There’s Old, there’s DC Old, and then there’s Georgetown. Georgetown is a historic district of Washington, D.C., in Northwest D.C., situated along the Potomac River.
Founded in 1751 in the what is now Maryland, the port of Georgetown was initially the northernmost point of navigation on the Potomac River. With the addition of the C&O Canal in the late 1800s, the area built up around the commercial industries over time, evolving to the current layout and streets in the mid 20th century, with the Georgetown Historic District added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1967.
Now, of course, Georgetown is more than just its location on the Potomac River. It is the king of the NW quadrant, from a shopping and business district to a robust historic and non-historic residential area. Boutique and Restaurants line M St, with DC’s elite rubbing shoulders with Georgetown University students wandering the streets in excited gaggles.
Housing in Georgetown is a mixed bag of historic federal homes with pedigrees to newer construction condominium complexes. Housing is divided by Wisconsin Ave, with the cobblestone streets of the West Village bringing the charm. In Q1 2023, 25 condo sales ranged from a studio unit for $240,000 to an exclusive 2 bedroom penthouse unit for $4,025,000. Many of the condominium buildings were built in the mid-1980s, with many having been renovated and well kept for modern needs.
The classic federal rowhouse is what draws many to live in Georgetown. These are some of the oldest and narrowest homes in the city, but they have stood the test of time. Many have been renovated and brought fully into the 21st century with amazing contemporary redesigns inside their traditional shells. You can expect to pay a fine price for these fine addresses: The 77 Q1 2023 sales for rowhomes and single family homes ranged from $800,000 to $7,500,000.
Georgetown is a great place for a walking tour – there is so much to see, and driving can be frustrating in traffic here. Here are some excellent walking tours to try in Georgetown – take a peek at some fun places like these stairs featured in the movie The Exorcist!
https://washington.org/event/historic-georgetown-tour This free tour runs Sundays through April 27, 2025 from 10:00am to 12:30 pm.
https://www.georgetowndc.com/news/self-guided-kennedy-walking-tour/ Retrace the steps of love, happiness, and tragedy as your tour takes you through the Kennedys’ beloved Georgetown.
https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/georgetown-walking-tour-3013.html This tour uses an app – you can create your own tours anywhere.
https://www.georgetowndc.com/guide/25-things-to-do-in-georgetown/ Here’s a Bucket list suitable for locals and visitors alike.
