
Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer worth booking?
Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer is a 1.5-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $45 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (15)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Spyher’s hosts are all former CIA officers with operational experience. Pending availailability, the tour is available privately in Spanish, French, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic.
What you get
About this experience
Spyher’s hosts are all former CIA officers with operational experience. Pending availailability, the tour is available privately in Spanish, French, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Dupont Circle
We discuss a suspicious death that took place at the Dupont Circle Hotel
Pass by without stopping
Anderson House
Discuss spy activity during the Revolutionary War and learn about a tradition of CIA officers before they deploy.
Pass by without stopping
Washington DC
Discuss the assassination of Orlando Letelier at Sheridan Circle
Pass by without stopping
Rock Creek Park
Practice your hand at impersonal communication. Can you spot the signal and unload the dead drop?
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Washington DC
Meet by the northwest area of the fountain. Your contact will wear a baseball cap and carry a magazine. If you see these signals approach and ask "Do you know where the closest McDonald's is?" Your contact will reply, "I believe it's on the red line at Metro Center."
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet by the northwest area of the fountain. Your contact will wear a baseball cap and carry a magazine. If you see these signals approach and ask "Do you know where the closest McDonald's is?" Your contact will reply, "I believe it's on the red line at Metro Center."
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ru, en, fr, he, tr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Spyher
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Interesting Walk
Fun thing to do. DC is a key place for spying and it’s an interesting walk and talk. Guide was knowledgeable and shared his personal experiences and the historical context of the area. Our group had one person knowledgeable about spying and three with no experience or understanding. It was hard for them to follow the history, acronyms, and language. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions and slow presenter down. We did get to do “spy stuff” and had some fun with it. All together, a good experience.
Response from the operator: Thanks Erik. Glad you enjoyed the walk and our expert guide. We’ll work on engaging guests to make sure the content is not too full of difficult-to-understand jargon.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour combining Embassy Row intrigue and CIA experience
This is a very fun and informative tour! Our guide, Tom, is a former CIA Case Officer and shared a lot of information - both about places and past happenings in the Embassy Row / Dupont Circle area and about his own experiences. There is a whole US intelligence world out there that most of us don't realize is protecting us. We were there during the July 2026 heat wave - it was still around 98 degrees that evening - but Tom held our attention! Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you! Tom appreciated the great questions, which makes the tour extra fun. Thanks for joining.
via Tripadvisor
Different type of tour. I...
Different type of tour. I recommend it. Friendly and knowledgeable guide. Interesting! I would do again! You can tell the guide has a passion for it all.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for participating on a hot morning! Glad you enjoyed it. All the best, Rosanna
via Viator
Fantastic tour!
We had a great time! Learned a lot. Our guide was interesting, intelligent, and great at telling the intriguing stories of the CIA and the mysterious deaths in DC. We learned info about the CIA and how they operate. It was great having a source who was once in the agency. It really gave the information we learned credence and veracity. Highly recommend if you are interested in the CIAs activities in DC.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the tour and the insider perspective.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommended!
Very well done tour. Rosanna is a great guide and took the time to answer all our questions. It was interesting to hear the stories around Embassy Row and to get a little glimpse of how the CIA operates from someone who worked there. Most unique tour I've done in DC so far!
Response from the operator: Thank you! It was a pleasure to meet you and share some stories around sites along Embassy Row. Wishing you all the best, Rosanna
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $45 to $85
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer cost?
+
Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Washington DC usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer take?
+
Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Washington DC is not rushed.
Is Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Washington DC, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer?
+
Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Washington DC can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Washington DC and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Washington DC within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Washington DC?
+
Washington is the rare city where the headline attractions cost nothing and the scarce resource is access. Timed entry to the Smithsonian museums, Capitol and White House tours, and the night monument runs by bike or bus are what fill up. Our ranking rewards operators who secure the passes themselves rather than telling you to sort it out at the door. On Outty we rank every Washington DC experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience, Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour, Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Washington DC?
+
Late March to April for cherry blossom, or September to November for cool museum weather. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Washington DC?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Embassy Row Spy History Tour with a Former CIA Officer.
Pick your date




