Carolyn Crouch: Washington Walks Founder In Real Time

"Awesome People in DC You Should Know" Series

Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share tips on exploring the city even during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift. ​

Think you know everything about DC because you visited once on a school field trip or watched every episode of Scandal and West Wing? Think again! Meet Carolyn Crouch, founder of DC-based walking tour company, Washington Walks. Their tours include Memorials by Moonlight, Embassy Row, Georgetown, the famous Most Haunted Houses. Whether you're a resident or just visiting, Washington Walks tells the stories about some of DC's most famous landmarks that no one else knows. Plus, they have over a dozen tours that travel through D.C.'s diverse neighborhoods so you get to know the "real DC" beyond the National Mall. And if the thought of history will give you flashbacks to your high school history class, have no worries. Carolyn and her team are excellent storytellers who make history interesting and accessible, bringing the drama, scandals and adventures of the past alive for today's modern explorers.

The content below has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity and length.

How long have you lived in Washington, DC? 

Since 1994; 26 years come August!

What local spot in DC brings you joy and why? 

Lauriol Plaza restaurant in Adams Morgan because so many different types of people eat there with smiles on their faces.

Editor's Note: Fans of Cactus Cantina will also love Lauriol Plaza; the Tex-Mex hotspot in Adams Morgan has the same owner. And Lauriol Plaza isn’t just a favorite for the food. The drinks are worthy of a visit all on their own. Every night is a party here thanks to Margarita Mondays, Sangria Tuesdays and Mojito Wednesdays.

"Take time to listen to the stories and experiences of the neighbors who have lived in the city longer than you have." -- Carolyn Crouch

What recommendations do you have for people to explore and discover DC while staying at home?

• Join a Washington Walks Webinar Wednesday offering (shameless plug alert!)​
• Participate in the In Real Time history-in-the-making initiative sponsored by the Historical Society of Washington D.C. Editor's Note: This project asks the public to share their experiences during this unprecedented moment through journals, videos, photographs and recordings to capture what real life was like for everyday people. Because what we are living now, is the stuff of history.
• Take a self-guided walking tour following one of the heritage trails created by Cultural Tourism D.C.

What's something new you've found out about DC while staying at home that you didn't know before?

There are way more dogs and dog owners in my Southwest D.C. neighborhood than I realized.

What's the first thing you're looking forward to doing in DC after the COVID restrictions are lifted? 

I'm looking forward to attending a worship service at St. John's Lafayette Square, my parish, and eating at Teaism Penn Quarter.

Share your tips for ways locals and tourists can discover the "real DC" once things return to "normal." 

Take a self-guided or guide-led walking tour of a D.C. neighborhood, and take time to listen to the stories and experiences of the neighbors who have lived in the city longer than you have--and then listen some more!

Ready to explore DC and learn some of its little-known secrets? Stay-up-to-date on Washington Walks' tour schedule  and offerings at www.washingtonwalks.com and Instagram at @washwalks.