Washington DC may be the pulse of American politics, but any DC local will tell you the city is about far more than the National Mall and its 3,000-plus cherry blossom trees (even if both are a delight to see.) From Capitol Hill to Georgetown, The District boasts a bevy of awesome neighborhoods, each with its own beauty and idiosyncrasies.
Ask any local which DC neighborhood they should consider visiting or moving to and chances are solid Georgetown will be mentioned, if not emphatically recommended. Between its swank boutiques, cobblestone streets, and historic places, it’s as regal as it is trendy—and as plain fun as it is sophisticated.
Whether you’ve just started living in DC or you’re drawing up the pros and cons of relocating to this university haven, this post is your guide on the most enjoyable things to do in Georgetown. Slide on your most comfortable (and fashionable) shoes because we’ve got some walking to do.
#1 Tour the Grounds of Georgetown University
Some would argue that Georgetown University is the crown jewel of this tony enclave. Built in 1789, the acclaimed, historic institution—whose alumni include President Bill Clinton, Maria Shriver, Patrick Ewing, and Antonin Scalia—features exquisite Georgian and Gothic architecture and ample green space.
To gain insight into this iconic school, you may want to schedule a campus tour or opt for their self-guided journey through its hallowed halls. Either way, you might just get a kick out of seeing where St. Elmo’s Fire was filmed.
#2 Splurge On a Meal at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT
For a neighborhood teeming with luxe resorts, including the opulent Four Seasons and the indefatigable Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood stands out as one of the most stunning retreats in Washington DC, United States.
Sure, you can stay in one of its 49 rooms. Or you can pocket that dough and instead book a reservation at CUT, one of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s irresistible restaurants. Located on the Rosewood’s rooftop, it’s the optimal place to relish a glass of wine from one of CUT’s 2,500 bottles, soak up views of the city skyline, and dine on inventive dishes like:
- Jurgielewicz Farm duck agnolotti crowned with parmesan, black truffles, and foie gras emulsion
- Hand-cut steak tartare with roasted pine nuts, quail egg, and capers
- Pavlova with mandarin sorbet and fresh citrus
Arrive on a balmy night: DC’s heat will work in your favor by amping up the sultriness of your experience.
#3 Meander Through the Stalls at the Famed Georgetown Farmers’ Market
It’s less about what to do in Georgetown than where should I start?
At the burg’s always-lively farmers’ market, we’d suggest—at least if you’re searching for fun things to do in Georgetown on a Wednesday between October and May.
Then, afternoons at the hamlet’s Rose Park are handed over to specialty vendors and their products. Here, you can pick up hyper-fresh seasonal ingredients to toss together a killer meal at home or peruse the offerings from local outfits such as:
- Pearl Fine Teas
- Anchor Nursery
- Quaker Valley Orchards
- The Baking District
- 1310 Kitchen & Bar
- Metro Microgreens
Is there any better way to get to know an area than through its local farms? Perhaps—but this is surely one of them.
#4 Paddle Across the Potomac at Georgetown Waterfront Park
The mercury officially rises in Washington DC during the summer, when temps hover between 80 and 84 degrees—and even higher on some occasions. While this is a welcome reprieve from DC’s snowy winters, it can also be a bit of a climate shock.
Or not, if you dedicate a sSpring or sSummer day to savoring the sunshine at Georgetown Waterfront Park, a perennially popular spot that spans ten acres and offers visitors the chance to take a ride on their bicycle, run along the banks of the Potomac, or rent a kayak from Key Bridge Boathouse to splash in the water.
No matter what you choose, you’ll be joining good company: Georgetown Waterfront Park is the type of place that immediately delivers a smile, thanks to its massive fountain and expansive views of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Theodore Roosevelt Island.
#5 Shop Like an Influencer on M Street
Georgetown’s M Street is the East Coast’s equivalent of Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, a posh, cobblestoned avenue brimming with luxury retailers.
Even if you don’t bust out your MasterCard, you’ll likely have a blast people-watching and exploring the styles, accessories, and wares at its slew of boutiques, like:
- Lululemon
- Kate Spade
- Billy Reid
- Patagonia
- Anthropologie
- Polo Ralph Lauren
- Lou Lou
- Rag & Bone
It’s also to the south of the hip and spirited M Street that you’ll find Cady’s Alley, a collection of 20 stores ranging from high-end, like Design Within Reach, to eclectic European boutiques.
#6 Lace Up Your Skates at Washington Harbour
With its panoply of bars and restaurants and epic vistas of the water, Washington Harbour is a pleasure regardless of the time of the year. But it especially comes alive when winter arrives and its immense public fountain is transformed into the biggest ice skating rink in DC. Because what could possibly beat twirling around with your friends and family while snowflakes fall?
#7 Explore Byzantine and Pre-Columbian Art at Dumbarton Oaks
A huge part of Georgetown’s allure is the historic structures, some of which date back to the 1700s, that have been lovingly, painstakingly preserved.
One such place is the impressive Dumbarton Oaks, a private estate turned Harvard research institute that’s housed in a Federal-style home that was built in 1801. There is plenty to see and appreciate on this landmark property, including:
- An intricate garden originally designed by Beatrix Farrands–a legendary landscape architect who became one of the first female faces of the art form
- A museum filled with ancient art from the Byzantine and Pre-Columbian eras
- A music hall, which frequently features lectures
The property also boasts cherry blossom trees; so visit Georgetown in February or March to see them flourishing.
#8. Indulge in a Cupcake Tour Throughout Georgetown
Need a break from pub crawls, bar hopping, and wine tasting at the Georgetown Winery?
Try a cupcake and dessert tour, which many suggest is one of the most fun things to do in Georgetown. You can craft your own cupcake hunt or aim to hit up these luminaries in Georgetown’s desserts scene (it really is a thing):
- Georgetown Cupcakes – Designer cupcakes went from niche to mainstream at the “turn” of the 21st century, thanks in part to Miranda and Carrie noshing on almost-too-pretty-to-eat morsels in an episode of Sex & The City. Georgetown Cupcakes keeps the trend very much alive with their broad selection of sumptuous treats with flavors like:
- Valrhona chocolate ganache
- Madagascar bourbon vanilla
- Red velvet with vanilla-cream cheese frosting
- Key Lime cheesecake
- White chocolate peppermint
- Baked and Wired – This family founded and run bakery has been delighting patrons since 2004 and has since solidified its status as a Georgetown institution. Their small-batch cupcakes hit that sweet spot between inventive and nostalgic: vanilla satin with chocolate frosting and pistachio honey with cardamom cream cheese icing are just two of the stand-outs on their omg menu.
- Dog Tag Bakery – Dog Tag Bakery admittedly only has two cupcakes on their regular menu—a humble but no less delicious vanilla or chocolate cake donut, glazed in vanilla and generously topped with sprinkles. But the modest shop also features other out-of-this-world baked treats, like cherry blossom cookies and strawberries and cream croissants. And if you’ve imbibed earlier on the town (which might be the whole point of a cupcake tour), rest assured that Dog Tag serves savory items too, like ham and cheese on fresh-baked brioche. Even better: Dog Tag Bakery helps veterans reenter life through a work-study program that teaches them the ropes of running a small business.
#9 Play a Few Rounds with Your Pals at Pinstripes
Things to do in Georgetown are most certainly not limited to daytime hours. With its upscale Georgetown hotel bars and buzzy restaurants, there’s always an excellent time to be had.
But you can give your Saturday night a fresh spin by opting for bowling, bocce ball, and more at Pinstripes, a cavernous (though warm and welcoming) space that offers visitors:
- 6 bocce ball courts
- 14 bowling lanes
- A wine cellar
- A patio complete with a fireplace
The red brick building in which Pinstripes sits amplifies its appeal, but it’s the camaraderie inside that may have you coming back for more.
Get Down in Georgetown with Common
Washington DC’s colorful, historic places, and gorgeous neighborhoods are the real pulse of The District. Each has its own personality and quirks, including the genteel but chic and peppy ethos the historic Georgetown boasts.
If you’re planning to move to Washington DC, or into new digs in the city, Common doesn’t just streamline the process and provide you a guide to Washington DC—we make moves wholly enjoyable. From Common Parkway in Dupont Circle to Common Euclid in Columbia Heights, our coliving homes and studios are equipped with precisely what you need to thrive, including fitness facilities and fully-furnished spaces.
Let us handle the details so that you can relish even more Georgetown things to do—including those that have yet to be discovered.
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