Washington at Christmas has its own feel. The White House is dressed for the season, the Capitol glows at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue, and the downtown streets Lincoln once walked are strung with lights. On this two-hour evening walk, Robert, a credentialed historian and longtime DC resident, takes you through the city's holiday traditions and the history behind them.

• We meet at the Ellipse beside the National Christmas Tree, surrounded by smaller trees from every state and territory, and head into the President's Neighborhood as the lights come on.
• Look across Lafayette Park at the decorated White House, with a stop at St. John's, the "Church of the Presidents."
• Warm up in the Willard InterContinental's holiday lobby and hear how the word "lobbyist" may have started here.
• Walk Pennsylvania Avenue with the lit Capitol dome ahead of you.
• Visit Ford's Theatre and learn how Washington celebrated Christmas in 1865.
• Stop at the National Portrait Gallery for a restroom break and a few minutes out of the cold.
• End at the Downtown Holiday Market, with local makers, food stalls, and hot drinks. Stay as long as you like.

The tour starts at 5:00 PM at the Ellipse and ends around 7:00 PM at the Downtown Holiday Market. It covers about a mile of easy, flat walking with two indoor stops along the way. Dress warmly and bring some spending money for the market.