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Must See Famous Georgetown Spots

Wondering what Georgetown’s brush with fame is? Georgetown boasts a literal who’s who in pop culture and politics, from America’s favorite jazz musicians to United States’ presidents.

Kennedy Walking Tour

Arguably one of Washington, DC’s most famous residents, President John F. Kennedy and his wife and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, spent some of their happiest and most tragic times in Georgetown. JFK lived here as the newly-elected Congressman from Massachusetts and during his presidential election. He met, courted, proposed, and married Jacqueline Bouvier here. She not only lived here as a new bride, but also did again after the tragic death of JFK. 

On the Kennedy Walking Tour, you’ll walk the same steps on these quaint and historic streets, and retrace the memories of one of America’s most iconic couples. The tour includes a lunch or shopping stop on the Kennedys’ beloved Wisconsin Avenue, all the homes the Kennedys lived in, and the church where they worshiped. You’ll enjoy and make your own memories of one of America’s most brilliant couples—from the ‘proposal booth’ where the two got engaged to their first home as newlyweds.

Georgetown Movie Sites

Movie buffs will recognize the iconic back stairs from The Exorcist. You’ll want to get some photos at this famed steep stone staircase tucked behind an alley. Most famous for the iconic scene at the end of The Exorcist, these 75 steps, most famous for the iconic scene at the end of the movie, were designated a Historic Landmark in 2019 and a commemorative plaque was installed.

The Tombs, at 1226 36th Street NW., is the restaurant featured in the movie St. Elmo’s Fire. St. Elmo’s Fire modeled the pub in its movie on this favorite Georgetown hangout. The Tombs was filmed for The Exorcist, as well. Other notable Georgetown locations were used in The American President, Chances Are, Dave, True Lies, No Way Out, The Exorcist III, Enemy of the State, The Pelican Brief, and Wonder Woman 1984.

Blues Alley

In the 1960s, Washington, DC was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement, and in the 1970s, the Vietnam era protests. Consequently, M Street and Wisconsin Avenue became the crossroads of all of this political and social commingling. Georgetown was free-spirited and bohemian. Folk and jazz and folk music experienced a rise in popularity during the same period, and Georgetown became a premier music stop for many famed artists. 

The venue Cellar Door near Blues Alley hosted many major acts, but Blues Alley became a fusion of entertainment genres. Blues Alley is the oldest, continuously-operated jazz supper club in the nation. It is recognized as a jazz and blues landmark locally and internationally. The venue has hosted every renowned jazz artist from Count Basie to Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis.

In addition to the famed musicians, Blues Alley produces an annual children’s jazz festival on the National Mall and directs non-profit education and outreach programs—the Blues Alley Jazz Summer Camp and Blues Alley Youth Orchestra. Grab the best price and availability on Washington, D.C. hotels now! Washington, D.C. Travel Resources

Your Washington, D.C. vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. We’ve got the resources you need to plan your trip and make the most out of your time in the city and surrounding area. If this is your first time to the capital region, check out our Washington, D.C. trip planner and itineraries. For transportation, check out our D.C. driving guide and our guide on how to ride the metro. For those flying in, you’ll want to read our guides to BWI, DCA and IAD airports.

Dive into our things to do in D.C., which is always being updated and evolving to make sure you have the latest and greatest activities to fill your checklist of things to do. Don’t forget about food, the real reason we all travel, right? Our Washington, D.C. restaurant guide will get you started and lead you into neighborhoods full of delicious treats. For more resources, check out our pages on Baltimore, Richmond and beyond. Where to Stay in Washington, D.C.

Budget: When it comes to Washington, D.C. budget hotels, prices vary depending on the season. In the middle of October, a four-star hotel could be under $150, while in December it may be over $400. At any given time of year, though, Hotel Hive is a safe bet for value when it comes to resting your head. If you are looking for a hostel, Hi Washington D.C. Downtown is well located for exploring all of the D.C. museums, restaurants and bars at the fraction of the price of a hotel. Check rates and availability here.

Mid-range: Every USA hotel chain can be found in Washington, D.C., but stay at the St. Gregory Hotel when you want a local touch. The modern, light-filled rooms will welcome you to the city, whether you are in a studio or suite with wraparound terrace. The hotel is walking distance to Georgetown, the National Mall and Embassy Row, making it easy to explore without a rental car. Check rates and availability here.

Luxury: You are spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury hotels in Washington, D.C. We love cozying up at the Graham Georgetown, a sweet little boutique hotel in one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. Check rates and availability here. Major hotel brands like The Fairmont, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C. and St. Regis Washington D.C. all have outposts here as well. If you want something a bit more historic, we recommend The Jefferson, Washington D.C. Ninety-nine rooms in this luxury boutique hotel bring together an attentive staff, petite spa, and the Michelin-starred Plume restaurant with all of the history you could hope for when you are in the nation’s capital. Check rates and availability here.

Family-friendly: We always gravitate towards the Kimpton hotels whenever we are traveling with kids. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington D.C., once the General Post Office building, is located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood just four blocks off the National Mall near the National Gallery of Art. Price point is mid-range, depending on the time of year you visit. Parents will love the nightly wine events and evening nightcap perks as well as complimentary coffee and a tea bar each morning. Kids will love that they can borrow a fish friend for their stay, and that there is always a treat on hand that they can enjoy, and the robes are just their size. Kimpton also has adult and child-size bikes to borrow so you can cruise around town during your stay. Check rates and availability here.

Georgetown’s roots as a center of commerce, intellectualism, and innovation carry on today: centuries-old buildings and weathered cobblestone streets are home to families, students, and young professionals, who give Georgetown its distinct residential feel and traditional yet modern character. Head to nearby downtown Washington D.C. to experience the nation’s most notable landmarks, memorials, and museums, or stay in the neighborhood to indulge in world-class shopping and dining—and don’t forget a stop at Georgetown Cupcake to take home a sweet treat! When you’re ready for a break, take a stroll along the C & O Canal Towpath, an idyllic trail that runs along the Potomac River, to find peace and serenity in the heart of this dynamic urban center.

Head to nearby downtown Washington D.C. to experience the nation’s most notable landmarks, memorials, and museums, or stay in the neighborhood to indulge in world-class shopping and dining—and don’t forget a stop at Georgetown Cupcake to take home a sweet treat! When you’re ready for a break, take a stroll along the C & O Canal Towpath, an idyllic trail that runs along the Potomac River, to find peace and serenity in the heart of this dynamic urban center