36-Hour Georgetown Getaway—Without the Go!

By Grace Cady  

There’s nothing like summer in the city — especially summer in Georgetown. On any given weekend, Washington’s prime hub for shopping and dining often finds itself overflowing with people walking up and down M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. 

With so much to see and do, deciding how to spend a Georgetown staycation can seem overwhelming. But as a local, I am lucky enough to know some of the best spots in town.    

I begin my warm summer day with a walk along the Dumbarton Oaks Park trail. After entering at Lover’s Lane, I put on my headphones, enjoying the serenity. The park, never busy, is usually frequented by walkers, bikers and dog owners. There is enough activity to make a lone stroller feel safe, but it is the perfect destination for some peace and quiet. The fresh air, running river and billowing trees make for a beautiful start to my morning.   

After my walk, I’m ready for a coffee, so I head down to Tatte Bakery & Café on Wisconsin Avenue. I order an iced matcha latte with a dash of honey to go. If it were lunchtime, I would have also gotten the tomato soup and house roll. Tatte was the first café I ever went to in Washington. After my initial move, my dad and I stopped in for a coffee and some tartines. It has been a favorite of mine ever since. Other spots I love for coffee, matcha and pastries in Georgetown: Baked & Wired, Maman and Boulangerie Christophe. After my coffee, I continue my journey.  

One of the best parts about Georgetown is the scenery. Other parts of Washington have the monuments, but Georgetown has a kind of natural beauty that comes with the greenery, cobblestone streets and colorful townhomes. I take my time walking around the neighborhood and admiring it all. I fell in love with Georgetown the first time I ever visited for this very reason, and I never stop being awestruck by how lovely it is.    

Next, I go shopping. My must-stop stores are Glossier, H&M and Brandy Melville. Along Wisconsin Avenue, I make sure to stop into the Lantern Bookshop, Shop Made in DC and a current pop-up store that’s the “smallest shop” in D.C.   

Ready for an early dinner, I walk back up to La Bonne Vache — my very favorite restaurant in Georgetown, and maybe all of Washington. Heads up: If you are going on a weekend, expect a line out the door. But just know that it goes by quickly and is absolutely worth it. The atmosphere is cozy, like a European hole-in-the-wall with classic charm. There is exposed brick, lovely art and a lot of natural light. 

My favorite order at La Bonne Vache — “the good cow” in English — is the Goujon de Morue, a crispy cod sandwich. I order it with fries, a drink and an after-dinner espresso. Though if you are a burger lover, this is definitely the place for you, I just happen to favor fish. The service is as excellent as the ambience and the food; you cannot go wrong.   

After dinner, I head to the Poppy Georgetown for a nightcap and good conversation. The Poppy is a boutique-style guest house with personal charm and wonderful service. I meet Nico Vroom, the GM, who pours me a delicious glass of chardonnay. Then we head to the garden. In the front part of the building, there is a small courtyard with a stunning painted mural of a red poppy, bistro-style tables for guests to sit at and have breakfast, charming key holders that remain up for decoration only and string lights to set the mood.  

After he shares stories of the wedding parties, friends and families that have stayed at the Poppy, we proceed to the back of the guest house, which looks like something out of an old Disney film. It is shaded by trees and features fire pits, flowers and even lighting fixtures that were hung as part of a proposal that took place there not long ago. I promise him that I will be back for a coffee or a cocktail hour soon — and I will.   

If you can’t make it to the Poppy, other nightcap spots I suggest are the Fountain Inn, L’Annexe and Donahue. Or, if your end-of-the-day treat begs to be more on the sweet side, might I say there’s nowhere better than Thomas Sweet, the ice cream and chocolate shop on the corner of P Street?  

The next morning, I stop into my favorite Washington bagel spot, Call Your Mother, and order a cinnamon raisin bagel, a coffee with housemade honey syrup and a Martinelli’s apple juice. And really, there is no happier ending.   

See below for a photo gallery of pictures from Grace’s adventure. All photos by Grace Cady.

tagsDumbarton Oaks ParkGeorgetowngeorgetown getawayGlossierLa Bonne VachePoppy GeorgetownShop Made in DCTatte Bakery