Looking for things to do in Washington DC? Our 3-hour self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt takes you from the White House to Dupont Circle and Logan Circle while also seeing several embassies, churches, and parks.
Also, you will have to solve challenges at every step to discover your next destination. At each stop, you will learn some history as well as interesting facts.
3.9 km
2.4 mi
Scavenger Hunt information :
- The White House
- National Geographic Museum
- Lafayette Square
- Logan Circle
- Dupont Circle
- Farragut Square
- Scott Circle
- Several embassies
- Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
- Franklin Square
- And much more!
We visited Washington on a few occasions since 2010, including this scavenger hunt in 2019.
- Starting point: in Lafayette Square, Washington, DC 20500, USA.
- Distance: 3.9 km / 2.4 mi
- Duration: 2 hours
- Method: walking
- Required: Fully charged smartphone with internet access (data plan) – Wifi will not be enough.
- Suggested:
- Water bottle
- Local map
Ancient History
Various Algonquin tribes inhabited the Potomac Valley when the Europeans first arrived.
The Residence Act of 1790 created the Capital District along the Potomac River. Indeed, this district is under federal jurisdiction exclusively. The states of Maryland and Virginia donated lands, including the villages of Georgetown as well as Alexandria, to create the District of Columbia. The city of Washington was then founded in 1791
Several important buildings were burned down during the War of 1812.
Then, in 1846, the District of Columbia returned the city of Alexandria to Virginia.
The Civil War of 1861 provoked a major expansion of federal organizations and therefore the population increased, especially with freed slaves from the south. The population in 1870 was 132,000.
Recent History
The Second World War (1939-45) also contributed to an increase in the size of the city, which in 1950 was over 800,000.
Washington eventually became the rallying point for public protests for civil rights, anti-war movements, and other popular causes.
Finally, as of 2018, Washington’s population is just over 700,000.
