Wanderlust World Wanderlust World On the banks of the Potomac River in northwest Washington, D.C., find a historic neighborhood with beautiful homes, impressive views of the city and river and a wealth of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. Georgetown, home to several international embassies and the well-regarded Georgetown University, is a cultural and political mecca. An afternoon is a great opportunity to sample some of Georgetown's best features.
Take a tour of Georgetown University's campus. Founded in 1789 by Jesuit priest John Carroll, Georgetown, a private university, has four undergraduate colleges and three graduate schools. Check the school's calendar ahead of time; given its location and reputation, notable lectures, events and guest speakers are commonplace.
Shop at every type of shop imaginable. Wisconsin Ave. and M Street are filled with brand-name stores like J.Crew and Diesel, boutiques, specialty shops, gourmet stores and even a shopping mall. The Shops at Georgetown Park on M Street houses a concentration of stores if you were unable to find what you were looking for on the street.
Ride on-board a Capital River Cruise tour boat, leaving from Washington Harbour in Georgetown along the Potomac River offering a different kind of tour of Washington, D.C. The 45-minute tour points out major city sites, along with historical narration, and can be chartered for special events. The cruise typically does not run in winter months.
Dine in elegance at the 1789 Restaurant on 36th and Prospect in a restored Federal House. This restaurant serves dinner only seven nights a week, and the menu and extensive wine list are consistently ranked highly among restaurant critics. For more casual fare, head over to The Tombs, near Georgetown University on 36th Street and a favorite with the college crowd. While lunch, dinner and late-night drinks are mainstays, the weekend brunch is also very popular with neighborhood residents. Not eating? The Tomb's wraparound bar is good for a draft pint and catching the scores of a big game.
Catch a show at the 9:30 Club on 9th and V Streets. The 9:30 Club brings regional and national acts, ranging from indie rock to blues. Shows are open to all ages and are general admission; typically all shows are standing-room only. A full menu and four bars are available for refreshments.