Exorcist Steps Ghost Walk

Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour runs through DC by Foot. Rated 4.8 across 779 reviews. Runs 1 hour 30 minutes. From $49.

Overview

The Exorcist Steps Ghost Walk is DC by Foot's Ghosts of Georgetown tour, a 1 hour 30 minute night-time walk through Washington's oldest neighborhood. It starts outside the Old Stone House on M Street and ends at the famed steps from the horror movie The Exorcist, at 36th and Prospect Street. Along the way a licensed guide mixes ghost stories with true crime and local history, pausing outside Victorian row houses, churches and alleys.

The route passes the Colonial and along Wisconsin Avenue, with a pass by Halcyon at Georgetown University. One unusual inclusion is access to the yard of what the operator calls the oldest and most haunted building in Georgetown. Groups are capped at 15 travellers.

Several reviewers describe the experience as heavier on history than on scares, with guides praised as knowledgeable and entertaining. It suits families and anyone curious about the neighborhood's darker past. Travellers hoping to enter buildings, or expecting a theatrical fright night, may want to adjust their expectations.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Old Stone HouseThe group meets outside the Old Stone House at 3051 M St NW. The stop here lasts 10 minutes and admission is free.
2. The ColonialA 10 minute stop at The Colonial with free admission.
3. Georgetown walkA 30 minute pass-by along Wisconsin Avenue Northwest through Georgetown, with free admission.
4. Halcyon pass byA 10 minute pass by Halcyon at Georgetown University. Admission to Halcyon is not included.
5. The Exorcist StepsThe tour ends at The Exorcist Steps at 36th and Prospect St NW, with a 10 minute stop and free admission.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk, based on the listing and what travellers report back.

• History over horror. Several reviewers said the content leans more historical than spooky, with ghost stories woven into facts about the buildings and the area. Go in expecting an informative neighborhood walk with a haunted theme rather than a scare attraction.
• Walking and terrain. The route is manageable, with one reviewer noting not too many hills or steps except at the end, which is the Exorcist stairs. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready for some uneven terrain, as another reviewer mentioned.
• Weather prep. The tour runs outdoors and requires good weather, and the listing says poor weather may mean a different date or a full refund. One reviewer reported a very hot evening and another found it buggy, so dress for the conditions and consider bug spray.
• Group size. The listing caps the tour at a maximum of 15 travellers. Reviewers describe guides making sure the whole group is included.
• Kids and families. The listing calls it family-friendly, and reviewers mention children enjoying the evening. One noted it was not exactly their children's cup of tea, so gauge your own kids' interest in history.
• Outside stops only. The tour stays on the streets, stopping outside homes said to be haunted, with yard access at one building. A reviewer who expected to go inside locations was disappointed, so plan for an outdoor storytelling walk.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, per the listing, and the terrain includes hills and the Exorcist stairs at the end. Several reviewers felt the ghost angle is thin, with one calling the stories more historical than spooky and another saying the stops could be seen just as well in daylight. One reviewer was bitten by insects and wished they had brought bug spray, and one found the evening disorganized at the start. Gratuity is not included in the ticket price.

What To Work Out Before Booking