Hotel at a Glance: The Georgetown Inn

Georgetown’s historic cobblestone streets and 19th-century buildings present a storybook setting for The Georgetown Inn, which has been a part of town for the last five decades. Gleaming marble flooring and brocade curtains imbue the lobby with Old-World elegance. Drinks at the hotel bar help you unwind before you head up to your guest room to prep for a night on the town or plan the next day’s excursions.

• Sip craft cocktails and indulge in seared ahi tuna or filet mignon at The Daily Grill, an intimate, bistro-style restaurant located on street level.
• Contemporary rooms and suites feature 37-inch flat screen TVs and complimentary WiFi.
• Stay in shape with cardio equipment in the recently updated fitness room.  
• What’s nearby? The National Mall and the White House are just a couple miles from the hotel, and local favorite Georgetown Cupcakes is just six minutes away.

Georgetown, Washington, DC: Historic Architecture, Trendy Shops, and the Waterfront

Originally founded in 1751 as its own city, Georgetown predates Washington itself. From the waterfront parks to the 200-year-old mansions, the historic neighborhood has a Southern, genteel quality not found in other parts of the capital. Its cobblestone paths were made for strolling, and a self-guided walking tour of the area can uncover a wealth of sightseeing gems. These include Dumbarton Oaks, the former home of diplomat Robert Bliss and his wife, Mildred. Take a tour of the extensive gardens to see rows of purplish dogwood trees, a 16th-century-style arbor, and a mini amphitheater. Just a short walk from here, you can climb up the Exorcist Steps, a set of stairs featured in a terrifying scene from the 1973 horror film.

Though old, Georgetown is far from stale. It’s home to an array of high-end shops, ranging from antique stores and upscale furniture shops to fashion boutiques. Most of them can be found along M Street, interspersed with lounges and lively bars catering to the university crowd.

Set on the bluffs overlooking the Potomac River, the neighborhood also has a surprising number of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Theodore Roosevelt Island lies just across the Key Bridge and features miles of hiking trails through woodlands and swampy bottomlands. The canal south of M Street is a good place for a bike ride, or you can rent a single or tandem kayak to take out on the river.

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