![\"Georgetown](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/DCMAIN.jpg?fit=1500%2C1125&ssl=1\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nWhat are the best things to do in Georgetown\u2019s historic neighborhood? Read on to discover the best shopping, dining, art, and more in one of the most beautiful parts of our nation\u2019s capital. <\/em><\/p>\n I grew up in a small town in New Jersey. My earliest hometown memories include Pizza Hut, Friday night high school football games, and hanging out at Dairy Queen. I never gave much thought to my hometown as a destination; it was just where I happened to grow up.<\/p>\n Fast-forward thirty years to Washington, D.C. My new hometown is a pretty impressive destination, worthy of many posts about history, culture, arts, and restaurants. There are endless things to do. Where to start? Georgetown is likely my most indispensable locale. Keep count as I outline 21 of my favorite haunts in one of DC\u2019s prettiest and most historic neighborhoods.<\/p>\n Georgetown is a college, pedestrian, shopping, eating, and drinking neighborhood. The streets teem with life at all hours. Late morning, post-Soul Cycle (#1), <\/strong>students line up at South Block (#2) <\/strong>for an A\u00e7ai Bowl. Kids run amok around Georgetown Waterfront Park along the Potomac River. Tourists snake out the door and up the street at Georgetown Cupcakes (#3)<\/strong>. Politicians hold court at Cafe Milano (#4)<\/a><\/strong> late into the night.<\/p>\n There\u2019s much history to be discovered while weaving around the narrow streets. Most of Georgetown is laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid, and many Federal-style historic homes have bronze plaques that display the names and dates of former historical residents.<\/p>\n Being a historical neighborhood, it\u2019s understandable that the building codes are restrictive. There are strict rules about what can and can\u2019t be done to the architecture. Some of the streets have the original cable car tracks and cobbled pavement. While pretty, they make for bumpy driving and a downright nightmare for stilettos. Women, be warned.<\/p>\n The two main thoroughfares of the neighborhood are Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. Lined with lamp posts of overgrown baskets of flowers, they make the streets even lovelier to roam.<\/p>\n Lately, more chain stores have descended upon the area. Apple, Vuori, and Lulu Lemon are a few heavy hitters. But the inherent charm is still preserved. For every chain store, there\u2019s still at least one independently owned boutique to complement it.<\/p>\n One store with a long family history is The Phoenix (#5)<\/strong>, located on upper Wisconsin Avenue. Samantha Hays Gushner is the third-generation owner, and the boutique has been in her family since 1955. Ms. Gushner says, \u201cThe Phoenix is a thoughtfully curated, sustainable lifestyle brand in a space that inspires creativity and wanderlust.\u201d I couldn\u2019t have said it better, Samantha.<\/p>\n Along the C&O Canal, just south of M Street, lies the best-kept caffeinated secret in town. Baked & Wired (#6)<\/strong> (don\u2019t be fooled, there\u2019s no Wi-Fi) draws a local crowd due to its small-batched baked goods and decadent roasts. Lattes, Americanos, espressos, and cappuccinos are all made with loving care by baristas devoted to their craft.<\/p>\n The homemade \u2018Hippie Crack\u2019 granola is as addictive as its name implies. The same goes for the oversized cupcakes that compete with nearby Sprinkles and Georgetown Cupcakes. Size-wise, and with creative varieties like Pretty Bitchin\u2019, Uniporn, Dirty Chai, and Texas Sheet Cake, they certainly know their demographics\u2019 taste buds.<\/p>\n Latte in hand, I often walk down the canal path or along the waterfront of the Potomac River. There\u2019s always something different to see as homeowners tirelessly care for their window boxes and gardens. Climbing roses, hydrangeas, and clematis grip the walls for dear life. The brickwork alone would make most builders swoon. A heavy hit of a high-gloss black shutter contrasts sharply against the rich red or charcoal walls.<\/p>\n Blues Alley Jazz Club (#7)<\/strong> lies in a back alley between Wisconsin Street and K Street. It was founded in 1985 by the larger-than-life jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. Decades later, this supper club is going strong. A friend and jazz talent, Eric Felten, and his 14-piece band (#8)<\/strong> often perform there. We make sure to catch his show each December. It\u2019s the ultimate festive kick-off to the holidays and within striking distance of one of our favorite bistros, Chez Billy Sud.<\/p>\n A few doors down, Hinckley Pottery (#9) <\/strong>is a DC fixture started by owner and uber-talented ceramicist Jill Hinckley. Her Blues Alley location is a former stable dating back to the early 1900s. It\u2019s an artist\u2019s paradise, with high ceilings, natural sunlight, and space to get lost on the wheel for a few hours.<\/p>\n The front of the studio acts as a showroom where you can peruse ceramics created by Jill. Jill is often at the wheel, demonstrating to her lovingly called \u2018weirdos.\u2019 I\u2019m proud to be one of those weirdos at her weekly workshop.<\/p>\n For many years, the Georgetown Waterfront (#10)<\/strong> had been an underutilized space and a culinary wasteland for anyone other than a college student on a beer budget. Recently, it added some notable gems. Arguably the best is the high-end seafood restaurant Fiola Mare (#11)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The customer service at Fiola Mare is superlative. The seafood (lobster ravioli being a must-eat) is worthy of a special dinner. My husband often indulges with the decadent Bomboloni, ricotta donuts accompanied by a gooey maple dipping sauce, and vanilla chantilly.<\/p>\n The golden-lit Key Bridge in the distance punctuates the Potomac River view. Often, we see Marine One swoop overhead. Given the choice, a long, leisurely, ros\u00e9-infused lunch would be my ideal way to start the weekend.<\/p>\n Most diners would walk into Fiola Mare and choose a stool at the pretty, airy front bar. However, fewer know about the smaller back bar tucked away towards the end of the dining room. It\u2019s our favorite cocktail spot, with Memorial Bridge and The Kennedy Center lit up nearby\u2014a quintessential DC view to go with a Mint Julep.<\/p>\n Many homes display American flags that sway in the breeze. Others have window boxes overflowing with lush red and pink roses. In May, the lollipop-lookalike allium tower over the gardens like sentries. Many historic homes boast old-fashioned, yet modernized, period lantern lighting, flames flickering as they may have done 100 years ago.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve lived here for over ten years, yet there is something new to see each day. Churches of every denomination find peace in the side streets. Colorful doors, each making a statement. Ancient, ivy-covered walls and stonework in all colors and levels of distress catch the eye. Walk the backstreets of Georgetown and stumble upon Dumbarton Oaks (#12)<\/a><\/strong> along the way.<\/p>\n Starting at Wisconsin and K Streets NW, I often grab a Kale Caesar at\u00a0SweetGreen (#13).<\/strong> Then, I work my way up the street for an oat milk cappuccino at Compass Coffee (#14).<\/strong> I continue north and head toward the art galleries at the top of Georgetown.<\/p>\n Avant-garde galleries and home decor studios line Wisconsin Avenue, with windowfronts filled with paintings, sculptures, and multi-media art. Window shopping is one of my favorite Georgetown pastimes.<\/p>\n Only have 12 hours to spare in Georgetown? I\u2019ve got you covered with these new faves. Click here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Georgetown caters to a college and post-college crowd, which means many loud, jam-packed bars. That said, there are a few spots to enjoy a civilized cocktail and dinner. Michael Mina, the celebrity chef, has a fantastic steakhouse in the Four Seasons Hotel on M Street called Bourbon Steak (#15).<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n While most hotel bars don\u2019t draw locals, we often find ourselves there with friends. The drinks are inspired, and the service is what you would expect from a hotel of that caliber. Bourbon Steak also has a fabulous, if pricey, menu.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cafe Milano,<\/a> a DC institution on Prospect Street NW, has attracted the DC elite and politicians for decades. The established sentiment is deeply ingrained. Any night, you could see Former Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, Former US Senator Al Franken, or a Saudi Prince. The old-world and old-school maitre d\u2019 knows exactly how to run the show, a ballet of political precision.<\/p>\n Off of the canal is Chez Billy Sud (#16),<\/a><\/strong> another taste of Europe in America. The convivial dining room draws a local crowd. Chez Billy Sud\u2019s outdoor patio adjacent to the restaurant is idyllic in the summer, with warm lighting and intimate tables.<\/p>\n Brendan L\u2019Etolie\u2019s southern French menu is steeped in traditional fare, like escargots, pat\u00e9, and mussels. The wine list compliments the food, Bordeaux, Cahors, and Burgandy, just waiting to be decanted. Inside, the long dining room is lined on one side by a tall, cushioned banquette, while small tables fill in the remainder of the space. Stepping inside Chez Billy Sud feels like getting out of the city for a few hours.<\/p>\n Georgetown can\u2019t have enough French restaurants. My current go-to for lunch or brunch is Lut\u00e8ce (#17),<\/strong><\/a> a bistro on Wisconsin Avenue. With its simple, modern cuisine in a simple, intimate setting, Michelin-starred chef Matt Conroy and his wife and Pastry Chef Isabel Coss create a place worthy of starting or finishing a day in Georgetown. My favorite dish is the traditional French Omelette with mushroom fricass\u00e9e, Boursin, and sabayon, but the entire menu is equally tempting.<\/p>\n Another back alley behind M Street has an impressive grouping of design boutiques and eateries. Cady\u2019s Alley (#18)<\/strong> is accessed down a set of steps discreetly hidden between 33rd and 34th streets on M Street. A few of my faves include Contemporaria, a high-end, modern furniture shop, and Kaf\u00e9 Leopold (#19),<\/a><\/strong> an Austrian brunch\/lunch spot and bakery where we have a glass of wine or pilsner on the sun-drenched patio.<\/p>\n Georgetown has more to do than eat, drink, and shop. The Old Stone House (#20)<\/a><\/strong> dates back to 1765. It\u2019s known to be the oldest unchanged historic home in Washington, D.C. Currently, it\u2019s a house museum with a pretty, if tiny, garden and a magnificent magnolia tree that blooms every April.<\/p>\n The Key Bridge Boat House <\/strong>lies along K Street and the Potomac River and is a place to rent stand-up paddle boards or kayaks. One of the most unique nights in the nation\u2019s capital was renting kayaks on July 4th to watch the fireworks launched over the Kennedy Center. Every motorboat, canoe, and kayak claimed the \u2018best seat in the house, \u2018 all sharing the Potomac River for a festive, pyrotechnic night.<\/p>\n Maybe you\u2019ve seen all there is to see in Georgetown and are looking for something genuinely off-the-beaten-path to round out your trip to the Nation\u2019s Capital? Join a DC Ghost Tour (#21)<\/a> <\/strong>and get to know the deep, dark, and chilling past of Washington DC. With multiple locations within the Beltway and more than enough haunted hotels, pubs, and streets to prowl, this just may be the highlight of your trip.<\/p>\n As I think back to my Jersey hometown and how it shaped me as a kid, I can\u2019t help but wonder how DC will shape mine. Growing up in a large city versus a small, \u2018everyone-knows-your-story\u2019 town are two ends of a spectrum. I guess we\u2019re all a product of our hometown. While I\u2019m sure my kids will be running for the door as I did, I hope they take a moment at some point to appreciate where they grew up.<\/p>\n Somehow, I doubt it.<\/p>\n Click below for direct access to some of the best tours in the city!<\/p>\n Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Georgetown<\/a><\/p>\n Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour<\/a><\/p>\n Historic Georgetown: History, Gossip & Architecture Tour<\/a><\/p>\n Washington Private Tour of Basilica, Cathedral and<\/a> Embassy Row<\/a><\/p>\n Self-Guided Audio Tour of the National Mall<\/a><\/p>\n (Please note a few affiliate links above for which I may receive a small referral fee. But rest assured, I only highlight products I fully stand behind.)<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n![\"SweetGreen\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_4673.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Feed Your Soul<\/h2>\n
![\"Bank](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_6201.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Get historic<\/h2>\n
![\"Uniporn](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_4293.png?resize=450%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Get Baked<\/h2>\n
\nSteal my Georgetown itinerary! This E-guide to Local Insights Is All You Need To Visit<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Georgetown](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/GEORGETOWNGUIDE.png?resize=450%2C583\")
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\n![\"Canal](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_6975.png?resize=450%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Take a Culture Break<\/h2>\n
![\"Waterfront](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_4361.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Lunch at the Waterfront<\/h2>\n
\nFor Foodies Only: A Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour! Click Here!<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n![\"Fiola](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_4413.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Church](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2546.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Walk it out<\/h2>\n
![\"Wisconsin](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_6259.png?resize=450%2C563&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: Head To Wisconsin<\/h2>\n
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\n![\"Cafe](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_4325.png?resize=450%2C600&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: See stars (and politicians)<\/h2>\n
![\"Lutece](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/lutece.jpg?resize=600%2C409&ssl=1\")
Dining, au fran\u00e7ais<\/h2>\n
\nHungry? Try the Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour & Neighborhood Walk. Click here to learn more!<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n![\"Water](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_4406.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nThings to do in Georgetown: M and Wisconsin<\/h2>\n
Beyond (the Grave) in DC<\/h2>\n
![\"Key](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iamlostandfound.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2033.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nHometown High<\/h2>\n
\nLooking for more to do in and around Georgetown? <\/h2>\n
\nSteal My Georgetown Itinerary\u2014All the Local Knowledge You Need to Visit is in This E-guide!<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nWhat To Do in Georgetown: My Interactive Map<\/h2>\n
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What are the best things to do in Georgetown\u2019s historic neighborhood? Read on to discover the best shopping, dining, art, and more in one of the most beautiful parts of our nation\u2019s capital. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey. My earliest hometown memories include Pizza Hut, Friday night high school football […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11760],"tags":[3884,45033,45034,14139,45035],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-94763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-amazing","tag-dc","tag-georgetown","tag-washington","tag-washington-dc"],"yoast_head":"\n