Things to Do in Georgetown, DC: Georgetown Travel Guide
Things to Do in Georgetown, DC: Georgetown Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Looking for things to do in Georgetown, DC?
Washington DC's oldest neighborhood was a busy tobacco port 40 years before the capital even existed, and it still feels like its own little town. Brick sidewalks, Federal-style row houses, and hidden gardens climb uphill from the Potomac River, with shops and restaurants packed along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Georgetown is also famous for its ghosts, from the Exorcist Steps to the Old Stone House. There's no Metro stop here, so plan to walk in from Foggy Bottom or across Key Bridge from Rosslyn.
Top Things to Do
1. Take the Georgetown Haunted Tour—A self-guided audio walk from Georgetown University to the Old Stone House, covering the Exorcist Steps, Halcyon House, Foxhall Manor, and more.
2. Climb the Exorcist Steps—Walk the 75 steep steps made famous by the 1973 horror film, now an official DC landmark.
3. Visit the Old Stone House—See the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC, run by the National Park Service.
4. Walk the C&O Canal towpath—Stroll or bike along the historic canal right in the middle of the neighborhood.
5. Relax at Georgetown Waterfront Park—Watch kayakers and rowers on the Potomac from the riverside boardwalk.
6. Explore Georgetown University—Walk the campus and see Healy Hall's famous clock tower.
7. Tour the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks—Wander one of the most beautiful formal gardens in the country, with a free art museum next door.
8. Shop and eat on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue—Browse boutiques and grab a cupcake, a crab cake, or a cannoli.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
The Georgetown Haunted Walking Tour is a GPS-triggered audio walking tour through Georgetown, Washington DC. It starts at the Bishop John Carroll statue in front of Healy Hall and ends at the Old Stone House on M Street, with stops at the Exorcist House and Steps, Halcyon House, Martin's Tavern, Foxhall Manor, and the Laird-Dunlop House. The walk takes about an hour, and it's most atmospheric at dusk.
Free Things to Do
1. Exorcist Steps—Walk the famous movie staircase between Prospect and M Streets.
2. Old Stone House—Step inside DC's oldest unchanged building and its garden.
3. C&O Canal towpath—Walk or bike along the historic canal.
4. Georgetown Waterfront Park—Enjoy river views from the boardwalk.
5. Georgetown University campus—Wander the grounds and see Healy Hall.
6. Oak Hill Cemetery—Explore a 19th-century cemetery with a Gothic chapel.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES:
1. Dumbarton Oaks Gardens—Tickets required from mid-March through October, bought online in advance.
2. Tudor Place—Tour a historic mansion with George Washington family artifacts.
3. Dumbarton House—Visit a Federal-style house museum from around 1800.
4. Kayak and paddleboard rentals—Paddle the Potomac from the Georgetown waterfront.
Food!
Martin's Tavern
A Georgetown institution since 1933, known for its crab cakes and the "Proposal Booth" where JFK is said to have proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier.
Il Canale
A casual Italian spot near the canal known for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizza.
Baked & Wired
A local bakery known for giant cupcakes and coffee, and a favorite alternative to the long cupcake lines.
Where to Stay
Luxury
Rosewood Washington DC, Four Seasons Washington DC—two of the city's top hotels, both on the canal side of Georgetown. Roughly 600-1,200/night.
Moderate
The Graham Georgetown, The Georgetown Inn—a boutique hotel with a rooftop bar and a classic inn on Wisconsin Avenue. Roughly 250-450/night.
Budget
Hotels in Rosslyn, Virginia and Foggy Bottom—just across Key Bridge or near the closest Metro station, each about a 15- to 20-minute walk to M Street. Roughly 150-280/night.
1 Day Itinerary
1-DAY ITINERARY:
Morning: Walk the C&O Canal towpath and Georgetown Waterfront Park, then grab coffee and a cupcake.
Afternoon: Visit Dumbarton Oaks or Tudor Place, then shop M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Evening: Take the Georgetown Haunted Tour at dusk, starting at Georgetown University, then end the night with dinner at Martin's Tavern.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Day 2: Rent a kayak on the Potomac, explore Oak Hill Cemetery, and wander the quiet residential streets around O and P Streets.
Extra Time: Walk across Key Bridge for views of the river, or head downtown to the National Mall, about 30 minutes away on foot.
FAQ's
1. What is Georgetown, DC best known for?
Georgetown is best known as Washington DC's oldest neighborhood, home to Georgetown University, historic row houses, waterfront dining, great shopping, and famous ghost stories like the Exorcist Steps.
2. Is there a Metro station in Georgetown?
No. The closest stations are Foggy Bottom-GWU, about a 20-minute walk to M Street, and Rosslyn, a walk across Key Bridge. Several Metrobus routes also run through the neighborhood.
3. Where should I park?
Street parking is metered and limited to two hours on many blocks, and parts of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are tow-away zones during weekday rush hours. A garage is the easiest choice, and you can often reserve one in advance online.
4. Should I book anything ahead of time?
Yes. Dumbarton Oaks garden tickets are sold online only and can sell out on spring weekends. Book dinner reservations ahead on Friday and Saturday nights.
5. What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes. Georgetown is hilly, and the old brick sidewalks are uneven.
6. Is Georgetown walkable?
Very. Most of the neighborhood's sights, shops, and restaurants are within about a mile of each other.
7. Is the Old Stone House free?
Yes. It's run by the National Park Service, and the grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Some parts of the house may be closed, so check the park website before you go.
8. When is the best time to visit Georgetown?
Spring and fall are best for walking. October is perfect for ghost stories, and winter brings an ice rink to the waterfront.
9. Is Georgetown family-friendly?
Yes. Kids love the waterfront, the canal, the cupcakes, and the Exorcist Steps, though younger kids may find some ghost stories a bit spooky.
10. How much time should I spend in Georgetown?
A full day covers the highlights. Two days lets you add the gardens, a kayak trip, and a slower pace.
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