Sydney Carroll (C’27) is a Georgetown Storyteller and sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences from Nashville, Tennessee. When she’s not working on Georgetown Stories, you can find her playing with the Georgetown club field hockey team or writing for The Voice.
Welcome to the Hilltop! If you’re an admitted student, visiting a Georgetown Admissions Ambassadors Program (GAAP) Weekend is one of the best ways to get a feel for campus and decide if Georgetown could be your home. At GAAP Weekend, you’ll tour campus, speak with current students and meet potential classmates. You’ll want to make the most out of your weekend. So, I’ve compiled everything you need to know to have the best GAAP Weekend ever — and get a real sense of what your life on the Hilltop could look like.
What to Pack
Knowing what to pack can help make your GAAP Weekend as comfortable as possible! Believe it or not, the Hilltop isn’t just a nickname — Georgetown is on a massive hill. Bring good sneakers because you may be walking a lot— and half of it will be uphill. The weather in DC can change on a dime. Bring multiple layers to be prepared for anything from 80 degrees and sunny to 45 degrees with rain! And, maybe save a little bit of room in your suitcase in case you decide to bring some merch back home with you.
What to See (On Campus)
While you’ll likely go on a tour of campus during GAAP Weekend, there are some places you may not see that are equally important! One of my favorite spots on campus is the Heyden Observatory, which can be found off West Road across from Yates Gym. In the spring, daffodils grow all around it, and there are great spots to sit and read, relax, or even have a picnic.
A hidden gem on the front lawn is the koi pond next to White Gravenor Hall. There are TONS of fish, and they’re very fun to watch (at least to me!). I’d also totally recommend visiting spots where you’re most likely to see students in their natural habitat — Lauinger Library, the International Cultural Center (ICC) Galleria, the Leavey Center and the Healey Family Student Center (HFSC). You’ll get to see what a day in the life at Georgetown looks like, which is helpful to figuring out whether you see yourself spending four years here!
What to See (in Georgetown)
As someone who hates shopping, M Street doesn’t tend to be my jam. But there are plenty of places in and around Georgetown that I do love that you should see to get a feel for the area. My favorite places in Georgetown include the C&O Canal, the waterfront and Dumbarton Oaks.
What to See (in DC)
A big part of Georgetown is the fact that it’s in the heart of Washington, DC, so taking advantage of the city during your GAAP Weekend is a must! If you’ve never been to DC, you can’t go wrong with the classics — the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol. Both the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are open to the public 24/7, so feel free to visit whenever! To take a tour of the Capitol, book here several weeks in advance to ensure your spot.
If you’re a native Washingtonian or have been to these spots in the past, DC still has much to offer! Some of my personal favorites are DC’s local theatres (the National Theatre, Arena Stage, and Signature Theatre), the historical marker tour of LeDroit Park and the Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market on Sundays.
How to Get Around
DC’s public transportation is some of the best in the country, and you should absolutely take advantage during GAAP Weekend to save money and get a feel for the city! Georgetown doesn’t have a metro station, but we do have Georgetown University Transportation System (GUTS) buses that take you to the Rosslyn and Dupont Circle metro stations.
Additionally, the Georgetown neighborhood has several different buses: the G2, which stops directly outside Georgetown’s gates, the 33 and 31 have stops along Wisconsin Ave, and the D6 stops on Reservoir Road behind the Georgetown hospital. To see bus/metro routes, how to best get around the city and upcoming bus/metro times, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website.
Where to Eat
Eating in Georgetown can be expensive, and it can often feel like you’re breaking the bank every meal. However, there are hidden gems in Georgetown that are less expensive than other options. Here are some of my personal favorites.
For Mexican food, try Los Cuates on Wisconsin — the atmosphere is great and their food is delicious. For a quick bite with easy options for all ages, try Wingo’s (on O Street or up the road in Glover Park) — they have great wings, chicken tenders and fries. Georgetown Pizza & Grill gives you massive slices, making even one order enough to fill you up. Falafel Inc. is a student favorite that serves falafel, sandwiches and bowls for a good cause, with some profits going to support the World Food Programme.
If you’re looking for more options, check out my friend Justin’s blog on budget eats around Georgetown.
Where to Grab Dessert
This is a controversial subject among Georgetown students, and I’m happy to say that, luckily, the person writing this blog is the one with the singular correct opinion on dessert in Georgetown.
For cupcakes, my personal choice is Sprinkles, which I grew up on and fully believe has the best red velvet cupcake in the world. Other cupcake options include Baked and Wired, Dog Tag Bakery and Georgetown Cupcakes.
My favorite ice cream in Georgetown is Thomas Sweet, a favorite of former President Barack Obama. Thomas Sweet is definitely on the expensive side, but I will say that they do give rather large servings — so you can always share. Other options include Ice Cream Jubilee, Van Leeuwen and Haagen Dazs. As far as boba (or bubble tea) goes, while I personally do not drink it super often, my friends are big fans of Gong Cha Bubble Tea and Tai Chi Bubble Tea, both of which are in Georgetown.
Although those are my suggestions, no matter what you do on GAAP Weekend, you can’t go wrong! The most important thing you can do on your GAAP Weekend is center yourself and be thoughtful about your college journey, evaluating whether you see yourself as a Hoya. I certainly hope you do and that you’ll come join me at what (I believe) is the best campus in the world. Hoya Saxa!
