Visitors to Washington, D.C., have long lauded the National Mall — home to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and a string of Smithsonian museums. But if you’re looking to experience a different side of life in Washington, not far from this hubbub of tourist activity is historic Georgetown — a posh D.C. neighborhood whose founding actually pre-dates both the city of Washington and the federal District of Columbia.

Georgetown was established in 1751 as a colonial port town that grew in importance for facilitating shipments of tobacco and other goods from surrounding colonies. Its governmental powers were vested within D.C. in the late 1800s, and when the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal began to decline — and the trade along with it — the area quickly fell from prominence.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt focused rescue efforts on Georgetown in the 1930s, but the sleepy slum was not fully rediscovered until the 1950s and ’60s, when then-Senator (and future President) John F. Kennedy resided in the area.

Today, M Street and Wisconsin Avenue serve as modern-day Georgetown’s main corridor — dotted with designer boutiques and a meandering list of cafés, restaurants and bars. History buffs, avid shoppers and architecture enthusiasts alike will find sites to explore across this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. (In fact, Georgetown is a rarity among neighborhoods in the District in that there’s no Metro train station; you can get a sliver of important history just on foot, in a city that otherwise requires you to take a public train to see it all.)

8 a.m. Start your day with fresh coffee from Baked & Wired. To fuel your exploration, try the “Hippie Crack” — an out-of-this-world granola made with an array of nuts, dried fruits and coconut. Armed with your steaming cup, walk west along the canal toward Georgetown University and spend your morning exploring the collection of Gothic and Georgian architecture. (On your way back toward the main strip, ask a passerby to point out the creepy stairway filmed in 1973’s The Exorcist. Located at the intersection of 36th and M Streets, it’s a local landmark.)

Slip down to the waterfront to rent a canoe or kayak from Jack’s Boathouse — there’s no better way to see the Potomac River and get some exercise.

If you’re feeling inspired by the trendy Georgetownians, check out the slew of elite national stores and independently owned boutiques that line Wisconsin and M Street. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous, slip down to the waterfront to rent a canoe or kayak from Jack’s Boathouse — there’s no better way to see the Potomac River and get some exercise.

1 p.m. Stop for a casual lunch at Tackle Box, Washington’s “first and only lobster shack.” The lobster roll is unmatched in the city, and sides like hush puppies and fried green tomatoes will make you think you’ve traveled to America’s Deep South.

2 p.m. Walk off your full belly with a trip up Wisconsin Avenue to nearby Dumbarton Oaks, where the United Nations charter was outlined in 1944. Boasting both formal and naturalistic gardens designed by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, Dumbarton gives a taste of country life within the city. Blaze your own trail through the gardens or follow a docent-led tour, offered most weekday afternoons.

And while you’re in a touring mood, check out the Old Stone House on M Street, aptly named for being the oldest home in Washington (built in 1756). The small, six-room house with its unassuming character commemorates the ordinary Americans who first established the city.

6 p.m. Grab some chic chocolates from Fleurir to satisfy your sweet tooth later in the evening. With flavors like Pink Peppercorn, Peanut Butter Banana, Sesame Hazelnut and Lavender Shiraz, you’ll satisfy your adventurous side too.

7 p.m. Wander over to Das for upscale Ethiopian cuisine — including beef, poultry, seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as imported Ethiopian beer. Formerly known as Zed’s Ethiopian Cuisine, this establishment served for decades as the Ethiopian restaurant of choice for members of Washington’s upper crust, including Hilary and Chelsea Clinton.

Now under new management, Das has retained both the classy ambience and authentic menu of its predecessor. If you have a healthy appetite but dislike choosing from the many menu selections, try the vegetarian or meat sampler, offering a variety of tasty dishes on one plate. Or if your palate pulls you in a different direction, rest easy: With scores of acclaimed restaurants in the area, you’re sure to find a Georgetown restaurant for every taste bud.

9 p.m. Enjoy an after-dinner cocktail at Martin’s Tavern, a quintessential corner pub that opened the day after Prohibition ended in 1933. (It’s also rumored to have witnessed John F. Kennedy’s wedding proposal to Jackie 20 years later — in booth 3, specifically.) Consider ordering a Bourbon Old Fashioned, as a nod to the many politicians who have made Martin’s their local watering hole throughout the decades.

11 p.m. Immerse yourself in historic Georgetown glamour at the Georgetown Inn, a boutique luxury hotel that is classic Washington, D.C. Retire for the evening in a plush robe as you look out on the neighborhood you’ve conquered — and the rest of the city that lies ahead.