Georgetown is one of Washington D.C.’s oldest neighborhoods, predating the capital itself, with roots as a tobacco port established in 1751. The area combines 18th- and 19th-century Federal and Georgian architecture with a dense retail and dining corridor along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, a National Historical Park, runs through the neighborhood and anchors much of its outdoor activity.
What is Georgetown known for?
Georgetown is known for its intact Federal-style brick rowhouses, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, Georgetown University, and a concentrated stretch of independent boutiques and restaurants along M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW. The neighborhood also sits on the north bank of the Potomac River, giving it waterfront access at Washington Harbour and the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Historic landmarks include the Old Stone House on M Street NW, one of the oldest surviving structures in D.C., and Dumbarton Oaks, a research institution with formal gardens open to the public.
Best things to do in Georgetown
The single most rewarding activity in Georgetown is walking the C&O Canal towpath, a flat, tree-lined trail that runs 184.5 miles to Cumberland, Maryland, with the first miles accessible directly from the Georgetown waterfront. Beyond the towpath, visitors can tour the formal gardens at Dumbarton Oaks on R Street NW, visit the Old Stone House (circa 1765) on M Street, and walk through Georgetown University’s Healy Hall campus. The Georgetown Waterfront Park offers open lawn space and river views directly above the Potomac.
- Walk or cycle the C&O Canal towpath from the Georgetown terminus
- Tour Dumbarton Oaks gardens on R Street NW (seasonal admission)
- Visit the Old Stone House, the oldest surviving building in D.C.
- Explore Georgetown University’s historic Healy Hall and quad
- Stroll Georgetown Waterfront Park for Potomac River views
Where to eat in Georgetown
Georgetown’s dining scene is concentrated on M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW, ranging from upscale American restaurants to long-standing casual spots. Sequoia at Washington Harbour serves American cuisine with direct waterfront seating on the Potomac. Martin’s Tavern on Wisconsin Avenue NW is a landmark Georgetown institution that opened in 1933 and has served multiple U.S. presidents. Farmers Fishers Bakers at Washington Harbour offers a broad American menu with river views. For coffee and casual fare, Baked and Wired on Thomas Jefferson Street NW is a neighborhood staple known for substantial cupcakes and strong coffee.
- Sequoia at Washington Harbour for waterfront American dining
- Martin’s Tavern on Wisconsin Avenue NW, open since 1933
- Farmers Fishers Bakers at Washington Harbour
- Baked and Wired on Thomas Jefferson Street NW for coffee and pastries
Where to walk in Georgetown
The most scenic walking route in Georgetown starts at the Georgetown Waterfront Park, follows the C&O Canal towpath northwest past stone lock houses, then turns north on Wisconsin Avenue NW through the core retail district before looping east along P Street NW past Federal rowhouses toward Dumbarton Oaks. N Street NW between 28th and 34th Streets NW is among the best-preserved blocks of Federal-period rowhouses in the city and warrants a dedicated walk.
How to get to Georgetown
Georgetown has no Metrorail station; the closest Metro stops are Foggy Bottom–GWU on the Orange, Silver, and Blue lines, approximately a 15-minute walk east along Pennsylvania Avenue NW or M Street NW. The DC Circulator Georgetown-Union Station route stops along M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW and connects to multiple Metro stations. Metrobus routes 30N, 30S, 31, and 33 run along Wisconsin Avenue NW. Taxis, rideshares, and the Capital Bikeshare network also serve the neighborhood, with several bikeshare stations on M Street NW and at the waterfront.
Best time to visit Georgetown
Spring (late March through May) is the most popular season, when Dumbarton Oaks gardens bloom and the C&O Canal towpath is accessible without summer heat. Fall foliage along the towpath and on the tree-lined residential streets peaks in October and November. Summer evenings at the Georgetown Waterfront Park and Washington Harbour are lively but hot; weekday mornings offer cooler, less crowded conditions on M Street NW.
