Taking 11 yr. old girl to Georgetown... what to do there?

[Anonymous]

When I was growing up here, Georgetown was "the" place to go - quirky, unusual shops and restaurants, upscale mall, etc. What's it like these days? Is there anything there that would intrigue a fashion-obsessed 11 yr. old? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Less so than it used to be. This is the high end place to go http://www.citycenterdc.com/

(much higher-end than Gtown Park was back in the day).

[Anonymous]

Don't miss the waterfront - Washington Harbor. Great boats to look at and views up/down-river. Also, great restaurants. Fiola Mare is there -- some say the best seafood restaurant in the city, and it's right on the water. Lots of other restaurant choices there too. If it's warm, sitting outside at Sequoia is very fun.

Go to Pizza Paradiso on M Street and sit at the pizza bar in the back (not the beer bar up front) - it's fun having the pizzas being made a few feet from where you're sitting.

There's also a movie theater on M Street, if you will be in Gtown for a while and aren't feeling imaginative.

There's a great sneaker store on Wisconsin Ave - Major - I think it's between P and O (or Dumbarton?). They have an amazing selection, including hard to find models and one-offs. What 11 year old doesn't want a new pair of sneakers?

There are some hair and nail places on upper Wisconsin Ave, up near where Volta comes into Wisconsin Ave. If your 11 year old has never gotten a haircut that includes wash and blowdry, it's time - she'll love it. If up in that part of Wisc Ave, you should get ice cream at corner of P and Wisc. at Thomas Sweet.

If you are in the part of Gtown near Key Bridge, a not-miss thing to do is to walk on the path on the left of Key Bridge, then down the concrete stairs to the C&O Canal tow path; take a right on the tow path and walk about 50 feet. Then to your left will be the old remains of the bridge that was used before Key Bridge was built. You can walk out on it and sit out on the end high above the Potomac -- it's very fun to do and feels a little dangerous - kids love going there.

If warmer (you won't be able to do it for another month probably), you should rent kayaks or a canoe either underneath Key Bridge or at Thompson's Boat Center (which is just beyond Washington Harbor on the Potomac). Kids love doing that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't miss the waterfront - Washington Harbor. Great boats to look at and views up/down-river. Also, great restaurants. Fiola Mare is there -- some say the best seafood restaurant in the city, and it's right on the water. Lots of other restaurant choices there too. If it's warm, sitting outside at Sequoia is very fun.

Go to Pizza Paradiso on M Street and sit at the pizza bar in the back (not the beer bar up front) - it's fun having the pizzas being made a few feet from where you're sitting.

There's also a movie theater on M Street, if you will be in Gtown for a while and aren't feeling imaginative.

There's a great sneaker store on Wisconsin Ave - Major - I think it's between P and O (or Dumbarton?). They have an amazing selection, including hard to find models and one-offs. What 11 year old doesn't want a new pair of sneakers?

There are some hair and nail places on upper Wisconsin Ave, up near where Volta comes into Wisconsin Ave. If your 11 year old has never gotten a haircut that includes wash and blowdry, it's time - she'll love it. If up in that part of Wisc Ave, you should get ice cream at corner of P and Wisc. at Thomas Sweet.

If you are in the part of Gtown near Key Bridge, a not-miss thing to do is to walk on the path on the left of Key Bridge, then down the concrete stairs to the C&O Canal tow path; take a right on the tow path and walk about 50 feet. Then to your left will be the old remains of the bridge that was used before Key Bridge was built. You can walk out on it and sit out on the end high above the Potomac -- it's very fun to do and feels a little dangerous - kids love going there.

If warmer (you won't be able to do it for another month probably), you should rent kayaks or a canoe either underneath Key Bridge or at Thompson's Boat Center (which is just beyond Washington Harbor on the Potomac). Kids love doing that too.

Wow, thanks for all the great suggestions, PP!

[Anonymous]

Don't forget Georgetown Cupcake - if you go in the morning I've found the lines are not terrible. Although my 10 year DD has never seen the show or heard of them, she loved the cupcake shop - the smell, the varieties, the cute box, etc. Tween heaven.

[Anonymous]

Be careful of the marauding groups of diversified youth.

[Anonymous]

Lady Camellia is a very cute teamroom on Prospect St. Friendly service and great scones. Since it's so small, you should call ahead to make sure they are not closed for a private party if you are thinking of going on a weekend afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Eat at Martins. A classic in Georgetown

[Anonymous]

Bong shop

[Anonymous]

Baked and wired is way better for cupcakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bong shop

Commander Salamander. Wow, remember that place (pseudo punk shop)? I'm sure it closed about 10-15 years ago. It was in the same vicinity as the Major shoe/sneaker store is now.

[Anonymous]

They sold spiked bracelets that were middle school must haves in late 80s

[Anonymous]

TJ Maxx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baked and wired is way better for cupcakes.

+1

[Anonymous]

Dog Tag Bakery