Cleveland Park Walking and Photo Tour, Washington, DC

Explore Cleveland Park, a historic neighborhood in upper NW DC and one of the original American suburbs. In early spring, you'll see the largest concentration of cherry blossoms outside of the tidal basin. You'll learn about the preservation and history of the neighborhood while also getting some great photos along the way. The tour begins at the Washington National Cathedral with stops at the Bishop's Garden, Rosedale Conservancy, the Uptown Theater, and more. Photos will be emailed to guests after the tour. Mel Serravalle worked a decade in an urban planning career before she founded Preserve Tours, curated walking and photo tours that would provide an opportunity to learn about historic neighborhoods and their role in the past and present. As a fourth generation Washingtonian herself, she strives to provide a quality educational experience with a local, fun feel. A portion of the proceeds of each tour goes to the Rosedale Conservancy, a community funded park in Upper Northwest DC.

1. 1

   Washington National Cathedral

   Pass by

   Walk the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral, an incredible gothic-style church overlooking Washington, DC. Construction began in 1907 and wasn’t fully completed until 1990. Search for carvings of hidden symbols like owls, oak leaves, and acorns in the stone facade.

2. 2

   The Bishop's Garden

   20 min

   Explore the Bishop’s Garden, a three acre, medieval style walled garden located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. The garden includes plants of historical interest along with those native to the mid-atlantic region. We’ll see Boxwood from George Washington’s Hayfield Manor, and cedars and fig trees that trace their origins back to the Holy Land. If you're lucky enough to tour in the early spring, you'll catch the cherry blossoms but the garden is in full bloom through summer and into fall.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   15 min

   Stop to snap some pictures of classic Cleveland Park architecture while learning how this neighborhood was the original American suburb. We’ll explore the differences between this suburb which included famous architects, a public garden, a president, and transit accessibility, and the suburbs of today.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   20 min

   Frolic in a publicly funded park that is home to what is considered the oldest structure in Washington DC, the Rosedale Farmhouse. Listen to the bells of the Washington National Cathedral in the distance while we talk about how this park became the heart of Cleveland Park.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   15 min

   At this stop, we’ll learn about the Cleveland Park Historic District, one of the main mechanisms for preserving the neighborhood and the architecture within.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   15 min

   Learn about two women, both named Evelyn, who played a role in the historic preservation of Cleveland Park. The first Evelyn played a part in shaping the character of Cleveland Park that is still present today while the other Evelyn was a neighborhood resident who became deeply involved in the fight to protect what is now the Tregaron Conservancy.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   15 min

   We’ll end our tour at the Art Deco Uptown Theater along Connecticut Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Cleveland Park. We’ll discover options for buildings that are historic but their original use is no longer feasible or in demand.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.