Georgetown

Overview

Georgetown is Washington's oldest neighborhood, predating the founding of the District of Columbia. Its cobblestone streets, Federal-style rowhouses, and waterfront setting along the C&O Canal make it one of D.C.'s most charming and upscale districts.

Highlights

• M Street and Wisconsin Avenue: The neighborhood's main commercial corridors with high-end boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
• C&O Canal Towpath: A 184.5-mile trail beginning in Georgetown, ideal for walking or cycling along the historic canal.
• Georgetown Waterfront Park: Terraced parkland along the Potomac with views of the Kennedy Center and Roosevelt Island.

History

Founded in 1751 as a tobacco port in the Province of Maryland, Georgetown was incorporated into the new federal district in 1791. Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university, was founded here in 1789.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Georgetown has no Metro station—arrive via the DC Circulator bus from Dupont Circle or Rosslyn, or walk from Foggy Bottom Metro.
• Tip 2: The Exorcist Steps at Prospect and 36th Streets, made famous by the 1973 film, are a quirky landmark worth the detour.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.