If you have a day to spare in Washington, DC, and aren’t sure where to visit, Georgetown, charming with its Federal-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and trendy fashion and design shops, is just a stone's throw away from downtown and the perfect place to explore.
From the cozy little cafes and quirky shops to the colorful historic houses, here are the top 8 things to do in Georgetown, complete with all the information you need to have a fantastic trip here. So let's get going, shall we?
Georgetown's Attractions Map
8 Best Things to Do in Georgetown, DC
1. Explore the historical houses of Georgetown
Founded in 1751 as part of the colonial province of Maryland, nearly 40 years before Washington, D.C., Georgetown is home to many of the city’s historic sites. One of the first places you will stumble upon as you make your way from downtown DC to Georgetown is the old stone house, a former clock shop built in 1771. It is considered to be the oldest remaining structure in the city. The place is well preserved and restored into a museum you can visit to see what life was like living in Georgetown back in the day.
Another awesome place to visit is Chesapeake and Ohio Canal or C&O Canal for short. It is an old commercial canal that went out of commission after the commercial hub was moved elsewhere and has since been converted into an urban oasis where you can stroll along the walking path, take a historic boat tour, or admire the old rustic red-brick structures that were used as factories and warehouses back in the day.
One of my favorite things to do is stroll along the C&O Canal’s side streets, randomly stumbling upon some of the best bakeries, coffee spots, and tacos in town, all while being surrounded by the beautiful red-brick buildings that tell the story of the neighborhood’s industrial past.
- Generator Hotel Washington DC (Budget)
- The Georgetown House Inn (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
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There are many other colorful old houses and buildings along both sides of Wisconsin Ave NW, so be sure to take your time and explore them. Other top attractions on this list are also in the northern part of Georgetown, so don't forget to stroll up Wisconsin Ave NW to make the most of your visit.
2. Stroll around Tudor Place
Next up, we're heading to Tudor Place, a historic Federal-style mansion that was originally the home of a granddaughter of Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington. The house holds the largest public collection of objects belonging to the first presidential family outside of Mount Vernon. You can take an hourly tour to see these fascinating pieces of history up close.
Outside the mansion, you'll also find a lovely and peaceful garden that’s open to the public for free. While it’s not as large as its European counterparts, the garden feels perfectly sized considering the historical context of the U.S. as it broke away from the British Empire. In my opinion, the size is perfect for what it represents and reflects the intention of George Washington very well.
The mansion is open from 10 AM to 4 PM from Tuesday to Saturday, while it opens from 12 PM to 4 PM on Sundays and is closed for the rest of the week. The entrance to Tudor Place's garden is free, and for the house tour that runs every hour, it will cost you about 10 USD.
3. Tour around Dumbarton House
Another historical house you should visit in Georgetown is Dumbarton House, a federal period historical museum housed inside a Federal-style structure that dates all the way back to the 1800s. The first occupant was the first registrar of the US treasury who played a key role in administering the finances of the republic in the early years of its founding.
The house contains a fine collection of period decorative arts, from furniture to silver and ceramics, offering a glimpse into how private residences were furnished and lived in during the early 1800s. If you're interested in history, this is the place for you. The museum is open to walk-in visitors only on weekends from 10 AM to 3 PM, with an entry fee of around $5.
4. Explore The Museum at Dumbarton Oaks
The Museum at Dumbarton Oaks is a cool hidden gem in Georgetown that many people often miss. Located just beside the Garden of Dumbarton Oaks, this small museum houses an incredible collection of ancient Roman, Byzantine, and some of the finest pre-Columbian artifacts you will see in DC.
There are several beautifully decorated rooms inside, but the one that stood out most to me was the music room. It’s furnished with stunningly crafted medieval and Renaissance art and furniture that you truly have to see with your own eyes to appreciate. All of this is available free of charge, which is pretty incredible.
Don’t get confused with the garden next door, which requires an entrance fee, the museum itself is free for visitors. The museum is open from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM every day except Mondays. If you want to visit the garden, you’ll need to get a ticket online here, as there is no point of sale on-site. Be sure to do this before your visit. You only need to pay for the garden ticket during the summer months, as it’s free to the public in winter.
5. Get Freaked Out by The Exorcist Steps
If you're a big horror movie fan and want to relive some of the most iconic scenes from one of the scariest films ever made, "The Exorcist", a movie that has traumatized both adults and kids since the '80s, then you’ll definitely want to check out the Exorcist Steps. These narrow, eerie steps were featured in one of the most pivotal scenes of the film, and it would be a shame to come all the way here without seeing it in person.
I remember being so freaked out by the movie when I was a kid (the infamous ceiling crawl, anyone?), it took me many decades to finally have the guts to watch it again. Unfortunately, the site is not as well protected or maintained, but it still captures the eeriness of the movie really well, so be sure to check it out while you are here.
6. Enjoy a Walk Along Georgetown Waterfront Park
After you've explored all the attractions in Georgetown, take a break at the beautiful Georgetown Waterfront Park and enjoy a nice and lovely stroll through the spacious park while admiring the view of the skyscrapers on the other side of the Potomac River.
If you’re visiting in the summer and the sun is shining, you can also rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at the Key Bridge Boathouse for a fun waterfront workout. The scenery is absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset, so be sure to time your visit to catch the best views.
You can also visit the waterfront park at the end of your day trip in Georgetown, just like I did. From there, you can walk back downtown while enjoying the scenic riverbank and avoiding the busy roads and traffic. Trust me, it makes the walk back much more enjoyable, and you’ll arrive downtown in no time.
7. Eat at YELLOW
YELLOW is a fantastic little café/restaurant in Georgetown that serves some of the most delicious wood-fired chicken pita shawarmas I have ever tried. The place gets quite packed during the day, which goes to show just how popular it is among the locals.
Aside from the chicken pita shawarmas, the place is also famous for its baklava croissants, which tend to sell out quickly. Unfortunately, I missed out on them, but if you're lucky enough to catch them while they're available, definitely give them a try!
This place is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in DC, and if you're spending a day in Georgetown, be sure to drop by and grab a quick bite at YELLOW. The restaurant is open from 8 AM to 3 PM every day, and from Tuesday to Saturday, they also serve dinner from 4 PM to 9 PM.
8. Shop for boutiques at quirky shops in Georgetown
No trip to Georgetown is complete without a little bit of shopping. The neighborhood is known for its abundance of quirky little boutique shops selling all kinds of unique products from the awesome DC-based clothing brand Tuckernuck to locally-founded nationally-popular brand of bags like SCOUT Bags, and more.
Of course, these boutique shops come with a bit of a price tag (what boutique shop doesn’t, right?), but if you’re looking for unique, locally-inspired products that are quintessentially D.C., you can’t go wrong with the shops in Georgetown.
How to Get To Georgetown, DC?
By walking: If you’re based in downtown D.C., it takes about 30 minutes to walk from the White House to Georgetown, a surprisingly manageable and enjoyable stroll. The route is straightforward, taking you through Washington Circle along Pennsylvania Avenue before merging with M Street, where you’ll come across the charming Old Stone House of Georgetown.
During my stay in Dupont Circle, I walked to Georgetown and back, which took about 30 minutes each way. The walk was very enjoyable, with the scenery shifting from old rustic houses and skyscrapers to charming traditional stone houses surrounded by trees. If you enjoy long walks and don’t mind spending half an hour to reach Georgetown, you’re going to love this scenic stroll.
By bus: If you prefer taking public transportation, you can also catch bus number 33 from a bus stop near the White House and it should take you about 10 minutes before you arrive in Georgetown.
You can pay for the bus using the SmarTrip card you picked up at one of the metro stations in town, or you can go digital with the Apple or Google Wallet app on your phone. Just download the SmarTrip app, load it with your credit card, and tap your phone on the machine inside the bus. Easy-peasy! A bus ride costs about $2.50 USD.
By Uber: For the fastest and most comfortable way, you can also call an Uber from anywhere in the city to get to Georgetown.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northeast USA
If you are looking for more articles about the Northeast USA, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
- First time visiting the USA and looking for a complete itinerary? Check this out: First Time USA: 2 Weeks Itinerary Without Cars.
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- Here's a quick guide on how to get from Dulles Airport to Washington DC Downtown: How to Get From Dulles Airport to Downtown Washington DC.
- First time visiting the US? Why not start Washington DC, its capital city known for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks like the White House and the Capitol. Here are the 10 best things to do in Washington DC.
- Want to visit world-class museums in Washington DC, but not sure where to begin? This is the article for you: 8 Best Museums to Visit in Washington DC.
- Looking for the best places to eat and drink in Washington DC? Check out: 8 Awesome Places to Eat in Washington DC.
- Looking to visit Philly for the weekend? Here is the ultimate 2-day Backpacking Itinerary for Philly.
- If you’re a fan of food and history, Philadelphia offers the perfect blend with its incredible museums and some of the best food scenes in the country. Check out the 12 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia (Philly).
- Philly is best explored with your stomach and taste buds. Here are the 7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Philadelphia (Philly).
- New York City is truly one of the best cities in the world and if you are planning to visit the city, here are the 15 Best Things to Do in New York City.
- Planning to visit New York City, but not sure where to begin? Check out our 4 Days New York City's Backpacking Itinerary.
- Looking for the best places to eat and drink in NYC? You might want to check out: Places to Eat & Drink in New York City: My 9 Favorite Places.
- Chelsea, one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC, is one awesome place to explore. Here are the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Chelsea, NYC.
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- Should you go up the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock? Let's find out: Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which One is Better for You?.
- Is it worth buying the CityPass for your trip to New York City? Let's find out: NYC CityPass: Is it worth it?.
- Want to visit Boston? Here are some of the things you do not want to miss! 15 Best Things to Do in Boston.
- Wondering how long to spend in Boston? Check this out: 3 Days in Boston: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- Want to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, but not sure where to begin? Check out: Boston's Freedom Trail: A Walking Guide.
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- To see all articles about the United States of America, be sure to check out our USA travel guide page.
- For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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