By Ace Ramirez
EBC Washington D.C. Bureau
WASHINGTON D.C. (Eagle News) –
Whether it’s a chilly winter day or a hot summer night, the historic neighborhood of Georgetown is mesmerizing. The cobbled streets will take you back in time. Colorful Victorian houses lined up are silent witnesses to the history of this neighborhood. The shops and entertainment are constant reminders that boredom is not an issue here. These are just some of the charms of this district located northwest of Washington D.C. From a local’s perspective, here are 5 simple ways to enjoy Georgetown.
Stroll and People Watch at the Washington Harbor
Along Georgetown’s Potomac River waterfront, the Washington Harbor boasts of water activities from kayaking to paddle boarding, sightseeing cruises that let you take in historic D.C., and a smorgasbord of restaurants that overlook the river. Yachts and boats dock on the harbor converting this multipurpose property into “the place to be” for locals and tourists alike.
Take a stroll or sit along the edge of the Potomac and just let it sink in. The guy sitting next to you may be the Senator of Iowa or the CEO of Lockheed Martin. Lift your head once in a while to observe the aircrafts zooming by. You’ll never know if the next one will be Airforce One.
Learn About Deep Throat
Call it the Watergate scandal or the Nixon controversy, whatever. Many a story already came out about how “Deep Throat”, the most famous secret source in journalistic history, fed a newbie reporter from the Washington Post very important and divulging information that eventually led to the impeachment of the 37th President, Republican Richard Nixon.
A short walk from Georgetown, The Watergate Hotel and office complex was home to the office of the Democratic National Committee, the office which five burglars broke into in the early 70s, with the intention of political spying and sabotage. Nixon was involved in this widely celebrated political fiasco which eventually doomed his presidency. If you’re not too familiar with the Watergate scandal, it may be worth watching the movie, “All the President’s Men.”
Grab a Box of Georgetown Cupcakes
You can find them in Bethesda and New York. Bostonians are big fans as well. Los Angeles and Georgia are also in on it! But it all started here, in D.C., in Georgetown.
The passion for baking was just too overwhelming to ignore for the co-founders (and blood sisters) of this cupcake sensation. Or maybe it was the push from their grandmother that lead them to trade their careers for baking the most talked about cupcakes in the East Coast.
Grab a red velvet cupcake or a double milk chocolate birthday even if it’s not your birthday! Indulge! Savor the famous Georgetown Cupcakes that has generated a huge following that earned them their own TV show. Just be ready to wait in line…with a fully charged phone, I would suggest.
Checkout the C&O (Chesapeake & Ohio) Canal
The C & O Canal is a national historic park that runs along the north bank of the Potomac River, from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, a 184.5 mile stretch.
The canal’s principal cargo was coal. The C&O Canal has a total of 74 locks. A lock is a device used for raising and lowering boats, ships, and other watercrafts. It’s a fixed chamber in which the water lever can be varied, making the canal more navigable. Sorry, enough of the technicalities. There was a plan to build a section to connect to the Ohio River, thus it was named Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, but it never materialized.
Tour Georgetown University
If you’re a film enthusiast, chances are you know who Bradley Cooper is – one of the world’s highest-paid actors and star of a number of movies like American Sniper and Guardians of the Galaxy. If you’re an NBA fanatic, it’s impossible for you not to be familiar with strongman Patrick Ewing and the high scorer Allen Iverson. Now who doesn’t know US Presidential daughter Ivanka Trump, and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis?
What do they have in common? They all attended Georgetown University, the home of the Hoyas. This private research university founded in 1789 located on a hilltop overlooking the city, is the base of the largest student-run non profit corporation in the world. “Students of Georgetown, Inc” or more commonly known as “The Corp,” has seven subsidiary companies that generate annual revenues of over $5 million. The businesses range from shuttle services, catering and food, to coffee shops and most recently, a salad bar.
Tour the different buildings and colleges. Watch the football team at the Hoyas field or catch the basketball team as they run their plays at the gym. While you’re at it, keep an eye out for Tiffany Trump who will be attending Georgetown Law this school year.
Georgetown’s reputation is “the home of celebrities”. Not the movie celebrities, but the politicians, artists, and a good number of multimillionaires. Thousands of students and interns also call this area their home for the early part of their careers. Although expensive, Georgetown is a desirable place to live in, with loads of history to learn and tons of fun things to do.
(Eagle News Service)
