Washington DC is one of those places that should be on the bucket list, much like London or New York – the history, politics and symbolism is off the charts. But on a recent trip to the States Kelly Bertrand found another gem you simply must check out in DC – Georgetown.
Washington DC is a wild little city, a district squeezed in between states that functions as the centre of the free world. So of course, its vibe is going to be veeeery politics-heavy, and all of the nation’s most illustrious monuments to its founding and commitment to democracy are there glistening in all of their all-American glory.
But once you’ve ticked off the big stuff like the White House, Capitol Building and the Abraham Lincoln memorial, you might be craving something a little more homey – and the charming neighbourhood of Georgetown is just the ticket. It’s a wonderful historic neighbourhood – DC’s oldest – with cobbled streets, a welcoming atmosphere and so much to see and do. It was my favourite part of the city, so if you’re in the area, here’s a few highlights you simply can’t miss:
FOOD
Ask any local in Georgetown where to have a bite to eat and they’ll all tell you the same place, Martin’s Tavern. Legendary doesn’t even begin to cut it with this place, which has been around for more than 90 years – JFK actually proposed to Jackie Bouvier in one of the booths (and in classic American tradition, there’s a plaque to commemorate it, and it’s called ‘The Proposal Booth’). The whole place vibes with history and power, and the décor hasn’t been touched since the 30s which lends to its charm.
The food almost irrelevant but it’s tasty pub grub with American portions – for the love of God, just order an appetiser (and remember they call main meals entrees which yes, is stupid, but what can you do).
Georgetown has a slew of other places and is going through something of a renaissance with NYC restaurants choosing to open outposts, such as Maman and Levain. I can most definitely recommend grabbing breakfast at the delightfully chic Four Seasons (the eggs benny was an absolute winner, and if you’re more adventures than me you can get it with crab).
Another local favourite is The Fountain Inn, whose mission it is is to revive forgotten cocktails of the 1800s – there’s more than 250 spirits, and it’s perfect for those with a passion for cocktails who want to try something different.
Or, just do as I did and wander down the main streets and pop your head into the dozens of options at your disposal – including the famed Georgetown Cupcake!
DO
The Potomac River is central to all of DC’s history – it’s the state boundary between DC and Virginia, and it’s where so much of the country’s history started. So, what better way to see a lot of it in one go than to jump on a boat and get amongst it? A tour with Embark DC was most definitely one of the highlights of our entire trip. Hop on board with Captain Denny who, trust me, has a talent for an epic yarn. Having spent time in the military as well as at a commercial airline, this man KNOWS STUFF and he will more than happily enlighten you on things that certainly aren’t in any guidebook as he zooms you down the river, complete with a chilly bin full of Champagne. We saw the Pentagon, sat right under a plane taking off, spied on military bases (ok not really but we bobbed around for a bit while Denny said hi to his water police officer mate who was patrolling around the perimeter). This is simply a must-do if you’re in Georgetown. Tell Denny we say kia ora!
If you’re more of a land person don’t worry there’s something for you too – a walking tour with Aaron at Historic America. If you’re rolling your eyes and thinking a walking tour isn’t for you, you couldn’t be more wrong – despite the fact I was battling some serious jet lag, I had such a good time with Aaron who knows EVERYTHING about the history of Georgetown and is such a fun guy to hang with. SO much stuff happened in this neighbourhood that directly impacted the founding of America (I felt SO smug and grateful that I’d watched Hamilton the month before) and you can see the homes of former presidents while hearing the most incredible stories.
Shopping in Georgetown is also a dream – and while there are awesome boutiques from big luxury brands on M Street such as Diptyque (yes I bought a stupidly expensive candle) but there are also gorgeous independent stores too, such as Boat House Apparel – stop in for the cutest clothes and décor (and yes I also bought stuff from here too – four napkins that say ‘let’s day drink’ on them. Yup, that’s me.)
Kelly Bertrand was hosted by Visit DC, but all opinions are her own.
