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Washington Georgetown Spy History Tour

TourTruth score 7.4 out of 10

AverageTop 32% in Washington DC

23 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Washington DC
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore Georgetown's espionage history with a former intelligence officer, visit OSS sites, and try spotting a signal and making a dead drop.

About this tour

Step into Georgetown's shadowy past on a walking tour led by a former intelligence officer. This Washington Georgetown Spy History Tour visits sites tied to espionage and the people whose lives shaped the neighborhood's history.

Over 90 minutes, explore three locations connected to the Office of Strategic Services, the World War II organization that preceded the CIA. Hear stories about spycraft, the motivations behind espionage, and intelligence work during World War II and the Cold War. Then put a little tradecraft into practice as you look for a signal site and try a dead drop. Along the way, your guide shares personal anecdotes and explains how indirect communication can help reduce risk.

The walk begins outside Oak Hill Cemetery and finishes about 0.7 mile away near Martin's Tavern. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and plan ahead, as there are no bathroom breaks. Join this Washington Georgetown Spy History Tour for a vivid, street-level look at the secrets woven into the neighborhood.

Highlights

  • Explore Georgetown spy sites with a former intelligence officer
  • Trace espionage stories from World War II and the Cold War
  • Practice spotting a signal site and delivering a dead drop
  • Hear firsthand anecdotes about intelligence work overseas

What's included

Included

  • 90-minute guided walking tour
  • Former intelligence officer as guide
  • Visits to three sites linked to the Office of Strategic Services
  • Taxes

Not included

  • Gratuity
  • Snacks

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Meet outside Oak Hill Cemetery at the intersection of 30th Street NW and R Street NW; do not enter the cemetery
  • Identify your guide using the supplied meeting instructions and exchange the specified code phrases
  • The tour ends about 0.7 mile away, outside Martin's Tavern
  • No bathroom breaks are provided; plan accordingly
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  • Wear comfortable shoes and bring water; dress for the weather
  • Moderate physical fitness is recommended; not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Infants and small children can ride in a stroller; service animals are allowed
  • Children under 10 and people over 95 are listed as unsuitable for the tour
  • Parking is available at Georgetown Park or in metered spaces near the start; public transportation is encouraged

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The walking tour lasts 90 minutes.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside Oak Hill Cemetery at the intersection of 30th Street NW and R Street NW. Do not enter the cemetery.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends about 0.7 mile from the starting point, outside Martin's Tavern.

Who leads the tour?

A former intelligence officer guides the tour and shares stories and insights from intelligence work.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Dress for the weather; sunscreen, insect repellent, and other seasonal items may also be useful.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.86 on Viator and 5.00 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Washington DC
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.4. Top 32% in Washington DC means it ranks in the top 32% of tours in Washington DC by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Washington DC

How many tours in Washington DC have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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