Thompson Boat Center. 900 Virginia Ave NW. outh of the Whitehurst Fwy underpass. 1 202 333-9543. pring-Summer only: M-Sa 6AM-8PM, Su 7AM-7PM. oats: $8-10/hour $22-30/full day (sailboats hourly only), bikes: $4-8/hour, $15-25 full day. At the extreme southeast point of Georgetown is the other main spot for boat rentals. Thompsom's also does bicycle rentals. Accessible by car only via Virgina Ave from the West End.
Buy
Georgetown is '''shopping central'''. You'll find many local shops and boutiques, antique stores, as well as the city's largest collection of national and international chains. Unlike other portions of D.C., you won't find a lot of Americana, tourist trap shops. There are a couple, but they mostly sell Georgetown University sweaters, T-shirts, etc. You will find a wide variety of upscale clothing boutiques, however. Also, know that Georgetown is one of two, highly upscale shopping areas in the District (the other being Friendship Heights). You will not find discount stores of any form.
Retailers like '''Abercrombie & Fitch''' (1208 Wisconsin Ave), '''American Eagle''' (1220 Wisconsin Ave), '''Banana Republic''' (3200 M St), '''Club Monaco''' (3235 M St), '''Coach''' (3259 M St), '''Co-Op by Barney's New York''' (3040 M St), '''Diesel''' (1249 Wisconsin Ave), '''The Gap''' (1258 Wisconsin Ave), '''Hilfiger''' (3229 M St), '''Hugo Boss''' (1517 Wisconsin Ave), '''Kate Spade''' (3061 M St), '''Limited''' (3276 M St), '''Lucky Brand Jeans''' (3273 M St), '''Pottery Barn''' (3077 M St), '''Ralph Lauren''' (1245 Wisconsin Ave), '''Zara''' (1238 Wisconsin Ave), and many more are all located close to each other, especially on '''M St''' east (and two blocks west) of Wisconsin and '''Wisconsin Ave''' north of M. You can walk past them all in an easy fifteen minutes.
The Shops at Georgetown Park
<buy name="" alt="" address="3222 M St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 342-8190" email="" fax="" url="http://www.shopsatgeorgetownpark.com/" hours="M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su noon-6PM" price="">An enclosed upscale boutique shopping mall at the very center of Georgetown. It's an oddly quiet place to walk through, having been outshined by the outdoor competitors. Stores include various upscale mall fare, like '''Express, H&M, J Crew, Ann Taylor, Sisley, Itermix, White House/Black Market''', etc., but also a host of small boutiques and unique import/export stores. The mall has its own parking garage.</buy>
Clothes
If you like fashion, you will love shopping in Georgetown. You may also wind up in financial ruin (albeit with great closet riches).
Annie Cream Cheese. 279 M St NW. 1 202 298-5555. ttp://anniecreamcheese.com/. -Sa 11AM-8PM, Su noon-6PM. D.C.'s favorite high-end vintage shopping for women. Vintage might mean "last year," and there's a high-end designer section that isn't vintage at all. The clothes are ''nice'', and you won't have to hunt through them (a thrift store, this is not), and the prices are high. It's apparently a hit with the celebutante crowd, so you might have the misfortune to spot a Kardashian or a Beckham through those enormous sunglasses.
CUSP. 030 M St NW. 1 202 625-0893. ttp://www.blogonthecusp.com/. -Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. The hip spin-off from Neiman Marcus, with an especially popular selection of dresses (which ''start'' at $300).
Everard's Clothing. 802 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 298-7465. ttp://everardsclothing.com/. 0AM-6PM daily. They clothed the man with the coiffe, former presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards, as well as several Miss America finalists. This is one of D.C.'s most famous local boutiques, specializing in men's clothing, and a famous selection of designer ties.
Piccolo Piggies. 533 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 333-0123. ttp://piccolo-piggies.com/. -Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11:30AM-5PM. If you want your five-year-old to look more fashionable than you, take them here. Seriously though, it's a great little store to get gifts, clothes and toys, for kids twelve and younger. If you worry that it might not be cute enough in there, check out that website.
Proper Topper. 213 P St NW. 1 202 333-6200. ttp://propertopper.com. -F 10:30AM-6:30PM, Sa 10AM-7PM, Su noon-6PM. Well, this is where you get your hats! From fedoras to baseball caps, they have hats for women, men, and children (as well as a lot of other fashion accessories), and all of them are stylish.
Sherman Pickey. 647 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 333-4212. ttp://shermanpickey.com. u-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Prepster boutique shopping. The store is named for the owners' shelter-rescued dog and cat, and you can get your pets gussied up with some upscale collars and leashes here as well.
Sugar. 633 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 333-5331. ttp://shopsugardc.com. -W,F-Sa 10:30AM-6PM, Th 10:30AM-7PM, Su noon-5PM. A small boutique catering to women of all ages, and with items of widely varying prices. This means that there are only going to be a few items of interest to any particular visitor, but it's a nice, friendly storefront with wonderful contemporary designs.
Urban Chic. 626 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 338-5398. ttp://urbanchiconline.com. -Sa 10AM-7PM, Su noon-5PM. If you are browsing Georgetown's boutiques, this is the one you should not miss. It is larger than the rest, and is a great stop for denim and dresses by high-end designers.
Urban Outfitters. 111 M St. 1 202 342-1012. -Sa 11AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-8PM. This huge two-level Urban Outfitters does a ton of business in Georgetown, to the point where it's something of a local landmark.
Up against the Wall. 219 M St NW. 1 202 234-4153. ttp://www.shopuponline.com/. -Th 10AM-9PM, F-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su noon-6PM. ''Expensive'' hip hop/urban fashions with plenty of clothes that will get you ready for the club. The blinged-out Obama tees are a big hit lately.
Design and galleries
Georgetown has also become known as a center of modern interior design, with many stores and showrooms concentrated on the western edge of the neighborhood, especially between 34th and 33rd along M south to the canal. Even if you are not interested in design, some of those air conditioned stores have some very comfortable couches that you might stop in to "try out" on a hot day. There are a ton of small art galleries in Georgetown, which are 1) easy to miss, 2) sometimes just for tourists and the art-illiterate, and 3) fun to stop in, browse, and maybe pick up something special.
Addison/Ripley Fine Art. 670 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 338-5180. ttp://www.addisonripleyfineart.com/. u-Sa 11AM-6PM. One of Georgetown's most prominent galleries, which exhibits mainly contemporary abstract painting, alongside the occasional display from their impressive inventory catalog of several internationally famous abstract expressionists.
Anne C. Fisher Gallery. 054 31st St NW. 1 202 625-7555. u noon-3PM, F-Sa noon-6PM. The curator is both an artist and a practicing psychotherapist, she practices in the same space as the art gallery, viewing the two professions as rather complementary. This is a popular contemporary gallery, and occasionally has some very interesting sculpture for sale.
Govinda Gallery. 227 34th St NW. 1 202 333-1180. ttp://www.govindagallery.com/. u-Sa 11AM-6PM. A fun pop art gallery specializing in art exhibits related to famous musicians, whether it be Elvis, Bob Marley, the Grateful Dead, etc.
MOCA DC. useum of Contemporary Art. 054 31st St NW. nside the Canal Square Galleries. 1 202 342-6230. ttp://mocadc.org. -F 1PM-6PM, Sa 1PM-5PM. Don't be fooled—this is a gallery, not a museum, and one of the only galleries in Georgetown to actually feature and support local artists. This means the exhibits are less stodgy, and the artwork is a good deal more affordable. Opening parties on the first Friday of each month are well-attended and fun.
P&C Art. 108 M St NW. 1 202 965-3833. ttp://www.pcart.com/. ours vary; call ahead. This is the most accessible gallery in Georgetown that still maintains artistic integrity. Works are contemporary, but overwhelmingly representative, as opposed to abstract. ''De gustibus non est disputandum'', so buy what you like, but also ''caveat emptor''—not all works here are created equal. Some may not appreciate in value, if that's what you are after.
Parish Gallery. 054 31st St NW. nside the Canal Square Galleries. 1 202 944-2310. ttp://www.parishgallery.com/. u-Sa noon-6PM. A gallery featuring sculptures and paintings by African and African-American artists. If you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on art, there are steals to be had here for far less.
Books
Georgetown students aren't necessarily that into reading, but there are still a couple of good, small, independent bookstores, as well as a vast, three-story '''Barnes & Noble''' at M & 12th.
Big Planet Comics. 135 Dumbarton St NW. 1 202 342-1961. ttp://www.bigplanetcomics.com/. -T,Th-F 11AM-7PM, W 11AM-8PM, Sa 11AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Big Planet is ground zero for comics in D.C., with all major publishers covered, indie/local comics, kid-friendly comics, collectibles, tees, etc.
Bridge Street Books. 814 Pennsylvania Ave NW. 1 202 965 5200. ttp://bridgestreetbooks.com/. -Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. A great little bookstore, conspicuously far from the university, which selects and presents its materials thoughtfully. The political and poetry sections are the big draws, although a specialist might be surprised to find their narrow subject covered comprehensively! Hosts occasional poetry readings, author events, etc.
Georgetown University Bookstore. 800 Reservoir Rd NW. 1 202 687-7482. ttp://georgetown.bkstr.com. -F 9AM-7PM, F-Sa 11AM-5PM. As a university bookstore, this does a particularly bad job of getting books to the students that need them. But it is very well set up for non-students, with a ton of Hoya merchandise, and shelves stocked with recent books by professors (mostly political).
Other
Appalachian Spring. 415 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 337-5780. ttp://www.appalachianspring.com. -Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. This store is perhaps the city's best (but definitely not the cheapest) place to find gifts. It houses an eccentric collection of beautiful art glass, quirky teapots, upscale kaleidoscopes, jewelry and jewelry boxes, pottery, and all sorts of other interesting items.
Georgetown Tobacco. 144 M St NW. 1 202 338-5100. ttp://www.gttobacco.com/. -Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-8PM. As you might expect, Georgetown is exactly the kind of place where one buys fine cigars. The selection is excellent, the staff knowledgeable, and there are a couple comfy chairs in the back where you can have a relaxed smoke (rare in this city).
The Phoenix. 514 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 338-4404. ttp://thephoenixdc.com. -Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. A unique Mexican imports store that has been here for over 50 years. Their collections of jewelry (also from Germany and Israel), artwork, and other designs make for great window shopping.
Eat
Georgetown has one of D.C.'s best dining scenes, with loads of options on M St. The university presence ensures that there are a lot of good budget options, but it is the '''high end''' where Georgetown excels—from stuffy and traditional to modern and chic. For more affordable options, check the bars as well, where there are some excellent eats to be had (e.g., Martin's Tavern).
Budget
Amma's Indian Vegetarian Kitchen. 291 M St NW. econd floor. 1 202 625-6625. unch: M-F 11:30AM-3:30PM, Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM, Su noon-3:30PM; dinner: 5:30PM-10PM daily. 5-12. Skip right over the flashy looking Indian restaurants right on M St, designed to catch the tourist's eye. Amma's offers significantly better Indian cuisine at surprisingly low prices. It specializes in southern Indian cuisine, and particularly in wonderful ''dosai''; the rest of the menu can be a little plain. It draws by far Georgetown's most intellectual crowd, and is a good place to eavesdrop on strange conversations (if they are in English!).
The Bean Counter. 665 Wisconsin Ave. 1 202 625-1665. -F 7AM-6PM, Sa-Su 8:30AM-6PM. 3-8. Want a sandwich? Come here and get your Cuban for $8—it's worth every penny. The seating area is a nice little cafe with "fair trade" coffee, and delicious brownies.
Georgetown Cafe. 623 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 333-0215. -Th 9AM-6AM, F-Su 24 hours. 7-12. A standard diner (with a few authentic Middle Eastern offerings for good measure) catering to those who go to sleep in the morning. The food is a little overpriced, but it's Georgetown, and it's open all night.
La Madeline. 000 M St NW. 1 202 337-6975. ttp://www.lamadeleine.com/. -Th 6:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 6:30AM-11:30PM, Su 7AM-10PM. 4-12. The D.C. location of this chain of French cafeteria-styled restaurants features a beautiful dining room in a restored, turn-of-the-century space. Decent food, great pricing and a stunning location.
Patisserie Poupon. 645 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 342-3248. u-F 8AM-6:30PM, Sa 8AM-5PM, Su 8AM-4PM. 2-10. Pleasant outdoor seating on a relaxed section Wisconsin Ave, low prices, delicious croissants, quiche, and panini. This is a regular stop for just about everyone in Georgetown who knows the place.
Quick Pita. 210 Potomac St NW. 1 202 338-7482. u-W 11:30AM-3AM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-4:30AM. 4-6. The reigning champ in Georgetown's pita rivalry serves food into the late hours. Wash down a ''soujouk'' with an ''Ayran'', or marvel at the Quick Pita special, stuffed with fries. It's busiest around 3-4AM—lunch can be more pleasant, if less entertaining.
Sweetgreen. 333 M St NW. 1 202 337-9338. ttp://sweetgreen.com. -F 11AM-10PM, Sa-Su noon-10PM. 9/salad. The best and freshest salads you ever overpaid for. Try the champagne dressing!
Wisemiller's. iseys. 236 36th St NW. 1 202 333-8254. -F 7AM-11:30PM, Sa-Su 8AM-11:30PM. 4-10. Chicken Madness! Rumor has it that some students go through four years at Georgetown eating this sandwich alone. And it is indeed delicious, topped with all sorts of melted cheese, bacon, tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers. It's take-out only, so wander over to a bench on the main quad to get your fingers messy. ''Don't'' give money to the Wisey's bums—they're a bunch of sleazy frauds and they don't at all need your money.
Zenobia Cafe. 025 31st St NW. 1 202 339-0555. ttp://www.zenobialounge.com. -Th 9AM-11PM; F-Sa 10AM-2AM; Su 10AM-11PM. 5-10. A small Middle Eastern cafe and bookshop, serving Lebanese and Syrian specialties. In back, there is a patio/lounge where hookah is available.
Mid-range
Bangkok Bistro. 251 Prospect St NW. 1 202 337-2424. ttp://www.bangkokbistrodc.com/. u-Th 11:30AM-10:30PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11:30PM. 14-35. Excellent upscale Thai in a creative setting, plus the best sushi bar in the area. Reservations are necessary on weekends.
Cafe La Ruche. 039 31st St NW. 1 202 965-2684. ttp://www.cafelaruche.com. -Th 11:30AM-midnight, F 11:30AM-1AM, Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-midnight. 6-20. Palatable French food at a great price. Terrace seating when the weather permits is something hard to find in Georgetown at any price. Try the ''Torte aux Courgettes'', a flaky zucchini pie, a traditional quiche, salad, or sandwich. Brunch on the weekends includes an entree, mimosa or OJ, and fresh French pastry for dessert. Great coffee any time, but skip the wine.
La Chaumiere. 813 M St NW. 1 202 338-1784. ttp://lachaumi.ipower.com/. -F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30PM-10:30PM; Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM. 16-30. A traditional, country-style French restaurant. It's a bit off the main section of the M St strip, and tends to attract mostly locals living in those pretty townhouses you've seen while walking around.
Leopold's Cafe. 315 M St NW. ady's Alley. 1 202 965-6005. ttp://kafeleopolds.com. u-Tu 8AM-10PM, W 8AM-11PM, Th-Sa 8AM-midnight. 15-30. This amazing Austrian cafe features modern European cuisine, desserts, wine and atmosphere galore. Quite fond of the color orange, which lends the place a sleek but entirely unstuffy vibe.
Mie N Yu. 125 M St NW. 1 202 333-6122. ttp://www.mienyu.com/. -Th 5PM-1:30AM, F-Sa 11:30AM-2:30AM, Su 11AM-1:30AM. 18-35. The "Silk Road" advertisements are nothing but a gimmick—you won't find any dishes here remotely resembling Central Asian cuisine. The Asian fusion on offer, though, is well executed. But the reason you come here has little to do with the food—the extravagant decor is an out of this world oriental fantasy (think tables in tents, giant gilt birdcages, pillows, carpets, etc.). The $20 pri-fixe brunch is a very good value, and the bar gets fashionable on weekend nights when they have DJs spinning tasteful downtempo.
Peacock Cafe. 251 Prospect St NW. 1 202 625-2740. ttp://peacockcafe.com. -Th 11:30AM-10:30PM, F 11:30AM-midnight, Sa 9AM-midnight, Su 9AM-10:30PM. 12-35. An excellent upscale breakfast option, but make sure you have reservations for dinner, or you won't get in. Contemporary American cuisine.
Vietnam Georgetown. 934 M St NW. 1 202 337-4536. unch: M-Th 11AM-2PM, 3PM-11PM; F 11AM-2PM, 3PM-11:30PM; Sa 11AM-11:30PM, Su noon-11PM. 12-24. A neighborhood establishment that punches way above its price range. The decor is nothing to write home about, but the crispy spring rolls and seafood dishes are, particularly the soft shell crabs. Skip the pho, though.
Splurge
High end dining in D.C. means Georgetown. All the city's most famous restaurants are here, and they are famous with good reason—the food and wines are world-class. If you will settle for nothing but the best, you go to Citronelle.
1789. 226 36th St NW. 1 202 965-1789. ttp://1789restaurant.com. -Th 6PM-10PM, Sa 5:30PM-11PM, Su 5:30PM-10PM. 44-60. Elegant French-inflected American dining in what is easily one of D.C.'s finest restaurants, near Georgetown University. Jacket & tie required for men. Ask to be seated in the main dining room.
Bourbon Steak. 800 Pennsylvania Ave NW. nside the Four Seasons. 1 202 944-2026. ttp://www.michaelmina.net/mm_bourbonsteak_dc/. unch: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, dinner: Su-Th 6PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM. 35-65. One part traditional Washingtonian power dining, two parts fashionable contemporary American restaurant, using seasonal and regional ingredients.
Citronelle. 000 M St NW. n the Latham Hotel. 1 202 625-2150. ttp://www.citronelledc.com. PM-9:30PM daily. 30-100, a la carte: $105, promenade: $190 (with wine-pairings: $280). Another competitor for the title of best dining in D.C. is Michel Richard's world renowned French-themed cuisine. Jacket required for dinner.
Fahrenheit. 100 South St NW. nside the Ritz Carlton. 1 202 912-4110. ttp://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Georgetown/Dining/Fahrenheit/. reakfast: M-F 6:30AM-noon, Sa 7AM-noon, Su 7AM-11AM; lunch: noon-2:30PM daiy; dinner: M-F 6PM-10PM, Sa-Su 6PM-11PM. 28-40. A very fashionable restaurant featuring ''regional'' New American cuisine. Sophisticated attire is a must.
Sequoia. 000 K St NW. n Washington Harbor. 1 202 682-9555. ttp://www.arkrestaurants.com/section_home.cfm?section_id=1&location_id=2&restaurant_id=15. -Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-12:30AM, Su 10:30AM-12:30PM. 35-50. Spectacular views of the Potomac and the Kennedy Center, with outdoor seating. People come here for the views (especially in the summer) and to see and be seen with the Georgetown elite, ''not'' for the overpriced, mediocre food and terrible service.
Drink
There are many, ''many'' places to drink in Georgetown, from upscale, exclusive bars to college joints. In addition, many places are restaurants-by-day, bars-by-night. M St is the main drag for drinking, and you won't have to walk far to stumble in and grab a beer. The nightlife in Georgetown is crowded and plentiful, but a good deal less fashionable than in less-touristy hotspots like the U St Corridor and Adams Morgan. The booze may be overpriced, but it is nice to have some drinks in a neighborhood where you can walk the side streets intoxicated at night without any fear of getting mugged.
Clubs/Lounges
Blue Gin. 206 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 965-5555. ttp://www.bluegindc.com. -Th 8PM-2AM, F-Sa 8PM-3AM. Once the toughest lounge to get into in D.C., Blue Gin has settled into a more relaxed, yet still high-end, trendy atmosphere. Dress to impress and expect the crowd to start arriving around midnight.
Modern. 287 M St NW. 1 202 338-7027. ttp://www.modern-dc.com/. -Th 8:30PM-2AM, F-Sa 8:30PM-3AM. overs usually $10. Georgetown is not the part of the city where one goes clubbing. But if you are in the area and want to have some drinks and dancing, this is a very laid-back, but still classy option that is more popular in the neighborhood than Blue Gin (which attracts people from throughout the city). Music varies by night—Saturdays are geared for wide-appeal, while Thursdays see the regular break-beat party.
Music venues
Blues Alley. 073 Wisconsin Ave NW. n the alley. 1 202 337-4141. ttp://bluesalley.com. .5-2 hour sets at 8PM & 10PM daily. over: $20-40, drink minimum: $10. One of the world's great jazz clubs, playing host nightly to mostly national and international acts. The atmosphere is wonderful, in a brick building off Wisconsin in an actual "Blues Alley." The venue is tiny and packed full; patrons are respectful and do not talk during performances (if you want conversation, go elsewhere). The range of music, however, has become a little wider than jazz purists would like—check the website calendar to make sure you'll hear music to your taste. Seating is not by RSVP, so get in the line early, which starts to form one half hour before shows.
Saloun. 239 M St NW. 1 202 965-4900. u-Th 4:30PM-2AM, F-Sa 4:30PM-3AM. overs: $5-10. Cheap beer, free popcorn, and live music—mostly jazz, blues, and rock—are all good reasons to come to this crowded dive bar. Audible conversations are not.
Sports Bars
Truly, you don't need a guide to find a sports bar in Georgetown, but here are a few especially noteworthy options:
J Paul's. 218 M St NW. 1 202 333-3450. ttp://www.j-pauls.com/. -Th 11:30AM-2AM, F-Sa 11:30AM-3AM, Su 10:30AM-2AM. Only a run of the mill Georgetown bar—large, noisy, homogeneous clientele—except for the fact that it has a very impressive, oyster-heavy raw bar.
Rhino Bar & Pumphouse. 295 M St NW. 1 202 333-3150. PM-2AM daily. This is not a good bar, but everyone tends to wind up here nonetheless. It's basically a run-of-the-mill, overcrowded sports bar with expensive beer (although some of the microbrews on tap are excellent and reasonably priced), located near the university. If you like very crowded "bump 'n grind" frat-boy dance floors, cough up the $5 cover for the weekend parties.
The Tombs. 226 36th St NW. 1 202 337-6668. ttp://www.tombs.com. -Th 11:30AM-1:15AM, F 11:30AM-2:15AM, 11AM-2:15AM, Su 9:30AM-1:15AM. Appropriately named for being in the tomb-like basement of 1789, the Tombs is the unofficial Georgetown University watering hole. Popular with students and faculty alike—graduate courses often relocate here directly after class. Th-Sa nights are extremely crowded, and the bartenders might ignore you. Opt for an afternoon, a weeknight, or better yet a Sunday brunch instead.
Other
Birreria Paradiso. 282 M St NW. 1 202 337-1245. ttp://www.eatyourpizza.com. -F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-midnight, Su noon-10PM. izzas: $10-20. Beer heaven for beer lovers! Paradiso keeps a healthy rotation of excellent brews on tap, ''expertly'' poured. Unlike most of the middling brews on M St, the prices are fair. Note to Mexicans: no roasted goat served—the brewery uses an Italian name to highlight its world-class gourmet pizza.
Degrees. 100 S St NW. n the Ritz Carlton. 1 202 912-4100. ttp://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Georgetown/Dining/DegreesBarLounge/Default.htm. -Th 2:30PM-1AM, F-Sa 2:30PM-2AM, Su 2:30PM-1AM. Probably Georgetown's classiest bar, Degrees is beautiful, stylish, and has top-notch service to deliver its expert cocktails and appetizers. As you might expect, this is also one of the most expensive options around, and drinks start at around $14.
Martin's Tavern. 264 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 202 333-7370. ttp://www.martins-tavern.com/. -Th 11AM-1:30AM, F 11AM-2:30AM, Sa 9AM-2:30AM, su 8AM-1:30AM. ntrees: $12-40. Martin's Tavern is at once both a famous destination spot and just a low-key neighborhood pub. If you like to drink in good historical company, every president from Truman through the last guy has stopped in for a beer. (JFK in particular loved it here.) If you are willing to settle for less than a president, this is a good place to spot senators, former secretaries of state, pundit hackerati, etc. It's also a good place to have a burger and a beer.
Sleep
Georgetown is ''expensive''. If you want to stay in one of Georgetown's finest hotels, you will find them here. If you want to stay in Georgetown on a budget, either look for deals, or head over the bridge to Arlington, where you'll escape the dreaded D.C. hotel taxes.
Mid-range
Georgetown Inn. 310 Wisconsin Ave NW. 1 888 587-2388. ttp://www.georgetowninn.com/. 180-360. A newly renovated, attractive hotel, with a great location. The service, however, is a bit below what you would expect for these prices.
Georgetown Suites Hotel. 000 29th St NW & 1111 30th St NW. 1 800 348-7203. ttp://www.georgetownsuites.com. 180-240. Studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, and two-story townhomes located in a ritzy section of Georgetown, with private entrances and penthouses with outdoor terraces. Suites are individually designed with contemporary decor, and have fully equipped kitchens. The location is a little out of the way, at the extreme southeast of the neighborhood, but is a short walk to the Kennedy Center.
Hotel Monticello. 075 Thomas Jefferson St NW. 1 202 337-0900. ttp://www.monticellohotel.com/. 225-300. An all-suite hotel, featuring a business center, meeting facilities, and concierge services. The location is pretty ideal—just off the busiest section of M St, and two blocks from Washington Harbor.
Latham Hotel. 000 M St NW. 1 202 726-5000. ttp://thelatham.com. 190-290. A small, upscale hotel that prides itself on having a "European atmosphere." More importantly, it has a rooftop swimming pool, and is home to one of the best restaurants in the D.C. area, Citronelle.
Splurge
Four Seasons Washington D.C.. 800 Pennsylvania Ave NW. ttp://www.fourseasons.com/washington. rom $600. 1 202 342-0444. 1 202 944-2076. Almost impossibly luxurious, with legendary service—you will receive pretty much anything you request. The one stumble is the location, which is fine but not ideal for exploring Georgetown on foot. Then again, if you are staying here, you probably won't mind paying a little extra for cabs.
Ritz Carlton Georgetown. 100 South St NW. 1 202 912-4100. ttp://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Georgetown/Default.htm. rom $530. 1 202 912-4199. Rivaling the Four Seasons to be D.C's most luxurious hotel, located on a quiet street between some nice restaurants on M St, and the Washington Harbor. The history of the building could not be more incongruous with the present—it was Georgetown's refuse incinerator, in the heart of the neighborhood's smoke-filled industrial waterfront. The bar and restaurant inside are humorously named after this inauspicious beginning: Fahrenheit and Degrees. On-site spa.
Contact
Georgetown is not D.C.'s destination for independent neighborhood coffee shops—it is ''saturated'' with Starbucks. As a general rule, they will charge you $4/hour. An excellent option with more local character, however, is <drink name="Baked & Wired" alt="" address="1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 333-2500" url="http://www.bakedandwired.com" hours="M-F 7AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 11AM-5PM" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">The wireless is free, the lines are short (since it's off the main drag), and the beloved cupcakes alone are reason to stop by (they're actually worth that hefty $3.50 price tag).</drink>
If you don't have a laptop, the '''Georgetown University Library''', ? +1 202 687-7452, surprisingly, is open to the public, and has numerous public terminals on the first and third floors. All you need is a photo ID. Unfortunately, the Georgetown Public Library, which would be more conveniently located, is closed until 2010, following a major fire in 2007.
Get out
Since Georgetown is, in fact, older than the rest of D.C. (and since its history, either as an African-American or exclusive enclave denotes separation by its very nature), Georgetown feels very separate from the rest of D.C. This contrasts to the rest of the neighborhoods in D.C., which tend to bleed into one another as one progresses from center to fringe to new center.
The Georgetown portion of the 184.5 mile C&O towpath and park offers a near-escape from city life itself. A few minutes into your walk or bicycle ride, you are in the middle of a green and verdant linear park alongside the banks of the Potomac. As freeways and highways in the area aren't allowed to have billboards, you won't experience visual pollution as you traverse (although you will see and hear cars and planes). Nonetheless, much like Rock Creek, it's a great walk alongside nature.
Arlington, Virginia, originally part of D.C. proper, is a short walk (ten–fifteen minutes from the GU Main quad) or even shorter bike ride over the beautiful Key Bridge. Right by the Key Bridge is the quiet refuge of Theodore Roosevelt Island, which sports some magnificent views of its own.
Looking for less collegiate-style nightlife? Catch a cab east to Dupont Circle or even further to Adams Morgan for the city's trendier clubs and divier bars, as well as the city's main live music venues. Or head north up Wisconsin to Glover Park and Woodley Park for quieter neighborhood bars serving a slightly older (better-mannered) crowd.