Discovering Georgetown: A Historic Stroll
Delve into Local Strolls, a series where writers reveal their favorite walks in their hometowns. Each route offers a snapshot of urban life, guiding you to lesser-known attractions and cherished local spots. Here, Alexa Moore takes us on a two-mile-long amble through the historic streets of Georgetown, Washington, DC.
Washington, DC, is not simply cherry blossoms and politics. It’s a city teeming with complex and diverse stories, expertly divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. At the heart of it all stands the US Capitol. DC’s oldest narratives are woven into the fabric of the historic streets of Georgetown in the Northwest quadrant. This neighborhood was once the home of US presidents and Hollywood stars alike, including Elizabeth Taylor. Moreover, it has a deep African-American history, with vital remnants such as the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, founded by a former enslaved man.
So, let’s embark on our walk.
Distance: Approx 2 miles
Total walk time: 45 minutes at a leisurely pace
No stroll in DC is complete without a stop for coffee. I prefer starting my day with a bit of motivation, so I pop into Baked and Wired. The inviting pink window panes draw me in, and I opt for a dirty chai with house-made horchata—an early morning delight, though my usual red velvet cupcake will have to wait.
With long and slow strides, I stroll down picturesque Canal Street, adjacent to the semi-barren C&O Canal. The charming little brick houses line the dry, muddy banks. I resist the urge to check their property values online.
I take a right onto M St, Georgetown’s iconic shopping promenade. The diverse hues of the buildings offer a charming aesthetic, with storefront windows inviting me into worlds of fashion that remain just out of reach. I pass by the Old Stone House, the oldest unchanged structure in the city, a tan-colored relic from 1765.
Approaching the intersection of M St and Wisconsin Ave, I meet one of my favorite golden-domed Neoclassical buildings. Its golden hue brightens Georgetown’s streets wonderfully. Built in the 1920s, it now serves as a PNC bank branch. Intrigued, I discover that it has maintained its banking function for over a century, demonstrating how Georgetown’s charm remains steadfast amid change.
I do a quick heel stretch before veering right and ascending Wisconsin Ave. Continuing on this path leads to delightful green spaces like Book Hill Park and the Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Garden. However, I choose to forgo my usual hike this brisk spring day, opting instead for a left turn onto N St. Here, I admire the manicured gardens of exquisite homes, complemented by the ruby-red-brick sidewalks below.
At 3260 N St, I uncover a slice of romantic history. President John F. Kennedy rented this home while running for Senate and famously met Jackie Onassis at a nearby dinner party in 1952.
Turning down 35th St, I reach Georgetown University’s campus and spot the notorious Transformers-decorated house. The mechanical figures create an amusing contrast with the brick façade, drawing laughter amid the ongoing legal debate over their presence.
I seek out something unique—the infamous steps used in the climactic ending of the 1973 film The Exorcist. These steep stairs have an eerie aura, ensuring I grip the handrail as I carefully descend.
Continuing this journey through the Francis Scott Key Memorial Park, I cross the Alexandria Aqueduct Bridge and eventually make my way back to the C&O Canal Towpath. A mere few blocks transform the landscape, revealing mossy-green grass and serene waters reflecting fluffy clouds overhead.
Finally, I head to my favorite spot near the Georgetown Waterfront Park and finish this nearly two-mile stroll on a bench by the park’s Labyrinth path, reflecting on the day and realizing that perhaps I should have indulged in that red velvet cupcake after all.
Plan Your Visit to Washington, DC:
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