The Exorcist Steps

A must-visit for film buffs and curious passersby alike, the Exorcist Steps are an atmospheric slice of movie history tucked into the Georgetown neighborhood. Immortalized in William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic The Exorcist, these steep, narrow stone stairs were the site of Father Karras’s dramatic final scene. Standing here, it’s easy to see why this location became so iconic — the looming brick buildings, ivy-clad stone walls, and secluded feel create an eerie cinematic energy even in daylight.

We visited on a Saturday evening, and the area was quiet, with just a few other visitors stopping for photos. The bronze plaque at the top tells the story behind the stairs and their role in the film. The steps themselves are long and steep (75 in total), so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to climb. The surrounding streets are charming, with views of brick townhouses and leafy trees framing the Potomac nearby.

It’s located at the corner of 36th Street NW and Prospect Street NW in Georgetown. You can approach from the top (Prospect Street) or the bottom (near the gas station on M Street). Once you climb the stairs, you can see the Exorcist house right next to the steps.

Even if you’ve never seen The Exorcist, the location is a fascinating, photogenic spot with a rich cinematic legacy. For fans of the film, it’s a spine-tingling pilgrimage. We are glad we visited here during our trip to...

We took a tour of Georgetown that ended at the Exorcist Steps, the stairway featured in the 1973 film, The Exorcist. The Exorcist is a scary film, and these are some scary steps! The stairway is long and steep, 75 steps in all. As we descended the stairway, I made sure I held the handrail because one misstep could certainly end poorly.

The steps were not built for the movie, but built for function as a way to conveniently walk from Prospect Street to 36th Street West. The fact that they are over 120 years old, built in 1895, adds to the drama of the precipitous structure.

I was a teenager when the movie was released and remember seeing the film in a drive-in theater. I have not seen it since, as I am not a big fan of horror movies. However, I did find the stairway scene with a YouTube search. If you, like me, don’t care to spend a couple hours watching spinning heads and projectile vomit, you can at least watch the short YouTube clip to see what the fuss is about. But whether you are a fan of the film genre or not, the Exorcist Steps are worth a visit. Just be sure to hold on to...

If you are a horror fan than this place is definitely the Mecca! It does have a fun creepy atmosphere even in the daytime when you know what this place was in The exorcist horror film of the 70s. I have seen thousands of horror films and I must say that the exorcist is probably the number one scariest film I have ever seen, with chainsaw massacre and midsommers being some of my other favorites. We approach the stairway after walking along the Potomac River. Beware that walking up the stairs will definitely take a lot of energy. Make sure your heart is in good shape! Once at the top there is a cool commemorative plaque that tells about the history of horror and the importance of the staircase in that history. From there you have a very nice walk through some of the Georgetown peripheral campus, tons of fun shops, lots of good places to eat. This is a very nice walking area and some great things to see. Why you are here I would recommend seeing Forbes theater nearby, and if you want to go a little further and take an Uber I would highly recommend going to the...