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25 Things to Do in Georgetown

Explore the Canal By Boat

A new C&O Canal boat is in Georgetown for the first time in nearly a decade! The new Canal boat program is part of Georgetown Heritage’s multi-year restoration and revitalization efforts in partnership with National Park Service, the District of Columbia Government and the Georgetown Business Improvement District. Boat rides are available Wednesday – Sunday this spring, offering one-hour guided historical tours along the first mile of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). Visitors will learn about the fascinating history, technology and culture of the Canal, and the surprising stories of the people who lived, worked and played here over the past two centuries. You can also explore the towpath on foot or bike.

• Canal Boat Tickets
• Georgetown Heritage

Get Deck'ed Out

You said you needed space! The Georgetown BID extended the sidewalks along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue – offering more room to comfortably dine, shop and stroll in Georgetown. Enjoy an al fresco meal at one of Georgetown’s more than 25 outdoor eateries (known as “Streateries”), or use the Decks to regroup before hitting your next neighborhood stop.

• Georgetown Decks
• Georgetown Streateries

Georgetown Running Company, lululemon, and Athleta all offer free running clubs. Or make it your goal to run up the Exorcist stairs–all 75 of ’em.

• Georgetown Running Company
• Exorcist Stairs

Upgrade Your Closet

Update your wardrobe at Ann Mashburn and Sid Mashburn, trendy Warby Parker, or Free People, COS, Relish, LiLi the First, and Tuckernuck. Snag fashionable finds for less at consignment stores Ella Rue and Reddz Trading.

• Ann Mashburn
• Warby Parker
• Free People
• Reddz Trading
• LiLi the First

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day

For the least expensive manicure in the neighborhood ($14), look no further than Charming Nails DC. At Luigi Parasmo Salon, enjoy a pedicure ($50) in oversized leather chairs equipped with built-in iPads.

• Charming Nails DC
• Luigi Parasmo Salon

Go Cruising

Georgetown is one of the few neighborhoods in Washington that can be reached by water. Take a Washington Monuments Cruise from the Georgetown Waterfront for a fun, relaxing way to take in sights like the Jefferson Memorial and The Washington Monument.

• Georgetown Waterfront
• Getting Here by Water
• Wharf Water Taxi
• Monuments Cruise

Eat, then Repeat

Dine at DC’s #1 restaurant, Fiola Mare, at Washington Harbour or explore Bar a Vin next to Chez Billy Sud. For the largest selection of Belgian beers in the region and fine Belgian cuisine, head to The Sovereign in a quaint alley off Wisconsin Avenue.

• Chez Billy Sud

Paddle the Potomac

Key Bridge Boathouse and Thompson’s Boat Center are the places to go to rent kayaks, canoes, or take a paddling lesson. For the adventurous fitness fanatics, try the stand-up paddleboard yoga or fitness classes.

• Key Bridge Boathouse
• Thompson’s Boat Center

Explore Historic Homes

Explore the gorgeous gardens of Georgetown’s three historic house museums – Dumbarton Oaks, Dumbarton House, and Tudor Place.

• Georgetown History

Dine al Fresco - and in the Street!

Dine al fresco at one of many neighborhood restaurants, such as in Martin’s Tavern, Chez Billy Sud, Tony & Joe’s, Nick’s Riverside Grill, Farmers Fishers Bakers, Kafe Leopold, Fiola Mare, Ristorante Piccolo, Il Canale, Flavio, Cafe Milano, Peacock Cafe, Mai Thai, Pinstripes, and Sequoia.

More than 25 outdoor eateries, known as Streateries, have also opened since the pandemic, offering perfect people-watching on Georgetown’s extended sidewalks, while you enjoy a comfortable meal outside.

• Martin’s Tavern
• Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place
• Nick’s Riverside Grill
• Farmers Fishers Bakers
• Kafe Leopold
• Ristorante Piccolo
• Cafe Milano
• Peacock Cafe

Rest in the Park

Rest a while in Georgetown Waterfront Park, whether you’re relaxing in the grass or having a zen moment on the labyrinth.

Shop Charming Book Hill

Visit Georgetown’s Book Hill section of Wisconsin Avenue for gallery-hopping, antiques and great small-biz shopping.

Eat Healthy

Enjoy a healthy salad from at Georgetown original-turned-national-obsession Sweetgreen. Go ‘farm-to-taco’ at Chaia, with their scrumptious vegetarian tacos on Grace Street.

Step Back in Time

Visit Georgetown’s (and D.C.’s) oldest standing structure – the Old Stone House – and see what life was like for the earliest Georgetown residents.

Support a Cause

Grab top-notch pastries, salads, soups and sandwiches at Dog Tag Bakery. Employees are veterans who run the bakery while pursuing small business and entrepreneurship courses through a partnership with Georgetown University.

• Dog Tag Bakery

Wheels Down in Georgetown

Rent a bike from Big Wheel Bikes and tour the neighborhood on two wheels.

• Big Wheel Bikes

Take a Macaron Tour

Take a macaron tour. The colorful French sandwich cookies are available at Olivia Macaron, Laduree, and Patisserie Poupon.

• Olivia Macaron
• Patisserie Poupon

Don't Forget the Cupcakes

More sugar? Always. Baked & Wired, Georgetown Cupcake, Sprinkles, and Bakeshop are all within walking distance of one another.

• Baked & Wired
• Georgetown Cupcake
• Sprinkles Cupcakes

Design Your Perfect Day

Spruce up your house as you take a spin through Georgetown’s “design district,” Cady’s Alley.

• Cady’s Alley & Design District

Go for a Strike

Eat and play (bowling, bocce ball) at Pinstripes – where else can you celebrate that strike with a glass of wine?

Tone up at SoulCycle, Definitions Personal Training, Fitness Together, or Fuel Body Lab class.

• Definitions Personal Training
• Fitness Together
• Fuel Body Lab

Take in a live show at the iconic Blues Alley jazz club, or sing along at Georgetown Piano Bar.

• Blues Alley
• Georgetown Piano Bar

Get Your Namaste On

Perfect your warrior pose with a yoga class at Down Dog Yoga, CorePower Yoga, or Yo! Yoga. Or stop by Patagonia on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30 for a FREE class (don’t forget your mat!).

• Down Dog Yoga
• CorePower Yoga

Happy Hour Outside

Avoid the evening rush hour and spend happy hour outside enjoying the music, fountains and waterside views at Washington Harbour.

• Eat & Drink in Georgetown

History Lesson

Wander the side streets and take in the architecture dating back as early as the 1700s. Learn more about historic Georgetown at the Peabody Room in the peaceful Georgetown Library.

• Peabody Room

New Georgetown Restaurants & Retail

From a cocktail tasting room with historic roots to an LA-based menswear boutique, and a coffee shop with a cause, check out these new Georgetown shops and restaurants that have opened over the past year.

Georgetown Murals & Public Art

Colorful, unique, Instagram-worthy backdrops bring extra life to these Georgetown bricks, buildings, and public spaces.

African-American Heritage Trail

African Americans have lived, worked, and worshipped in Georgetown since its founding. Explore their history through Cultural Tourism DC.

The BIDness Newsletter

Get the weekly scoop on sales & events in Georgetown.