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.

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. [https://rainbowhistory.org/events/]

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