
Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom
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September 2026
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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
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom worth booking?
Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom is a 2.3-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $28 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- $28 per person
Please note that this tour is recommended for people ages 13 and up. DC is the city of presidents, and this is the tour that gives you the most POTUS for your buck. People want to be close to power. And from the time D
What you get
About this experience
Please note that this tour is recommended for people ages 13 and up. DC is the city of presidents, and this is the tour that gives you the most POTUS for your buck. People want to be close to power. And from the time D.C. was founded, that meant being close to the White House. You'll check out Lafayette Square and the neighborhood of Foggy Bottom. You'll explore the homes and buildings where presidents lived, worked, partied, plotted and worshiped -- before, during and after their time in office. You'll see some of DC's oldest buildings and enjoy one of the most famous public spaces in the world. And don't forget the stories. Our guide will tell you about the building of the city -- and the British attempt in 1814 to unbuild it. There's a Real Housewives scandals, a Pennsylvania Avenue shootout, slaves fighting for freedom and lots more.
What's included
Included
- Walking tour with a presidential history expert (and former comedian)
What you'll see and do
Lafayette Square
The "President's Park" was the hub of political and social life in the early years of DC. Get great views of the White House and check out the presidential history for the neighborhood.
40 minutes here
Octagon Museum
We'll see the exterior of one of DC's oldest buildings -- which was also a makeshift White House!
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Washington DC
The tour starts in front of the DC Improv comedy club on Connecticut Avenue.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour starts in front of the DC Improv comedy club on Connecticut Avenue.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Walking Backward Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun and informative - even for locals
Chris was engaging and knowledgeable! Lovely tour and learned about buildings that we've walked past many a time without exploring their past.
via Viator
Extremely professional, knowledgeable and entertaining tour!
Chris was great at keeping all members of our group entertained with stories of past presidents and historic buildings within a manageable number of blocks. Communication was excellent from before booking and remained strong as we changed the schedule to miss a thunderstorm. Anyone with an interest in American history (and in particular presidents) should do this tour. Price is extremely reasonable considering the knowledge and experience provided. Thanks Chris, from the group of Aussies!
via Tripadvisor
Entertaining tour with very knowledgeable guide
The tour was amazing. Learnt so much. We were a family of seven. All our many questions were answered. The presentation was entertaining and engaging. Highly recommend this tour when visiting Washington. Vanessa from Australia
via Tripadvisor
Chris was a wealth of...
Chris was a wealth of knowledge about the history of the presidents. What we saw was awesome, but there was a lot of walking past the modern city to get to the few historic buildings. Our favorite part was the thwarted assassination attempt on President Truman's life. None of us had ever heard this story. Thank you!
via Viator
Everything was...
Everything was interesting. Our guide 10/09/2022 explained everything like a story. He made it very interesting.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom cost?
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Prices start at $28 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 Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom take?
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Plan for about 2.3 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 Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 8 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 Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom?
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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 Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom?
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Around 3 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?
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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 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Residences of the Presidentses: Lafayette Square and Foggy Bottom start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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, Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards, Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour. 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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