Although I live in Washington, DC, I must admit I always feel like a tourist when I go to Georgetown. Getting there may seem like a nightmare, but once there, I feel like I am in another city. Pretty colonial buildings waving American flags, clean cut men in red pants, and a shopping portfolio which includes J.Crew and Banana Republic make it one of the preppiest neighborhoods in America. Headed to DC? Perhaps you are wondering what to do in Georgetown. Every now and then, I love taking a “daycation” to this iconic neighborhood. That being said, I came up with a fun itinerary on what to do and most importantly, where to eat!
Breakfast: Step away from the usual suspects and head to Dog Tag Bakery, which employs and train veterans to work in the restaurant industry. Not only are you supporting a great cause, but you also get to see their beautiful space, and sample the great coffee and delicious pastries.
Be active: Walk off the pastries along the waterfront park, and take in the lovely views of the city from the Potomac. If you love being on the water, there are two options. If it’s a nice summer day, head to Key Bridge Boathouse, and rent a kayak or a paddle board. The views are great, and the boat house offers changing rooms as well. If you’d rather lounge, take one of the many boat tours offered at the Washington Harbor. If water is not your thing, get a Capital Bike Share bicycle or rent a bike for day and take in the scene along the canal and the beautiful architecture on the side streets.
Lunch: There are plenty of great restaurants in the Georgetown area. Dining Traveler tip: indulge in fine dining on the lunch menu. Local favorites such as Fiola Mare have great lunch specials. Their “Presto!” lunch at the bar comes with an entree and a wine pairing for $24. Feeling less formal? One of my faves, El Centro DF has great tacos and margaritas. You are on a daycation, after all, so you deserve a midday drink!
Shop: Although the dollar has gained ground against the Euro and Yen, there is still some great shopping to be found in Georgetown (for my international readers). For those who love the major retail chains, there are plenty, from preppy J.Crew to discount finds at T.J. Maxx. Looking for a one of kind piece? Reddz Trading is a designer consignment store with hand-picked items. I found a beautiful sweater for $20 which I wore all winter. For men, Ike Behar makes custom shirts, suits, and has a colorful collection of silk ties and napkins. Check out their suit-packing tips on my You Tube Channel.
Tour: Get lost in the neighborhood, discover colonial architecture, walk along the Chesapeake Canal Path, and make little discoveries along the way. There are hidden galleries, shops, and eateries all over the area. Feeling collegiate? Take a tour of the Georgetown University Campus. You can register here. Tours are geared towards prospective students, but they are open to all.
Happy Hour: If you want take in the views, watch tourists, and locals going for their evening run, head to the Orange Anchor and have drinks with a view of the Potomac. Looking for a more intimate setting? Head to ENO Wine Bar with its cozy interior, hidden patio, and large windows which provides great people watching on M Street without the noise. My favorite: their rosé wine on tap!
Dine: One of my recent discoveries is Maxime’s Restaurant on M Street. Although I am usually weary of restaurants on M Street, as I feel they are quite touristy, I was pleasantly surprised when I entered. The restaurant is a French bistro specializing in steak et frites and mussels. One of the things that caught my eye was the prix fixe menu: baguette, salad, and steak and fries for $19.95. If you’re not into steak, they also have vegetarian and pescatarian alternatives. Although it’s a great deal, my favorite items on the menu are the moules frites with a variety of sauces from Roquefort to Thai curry. For appetizers, I enjoyed the beef bourguignon and loved the way it was presented in a miniature cast iron pan. Another plus is the casual scene, which makes it a great place to stop for dinner after a long day of sightseeing or if you’re local, a daycation.
A challenging part of the Georgetown experience is accessibility as there is no metro line within close walking distance and parking rates can be quite expensive. However, there are several buses which come from all directions of the city to Georgetown. Need to find the best way to get there? Check out the Washington Transit website. This is just a small snapshot of what to do in Georgetown as there is so much to do, so many places to eat, and shopping to experience. What is your favorite thing to do in Georgetown?
This post was a sponsored by Fortessa in order to promote their #FindingFortessa campaign. Fortessa is a maker of restaurant grade tableware and works with many restaurants nationwide. Fortessa is donating $5 to a selection of regional food charities such as Capital Food Bank for each photo tagged #FindingFortessa from participating restaurants.
No Exorcist stairs? I really cannot visit G-town anymore without walking up and down the stairs. Cool to meet the people from all over the world who come to see it (the Exorcist stairs) also. I knew you would find some great food and drink!
Everybody knows about the Exorcist stairs!!! I tried to focus on the “light stuff”, like food!
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