Local Strolls: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Georgetown, Washington, DC

Explore Local Strolls, a series where writers share their favorite walks in their hometowns. Each path provides a glimpse into urban life, leading you to hidden gems and beloved local spots. Here, Alexa Moore guides us on a two-mile journey through the historic streets of Georgetown, Washington, DC.

Washington, DC is more than just cherry blossoms and politics. It is a city rich with intricate and diverse stories, divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast, with the US Capitol at its heart. Georgetown, located in the Northwest, conceals DC's oldest tales within its historic streets. This area was once home to US presidents and Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor, as well as a vibrant African-American community. Though resident numbers have declined, landmarks like the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, established by a former enslaved individual, remain steadfast.

Now, let's start our walk.

Distance: Approximately 2 miles Total walking time: 45 minutes at a relaxed pace

No stroll in DC is complete without a coffee stop. I’m the kind of person who needs a little boost to get moving, so I pop into Baked and Wired. The inviting pink window panes draw me into this charming bakery and coffee shop. I opt for a dirty chai made with house-made horchata—it's only 9 AM, so I can’t quite justify my usual red velvet cupcake just yet.

Taking long, leisurely strides, I walk briefly down the scenic Canal Street. It runs alongside the currently somewhat dry C&O Canal, where delightful little brick houses contrast against the muddy banks. I resist the urge to check their property values on Zillow.

I veer right onto M St, Georgetown's renowned shopping thoroughfare. Each building boasts its own unique hue, yet there's an underlying harmony. The storefront windows serve as gateways to extravagant worlds of fashion that are out of my budget. I pass by the city's oldest unchanged building, the tan-hued Old Stone House, which dates back to 1765.

As I reach the junction of M St and Wisconsin Ave, I come across my favorite Neoclassical building crowned with a golden dome. Its reflective golden color brightens the streets of Georgetown. Built in the 1920s, it now serves as a PNC bank branch. I can't help but wonder how it sparkled in its prime, so I look it up. Surprisingly, it has been a bank for over a century, a comforting thought that while the rest of DC changes, Georgetown remains a constant.

I take a quick moment to stretch my heels before turning right and beginning my climb up Wisconsin Ave. If you follow this path, you’ll soon encounter green spaces like Book Hill Park and the Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Garden. However, on this particularly chilly (and lazy) spring day, I opt to skip my usual hike and turn left onto N St, admiring the manicured gardens and the vibrant ruby-red brick sidewalks beneath me.

I find myself at 3260 N St, discovering a piece of romantic presidential history. President John F. Kennedy rented this residence during his Senate campaign and met Jackie Onassis, the future First Lady, at a nearby Georgetown dinner party in 1952.

As I turn onto 35th St, I reach Georgetown University's campus. There, I spot the infamous Transformers-themed house and can't help but chuckle. The imposing machines stand in stark contrast to the pristine brick facade, and the 'Robots in Disguise' are at the center of a legal dispute between the homeowner and the city over their right to remain.

I'm on the hunt for something new – the famous steps featured in the dramatic finale of the 1973 film The Exorcist. They're quite steep and have an eerie vibe, so I grip the handrails tightly and take careful steps as I make my way down.

I continue my journey through Francis Scott Key Memorial Park, cross the Alexandria Aqueduct Bridge, and eventually find my way back to the C&O Canal Towpath. What a change just a few blocks can make; this area is lush with mossy grass and tranquil pools that mirror the fluffy clouds above.

At last, I approach the river and settle into my favorite spot at Georgetown Waterfront Park. I wrap up my nearly two-mile walk on a bench beside the winding path of the park's Labyrinth, feeling a bit regretful for not treating myself to that red velvet cupcake after all.

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