Georgetown University - Activities & Trips

Around the Campus, Around the Town  Designed as a capital of “Magnificent Distances” by Frenchman Pierre L’Enfant, Washington is comprised of 4 quadrants with the U.S. Capital at the center. Students attending Summer Discovery at Georgetown experience the best of many worlds. Georgetown is in Washington’s fashionable Northwest quadrant, a lively mix of gracious 18th and 19th century homes, cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks, contemporary cafes, coffee houses, clubs, theaters, boutiques, and the Georgetown Park Mall. The intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street has been called "the most happening place on earth."

In addition, the “Capital of the Free World” is at our doorstep with literally hundreds of museums, concerts, theater productions, athletic events and attractions from which to choose.  Students will visit all of our National Monuments, the Smithsonian and the Capitol Building.  Across the river and up the road are Virginia and Maryland with excellent attractions, mountains, beaches and more.

Weekend Road Trips (Included in Tuition)

Baltimore Excursion

Just an hour north of Washington is the revitalized city of Baltimore, Maryland. We visit the bustling restored waterfront at Harbor Place, visit Johns Hopkins University or the University of Maryland, and the National Aquarium with 5,000 creatures on display in over 2 million gallons of water.

Six Flags America Amusement Park

Unlimited rides at one of the nation’s best amusement parks. Sample the Batwing, Superman: Ride of Steel, Skycoaster, and Hurricane Harbor– an awesome water park. Unlimited fun.

The Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian is the largest and most interesting museum complex in the world. 14 museums in Washington comprise this ever-changing collection. In fact, only about 1 percent of the Smithsonian’s 130 million objects are on display at any time. Highlights include the Wright Brothers Flyer and Apollo space ships at the National Air and Space Museum; Dorothy’s “ ruby slippers” from Oz at the Museum of American History; an 8 ton African Elephant and the 4.5 carat Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History; French impressionists at the National Gallery. Visits to all the Smithsonian museums and other museums of interest take place regularly throughout the program.

More Off-Campus Excursions

• Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts Tour Six world-class theaters and the only Presidential
• Memorial dedicated to the Performing Arts.
• Rock Concerts at the US Air Arena, Nissan Pavilion and Wolf Trap Farms (Transportation provided, tickets additional) Recent concerts include; John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Phish, Dave Matthews, Allman Bros., and Moby.
• Library of Congress The largest library and largest single repository of information in the world with over 83 million objects.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Dedicated to the millions of victims of Nazi tyranny from 1933 to 1945. A must see.
• The Monuments of Washington, D.C. Opportunities to see the Vietnam, WWII, Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln Memorials and the John F. Kennedy grave-site at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Tour of Capitol Hill/Supreme Court See the US Capitol Building, the Rotunda, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Across the street is the stately US Supreme Court building.
• Washington Nationals Major League Baseball at National Park - the USA’s 1st green stadium.
• Bureau of Engraving (where U.S. currency is printed) and the National Archives Home of the original US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence.
• National Zoo Open-air enclosures with hundreds of animals including the only Chinese Pandas in the USA.
• National Geographic Society’s Explorers Hall Fascinating changing exhibits and the world’s largest unmounted globe. This is one of D.C.’s best kept secrets.
• 4th of July Fireworks by the Potomac River
• Rock-n-Bowl Music and bowling!
• Imax Theater The latest state of the art films on the giant screen.
• Blue Room Club Great dancing in D.C.

Optional Excursion

Note: Students who do not sign up for the optional excursions are provided a full weekend program of activities and excursions in the D.C. area at no additional charge.

The Big Apple New York City Excursion (3 days / 2 nights)

We depart by charter motor coach to the Big Apple, one of the biggest, busiest and most exciting cities in the world. We leave Georgetown early Friday morning in order to maximize our time in “the city that never sleeps.” Daytime highlights include a Circle Line tour of lower Manhattan past the Statue of Liberty, a tour of the United Nations, Times Square, South Street Seaport, Central Park and Strawberry Fields, New York University (NYU) and strolling and shopping in Greenwich Village. Evening highlights include dinner at a trendy NY restaurant, Mulberry Street in Little Italy, a show Off-Broadway, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and a magnificent evening panoramic view from atop the famous Empire State Building.
Fee: $695 Includes all activities and admissions per itinerary, transportation, hotel accommodations and all meals except Sunday dinner.

 *Excursion fees may not be transferred to another student and are non-refundable after May 1, 2012.

On-Campus Activities

• Video and DVD Center In-house movie features.
• Leavey Student Center Georgetown’s newest building is headquarters for more than 100 student services including the student bookstore, game room, two stores - Vital Vittles and Saxa Sundries, and a food court including KFC, Taco Bell, Gelatorific, Pizza Hut and TCBY.
• Academic Computer Center ACC is two computer labs with 51 IBM and 15 Macintosh computers for word processing and programming.
• C & O Canal Towpath This Canal and the adjacent Towpath are parallel to the Potomac River and ideal locations for nature walks, strolling or jogging.
• Karaoke Night Fever You’re on! You pick the song, and sing along.
• Village East Rock n’ Roll Dance Party Rock, Rap, Funk, and Reggae.
• Tie-dye Tuesday We provide the dyes, you provide the garments.
• Beading and Jewelry Making We’ll show you how.
• Lack of Talent and Talent Show Lights, camera, action!
• Georgetown Park Upscale shopping arcade and food court. For the best in “grunge”, Urban Outfitters is around the corner.
• Miss Summer Discovery Contest with big prizes.