Georgetown - Washington, DC Area Guide

Georgetown is actually older than Washington DC, even though it is considered a downtown neighborhood today. Henry Fleet established a trading post here in 1632, and the area was considered part of the English colony, the Province of Maryland. In 1745, a Scottish merchant named George Gordon, who owned 300 acres of land in the area, established a tobacco inspection plant. Soon, other buildings developed and a small village began to grow. In 1752, the Province of Maryland surveyed Gordon's land, as well as that of fellow landowner George Beall. The government decided the area would make a great location for a new town, George Town. Some speculate that the town was named for the two wealthy town founders, while others believe it was named for King George II. However it came to be named, Georgetown became an official town in 1789. The Old Stone House, built in 1765, is located in the Georgetown Historic District and is part of the Rock Creek Parkway. The mostly-original house was built by Christopher Layman, who died soon after its completion. His widow sold the house to Cassandra Chew, another wealthy widow. Chew added on a rear kitchen and a second floor. Luckily for the Old Stone House, it was the basis for a legend claiming that George Washington, who was designing the nation's capital after the American Revolution, met with architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant at the house. They actually met at Suter's Tavern, which is where the confusion comes in. Some claim that John Suter's son rented a room at the Old House, which was just two blocks from the tavern, and these two buildings are being confused. Others believe that the Old Stone House is Suter's Tavern. Either way, as a result of the legend, the house was never demolished. If Suter's Tavern was a separate building, it is long gone -- Suter's Tavern disappeared without record sometime after 1796. Georgetown University, established in 1789, is a prestigious private research university known for its law school. Notable alumni include President Bill Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and countless members of Congress. Once you move to Georgetown, you'll be able to enjoy college sports -- Georgetown is part of NCAA Division I as part of the Big East Patriot League. The Hoyas basketball team has won several championships, including a national championship.

After moving to your Georgetown apartment, you'll be surrounded by amazing restaurants and nightlife. Don't be surprised if you find yourself dining out -- a lot. Just stroll down K Street and the sidewalk cafes, bars, and restaurants will entice you to try them all. To quickly appreciate all things food in Georgetown, take the Gastronomic Georgetown Food Tour. This tour includes trendy coffeehouses, French cafes, award-winning restaurants, and desserts from the best bakery in DC. If you prefer to explore on your own, start at the world-famous and historic 1789 Restaurant. With its wood beams, antiques, and huge fireplace, dining at this restaurant is like stepping back in time. This Federal-style home was built in the mid-1800s. The name comes from the fact that the original site was purchased by the founder of Georgetown University, Archbishop John Carroll, in 1789. The unforgettable cuisine is prepared with produce from local farms. Next head to the Rosewood Hotel and dine at the Grill Room, which is owned by a former White House chef. Executive Chef Frank Ruta spent more than 30 years at the White House, cooking for Carter, Reagan, and Bush. The hotel is located along the C&O Canal, and the Grill Room has floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views. For craft coffees and amazing pastries, head to Malmaison -- a cafe so decadent you won't want to leave. For lunch, try a frittata, a quiche, or the kale salad. Then, top it off with dessert! French Macarons, tarts, apple frangipane, chocolate croissants -- try them all. If that isn't enough, the nightly happy hours includes cocktails, discounted beer and wine, and pastries. Other restaurants to try include La Chaumiere, Degrees Bistro, Mama Rouge, Nick's Riverside Grill, Cafe Milano, Sea Catch Restaurant, Filomena Ristorante, and Neyla.

The best way to explore Georgetown is on foot. This way, you can admire the architecture and discover hidden treats along every street. The bridges alone are stunning. The oldest bridge in DC is located here, a sandstone bridge that opened in 1831. The arched Francis Scott Key Bridge was built in 1923 to replace the 1830 Aqueduct Bridge. If you happen to be walking along Prospect Street toward M Street, you may stumble upon an eerily familiar staircase. The Exorcist Steps were used in the iconic movie -- Father Karras falls down the steps to his death at the end of the 1973 film. The steps were actually built in 1895 -- although nobody is sure exactly why they were built or what purpose they served. For joggers and bicyclists, the Capital Crescent Trail extends 11 miles from Georgetown to Silver Spring, Maryland. It is the country's most-used trail, visited by more than a million people every year. In addition to jogging and bicycling, the trail is also used for skateboarding, walking, and rollerblading. Speaking of bicycling, in addition to being extremely pedestrian-friendly, Georgetown is also very bike friendly. Residents and visitors can even rent bikes for the day to get around the area. Since Georgetown hugs the river and has a steep grade upward, there's no Metro station in the neighborhood. There are several within walking distance (one mile or less).

Washington DC is filled with spectacular parks, and Georgetown is no exception. Georgetown Waterfront Park is as beautiful as it is historic. The Port of Georgetown dates back to the early 1700s when it was a vital port for ships. In the 1820s, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was built just north of the port. Today, the park is a popular destination for rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Thompson Boat Center, a public boat house, is near the park. The splash fountains near the entrance of the park are a popular destination in the summer, and cyclists can hop on the Capital Crescent Trail, a 13-mile trail, at the park. Glover-Archbold Park covers 183 acres, stretching from the Potomac northward to Van Ness Street. This wooded greenspace offers miles of trails for walking and jogging. This park is also popular with dog-walkers and bird-watchers. Dumbarton Oaks Park was designed by Beatrix Farrand, a famous landscape architect, in the 1920s. This park features hiking and jogging trails, along with gorgeous gardens completes with fountains, urns, and a terrace. The park is home to the Dumbarton Oaks Museum and offers guided tours of the park.

Georgetown is considered one of the most expensive neighborhoods in DC. The history, beauty, and excitement of this neighborhood are worth the higher price tag. Rent on a typical Georgetown apartment is about $2,005 -- compare that to the DC average of $1,222. If you eventually decide to buy a home in Georgetown, start saving -- the average home here will set you back about $1 million or more. The Washington average is about $843,000.

Shopping is a treat in Georgetown. The cobblestone sidewalks, canal front, and historic buildings create a postcard-perfect scene in which to explore designer boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and more. Shops to check out include Ella-Rue (an upscale secondhand store), Alice and Olivia, Rag and Bone, Hu's Wear, Athleta, J. Crew, Pandora Georgetown, Vineyard Vines, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Urban Outfitters, Georgetown Park, Buffalo Exchange, and Pinkberry. And that's just for starters. Washington DC is filled with farmer's markets. The most famous market, Eastern Market in nearby Capitol Hill, includes endless booths of fresh produce, art, baked goods, and more. There's both an indoor and outdoor market. The outdoor market operates on weekends from 9-5 and features sculptors, painters, jewelers, photographers, woodworkers, and a variety of other artists. The indoor market is open all week and features fresh, local produce, seafood, baked goods, artisan cheeses, flowers, and more. Closer to home, check out the Georgetown Farmers Market in Rose Park. This is a seasonal market, held on Wednesdays from April through October.

Georgetown University, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Tudor Place, Georgetown Waterfront Park, The Washington Harbor, Key Bridge Boathouse, C & O Canal Towpath, The Exorcist steps, The Old Stone House, M Street shops, Blues Alley, Baked & Wired, Georgetown Cupcake, Sprinkles Cupcakes