Feel Washington’s election buzz

Washington, D.C. is an exciting city to be in right now, especially with a presidential race taking place. The city is both easy to navigate,  has plenty to discover, and is a great place to feel the election  buzz first-hand this fall.
 
Sightseeing at the mall
Before you get under the skin of the city, orient yourself with the Bi-Partisan tour, a wacky expedition in a two-tone electric car. You’ll whizz past the majestic monuments of The Mall in this quirky automobile while your guide entertains you with the history of the city.

If you want to show your political allegiance, toot your horn — there’s a braying donkey for the democrats, and a trumpeting elephant for the republicans (bi-partisantourcompany.com).

Sights to explore on foot include the U.S. Supreme Court (supremecourt-us.gov), the National Archives (national-archives.gov), Library of Congress (loc.gov), Union Station (unionstation-dc.com) and the International Spy Museum (spymuseum.org). 

For an alternative twist on U.S. history, recap on the major events of the last hundred years as seen through the media at Newseum, an engaging museum dedicated to all things media, with a gallery of Pulitzer Prize photographs, and a moving space dedicated to 9/11 and the opportunity to film yourself presenting the news (newseum.org). 

Power lunching 
Museums might be a must, but there are reminders of D.C.’s political past and present all over town. Get into the election spirit and go for a power lunch — movers and shakers do their deals over fancy meals. 

Close to Capitol Hill, The George, is the city’s first boutique hotel. Washington’s elite come here for functions or to dine alongside other local and foreign dignitaries in the upmarket bistro, Bis.

Keep an eye out for political celebrities including Obama and the Clintons, as well as Hollywood stars from Sean Penn to Kevin Bacon who stay there when they’re in town to support their favourite causes (hotelgeorge.com). 

At the Renaissance Mayflower hotel, D.C.’s political scenesters rub shoulders in the Town & Country Bar. The largest luxury hotel in the city, this is the site of most U.S. presidents’ inaugural balls and J Edgar Hoover’s favourite lunchtime restaurant.

Earlier this year, disgraced New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer chose to have his tryst with a call girl in room 871 (marriott.com). 

For something a little more discreet there’s always breakfast at the Four Seasons, over in Georgetown and away from the heart of the action. Even if you’re not meeting up with a senator, it’s worth visiting for the breakfast alone, in particular the crab cake Benedict, a mountain of juicy Chesapeake crab dressed with tangy tomato hollandaise (fourseasons.com/washington).

Political cocktails
If dining in fancy restaurants is not your thing, then there are plenty more affordable ways of registering your vote.

Bars across the city have conceived party-inspired cocktails, so you can show your support for either Obama or McCain by picking a red or blue martini at the bar.

Younger lobbyists mingle in the bars and restaurants in the Adams-Morgan and U Street neighbourhoods. Politicos meet up for beer and chicken wings at Stetsons, a crowded Tex-Mex dive bar, or smarten up for dinner at hip, minimalist restaurant Leftbank on 18th street (leftbankdc.com).

Further down the street is a reminder of the civil rights battles fought in the city, Ben’s Chili Bowl. Currently celebrating its 50th year, this hot dog restaurant and D.C. institution is the only establishment to have survived the 1968 riots and resulting degeneration and regeneration of the area.

TV star Bill Cosby is a fan of their signature dish, the Chili Half-Smoke, a half pork and beef smoked hot dog with mustard, onions and chilli sauce. benschilibowl.com 

For a romantic alternative, have a late supper at old-fashioned Georgetown diner, Martin’s Tavern, where JFK proposed to journalist Jacqueline Bouvier in one of its booths (martinstavern.com).

Inaugural packages
If you’re planning to be in town for the inauguration, be sure to reserve your room quickly.

Most hotels are offering a minimum five-night package, and most of those have already been snapped up by U.S. society’s finest, who will attend the week of prestigious inaugural balls.

Luxury hotels are pulling out all the stops, from The George, which will have their own hair stylists and beauticians on hand, to The Four Seasons, which is having a revamp for the occasion, with six new presidential suites, including one with bulletproof windows for VIP guests.