Let me take you on a very different, personalized tour of Washington, DC. This is not your typical mass-market packaged tour. Let's duck into those out-of-the-way places and unravel history from behind the scenes. Come hear the real stories of intrigue, power, and symbolism that many locals don't even know. We will dig a little deeper to uncover the stories, and the scandals, that have formed the history of our nation's capital. You may even discover a few surprises along the way!
My exclusive private walking tours are customizable and tailored for you. With a knowledgeable and experienced local guide, you will experience Washington DC from a unique perspective. You'll hear the backstories and the debunked urban legends surrounding our most famous sites. Learn about the people who have lived here and call this place home. This is not just another boring sightseeing tour.
A piece of the Moon in a stained-glass window. Darth Vader keeping watch from the outside. A pulpit where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke just days before his assassination. Washington National Cathedral rewards a closer look. Step inside, and the height, craftsmanship, and changing light may hold your attention first. Then the questions begin. Who created all this? What were they trying to say? And how did a place of worship become part of the nation’s public life? Join me, David Shaw, to explore the people and ideas behind the stone and glass. We’ll discover stories of faith, ambition, remembrance, and imagination—with a few wonderfully unexpected details along the way. I first visited the Cathedral as a child and never forgot it. Today, as a certified Cathedral guide, I enjoy helping others discover what makes this place so memorable. You don’t need religious beliefs or architectural knowledge to join us. Bring your curiosity. You’ll leave with stories to remember and a new appreciation for what this extraordinary place reveals about Washington—and ourselves.
A name on a headstone. A few dates. Perhaps a handful of words about a lifetime.
At Arlington National Cemetery, those brief inscriptions open the door to extraordinary stories. Behind them are people who shaped American life: presidents and performers, athletes and activists, military heroes and people whose contributions deserve to be better known.
Walk with me, David Shaw, and we’ll explore what their lives reveal about our country—its ideals, its contradictions, and the ways it has changed. There is courage here, and sacrifice. There are also surprising personalities, unexpected connections, and moments when history’s irony speaks for itself.
Arlington is a place of remembrance, but remembrance does something for the living. It shapes whom we honor, what we value, and how we understand ourselves.
You’ll leave with stories to remember and a deeper connection to the people beneath these stones.
Few people think beyond the Capitol when they think of the Hill. This tour takes you to the heart of a neighborhood with a fascinating history that still speaks to us today. Learn about these famous locations from a former Capitol Hill resident.
Most Embassy Row tours don’t venture far beyond Dupont Circle. But ours does. We see it all from top to bottom. This stretch of Massachusetts Avenue used to be called Millionaires Row where Gilded Age robber-barons built grand mansions. Today those mansions house most of Washington’s embassies, along with private clubs and statues of world heroes such as Mandela, Gandhi, and Churchill – and we will be right in the heart of it.
There are no limits here! This tour is whatever you want it to be. See the part of Washington, DC you’ve always wanted to with an expert guide who has been in the city for more than thirty years. Our Washington Private Tours are perfect for those looking to learn more about DC in a fun and safe manner. See what you like for however long you like, accompanied by an expert guide!
Out of the Ordinary Experiences With Your Private Tours in Washington DC
At Off the Record Tours, I know how valuable your vacation time is. You are not looking for a generic experience, listening to time-worn stories. Savvy travelers know that the best way to see this area is with Washington DC private tours with a local. I provide a personalized tour experience with a highly knowledgeable tour guide. Your excursion will be led by a Certified Master Guide of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC who is also certified as a National Cathedral guide.
David is a Certified Master Guide of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC, holds a District tour guide license, and is a certified National Cathedral guide — there’s no doubt you’re in the best hands!
All of our tours are private so you feel more comfortable with the people you know
David treasures the history of the city and loves nothing more than to show it off. He keeps things factual (in addition to a lot of urban legends) coupled with a dry sense of humor and wit — hear wha...
David treasures the history of the city and loves nothing more than to show it off. He keeps things factual (in addition to a lot of urban legends) coupled with a dry sense of humor and wit — hear what’s Off the Record. Get real time availability and instant confirmation for your upcoming trip.
Each year, visitors flock to Washington DC for the history, the museums, the memorials and the iconic landmarks. Happily, many of these sights are free! While most visitors are familiar with such sites as the White House, the Smithsonian Museums, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, many people have yet to see where the locals go.
Beyond the well-known sites lies a city of vibrant neighborhoods. Plan to check out the prestigious houses on Embassy Row. On our private guided tours of Washington DC you will hear stories of the Gilded Age residents who once called this neighborhood home.
Most frequent questions and answers
Please contact us as soon as you know you are unable to keep your reservation.
We get wet. Fortunately, we are waterproof. Tours go on as long as it is safe to do so. We recommend that you bring an umbrella for outside portions of tours. If there are extreme weather conditions such as a snowstorm, ice, lightning, flooding, etc. the tour will be rescheduled.
Washington is a great city for walking and you’ll appreciate it so much more by seeing it on foot. That means comfortable walking shoes are essential. Dress for the season. Be comfortable, not fashionable. This isn’t New York City.
Don’t let dehydration ruin your vacation. Drinking plenty of water is important. Please bring a bottle of water. Often we will be in areas without water fountains or shops. Also, it’s good to have sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses along.
Tips for the tour guide are not included in the price. They are never expected but always appreciated.
September 29, 2026
Washington is safe. Despite what you hear from the president, Washington, DC has never been safer. Crime is down, but more importantly, the places t...
Read More: What Should First-Time Visitors Know Before Going to Washington, DC?
September 25, 2026
When I help clients plan their first trip to Washington, I get a lot of questions. Here are some of the most common topics we talk about. Washington...
Read More: What Should First-Time Visitors Know Before Going to Washington, DC?
September 24, 2026
Lincoln Memorial undercroft opened this summer. The best part is a look at this vast vaulted space with 122 concrete columns that support the chamber...
Read More: A First Look at the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
