Georgetown Travel Guide

Washington

Georgetown which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a house
Georgetown
Georgetown
Georgetown
Georgetown

Discover some of Washington’s oldest buildings, upscale shops and vibrant nightlife in this elegant riverside suburb.

Slip back in time as you enter the cobbled streets of Georgetown, one of D.C.’s oldest areas and now a National Historic Landmark. Established in 1751 along the banks of the Potomac River, the suburb is known for its 18th- and 19th-century architecture, including Georgian stone mansions and brick row houses.

To help you on a self-guided wander, pick up a map and pocket guide from the Georgetown Visitor Centre on Thomas Jefferson Street. In summer, the centre offers a free walking tour daily at noon. It will take you to landmarks such as The Old Stone House. Built in 1765, it’s Washington’s oldest, unchanged building. It’s now a public museum with rooms furnished in middle-class colonial style. See where America’s founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams dined at the City Tavern Club. At Tudor Place House and Garden, see more than 8,000 pieces of art and furniture, some of which date back to the 1700s, then stroll through the 5.5 acres (two hectares) of beautifully landscaped gardens. Also of note is the Custom House and Post Office, one of the first to be built in America.

Not far from the visitor centre is the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. Take a leisurely one-hour ride on a replica 18th-century boat drawn by mules that walk along on towpaths. The 184.5-mile (296-kilometre) canal goes from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland. It was built to transport wood, coal and goods as an alternative route to the Potomac River, which runs parallel to the canal. Walk or cycle along a portion of the towpath to see historic aqueducts, lock houses and mills.

Georgetown University, America’s oldest Catholic university, is located about two miles (three kilometres) from downtown Washington. Founded in 1789, Georgetown University includes former U.S. President Bill Clinton among its notable alumni.

Georgetown is rich with historic landmarks, but it’s also a good place to shop and dine in upscale boutiques and restaurants, especially along Wisconsin and M streets. As an alternative, go to the Georgetown Waterfront Park for a relaxing meal as you look over the Potomac River.

Georgetown is about a 12-minute drive just to the north west of downtown Washington. There are various buses that go to Georgetown from downtown, including the DC Circulator, the D6 and the S4. From the National Mall catch the 36 from the corner of NW 7th and NW Constitution Avenue.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Georgetown

Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,580 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
฿3,580
฿4,151 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,732 reviews)
"Clean room"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿3,547 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
฿3,547
฿5,106 total
14 Nov - 15 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,876 reviews)
"The area in which I was in was a little noisy and there a ticking or trickling noise that kept me up or awakened me during my stay. I’m not sure where this stemmed from."

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
citizenM Washington DC Capitol

citizenM Washington DC Capitol

4 out of 5
550 School St SW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿3,908 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
฿3,908
฿4,532 total
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,902 reviews)
"I didn't like that the coolers for beverages in the rooms didn't work."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

citizenM Washington DC Capitol
citizenM Washington DC NoMa

citizenM Washington DC NoMa

4 out of 5
1222 1ST STREET NE, Washington, DC
The price is ฿3,908 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
฿3,908
฿4,532 total
14 Nov - 15 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,518 reviews)
"We stayed at citizenM Washington DC NoMa, and I absolutely loved its unique, artistic vibe — beautifully decorated, modern, and full of personality. The hotel has a sleek, minimalist design, and while the room was on the smaller side, it was perfectly organized, spotlessly clean, and impressively ..."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

citizenM Washington DC NoMa
Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key

Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key

2.5 out of 5
1900 Fort Myer Dr, Arlington, VA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿4,021 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
฿4,021
฿4,594 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Arlington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Arlington National Cemetery ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
"Amazing place to stay. Absolutely stay here before it becomes over crowded."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key
Crowne Plaza Crystal City-Washington, D.C. by IHG

Crowne Plaza Crystal City-Washington, D.C. by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA
The price is ฿3,992 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
฿3,992
฿4,561 total
8 Nov - 9 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Arlington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,028 reviews)
"Clean"

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Crowne Plaza Crystal City-Washington, D.C. by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Georgetown

Foggy Bottom which includes a city, a memorial and a statue or sculpture

Foggy Bottom

4.5/5(39 area reviews)

Important monuments a university vibe and top sights from Potomac River to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal – discover Foggy Bottom, a destination also famous for its historic sites.

Foggy Bottom
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Connecticut Ave - K Street

While you're in Connecticut Ave - K Street, take in top sights like National Geographic Museum or K Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street
Dupont Circle showing a statue or sculpture and a monument

Dupont Circle

4.5/5(91 area reviews)

Visitors to Dupont Circle love its fantastic nightlife, and you can check out Dupont Circle and Mansion on O Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dupont Circle Station.

Dupont Circle
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Logan Circle

A noteworthy feature of Logan Circle is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Studio Theatre and Mary McLeod Bethune Council House.

Logan Circle
Downtown Washington D.C. showing street scenes, night scenes and a city

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(156 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Washington D.C.. Check out top attractions like Capital One Arena and Smithsonian Institution, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Washington D.C.
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Northwest

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Northwest. Check out top attractions like White House and Capital One Arena, and jump on the metro at Cleveland Park Station or Van Ness-UDC Station to see more of the city.

Northwest


Georgetown Travel Guide