh.
The Sulgrave Club: The dramatic tale of a suicide attempt thwarted by a mother’s "tough love" ballroom marathon.
Things to Know
Tour runs Rain or Shine
Moderate amount of walking, dress for comfort
guests say
"Liam was a great guide! The tour was very informative about the history of several families that lives in the area and Liam was able to answer all questions, showing the quality of their research."
- A Tripadvisor Reviewer
About the Tour
Step into a world of immense wealth, cutthroat social climbing, and architectural grandeur. On this small-group walking tour, we explore the rapid, glittering rise of Dupont Circle—from an empty plot of land known as "Pacific Circle" in 1871 to the most expensive and exclusive real estate in America by 1890.
Led by an expert historian, you’ll dive into the lives of the "Parvenus": the self-made, Gilded Age millionaires who flocked to Washington D.C. to buy the social status that their birthrights couldn't provide.
What You'll Discover:
The Marvels of Embassy Row: Stroll past the breathtaking, palace-like mansions of Massachusetts Avenue that now house the world's diplomats, learning how the 19th-century elite lived.
The Rules of the "Smart Set": Discover the intricate, unforgiving rules of the Washington "Social Season." Learn how a single mispronounced word could ruin a family's reputation, and why an invitation to the White House was one of the only acceptable excuses to skip a dinner party.
Scandal and Status: Go beyond the brick and mortar. Your guide will share the captivating, real-life drama, rivalries, and triumphs of the men and women who built this iconic neighborhood.
Join us for an intimate, conversational stroll through Washington’s most elegant era.