Hidden Gems
The Exorcist Stairs DC in Georgetown: Everything You Need to Know
The stairs at 36th and Prospect NW in Georgetown drop 75 steps to Canal Road below. Director William Friedkin filmed here in 1973. More than 50 years later people are still making the trip.
When to Visit
Early morning: Quiet, locals only, minimal crowds. Good light for photos just after sunrise. Midday: Best natural light for photos. Moderate tourist traffic. Evening / golden hour: The best combination of atmosphere and photography. Warm light, long shadows, the Georgetown rooftops behind you. Night: The full cinematic experience. Georgetown is one of DC’s safest neighborhoods — night visits are common and the area is well-lit.
Halloween season: Packed. Go early morning if you want any kind of solitude. Best visit: Golden hour on a weekday evening — the light is right, the neighborhood crowd is out, and the tourist volume is lower than weekends.
How to Get There
The stairs sit at 36th Street NW and Prospect Street NW. Walk north on 36th Street from M Street for about 10 minutes and the staircase drops away to your left. You can’t miss it — there will almost always be at least one person standing at the top with their phone out.
By Metro: Georgetown has no Metro station. Best options: the DC Circulator Georgetown Route from Dupont Circle or Rosslyn stations, or Foggy Bottom–GWU station (about 20 minutes on foot). By rideshare: drop off on M Street NW and walk north on 36th.
Where to Park for the Exorcist Stairs
The stairs sit on a residential block with no commercial parking nearby. Don’t try to park on Prospect Street — it’s Zone 2 RPP and fills with residents.
Best move: park at the Georgetown Park Mall garage on M Street and walk north up Wisconsin Avenue to Prospect Street — about 8 minutes on foot. Or use the Canal Square garage on 31st Street NW and walk east along Prospect.
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Georgetown parking is genuinely tricky — no Metro, narrow streets, and aggressive RPP enforcement on every residential block. Pre-book before you arrive.
For the full Georgetown parking breakdown: Georgetown parking guide.
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Make It a Full Georgetown Evening
The stairs themselves take about 20 minutes. Start at the Georgetown Waterfront Park on K Street. Get oriented, walk along the Potomac, take in the Key Bridge view. Then dinner on M Street before the stairs. Go after dark for the full cinematic experience. End with a walk along the C&O Canal towpath — the historic canal runs through Georgetown and a nighttime walk along it is peaceful and completely underrated.
Tips Before You Go
- No formal signage. There’s no sign that says ‘Exorcist Stairs.’ It’s a public staircase that exists completely in context with the surrounding neighborhood.
- It’s steeper than it looks. The drop is genuinely dramatic. Stand at the top and look straight down before you start descending.
- Locals use them for workouts. Don’t be surprised if someone blows past you doing repeats.
- Bring your phone charged. The low light at night means you’ll want it for photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these actually in The Exorcist?
Yes. Director William Friedkin filmed on location in Georgetown and the stairs at 36th and Prospect NW appear in the film’s climactic final scene.
Is there a fee?
No. The stairs are a public right-of-way and completely free to visit at any time.
Is it safe at night?
Georgetown is one of DC’s safest and most well-lit neighborhoods. Night visits are common, especially on weekends.
Where should I park?
Georgetown Park Mall garage on M Street is your best central option. Read our full Georgetown parking guide for the complete breakdown.
📘 DC Parking & Towing Survival Guide
Zone 2 RPP, midnight meter enforcement, and narrow streets that trap first-timers — the DC Parking & Towing Survival Guide covers every rule so your Georgetown evening doesn’t end at the impound lot.
Bottom Line
Free, open 24/7, genuinely unsettling even if you’ve never seen the film. Combine it with a Georgetown evening — Waterfront Park, dinner on M Street, the stairs after dark, C&O Canal towpath on the way back.
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