About this Event
LocktoberfestDC is a series of free guided walking and biking tours celebrating the three major canals that served 19th-century Washington D.C. Our walking and biking tours are followed by a pay-as-you-go Bavarian-style Oktoberfest celebration.
Arrive at least 20 minutes early to explore the Lockkeeper's House before the start of our biking tour. At the Lockkeeper's House the house docent will explain the history of the house, which was built when the then-new Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal (1831-1924) was connected to the existing Washington City Canal (1815-1855) via the C&O Canal Extension, with a goal of drawing lucrative western trade directly into the heart of the federal city. Participants will further learn about the massive project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create West Potomac Park and East Potomac Park, thus creating man-made land which covered the historic C&O Canal Extension. Pedal along the footprint of the C&O Canal Extension and view the ruins of Tide Lock A at the C&O Canal Mile 0 Marker. Admire a working lift lock and replica packet boat at C&O Canal Locks 3 &4. See the ruins of the Alexandria Aqueduct Bridge and the site of the historic Incline Plane. We then reach the Abner Cloud House - the oldest house on the C&O Canal and where a mill once loaded its products on canal boats. We then return to C&O Canal Locks 3 & 4. From here, participants are encouraged to attend our LocktoberfestDC Celebration, our pay-as-you-go Bavarian-style Oktoberfest at Sauf Haus Bier Hall & Garten which runs 3:00PM-5:00PM. Sauf Haus is an easy one mile bike ride from the end of the tour.
Event venue & nearby stays
Lockkeeper's House at Constitution Ave NW and 17th St NW, 1700 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, United States
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