Our nation’s capital is perfect for book lovers. From thrilling espionage novels to historical fiction that features some of the most important events in history, this city is often a setting of memorable books. In my latest Destination Booked project, I am taking you on a tour of the city throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and showing where you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters!
To get the most out of this tour, break it into two days so you can visit the many historical sites and museums along the way. Be sure to check out my Washington, DC in five days itinerary for a plan.
To participate in this tour in person, sign up to join my DC Readers Retreat in September. We will be seeing some of these locations as a group, and it would be a great time to walk this tour. Plus you’ll get a chance to meet authors and see behind-the-scenes of museums and historical sites. It’s going to be a fun, historically bookish time!
Books Covered on Tour
All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can also shop at my store on Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores. I’ve also included history nonfiction pairings in the Bookshop.org list if that’s preferred.
The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
The story of an unlikely friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.
Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
A look at the life of the first woman Cabinet secretary, Frances Perkins, who helped author FDR’s New Deal.
Dolley Madison and the War of 1812
First Lady extraordinaire, Dolley Madison, has to evacuate Washington ahead of the British army, but she makes sure to take the found George Washington painting from the Executive Mansion first!
Mary, Mrs. A. Lincoln by Janis Cooke Newman and The Emancipator’s Wife by Barbara Hambly
This tragic first lady’s life reads like a novel, and these two novelists write about her life from Kentucky to the White House to Chicago.
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
This heiress to the Post cereal fortune was fascinating and was a major factor in 20th century Washington.
The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood and Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson by Rebecca Boggs Roberts
Edith Wilson was an unstoppable force from being the first woman in DC to have a driver’s license to marrying the sitting president and serving in his stead after his stroke.
Literary Tour Route
This route will take you around the main tourist areas of DC and also off the beaten path. I’ve added in some extra stops where I can to enhance your experience!
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial: Start your tour just off the National Mall at the FDR memorial which features a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Extra stop: Add in a visit to the amazing Smithsonian National Museum of American History to see artifacts from Eleanor’s time as first lady.
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Frances Perkins memorial: In the Department of Labor building (named after her!), you can see Frances Perkins honored on the memorial wall as well as see some artifacts from her time as secretary.
Extra stop: Walk by the home where Frances lived during her time as secretary. It’s private so you can’t go in but it’s in a lovely neighborhood.
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Octagon House Museum: Imagine Dolley’s famous “squeezes” in this beautiful historic home that served as the Executive Mansion in 1814-1815.
Extra stop: Dolley Madison’s house on Lafayette Square is just down the street. While not open to the public, there are some great interpretive markers nearby all about Dolley!
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Mary McLeod Bethune Council House: This is the house where Mary McLeod Bethune began the National Council of Negro Women described in The First Ladies. Can’t you just imagine Eleanor and Mary having dinner here as was described in the book?
Extra stop: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture would be a great add on to learn more about Mary and her impact on black history.
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President Lincoln’s Cottage: Visit the beautiful summer retreat where Mary enjoyed spending time with Abe as he tried to forget the horrors of the ongoing Civil War. This is also where he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation.
Extra stops: The Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall is a must-see. It is currently being renovated as they are expanding the small museum. Also be sure to visit Mary’s artifacts at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the presidential box and museum at Ford’s Theatre.
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Hillwood: Home to Marjorie Merriweather Post, this estate has beautiful gardens and priceless artwork to see as well as her Fabergé egg collection! It’s on my list to visit the next time I’m in DC since I just finished the book!
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Woodrow Wilson house: See the home that Edith and Woodrow moved to after the White House. It’s the best place to learn about her time in the White House.
Extra stop: Visit the Washington National Cathedral to see the final resting place for Edith and Woodrow.
There are so many more literary historical sites in Washington, DC. Check out my Washington city guide for even more books to read and my 5-day itinerary to plan your perfect trip to the capital! It’s full of historical charm and bookish fun!
The event sounds absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, I have a “can’t cancel” trip that conflicts. Hopefully, this event will be so successful that you will offer this or something similar in the future.
Love your reading rec and fantastic insights.
Thank you so much! I hope you can come next time!