New York Times Journeys – Washington Insiders Private Tour

Your Washington DC adventure begins at the Cannon Office Building, the oldest congressional building in the city, where your local guide will give you a brief history of the capital of the Unites States and the world-famous buildings of Capitol Hill.

As we stroll to our first stop, your guide will discuss where off-the-clock politicos spend their time in the city and about the influence that prominent members of the government have had on Washington DC, past and present.

We will arrive at the Library of Congress, where your guide will treat you to a fun experience that will leave you with a once-in-a-lifetime souvenir. We can’t reveal anymore than that, it’s top secret!

One of the city’s oldest and most well-known watering holes is next on our political agenda. We’ll enjoy a locally brewed beer at the Hawk ‘n’ Dove and take a peek at where many backroom Congressional deals are made…

From there, we will head to Eastern Market to explore the only remaining market in DC — introduced by Thomas Jefferson, no less. It’s still the shopping market of choice for the neighborhood. We’ll try some local cheese and chat with some of the stallholders as we soak up the hustle and bustle of this busy shopping mecca.

Then, keeping with the cheese theme, we’ll take a short walk to 7th Hill Pizza, a popular place for happy hour. Here, we’ll chat with the friendly chef as we create our own mini pizzas. Mangia!

Time for dessert now, at Ted’s Bulletin, a local treasure on historic Barracks Row. Here you’ll be let in on a little military secret: the store is a favorite of the Washington military elite. The pop tarts are mind blowing but they’re pretty much unknown to the hordes of tourists enjoying their meal in the dining room.

We’ll hop on the DC Circulator bus next, past the historic Navy Yard to the Yards neighborhood and District Winery. Here, we’ll meet at least one of the winemakers, find out all about the production process and taste 5 of their wines in the atmospheric winery itself rather than at the Tasting Bar with all the other tourists (another exclusive experience — you’re welcome!). Our tour ends here but you can stay as long as you like. We have negotiated a special discount for our customers, with 10% off any bottle you’d like to take home.

If you need help getting back to your accommodation your guide will be more than happy to help. If you have any more questions about the city or if you’re looking for recommendations for what else to see, do and eat during your stay, now is the time to ask!