Halloween Costume Mural Tour of Southwest DC, Navy Yard, and Capitol Hill! – eWheel Going Out Group
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Let’s get together for our final tour of the year!
Put on your best Halloween costume and join us for an epic day in DC (dress code includes costumes, did I mention costumes, just to be clear costumes)! Fun fact: Washington, DC is home to roughly 150 murals, 500 outdoor sculptures, and 75 historic landmarks… and we’re going to explore a bunch of them!
Come join us for a fun, free ~6.6-mile e-wheel adventure through Southwest DC, Navy Yard, and Capitol Hill, where we’ll discover incredible murals, fascinating memorials, historic landmarks, and some of the coolest sights hiding in plain sight around the city. Along the way, we’ll make numerous stops for photos, sightseeing, neighborhood exploration, and catching up with the group. I’ll also read aloud a short description of each mural, memorial, and landmark so everyone can learn the stories behind the places we’re seeing. You may be surprised by just how many amazing treasures are right here in our own backyard!
Everyone who RSVPs and joins the ride will receive a special swag item… and I’ll have a different item on every tour, so there’s always something new! And there’s more: make it to the end of the ride and you’ll be entered into a raffle for a special prize! New to our Meetups? Come ride with us for the first time! Been on one of our previous rides? Come back and ride with us again! We’ve already had a fantastic group of returning riders, and we’d love to see familiar faces alongside some new ones. (Past riders, I’m looking at you: Adolphus, Adrian, Aian Neil, Aiden, Alejandra, Ali, Alina, Alphonso, Amelia, Amy, André, Anibal, Arturo, Ben, Benen, Benicio, Bird, Bob, Brad, Brandon, Brian, Brooke, Carolyng, Chad, Chris, Christina, Claire, Clarissa, Claudia, Connor, CY, Daniel, Darryl, Dave, Declan, Denis, Diane, Dilraj, Don, Donna, Ecca, Ecks, Edwin, Ekaagar, Eli, Emmanuelle, Eric, Erwin, Gary, Gav, Gemma, Geoff, Greg, Francis, Haitao, Hannah, Heather, Jackson, Jahan, James, Jan, Janis, Janovah, Jason, Jay, Jeff, Jenna, Jennifer, Jenny, Jeremiah, Jeremy, Jessica, Joe, John, Johnny, Jonathan, Joy, Kannikar, Kelvin, Kevin, Kim, Kris, Lam, Laura, Lauren, Lee, LeRoy, Loren, Lori, Lutalo, Maggee, Mark, Matthew, Maureen, Mavara, Mayu, Megan, Melissa, Michael, Mikel, Nancy, Nathalie, Nick, Olga, Paul, Phil, Rachel, Rakesh, Rahul, Raul, Raymond, Reyna, Ricardo, Richard, Riley, Rob, Robert, Rodney, Ron, Saiju, Saphal, Sasha, Sean, Sergey, Shelly, Soo, Steve, Steven, Tim, TinaLouise, TJ, Zay, Zobair, Zoltan)!
Don’t own an e-wheel? No problem! You can rent an e-scooter or e-bike using a micromobility app such as Lime, Lyft, Spin, Veo, Hopp, or Capital Bikeshare. For example, Capital Bikeshare offers an e-bike Day Pass that should cost approximately $25–$30 for our tour length ($8 day pass + discounted $0.10/minute riding rate). Lime also offers Day Pass options as of the date of this event announcement.
Since the tour itself is FREE, even renting an e-bike can cost substantially less than a comparable commercial Segway tour… and you’ll be exploring DC with a group rather than simply following a guide! You can also join us for only part of the tour if you can’t make the entire ride. See the “eWheel Rental” section of the event posting for complete rental details.
The route is approximately 90% bike lanes, and we’ll do our best to stay together and ride at a comfortable group pace. Of course, we’ll be sharing the streets and paths with pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, and other riders, so our exact pace may vary. We’ll stop frequently… not only to enjoy the sights, but also to give anyone riding at a slower pace plenty of opportunities to catch up. So charge up your e-bike, grab an e-scooter, bring your camera, and come discover a side of Washington, DC you may have never noticed before! New riders, returning riders, casual riders, sightseeing riders—everyone is welcome. Come ride with us and let’s explore DC together!
(Tour Overview)
We’ll meet up at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station (the one at the corner of Maryland Ave SW & 7th Street SW) at 2pm. Then we’ll ride south on 7th Street SW for ~0.1 miles, at 2:30pm. Once we come across D Street SW, we’ll make a right and go west for ~500 feet.
(Albert Einstein Memorial)
We’ll soon come across the “L’Enfant Plaza” mural (9th Street SW, 1 block, left-hand side). The “L’Enfant Plaza” mural bustles with mechanical energy and transforms a sprawling brick expanse at L’Enfant Plaza into a striking tribute to pioneering women in S.T.E.M. Ally Grimm, the brilliant Venezuelan-American multimedia artist seamlessly fuses technology and human experience, deploying her signature abstract geometry to honor computer scientist Joy Buolamwini and astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann. Rendered in a commanding palette of midnight black, fiery coral, and stark white, the piece radiates a vibrant, digital-age electricity. Intricate architectural blueprints and cosmic contours frame the majestic portraits, reflecting the boundaries of the digital world and outer space. By grounding complex geometric patterns with raw, human vulnerability, the mural elevates its subjects from historical figures into a breathtaking modern monument. It is a powerful vision of future equity, leaving a permanent, inspiring mark on the capital’s public art landscape.
(“L’Enfant Plaza” mural)
We’ll now backtrack on D Street SW going east for ~0.2 miles. When we reach Virginia Ave SW (~2 blocks), we’ll veer right and travel southeast for ~0.1 miles. At 4th Street SW (~1 block), we’ll turn right and go south for ~0.4 miles. Upon arriving at I (Eye) Street SW (~3 blocks), we’ll turn left and ride east for ~1 mile.
(East on D Street SW, right on Virginia Ave SW, right on 4th Street SW, left on I [Eye] Street SW)
Once we reach Virginia Ave SE (~10 blocks), we’ll turn right and travel southeast for ~0.3 miles.
(East on I Street SE, right on Virginia Ave SE)
We’ll next come across a set of 3 murals (8th Street SE, ~3 blocks, right-hand side). The first mural called “Fractals” by artist Hannah Atallah transforms an ordinary urban wall into a mesmerizing study of pattern, movement, and connection. Created in 2021, the 12-by-7-foot mural uses vivid aerosol and latex paint to build an intricate visual world where geometric forms seem to expand, overlap, and ripple outward. Like a mathematical fractal, the composition suggests that complexity can emerge from the repetition of deceptively simple shapes—inviting the eye to wander through layers of color, rhythm, and detail. The work reflects Atallah’s broader mural practice, which often weaves vibrant energy, symbolic motifs, local context, and community influences into public spaces. Rather than functioning merely as decoration, Fractals gives its surroundings a pulse: a compact explosion of visual energy that rewards both a quick glance and a closer look. At sidewalk level, its repeating forms seem almost to move, turning a static wall into something alive—an unexpected moment of abstraction and wonder amid Capitol Hill’s everyday streetscape.
(“Fractals” mural)
The next mural in the middle titled “Evergreen” stands as a striking, emotive beacon of resilience nestled within the urban landscape of southeast D.C. Seamlessly marrying industrial grit with organic tenderness, this arresting public work by multidisciplinary artist Shani Shih demands attention. The artwork features an artist friend of Shih named Ann, a Washington, DC native who has been a major personal inspiration. According to the artist, the piece is intended to speak directly to the visceral social and bodily experiences of what it is like to move through life. Her work often beautifully weaves expressive figures together with elements of nature and industrialism. Through deliberate, textured strokes and a thoughtful palette, the artwork reflects the endurance of the community it overlooks. Co-created as part of a vibrant three-mural installation under the city’s renowned MuralsDC initiative, the wall functions as a powerful mirror for passing commuters and neighbors alike. It transforms a standard utility site into a sanctuary of collective memory and enduring human spirit.
(“Evergreen” mural)
The final mural on the far right is artist Daniel Barojas’s “Nacotchtank Tribute,” which is a vivid meditation on history, identity, and our shared connection to the Earth. Created in 2021, the mural honors the Nacotchtank people, who once lived along the Anacostia River and whose name lives on in the neighborhood’s identity. At its center, a striking Nacotchtank figure—rendered in an array of skin tones—gazes toward the Earth, portrayed almost like a crystal ball. Surrounding the figure are four sacred colors, creating a radiant frame that amplifies the mural’s spiritual atmosphere. Barojas describes the work as a reminder that we are all natives of planet Earth, carrying a responsibility to care for our shared home. His characteristic use of vivid color, intricate patterns, and visual depth gives the composition an almost otherworldly energy. Nacotchtank Tribute therefore looks simultaneously backward and forward: honoring the people who came before while asking everyone who passes by to consider our collective place on—and responsibility to—the Earth.
(“Nacotchtank Tribute” mural)
From here, we’ll backtrack northwest on Virginia Ave SE for ~150 feet. At 8th Street SE (~1/2 block), we’ll turn right and travel north for ~0.3 miles. Once at E Street SE (~3 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride east for ~0.1 mile. At 10th Street SE (~2 blocks), we’ll turn right and go south for ~150 feet.
(Northwest on Virginia Ave SE, right on 8th Street SE, right on E Street SE, right on 10th Street SE)
We’ll immediately come across the “National Association of University Women” mural. Stretching across the National Association of University Women’s historic “House on the Hill,” artist Aniekan Udofia’s expansive mural celebrates the power of education, sisterhood, and Black women’s achievement. Spanning an impressive 916 feet, the work transforms the headquarters into a vibrant visual statement about a century of service and intellectual leadership. Udofia, one of Washington’s most recognizable muralists, brings his signature energy and richly layered imagery to a building whose history is inseparable from the advancement of women through education. The mural takes on added significance because NAUW traces its roots to Washington in 1910, when pioneering Black women including Mary Church Terrell helped establish the organization’s predecessor. The artwork therefore feels less like decoration than an extension of the institution itself—a colorful celebration of the women whose vision, scholarship, perseverance, and community service helped shape generations to come. Completed for the headquarters’ 2022 reopening, the mural turns the “House on the Hill” into a living tribute to NAUW’s enduring legacy: education as empowerment, sisterhood as strength, and service as a lasting legacy.
(“National Association of University Women” mural)
From here, we’ll backtrack north on 10th Street SE for ~150 feet. At E Street SE (~1/2 block), we’ll turn right and go east for another ~180 feet. Once at Pennsylvania Ave SE (1 block), we’ll turn right and ride southeast for ~0.1 mile. At 12th Street SE (1 block), we’ll turn left and go north for ~260 feet. At E Street SE (~1/2 block), we’ll turn right and travel east for ~0.4 miles. Once at 15th Street SE (~3 blocks), we’ll turn left and ride north for ~240 feet).
(John Ericsson Memorial)
Almost immediately, we’ll come across the next mural (Duvall Ct SE, 1/2 block, right-hand side). The “Wall on Duvall” mural transforms an otherwise ordinary alley wall into a vibrant celebration of women who broke barriers and expanded the boundaries of what seemed possible. Painted in 2021 by D.C.-area artist Mimi Ton, the mural brings together three remarkable American trailblazers: astronaut Sally Ride, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Though their careers unfolded in dramatically different arenas—space exploration, national politics, and the highest court in the land—all three represent a similar idea: challenging institutions and expectations that once seemed closed to women. Their portraits turn a neighborhood wall into a powerful reminder of how representation can inspire the next generation. Tucked along Duvall Court, the mural has an especially appealing sense of discovery. Rather than occupying a grand civic plaza, it emerges unexpectedly from an alley, making its message feel personal and immediate. The “Wall on Duvall” mural is ultimately a tribute not only to three extraordinary women, but to courage, perseverance, and the continuing expansion of possibility.
(“Wall on Duvall” mural)
We’ll continue north on 15th Street SE for ~0.4 miles. When we arrive at A Street SE (~4 blocks), we’ll turn right and go east for ~225 feet.
(Lincoln Memorial)
We’ll soon come across the “No Kings Collective” mural (15th Street SE, 1/2 block, left-hand side). Nestled along a quiet residential block, this striking untitled mural transforms a classic Capitol Hill brick row house into a vivid tropical escape. Painted by the prominent local duo No Kings Collective (founded by Brandon Hill and Peter Chang), the large-scale artwork breathes new life into the urban landscape with its stylized, dreamy horizon. Soft shades of blush pink and dusty mauve wash across the side of the building, mimicking a serene, cotton-candy sunset. Billowing, cloud-like shapes frame the house’s windows, contrasting beautifully with the organic silhouette of a mature tree standing beside a neighborhood basketball court. Cutting through the pastel sky are dark, forest-green silhouettes of swaying palm trees, invoking the relaxed, sun-drenched energy of an oasis.By juxtaposing tropical imagery against traditional D.C. architecture, the mural acts as a delightful visual escape, inviting neighbors and passersby to pause, look up, and immerse themselves in its warm, tranquil atmosphere.
(“No Kings Collective” mural)
From here, we’ll backtrack west on A Street SE for ~0.1 mile. Once at 14th Street SE (~1 block), we’ll turn left and ride south for ~0.4 miles. At E Street SE (~4 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel west for ~0.3 miles. Upon reaching Pennsylvania Ave SE (~3 blocks), we’ll turn right and go northwest for ~0.7 miles.
(West on A Street SE, left on 14th Street SE, right on E Street SE, right on Pennsylvania Ave SE)
Continuing northwest on Pennsylvania Ave SE, when we reach Independence Ave SW (~9 blocks), we’ll turn left and ride west for ~0.6 miles. At Washington Ave SW (~4 blocks), we’ll turn left and go southeast for ~0.1 miles.
(Northwest on Pennsylvania Ave SE, left on Independence Ave SW, left on Washington Ave SW)
We’ll immediately come across our next stop (2nd Street SW, ~1 block, right-hand side). The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial offers a deeply moving tribute to Americans whose military service left them with lasting disabilities. Dedicated in 2014, it is the nation’s first memorial devoted exclusively to disabled veterans from every branch of service and every conflict. The memorial’s design speaks quietly but powerfully through contrasts: solid granite and fragile-looking glass, darkness and light, water and fire. Forty-eight etched glass panels preserve photographs and personal words from veterans, giving the monument an intimate, human voice. Four bronze silhouettes trace a universal journey—from the pride of answering the call to serve, through the trauma of injury, and ultimately toward healing and renewed purpose. At its heart, a star-shaped fountain and reflecting pool cradle a ceremonial flame, its light rising from the water like a symbol of endurance. Surrounding trees add another layer of meaning, representing hope and growth. Quiet, contemplative, and strikingly personal, the memorial reminds visitors that the end of military service does not necessarily mean the end of sacrifice.
(American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial)
We’ll now go west on C Street SW for ~0.2 miles. At 4th Street SW (~2 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride north for ~0.1 mile. At Independence Ave SW (~1 block), we’ll turn left and travel west for ~90 feet.
(West on C Street SW, right on 4th Street SW, left on Independence Ave SW)
Right away, we’ll come across the the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (4th Street SW, ~1/2 block, left-hand side). The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial tells the story of an extraordinary American life through architecture, sculpture, and landscape. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and dedicated in 2020, the four-acre memorial traces Eisenhower’s journey from a modest childhood in Kansas to Supreme Allied Commander in World War II and, ultimately, the nation’s 34th president. Its centerpiece is an astonishing 447-foot-long stainless-steel tapestry depicting Normandy’s Pointe du Hoc in peacetime—a powerful symbol of the peace Eisenhower helped win and later preserve. Three bronze sculptural groupings by Sergey Eylanbekov capture different chapters of his life: the ambitious young “Ike,” the wartime commander standing among troops preparing for D-Day, and the president balancing military and civilian responsibilities. Stone bas-reliefs and quotations deepen the narrative. Surrounded by soaring columns and open sky, the memorial feels simultaneously monumental and contemplative—a place where personal ambition, wartime sacrifice, leadership, and the pursuit of peace converge.
(Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial)
We’ll continue west on Independence Ave SW for ~0.1 miles. At 6th Street SW (~1/2 block), we’ll turn left and ride south for ~250 feet. At Maryland Ave SW (~1/2 block), we’ll turn right and go southwest for ~0.1 miles back to L’Enfant Plaza Metro station.
Come join us as we spend an afternoon together exploring the murals, sites, memorials, and landmarks Southwest, Navy Yard, and Capitol Hill have to offer. Also, please help spread the word of our group and the tour.
I look forward to seeing you there!
– J.T.
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METRO & PARKING
We’ll meet at L’Enfant Plaza Metro station (Blue, Green, Orange, Silver, Yellow lines). I suggest taking Metro / taxi / ride-share services if you can. I also recommend using wmata.com for travel planning. Don’t forget to account for Metro, traffic, and parking delays. If you are driving, you will need to find street parking or a garage. For Sunday events, street parking is typically free in DC. If you are looking for a garage, I recommend using parkopedia.com.
EWHEEL RENTAL
Don’t own an e-wheel? You can rent one (e-scooter, e-bike) using a micromobility app (e.g. Lime, Lyft, Spin, Veo, Hopp, Capital Bikeshare). Capital Bikeshare offers an e-bike Day Pass option that will end up costing an estimated $25 – $30 for our tour length ($8 day pass + a discounted rate of $0.10 per minute); Lime also offers Day Pass options (as of the date of this event announcement). Since the tours are free, the cost is significantly less than a comparable Segway tour (that uses older technology). Join us for some or all of the tour! If you plan to rent an e-wheel, some members have run out of charge in the past. Please try to find one with as full of a charge as possible. Also, some people have had challenges with Capital Bikeshare bikes, and some have not.
DONATIONS
My e-wheel tours have always been FREE (since inception in 2016)! Full transparency, it costs me ~$650 annually to run the group (~$300 of which are Meetup fees alone; other costs include website fees, swag items, raffle items, GPS tracker app fees for creating videos of each tour, etc.). I only have time to host 3 tours a year (I have 2 little ones that I take care of), so each tour costs me ~$215 to run. I also spend roughly 40 person-hours to put together each one (finding interesting spots to visit, mapping out a route, creating a detailed tour description, doing a dry-run, hosting the tour itself, uploading pictures, creating a video of the tour, etc.). If you like what we’re doing, you can support the eWheel Going Out Group by donating any amount you feel comfortable. It’s completely optional and greatly appreciated. Click the “Donate Now” button on the Meetup event page. A couple of notes when donating: (1) The “tip” part of the donation is optional and 100% of it goes to Meetup proper and to Pledge (the payment processor), not me (they already take a percentage of the donation for themselves). You can bypass that amount by clicking “Enter custom tip” and zeroing it out. (2) You have the option to donate anonymously by withholding your name and email. Ideally, I’d like know who’s contributing to the group so I can acknowledge those that do and to show my appreciation!
DRESS
Please dress appropriately for the weather. For those with problems having their feet go numb or tired during long rides, I recommend wearing shoes with a stiff and flat sole.
RIDING ETIQUETTE / RULES
Please be as courteous as possible to other pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. Based on personal experience (I’ve been riding daily since 2015), I’ve noticed some general good practices and rules to follow. 1) ALWAYS give pedestrians the right of way. 2) When riding on a narrow sidewalk, and you’re coming up behind a pedestrian and you need to pass them, either a) wait until there’s an opening, or b) clear your throat and say “excuse me” or “on your left” in a *gentle* manner (I’ve noticed people tend to get startled / surprised when they see and hear a tall figure behind them on a wheel) before passing them. 3) SLOW DOWN to a pedestrian’s walking pace (until you are completely clear of them) whenever approaching or passing (whichever direction they are walking). Only after passing a pedestrian for a little distance is it a good idea to go faster than walking pace. Whatever you do, please do NOT wiz by them. 4) Thank the pedestrian as you are passing. 5) Slow down as you are going around a turn (whether there are other pedestrians in sight or not) with a lot of bushes or other obstacles next to the sidewalk, as they can be coming from the other end of the turn (and not be visible initially). 6) Ride single file whenever pedestrians are around (on the sidewalk), or cars are around (in the bike lane). 7) Dismount when in the official memorial areas, such as the FDR Memorial (it’s the law). 8) Please stay behind me since I know the route and may be turning left or right at any time.
RIDING SKILL
For the safety of others and ourselves, we will all be required to be able to: (1) comfortably balance on the wheel while riding straight and turning left or right (2) ride at a snail’s pace and (3) start and stop comfortably without the need to hold onto any wall, post, or similar structure.
RAIN
If there’s a greater than a 35% chance of rain, we’ll cancel or reschedule. Having hosted over 1000 events since 2007, when the percentage chance of rain is below 35% at the event start time for the location’s zip code, I’ve observed that 95% of the time, we’ll get no rain. I’ll post an update to the top of the event posting by 11:30am on the day of the event, and also send an email out to the yes RSVPs.
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