March in Philadelphia tends to be cold, however, a touch of spring usually appears near the end of the month. As your tour guide, I bring not only my guiding expertise but also my extensive experience as a retired meteorologist, using this unique combination to deliver precise weather predictions for this month and helping you […]
This post is about the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. We cover tickets, hours, exhibits, and other topics to help you plan your visit. So, let's get started. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History tackles the monumental task of displaying and preserving the most important pieces of American history and […]
One of the most popular things to do in DC around the December holidays is Zoolights at the Smithsonian Zoo. 2025 dates are yet to be announced. Zoolights will be back for 2025. Last year, it ran from Friday, November 24 to Friday, December 30 | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets are required for entry! I took […]
Welcome to Arlington National Cemetery. I have been a licensed, professional tour guide bringing visitors to Arlington National Cemetery for nearly 15 years. While I think the best way to visit the cemetery is on a guided walking tour, I know that sometimes that is not an option. This is a self-guided walking tour for […]
This post is a guide to visiting the Air Force Memorial, including directions on how to get there and a self-guided tour. For more information on the traditional bomb burst with missing man that inspired the Air Force Memorial spires, read the design section below. Overview The Air Force Memorial honors the service and heritage […]
This post covers how to use the Metro subway in Washington, D.C., including tips on SmartTrip Cards, tourist passes, and navigating the public transport system. While the DC Metro is great for getting you around the city, it can't get you around the National Mall. Let DC by Foot be your guide on one of […]
As a native New Yorker with friends who live all over the city, I've spent lots of time on the Upper East Side over the years. The neighborhood is probably known best to travelers for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park. But I can tell you there are many other interesting and worthwhile […]
This post is a guide to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, known popularly as "The Vietnam Wall", with tips on how to find particular names. Visiting the Vietnam Wall with tour groups is a special honor for me. My Uncle Jim served in Vietnam and would later die to illness he received while […]
This post lists over 20 self-guided walking tours of DC, including GPS-enabled audio tours and neighborhood guides all produced by our guides here at Free Tours by Foot. Enjoy your self guided tour? Make a donation to help support the guides. You can Venmo @canden-ftbf or Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dcbyfoot Self Guided tours of […]
The National Gallery of Art is one of the top art museums in DC, but it isn't the only one. There are contemporary art galleries, art museums focused on women, African art, Asian art and much more. I've been a licensed tour guide in Washington DC for nearly 15 years, leading tours of the National […]
This is a short guide to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, including tips on parking, public transport as well as a short guided tour. The Jefferson Memorial is located on the Tidal Basin, so not officially on the National Mall but close enough! We visit this on our National Mall & Tidal Basin […]
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of the more moving museums to visit in Washington D.C. It explains the history of the Holocaust - what led to it, the horrific events that unfolded, and the aftermath. While it is not part of the Smithsonian, it is free to visit but timed tickets are […]
Tours by Foot is proud to offer field trips to Public Schools for civic-themed tours of each city. We strongly believe that local students deserve a chance to explore their backyard with an expert guide. A portion of sales from our ticketed tours go to support our Public Schools Field Trip Scholarships. We offer no-cost […]
The White House Visitor Center is a good option if you are unable to obtain tickets to visit inside the White House. This is a National Park Service site (which means you can get a Junior Ranger badge here too) but there is also the brand new as of October 2025 White House Experience, called […]
Two of the world's most iconic cities are London and New York -- but which is better? This post compares New York and London so you can decide which is the best vacation destination for you. Which Is Bigger? London Or New York? As of 2025, London’s population was about 9.5 million vs. New York's […]
For Civil War buffs, visiting the Gettysburg battlefield is a must. About a two-hour drive from D.C., a visit to the town and battlefield can make for a great day trip. Gettysburg is the site of one of our most famous and most visited National Battlefield Parks, and it truly is one of our favorite […]
