America’s Main Street: White House & Pennsylvania Avenue Walking Tour

Pennsylvania Avenue has been host to inaugurations, protests, and parades throughout our Nation’s history. But the development of this grand boulevard, connecting the Capitol to the White House, is fraught with conflict and intrigue. Visit the White House grounds, walk Pennsylvania Ave, and learn how downtown Washington went from Murder Bay to America’s Main Street with DC Design Tours.

Starting in the front yard of the White House in Lafayette Square, we’ll discuss the history of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. From construction to destruction, fire, flood, collapse and renovation, you’ll learn how this famous address has changed over the last 220 years. Then, taking a look at other buildings along Lafayette Square, we’ll discuss the presidents, politicians, and power players of all kinds that have lived along this storied block. After exploring the White House neighborhood, we’ll stroll down Pennsylvania Ave, through a neighborhood originally known as “Murder Bay”. Past the hallowed halls and imposing facades of the Willard Hotel, Department of Justice, FBI Headquarters, and National Archives, we’ll wrap up at one of the oddest little memorials in DC.

Sights and stops include:

• The White House


• Eisenhower Executive Office Building


• Blair House (President's Guest House)


• The Willard Hotel


• Wilson Building (District of Columbia City Hall)


• Pennsylvania Avenue


• Freedom Plaza


• Old Post Tower


• J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building


• U.S. Navy Memorial


• National Archives

This tour meets in front of the White House in Lafayette Square at the Andrew Jackson Statue, 701 Jackson Pl NW. The tour takes about 2 hours and covers approximately 1 mile, ending near the National Archives at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street.