This past weekend, participants in WalkingTown D.C. strapped on sneakers, helmets and, in one case, a bright orange hat, and hit the streets.

Over 70 guided walking and biking tours, all free of charge, were organized by Cultural Tourism D.C. The organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of local cultural institutions among both visitors and residents, a mission that was epitomized in the WalkingTown D.C. program: Within a single tour, there were people from as close by as the D.C. metro area and from as far away as China, and all were learning new and interesting facts about the neighborhood.

WalkingTown is a semiannual event that encourages people to get out and see D.C. while maintaining a “green” focus: All of the tours are environmentally friendly as well as manageable for all ages. In one group of the D.C. by Foot: Monument Tour, one of the many options of the weekend, a 3-year-old walked next to an 80-year-old, both equally enthralled. This tour in particular is a highlight of the event. It lasts just an hour and 15 minutes, starting at the Washington Monument and ending in Lincoln’s shadow.

The guides are all college students and their high energy is a selling point of the tour. Our guide gave his tour while jumping excitedly, his fluorescent orange hat standing tall in a sea of tourists. Through interaction with the audience, including an interactive skit about irreverent trivia such as the original “frenemy” relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the tour was just as informational as middle school history class, yet far more engaging.

Though this past weekend’s weather was ideal for WalkingTown, the event did not leave room for rain dates and tours would have been held regardless of cloudy skies. So while WalkingTown was a great option for fun and exercise in good weather, the walking aspect seems a lot less appealing with the prospect of huddling under an umbrella. Additionally, some of the bike tours exceeded four hours — a large time commitment. However, most ranged from one to three hours, and with options starting anywhere from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., they fit into anyone’s schedule.

Some of the tours focused on specific neighborhoods in D.C., including our very own Georgetown and nearby Foggy Bottom, while others honed in on cultural aspects unique to the area. One such tour, Art on Line, explored the various art installations in local Metro stations and discussed the story behind each one.
Some of the most popular tours were the ones that provided a backstage pass to everyday sights. Spies of Georgetown, which filled up quickly, took participants through Georgetown’s other side, one of “espionage and intrigue,” according to spiesofwashingtontour.com. Meanwhile, Scandals, Scoundrels & Scallywags promised to showcase the seamier side of Georgetown.
Despite the large appeal to tourists, D.C. natives get just as much out the tours as the newcomers do. Sttaci Goodman, a D.C. resident, has been volunteering with Cultural Tourism D.C. for three years and “still get[s] something new out of each tour.” After all, most locals have seen the iconic Vietnam Memorial, yet few know of the controversy surrounding its designer Maya Lin or the story behind the brand-new Harley-Davidson mysteriously left at the wall one night. As hard as it is to believe, there is a D.C. beyond M Street, and WalkingTown is a great way to discover it.

The next WalkingTown event will occur May 30 and 31. Check www.culturaltourismdc.org for more information on this and other great tour opportunities.