Why you might roll your eyes:
Taking a park-ranger tour of anything sounds like an activity meant for a Boy Scout troop.
Why you’ll love it:
The first reason will be obvious once you’ve climbed the steep stairs at Anacostia’s historic Douglass House, also known as Cedar Hill. Once you catch your breath, look to the right for one of the most incredible—and unexpected—views of the city skyline you’ll ever see. Indoors, you’ll feel like a time traveler as you learn about Douglass—abolitionist, social reformer, and one of the most important African-American figures in history—and explore the meticulously restored rooms of the home he inhabited in the late 1800s, now cared for by the National Park Service. Afterward, it’s worth driving through the surrounding historic district to see the stunning architecture of the centuries-old homes.
1411 W St., SE; 202-426-5961; reservations recommended.
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