Halloween Costume Mural Tour of Mt. Vernon Square, Logan Circle, Shaw, Le Droit Park, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, NoMa! – eWheel Going Out Group
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FINAL RIDE OF THE YEAR. Don’t miss it!
Suit up in your wildest costume and roll out with us for one epic day in DC! We’ll cruise through the city’s streets and explore some of the 150+ jaw-dropping murals that make DC one of the most vibrant art capitals around. (Dress code includes costumes, did I mention costumes, just to be clear costumes.)
Perks & Surprises: Everyone who RSVPs and rides gets a special swag item (a new one each tour!). Stick it out to the end and you’ll be entered into our raffle giveaway… a little extra reward for the ride-or-dies. Whether you’re brand new or a returning rider, this is our chance to ride together one last time in 2025 (yes, I see you… Adolphus, Adrian, Aian Neil, Aiden, Alejandra, Ali, Alina, Alphonso, Amelia, Amy, André, Anibal, Arturo, Ben, Benen, Benicio, Bird, Bob, Brad, Brandon, Brian, Brooke, Chad, Chris, Christina, Claire, Clarissa, Claudia, Connor, CY, Daniel, Darryl, Dave, Declan, Denis, Diane, Dilraj, Don, 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, LeRoy, Loren, Lori, Lutalo, Maggee, Mark, Maureen, Mavara, Mayu, Megan, Melissa, Michael, Mikel, Nancy, Nathalie, Nick, Olga, Paul, Phil, 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).
No e-wheel? No problem. Rent an e-scooter or e-bike with apps like Lime, Lyft, Spin, Veo, Hopp, or 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). Still way less than a touristy Segway ride.
We’ll roll through Mt. Vernon Square, Logan Circle, Shaw, Le Droit Park, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, and NoMa. Expect plenty of photo stops, quick history lessons, and chances to catch your breath. With 90% of the route on bike lanes, it’s a smooth ~6.5 miles of pure fun.
It’s free. It’s fun. It’s our grand finale. So grab your costume, RSVP, and let’s make this the most unforgettable ride of the year!
(Tour Overview)
We’ll meet up at the Mt. Vernon Square Metro Station (top of the escalators) at 2pm. Then we’ll ride west on M Street NW for ~480 feet, at 2:30pm. Once we come across 9th Street NW, we’ll make a right and go north for ~0.2 miles.
(West on M Street NW, right on 9th Street NW)
Along the way, we’ll come across the “She Will Rise” mural (N Street NW, ~1.5 blocks, left-hand side). Commissioned in 2020 by the initiative “She Will Rise,” an effort by the nonprofit organization Demand Justice to champion the placement of a Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, artist Rachel Wolfe‑Goldsmith crafted a stirring visual manifesto. The “She Will Rise” mural, in the Shaw neighborhood, unfolds across a tall brick facade, where ghostly, dreamlike silhouettes of Black women emerge, evoking movement and possibility, as if “almost dreamlike, like these are all the possibilities of what can be.” Overlaid atop this dynamic collage, the bold proclamation “SHE WILL RISE” crowns the scene. In the foreground, determined women wield signs urging civic engagement, “Voting Is People Power” among them, framing the stakes in real terms. In the distance, the Supreme Court’s iconic steps and columns rise, anchoring the mural’s message in visual context. Through the interplay of vibrant hues and layered symbolism, the work reimagines representation, embodying the strength, values, and aspirations that a Black woman justice would bring to the highest court.
(“She Will Rise” mural)
We’ll continue north on 9th Street NW for ~0.3 miles and when we reach R Street NW (3 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel west for ~0.4 miles. Upon reaching 14th Street NW (5 blocks), we’ll turn left and go south for ~300 feet.
(North on 9th Street NW, left on R Street NW, left on 14th Street NW)
Next, we’ll come across the “Quisqueya, ven conmigo” mural (Corcoran Street NW, ~1 block, right-hand side). Dominican artist Néstor “Angurria” García created the luminous mural “Quisqueya, ven conmigo” (“Quisqueya, come with me”) in the Logan Circle neighborhood. Painted in 2021, the work celebrates the Dominican community’s history and contributions in the District. Towering over the intersection, it features radiant portraits of Casilda Luna, a pioneering activist for Latino immigrants, and Daniel Bueno, an influential promoter who helped shape D.C.’s Latino music scene. Their joyful expressions, rendered in Angurria’s signature style, radiate pride and resilience. Surrounding them, merengue musicians, swirling Dominican flags, and sun-drenched tropical hues create a sense of movement and festivity, transporting viewers to the heart of Quisqueya, the Taíno word for the island of Hispaniola. Anchoring the composition, bold lettering declares “SOMOS DR DC”, a powerful affirmation of identity and belonging. The mural stands not only as public art but as a vibrant cultural landmark, weaving Dominican heritage into the fabric of Washington’s streetscape.
(“Quisqueya, ven conmigo” mural)
We’ll continue south on 14th Street NW for ~220 feet. When we reach Q Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and travel east for ~0.2 miles.
(South on 14th Street NW, left on Q Street NW)
We’ll now stop by the Watermelon House (12th Street NW, ~2 1/2 blocks, right-hand side). On an otherwise quiet corner of Logan Circle, this rowhouse has become one of D.C.’s most photographed curiosities, the Watermelon House. Its story begins with a paint mishap: homeowners originally intended a bold red exterior, but the shade dried closer to neon pink. Rather than repaint, they embraced the accident, transforming the wall into a giant slice of watermelon. Green trim became the rind, black ovals were added as seeds, and suddenly the quirky mural took on a life of its own. Over time, it has evolved from a neighborhood oddity into a beloved landmark, with visitors posing for photos and tagging #WatermelonHouse across social media. The mural embodies the spirit of improvisation and joy, reminding viewers that mistakes can spark creativity. Bright, playful, and unmistakable, the Watermelon House has become a symbol of Logan Circle’s offbeat charm—an everyday home turned into a sweet slice of local legend.
(“Watermelon House” mural)
We’ll continue east on Q Street for ~140 feet. When we reach 11th Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and go north for ~0.2 miles. At S Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn right and travel east for ~0.2 miles. Upon reaching 9th Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn left and ride north for ~0.3 miles.
(East on Q Street NW, left on 11th Street NW, right on S Street NW, left on 9th Street NW)
We’ll continue north on 9th Street NW. When we reach V Street NW (3 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride ~0.2 miles. When we arrive at an unnamed street (3 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel north ~150 feet. At the end of the street (1/2 block), we’ll turn right on another unnamed street and go east ~0.1 miles. When we reach 5th Street NW (1 block), we’ll turn left and ride north for ~140 feet. Upon reaching another unnamed street (1/2 block), we’ll turn right and go east for ~0.2 miles. This unnamed street will turn into W Street NW, whereupon we’ll continue east for another ~0.2 miles.
(North on 9th Street NW, right on V Street NW, left on unnamed street, right on unnamed street, left on 5th Street NW, right on unnamed street, turns into W Street NW)
Next, we’ll stop by the “Boxer Girl” mural (1st Street NW, 4 blocks, left-hand side). In the Bloomingdale neighborhood rises the commanding “Boxer Girl” mural, created in 2009 by acclaimed D.C. artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer. Towering at 32 feet, the mural depicts a young Black woman in bright yellow boxing gear, her gloves raised in readiness, a faint black eye visible on her determined face. Behind her, a radiant burst of color explodes across the wall, transforming a simple brick façade into a stage of strength and resilience. The mural was born of both vision and chance, after the original location fell through, a nearby homeowner offered up their wall, and the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities provided support. Almost immediately, the artwork sparked debate. Some neighbors embraced it as a bold statement of empowerment and beauty amid struggle; others dismissed it as brash or unwelcome. Yet the mural made its mark. Within four months of its unveiling, crime in the area reportedly dropped by 55%. Today, “Boxer Girl” endures as more than an image: she is a symbol of protection, resistance, and the transformative power of public art in shaping both communities and conversations.
(“Boxer Girl” mural)
From here, we’ll backtrack on W Street NW going west for ~150 feet. At 1st Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and ride south for ~0.7 miles. Upon reaching O Street NW (7 blocks), we’ll turn left and go east for ~380 feet.
(West on W Street NW, left on 1st Street NW, left on O Street NW)
Our next stop is the “She Persists!” mural (1st Street NW, 1/2 block, left-hand side). Nestled in an alley beside her studio in the Shaw neighborhood, the dynamic mural “She Persists!” (2017) also by Lisa Marie Thalhammer is a radiant emblem of resilience and hope. The mural portrays a striking Black woman, arm outstretched toward possibility, framed by a vivid rainbow explosion of color. Commissioned through the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ “DC Creates Public Art — Building Communities” initiative, it brightens the facade of Open Arms Housing—a permanent residence for formerly homeless women—and transforms what was once a crime-prone alley into a space of safety and inspiration. Thalhammer’s intent was deeply personal and communal: she painted it as a beacon for the women who live there, defiantly standing in the face of adversity and declaring, “She persists!” Despite early graffiti and even a frightening moment while working from a lift, she returned the next day, undeterred—a testament echoed by her artwork. “She Persists!” stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of public art—it reclaims space, uplifts community, and redefines narrative through color, courage, and creative faith.
(“She Persists” mural)
We’ll now backtrack west on O Street NW for ~380 feet. At 1st Street NW (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and travel south for ~0.2 miles. When we reach M Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn left and ride east for ~0.5 miles. Upon reaching 3rd Street NE (3 blocks), we’ll turn left and go north for ~360 feet.
(West on O Street NW, left on 1st Street NW, left on M Street NW, left on 3rd Street NE)
We’ll next arrive at an untitled mural in the Third Street Art Garden. Created in 2021 as part of the DC Walls mural festival, the south-facing wall at 1225 3rd Street NE is a vibrant collaborative work by artists Kelly Towles, Baghead, Mark Devour, and Jack Soren. Though untitled, the piece is immediately recognizable for its bold, graphic energy and eclectic mix of styles. The mural features bright teal and blue tones punctuated with playful, cartoon-like figures and striking geometric forms, blending Towles’ signature crisp lines with Soren and Devour’s surf-pop palettes and Baghead’s whimsical character work. Together, these elements create a layered visual language that feels both contemporary and rooted in street-art traditions. Located within the Third Street Art Garden, a community-oriented space in the NoMa neighborhood, the mural anchors a cluster of works painted during the 2021 festival. It reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines DC Walls, where local and international artists transform industrial facades into open-air galleries that invite residents and visitors to explore art on a monumental scale.
(Untitled mural)
The next mural is also within the Third Street Art Garden confines. On the western wall of the Third Street Art Garden in NoMa, Chicago artist Blake Jones unleashed an untitled mural that bursts with color, character, and controlled chaos. Painted during the 2021 DC Walls Festival, the piece showcases Jones’s signature visual language: bold black outlines, neon-bright shapes, looping eyes, and—most memorably—his recurring cast of cartoon-like bunnies. The rabbits, scattered playfully across the wall, serve as whimsical anchors in a sea of abstraction. In Jones’s work, these wide-eyed figures act less as literal symbols and more as mischievous guides—inviting viewers into his world of kinetic patterns and surreal repetition. Their approachable forms soften the frenetic energy of jagged shapes and swirling motifs, creating an interplay between familiarity and chaos. Part graffiti, part pop art, the mural embodies the spirit of organized disorder, reflecting the pulse of city life. By centering his signature bunnies amid dazzling geometry, Jones transforms the brick wall into both a playground of imagination and a striking emblem of NoMa’s bold, global art scene.
(Untitled mural)
From here, we’ll continue west along the Third Street Art Garden alley for ~410 feet. When we reach 4th Street NE (1/2 block), we’ll turn left and go north for ~0.2 miles. When we reach Neal Place NE (3 blocks), we’ll turn left and ride northwest for ~350 feet.
(West on Third Street Art Garden alley, left on 4th Street NE, left on Neal Place NE)
Our next stop is at the “Latin American Female Identity” mural (4th Street NE, 1/2 block, left-hand side). Along the vibrant façades of La Cosecha in the Union Market District, you’ll find the arresting “Latin American Female Identity” mural, painted in 2019 by artist Mariela Ajras as a gift from the Inter‑American Development Bank. The artwork features a powerful depiction of a Latin Creole/Mestizo woman—actually duplicated side-by-side—to symbolize how she bridges past and future simultaneously. Behind her, a radiant golden sunrise blooms, illuminating the wall with a sense of dawn and renewal. The fabric patterns adorning her attire mirror traditional Latin American textiles, forming optical illusions that blend geometric modernity with cultural continuity. More than decoration, this mural is a visual manifesto. It celebrates identity, resilience, and the continuous creation of Latin American womanhood. She reflects history and hope, rendered in bold lines and warm palettes. Here, in a culinary and cultural hub, public art becomes a space where heritage is honored and future possibility unfurls.
(“Latin American Female Identity” mural)
From here, we’ll backtrack southeast on Neal Place NE for ~350 feet. At 4th Street NE (1/2 block), we’ll turn right and travel southwest (and then directly south) for ~0.4 miles. Upon reaching K Street NE (4 blocks), we’ll turn right and ride of ~0.7 miles. Once at New Jersey Ave NW (6 blocks), we’ll turn right and go northwest for ~0.2 miles. At M Street NW (2 blocks), we’ll turn left and travel west for ~0.4 miles back to Mt. Vernon Square Metro.
Come join us as we spend an afternoon together exploring the murals and landmarks Mt. Vernon Square, Logan Circle, Shaw, Le Droit Park, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, and NoMa 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 Mt. Vernon Square Metro (Green, Yellow lines). Other nearby Metro stops include and Metro Station (Blue, Orange, Red, Silver lines) and Gallery Place – Chinatown (Gree, Red, 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. I recommend using parkopedia.com for garage parking planning.
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.
LEGALITY
People have asked me questions regarding the laws pertaining to riding our e-wheels in the DC metro area. I did a lot of research before purchasing my e-wheel to ensure I could make use of it. In short, they are generally considered Personal Mobility Devices or Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device. (1) Virginia: “An electric personal assistive mobility device or motorized skateboard or foot-scooter may be operated on any highway with a maximum speed limit of twenty-five miles per hour or less. An electric personal assistive mobility device shall only operate on any highway authorized by this section if a sidewalk is not provided along such highway…” See link here. (2) Washington DC: “Personal Mobility Device (“PMD”) means a motorized propulsion device designed to transport one person, OR a self-balancing, two non-tandem wheeled device, designed to transport only one person with an electric propulsion system. Permitted on Sidewalk – Yes, except PMDs are generally not permitted on sidewalk space in the Central Business District. Permitted on Bike Lanes – Yes.” See link here. (3) Maryland: “‘Bicycle’ means […] an electric low speed scooter […]” and “has the rights and is subject to the restrictions applicable to pedestrians […]: (i) on a sidewalk or sidewalk area; or (ii) in or through a crosswalk[…]. At an intersection, a person […] is subject to all traffic control signals […].” See link here and here. “Green” devices for the win!
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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