Is the tour accessible?

Some stops have steps (East City Books); please contact info@meanderingmaptours.com with accessibility questions before booking.

How big are the groups?

Groups are capped at twenty to preserve conversation and allow time to browse.

Will I meet the author?

Yes — published author Tracy Badua joins the tour for an in-person Ask Me Anything session.

Can I get a Library of Congress card during the tour?

The tour includes the opportunity to learn about the Library of Congress and apply for a library card; bring ID if you plan to apply.

What happens if there are city events or road closures?

Itineraries may be adjusted for city events such as America 250 celebrations; the operator will adapt the route as needed.

Books, Bard and Banter: Capitol Hill Literary Walking Tour

Q: Where do we meet?

The group meets at the corner of Constitution Ave. NE and 2nd St. NE in front of the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument; please arrive 15 minutes early.

Books, Bard and Banter is a six-hour, author-led walking tour through Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., that zeros in on the city’s bookish corners. Meeting at the corner of Constitution Ave. NE and 2nd St. NE in front of the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, the route threads grand civic architecture and intimate indie bookshops, with stops at the Library of Congress, East City Books, and the Folger Library. Meandering Map Tours, a local, woman-owned, and latina owned company, leads this experience alongside published author Tracy Badua, blending licensed guide expertise with writerly insight. Begin at the Library of Congress where guests can learn about the building’s art and exhibits and even apply for a Library of Congress library card. The tour pares urban history with close-up looks at decorative spaces, glass, stone, and ornamentation that mark Washington’s early twentieth-century civic buildings. At East City Books you’ll shop local stacks, craft a bookmark, and share recommendations with fellow readers over an included lunch stop. The Folger Library visit focuses on rare books and Shakespearean holdings and offers a relaxed cafe break for coffee, tea, or a cocktail. This trip stands out because it pairs a small-group walking rhythm with an author’s perspective; expect an in-person Ask Me Anything with Tracy Badua and lively literary conversation among a capped group of twenty. Accessibility details are upfront: East City Books has steps, and any specific needs should be emailed to [email protected] prior to booking. The operators note occasional itinerary adjustments around city events such as America 250 celebrations, so punctuality matters—arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Practical perks include an intimate group size, a mix of indoor cultural sites resistant to rain, and hands-on moments like bookmark making. Bring weather-appropriate layers, comfortable walking shoes, a reusable bag for purchases, and your favorite book recs to contribute to the group’s TBR. Ideal for bibliophiles, book clubs, touring writers, and anyone who prefers stories woven into place, this Capitol Hill circuit turns public buildings into living libraries and independent stores into discovery labs. For travelers staying in Washington, the tour offers a measurable dose of local color and literary depth in a single, well-paced day. The meeting point at the corner of Constitution Ave. NE and 2nd St. NE places you steps away from the Capitol grounds and offers easy photo backdrops of monumental architecture; plan to carry a light daypack with water and a portable charger for phones. Groups are capped at twenty, and the pace allows time to browse shelves, ask questions, and savor discoveries that make Washington’s literary scene feel personal and delightfully so.