Lafayette Square and the White House
Pennsylvania Avenue has hosted inaugurations, protests, and parades throughout the history of the United States. But the development of this grand boulevard connecting the Capitol to the White House was fraught with conflict and intrigue. Visit Lafayette Square, walk Pennsylvania Avenue, and learn how this part of downtown Washington went from being Murder Bay to America’s Main Street.
Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, leads the tour and discusses the history of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and its neighborhood. Learn how this famous address has changed over the last 220 years, from construction to destruction, fire, flood, collapse, and renovation. View other buildings along Lafayette Square, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and Blair House, and hear about the presidents, politicians, and power players who have lived along this storied block. After exploring the area around the White House, stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue through the neighborhood once known as Murder Bay. After walking past the imposing facades of the Willard Hotel, Old Post Office Tower, Department of Justice, FBI headquarters, and National Archives, wrap up at one of the oddest little memorials in Washington.
Know Before You Go
- Tour participants meet in Lafayette Square at the Andrew Jackson equestrian statue in the center of the park, 701 Jackson Pl., NW, Washington, DC. It concludes near the Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter Metro Station (Green/Yellow Metro Lines).
- Sturdy walking shoes, bottled water, and comfortable clothes are recommended.
- The tour involves 1 mile of walking and is 2 hours in length.
Additional Date Options for this Tour
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
