Washington D.C. – Georgetown – Attractions

During my visit to Washington D.C., I discovered a neighborhood that has since ranked relatively high on my list of favorites where I want to live. At the beginning we were a bit unsure whether it makes sense to book a hotel room in Georgetown, as it is a bit outside the city center. But this has proven itself in every respect. The first advantage is that the hotel prices there are a bit lower than in the center and the second advantage is that the many great little shops in Georgetown can be easily explored on foot. In addition to the special small handcraft shops, M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are also home to big names such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret. The hotel itself (Holiday Inn) offers a normal standard, was absolutely fine and I can recommend. In front of the hotel there is a large parking lot, as most visitors usually arrive by car and not by bus like we did.

Many visitors to Washington don’t even get to visit Georgetown because of the numerous “classic” sights, such as the Capitol, the Mall and the Smithsonian. But the detour is really worth it! The history of the district is marked by social changes. Originally, Georgetown was a trading hub, thanks to its location on the Potomac River. In the 19th century, the area became impoverished and became a predominantly African-American neighborhood. In the first half of the 20th century, the resurgence began and is now one of Washington’s most expensive residential areas. I think the charm of this district lies in the fact that the history lived through is palpable and the historic architecture of most of the buildings also radiates this lived history. The well-known Georgetown University, which is located in the west of Georgetown, has a positive influence on the district in my opinion, as it has small student cafes and restaurants everywhere and this makes for a great urban mix.

I was also pleasantly surprised by public transport in Washington. The metro and bus network is very well developed and relatively cheap. However, you should always have enough change with you, as the chauffeurs do not give change. The journey from Central Station to Georgetown takes around 20 – 30 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day. For those who like to do some sports and at the same time want to cover longer distances, I can recommend renting a bike at the numerous rental stations. The city is comparatively (with American cities) bike-friendly.