We may have one late afternoon / evening to wander around. Thinking of either going to Alexandria or Georgetown. wander the sights for a couple of hours and have some dinner.

For some reason at this point leaning towards Alexandria. Not sure why.

Why one over the other?

I love Old Town Alexandria.

For wandering and enjoying cute boutique shops I would recommend Alexandria.

They are both destinations for shopping and eating. Alexandria has more historical sights although I think you mentioned elsewhere you're not big on history. Alexandria has a prettier view of the Potomac River than G/town. It is also a twenty minute metro ride from the city.

And it is a pain to get to Georgetown if you are too cheap to take a taxi, too feeble to walk, and don't like buses. On the other hand, if you don't give a hang about shopping, ithe residential areas are great to walk around and Dumbarton Oaks is interesting as a house and for its gardens.

We're not really history people but historic structures and areas are interesting.

Ambiance is more important than spending a day walking into and out of stores.

I think Alexandria early evening and dinner is a good idea. Thanks.

Hi Myer - The more interesting areas of Old Town, IMO, are from Washington Street east to the river, and that area is no closer to the King Street metro station than Georgetown is to Foggy Bottom, maybe a little farther actually. But Old Town probably has a better ambiance for a stroll. Georgetown has much more shopping, probably more & better restaurants, & also the C&O canal trail for a very nice walk. You can also walk across the Key Bridge over the Potomac, at the western end of M Street. Great views back to DC with Georgetown U up above.

Both have lots of ambiance, and lots of shopping and dining; Georgetown has been somewhat infested by chains of late, but in both Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown, it's important to get off the main drag(s), or else you'll think shopping and dining are all there is to do there.

I'm partial to Georgetown, as I find there to be more variety of terrain there, as it were. Meander up to Dumbarton Oaks, back down past the university, through the cobblestone streets here and there, and down along the canal for a bit, and across the Key Bridge--this is one of my favorite walks anywhere. The neighborhood is entirely different from any other in the District.

Old Town is very charming, but, to me, the flat grid, the commercialized waterfront... they don't hit the spot in the same way, although I have enjoyed many, many happy hours there, too.

I'm latching onto this thread and saving for our own trip mid-May. I'm hoping to spend some hours walking around/through Georgetown and will use NewbE's guide above, in addition to my plans to walk along the C&O trail. Thanks,
gail

I love Old Town Alexandria. That's where I stay when I visit D.C. Although I've never been, one of the best-rated restaurants in the area, Restaurant Eve, is there, I believe.

Well, we've got two evenings.

My original plan was to go to Dupont Circle the first evening, wander and eat there and take the Metro to Alexandria the second evening and also wander and eat there.

There's a possibility we could spend a few hours in Georgetown during the day of our last day but only if we've had enough of the Mall area and seen and done what we want.

I'll run the three choices by my wife and see what she thinks. Maybe we'll drop Dupont Circle and go to the other two.

NewbE,
I thought Dumberton Oaks is a bit out of the way. Also, since the plan is for late afternoon and evening I'll have to check hours.

Given the DC traffic, is the Circulator really a viable transportation choice?

For instance from K st & 17th St to Wisconsin & R (start walk at Dumbarton Oaks) and work our way past Tudor Place, Cox's Row, Georgetown University and possibly Old Stone House.

Or skip Old Stone House and walk along the waterfront and then over the Key bridge to the Rosslyn Metro Station and metro back.

The walking time (excl stops, etc) appears to be about 45 min with the Old Stone House and about 75 min to the Rosslyn station instead.

Does any of this make sense?

You might want to download the Lyft app for your (and your wife's) phone. Google "Lyft codes" and get a free ride on each phone. Use it to get to Alexandria, Georgetown, the Memorials, or whatever. Even after your two free rides, subsequent rides are still cheaper (and more pleasant) than taxis.