Located on the western edge of Washington, D.C., this college-driven neighborhood has the rustic look of historic Americana, the cuisine-laden olfactory atmosphere of an Italian city, and the commercial appeal suited for the bright, successful Gen-Xer. The first impression cannot fail; the store façades of windows and brick and the quaint and immaculately kept row homes (a two-bedroom row home in this neighborhood happens to sell for well over half a million dollars) are reminiscent of horse-drawn carriage scenes in films. A haven for those in search of the trendy shops such as Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, and J.Crew, Georgetown also offers wares to appeal to those who enjoy a darker sort of night life. People of all types crowd the sidewalks until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, as it draws people of many cultures and subcultures, Georgetown’s streets are lined end-to-end with slow-moving cars. It logically follows, then, that parking is a rare commodity, may be costly, and may be bad for your car’s health. Sitting in Starbuck’s on a Sunday morning, we saw an overzealous Honda Passport nudged a little Toyota Tercel in a not-so-gentle manner five times before settling into a metered parking spot alongside the street. Safer options for vehicles include all-day lots at a cost of about $6.50 per day and secured hotel lots, should you stay overnight. Such lots are highly recommended — and practical, as you can easily walk to any destination in Georgetown. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

A trip to Georgetown truly makes for a fantastic shopping getaway. Stores such as the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware sell everything from square dishes to rustic drawer knobs to claw-footed tub accessories. Looking for that retro look in your home? Purchase a few butterfly chair frames with brightly colored covers and a matching boomerang ashtray at Urban Outfitters. This warehouse-styled store sells all things bizarre, including oriental paper lanterns, erotic books, clubbing clothes, and batik bedspreads. I found a lovely trio of faux daisies to rest, smiling, upon my desk.

Any leather lovers will appreciate the array of leather goods stocked in the stores. Commander Salamander boasts the most wild of the leather attire, while Steve Madden carries rather stylish boots and coats. The Gap, along with the aforementioned J. Crew and Banana Republic, fulfill the tamer accouterment desires — although we could not figure out who could possibly desire a stark-white duster from J. Crew.

We had strolled up and down Georgetown’s two main stretches, Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, thinking we had seen everything anyone could possibly see within the confines of one small neighborhood, when we ran across our most surprising and impressive find of the weekend — Dean & Deluca. In passing the glass doors at the front of the brick building, we peered into the deep interior, first noticing the spread of fresh fruits and vegetables … then the refrigerated cases of sparkling water and unique juices … then the displays of meats and cheeses. Entering the building revealed a bustling gourmet grocery. Jams and jellies lined one wall, and exquisite teas lined another. As we ventured toward the back, we saw burlap bags full of specialty coffee beans, pots and pans of bright copper, and a multitude of candies stored in glass jars — including six varieties of black licorice, one of which I have never found outside of Western Europe!

Just past the candies and the nuts sits a medley of dried goods, such as cherries, mango slices, guava pieces, and Australian crystallized ginger. The ginger does not technically qualify as a dried good, as it is made by boiling ginger slices in sugar-water and rolling them in granulated sugar, but it does seem to have the same consistency as dried pineapple or mango — and it packs a potent but elegant sapor.

The furthest reaches of Dean & Deluca house the extensive racks of wine. As we headed back toward the front of the store, we passed mouth-watering orange glazed Cornish game hens and a variety of other prepared dishes, followed by shelves of tarts and pies and cakes. This is definitely not your average grocery.

Perhaps the most difficult point in time during our visit to Georgetown arrived when we had to make a restaurant choice for dinner. I had a hankering for Thai, or maybe Middle Eastern or Italian or Russian — any culinary desire could have been fulfilled that night. We settled upon Fino, a little Italian restaurant with pesto-smattered garlic bread and a fettucini alfredo to impress the most distinguishing of tastes. Many of the establishments, such as the Bistro Français Restaurant, Georgetown Station, and J. Paul’s, feature large, hinged window panels that fold open, revealing entire tables of patrons to passersby. J. Paul’s also stores its clams, crabs, mussels, and shrimp behind a picture window, allowing the people outside to view the initial preparation of the fresh seafood. If the weather permits, Café Milano and Au Pied De Cochon serve meals outdoors à la France. On average, a meal for two people including appetizers and drinks will run from $40 – $50.

Georgetown has a number of post-dinner establishments. Opting for a sweeter, alcohol-free treat, we visited Ben and Jerry’s; other choices include Clyde’s, Martin’s Tavern, and Third Edition, a classic bar used in the filming of St. Elmo’s Fire.

If you decide to save the two-and-a-half hour drive for the next day, accommodations in the immediate Georgetown area will run at least $100. Less expensive, national-chain motels are easily accessible by public transportation. We stayed at the Georgetown Suites, a clean, cheerful, comfortable hotel that features a variety of suites, from a basic studio suite up to a two-story townhouse. All rooms have a kitchenette and include a complementary continental breakfast of cereals, croissants, pain au chocolat, and other pastries, as well as fresh fruit, juices, and yogurt. An extra $15 buys a spot in the hotel’s underground, secured parking lot.