Obama Inauguration DC Trip

Washington, D.C., or the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. It is a planned city, designed specifically to house the federal government and is not part of any state. Its history, beautiful architecture and excellent cultural centers attract millions each year.

Virtually all of Washington’s tourists flock to the National Mall—which features monuments, museums, the White House and the Capitol—but the city itself is a vibrant metropolis that often has little to do with monuments, politics or white, neoclassical buildings. In many ways D.C. remains a significant center of African-American culture. It is home to Howard University, one of the most important historically black colleges, and is the hometown of many significant African-American figures of history and culture, including Frederick Douglass and Duke Ellington. The District is also home to one of the country's most prominent lesbian/gay communities, centered around DuPont Circle.

A Treasure Hunt is a great way to see many of the famous landmarks and institutions of D.C. as well as some of its unknown treasures. Several tour companies offer this service for groups throughout the downtown mall area. Visitors can also enjoy the National Zoo, and the many large parks that offer hiking and biking.

Centered around the century-old market house from which it gets its name, this enormous, primarily open-air Eastern Market offers everything from produce to photographs, as well as hats, scarves and Christmas tree ornaments. It is the last of Washington's 19th-century markets to remain in continuous use and is a must-see for tourists, as it offers a glimpse of the heart of Washington and its inhabitants. Within the market, the atmosphere is friendly and cheerful. A Weekend Market Festival is open every Saturday and features artists, craftspersons, antiques and a flea market.

Located at the west end of the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial is a principal landmark of the city. It offers magnificent views of the city from several vantage points. Daniel Chester French's 19-foot (5.7-meter) statue of Lincoln seated and deep in thought, along with the carved text of the Gettysburg Address, provides a glimpse into a weighty period of American history. The 36 Doric columns represent the number of states in the union at the time of Lincoln's death. Go at night for much lighter crowds.

Acadiana keeps in touch by offering classic Cajun dishes and Southern influenced cuisine. However, Acadiana also offers a new take on some Cajun favorites, such as Beer-Battered Softshell Crab Etoufee. At Acadiana, Sunday brunches are a favorite as Acadiana offers a prix-fixe three course meal with such favorites as fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and bread pudding. Chef Jeff Tunks brings a vast amount of knowledge from his days working in New Orleans for many years. The restaurant has a lively café type atmosphere but is filled with warm decor. Acadiana also is conveniently located near the Washington Convention Center downtown.

Originally intended as a small reference library, the Library of Congress now contains the largest collection of books in the world, with 100 million items, including a Gutenberg Bible and first drafts of the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The splendor of the magnificent Main Reading Room is worth the visit, but you should also browse the many excellent collections and exhibits in the library's three buildings. Its collections are available for research to adults 18 and older.

The National Gallery houses an extensive collection of European and American art in two spectacular buildings. In the grand, neoclassical West Building, Rembrandt, Rubens and Gainsborough are well-represented. The permanent collection includes works from the 13th to 20th Centuries including a section devoted to Impressionism. An underground concourse with a cafeteria, an excellent gift shop and a walled-in waterfall takes you to the East Building. Designed by I.M. Pei, this triangular building is a key city landmark and home to 20th-century art works and temporary exhibitions.

The Kennedy Center is a must-see for any visitor. The center has seven theaters which include the Concert Hall, Eisenhower Theater, Family Theater, KC Jazz Club, Opera House, Terrace Theater and the Theater Lab, which show productions that include plays, operas, ballets, concerts and films. Among the center's highlights include the Shakespeare festival produced by the Shakespeare Theatre. Free tours introduce visitors to the Hall of States, Hall of Na! tions, the main theaters and gifts from many countries honoring the 35th president. Ticket prices for performances vary. Half-price tickets are available to students and seniors. Discounts are offered on group purchases. See website for ticketing, performance schedule, and events calendar.

Insider advice from a former White House staffer for planning your trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration of the 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama.

Closed for renovations until Summer 2008. During the closure, the National Air and Space Museum is acting as a temporary home to many of the most beloved exhibits. See websites for more information. This eclectic museum is sometimes referred to as "The Nation's Attic." It houses numerous memorabilia and artifacts collected throughout American history. The American Presidency section exhibits the many facets of the nation's highest office and the impact it has had in those who have held it. Another section contains objects that highlight the cultural history of the country including Mohammed Ali's boxing gloves and the inaugural ball gowns of many of the First Ladies. Exhibits on science and technology, military history and much more can be found on the three floors of this fascinating museum. Stop by the old-fashioned ice cream parlor before you leave.

The National Archives is a bombproof, fireproof facility that protects the nation's most treasured documents. The methods used for storing the documents safely are nearly as interesting as the documents themselves. Sealed glass vaults are raised into the exhibition areas for viewing each day but sink back into safety each night. Here, you will find the most significant of our national documents—the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Among the other documents and artifacts housed here are copies of the Magna Carta and the Emancipation Proclamation, and the rifle used to assassinate John F. Kennedy.

The elegant Main Hall with its vaulted ceiling more than 90-feet high and marble floors is reminiscent of the days when railway travel was fashionable. Union Station opened in 1908, fell into severe disrepair in the 1940s. It underwent a monumental restoration project and reopened in 1988. Restaurants, including an international food court, and more than 100 specialty shops draw visitors. Its proximity to the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol make it a perfect midday stop for lunch. Still a working train station, Amtrak has service from here to all points in the country.

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of many who gave their lives in service to the country. Two US presidents - John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft - are buried here. The crew of the Challenger space shuttle, civil rights leader Medgar Evers and film star Audie Murphy are among the many honored here. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, containing remains of unidentified soldiers from World Wars I, II, and the Korean War, is guarded 24 hours a day. The changing of the guard ceremony is a moving tribute to them. Arlington House, the home of Robert E. Lee until the outbreak of the Civil War, is located on the cemetery grounds. Visitors may walk through the cemetery or board a Tour mobile Sightseeing tram.

One of Washington's newest memorials, the Korean War Veterans Memorial pays tribute to the many who fought in the Korean War. Located near the Lincoln Memorial, this monument features statues of 19 soldiers carefully making their way through unknown terrain. Photographic images on a 164-foot granite wall pays tribute to the thousands of others who contributed to the war; nurses, mechanics, crew chiefs and support personnel. Inscribed on the wall are the words: "Freedom Is Not Free."

Dedicated on May 29, 2004, the World War II Memorial is the first national memorial to honor "Americans who took up the struggle during the Second World War and made the sacrifices to perpetuate the gift our forefathers entrusted to us: A nation conceived in liberty and justice," as the announcement stone proclaims. The design by architect Friedrich St. Florian marks the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II with magnificent arches and remembers the 400,000 Americans who died with 4000 stars (100 for each star) along the Freedom Wall. It is located on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Phillips Collection retains the 19th-century grandeur enjoyed by the Phillips family. The gallery was opened in 1918 while the family was still living in the home. The collection displays mostly 19th and 20th century American and European paintings. Significant works by Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Bonnard and Klee are on display. One can browse at leisure and perhaps, catch an art student working on a sketch. A cafe is on site.

Relatively new among the many monuments in DC, this memorial pays tribute to the 185,000 African-American soldiers who fought with Union troops during the Civil War. Appropriately, the memorial stands in the historic Shaw neighborhood, named after Robert Gould Shaw, the white colonel who led the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, a black regiment, in an ill-fated attack on the Confederates. The event was depicted in the movie "Glory." Across the street, a Visitors Center features a database for looking up ancestors' regiments and battle action.

This Washington landmark has been serving up hot dogs with chili, fries, hamburgers and shakes since 1958. Rumor has it that comedian Bill Cosby orders his chili dogs from Ben's when he comes to town. There is no table service, but after you order at the counter, you can sit in bright red booths. A wide range of hotdogs is served here, from the traditional dog to half-smokes and turkey dogs smothered in onions, cheese and chili. Fries and onion rings, cream pies and shakes are also offered, and breakfast is served six days a week.

Anacostia Museum - at this lesser-known Smithsonian museum, the spotlight is on African-American culture and issues. There is no permanent collection, but the museum provides innovative, special exhibits. They tend to be current and interactive, with many suited to children. Admission is free.

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass purchased this 21-room home, called Cedar Hill, making him the first African-American to buy a home in an area then restricted to whites. The home became the nation's first Black National Historic Site. Cedar Hill's furnishings are in large part the ones Douglass owned. They include the 1200-volume library of this self-taught man. Also on display are gifts given Douglass by such contemporaries as Mary Todd Lincoln and Harriet Beecher Stowe.