Take a walking tour of historic LGBTQ neighborhoods
Walking tours are a great way to learn how historic LGBTQ neighborhoods and gathering spots made history and changed D.C. culture—and appreciate how they inform our understanding of LGBTQ identity today.
Rainbow History Project offers informative guided and self-guided walking tours that trace sites where well-known leaders and unsung heroes alike shaped major political and social movements through formal and informal community centers, businesses, bars and restaurants, publications, and social and cultural organizations.
History of Pride Walking Tours
In conjunction with WorldPride 2025, we have launched an exhibit “Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington.” Take a tour of the exhibit and dive into 60 years of Gay pride history!
When: May 19th through July 6th | 7pm Daily
Where: Freedom Plaza
Tickets: Pay-What-You-Can Donation ($10-$100)
We are recruiting docents to assist with the tours. Training is simple with only three steps: brief readings are your own page; a virtual session; then an in-person session at the exhibit. Sign up to become a docent.
Scheduled Walking Tours
All of our tours are given by trained volunteers. Depending on availability, we schedule tours that are open to the public. Guided tours are offered free-of-charge, yet we request a minimal donation to demonstrate your commitment to arrive. All tours are listed on our Events page.
Please note: All walking tours May – July will be conducted at our upcoming exhibit, “Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington” at Freedom Plaza. Stay tuned for more neighborhood walking tours in late Summer/Fall!
Guided tours by request
We offer private, guided, LGBTQ history tours for organizations or groups of 15 to 30 people. Tours include Dupont Circle, U Street, and Capitol Hill neighborhoods, as well as 19th-century Walt Whitman. Tours are given by volunteers and usually last about 90 minutes.
Group tours are scheduled around the organization’s convenience and the availability of a trained guide. There is no set fee for a tour, however an honorarium to support our work is expected and can be discussed while scheduling the tour. Please contact us as far in advance as possible.
Become a tour guide
Rainbow History Project is an all-volunteer, membership organization and our tours are scheduled around the availability of guides and their free time. We are always looking for volunteers to become tour guides, conduct additional research about neighborhoods, or even develop tours based on their own interests. If you would like to join these efforts, please contact us to attend a tour and get started.
Self-guided tour brochures
Current self-guided tour brochures
Legacy self-guided tour brochures
- African American (2004)
- Capitol Hill (2003)
- Drag (2005)
- East Dupont (17th Street area) (2007)
- South Capitol Street (2003)
- Walt Whitman in D.C. (2005)
- Women’s tour (2008)