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Outdoors Georgetown

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

An outdoor spot in Georgetown, free to visit and worth about 1.5 hours. Best time to go: Morning.

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Why go

Flat towpath beside the 1830s canal, starting in Georgetown and running 184.5 miles to Cumberland, Maryland.

It is one of 7 curated places we feature in Georgetown, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 outdoor spots and 1 activity. 5 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Washington Harbour Ice Rink and Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Georgetown
Price
Free
Time needed
1.5 hr
Best time
Morning

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Georgetown, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Washington Harbour Ice Rink

    Outdoor rink on the Potomac at Washington Harbour, typically open from mid-November to early March.

    Activity · 0.2 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Georgetown Waterfront Park

    Riverside park along the Potomac with views of Key Bridge, Roosevelt Island and the Kennedy Center.

    Outdoors · 0.3 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Theodore Roosevelt Island

    Wooded island memorial in the Potomac with a loop trail of about 1.5 miles and a boardwalk over the marsh.

    Outdoors · 0.4 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Clyde's of Georgetown

    Saloon on M Street that has served burgers, crab cakes and brunch since 1963.

    Food · 0.5 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Martin's Tavern

    Family-run Georgetown tavern since 1933, with wooden booths and a long weekend brunch.

    Food · 0.6 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    1789 Restaurant

    American restaurant in an 1840s Federal townhouse near Georgetown University, open since 1960.

    Food · 0.8 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath is a stop on our Washington, DC New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

When to go: weather by month, based on Washington, DC

Our climate figures for Georgetown come from nearby Washington, DC. Average daily highs in Washington, DC run from 40°F in January to 88°F in July; June is usually the wettest month. For Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath itself, we suggest: Morning.

Modelled monthly averages for Washington, DC from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Washington, DC weather by month (covers Georgetown).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
38.89972, -77.05778
Destination
Georgetown, District of Columbia
Website
nps.gov

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath: quick answers

How much time do you need at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath?

Plan on about 1.5 hours at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath?

Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Walk west from Thomas Jefferson Street to Fletcher's Boathouse and back, about 5 miles round trip.

Is Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath free?

Yes, we list Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath?

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath appears on Washington, DC New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Georgetown.

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Lists & regions

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.