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Destination D.C.: If You're Going To The Inauguration

Associated Press

Wayne West adds stars to a float of the American flag in preparation for Barack Obama's inauguration.

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By CHRISTA NIEMINEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 2, 2009

Traveling to D.C. for Inauguration Day on Jan. 20? Either you've scored a seat on one of the 10,000 tour buses or you're planning your own adventure.

If the itinerary isn't set in stone and you're in the District for the big week, consider these options — both on and off the beaten path — to make your historic excursion especially memorable.

The Lincoln Memorial: With no shortage of Barack Obama-Abraham Lincoln parallels this season, the Lincoln Memorial will serve as the first stop for many inauguration attendees. Literally. A welcome event is scheduled for Jan. 18, following the president-elect's train ride to D.C. from Philadelphia.

And if you're in that Lincoln state of mind, add the Abe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery to your to-do list. Through July, the gallery features "One Life: The Mask of Lincoln," focusing on his presidential portraits.

If you go: Lincoln Memorial Circle Southwest; (202) 426-6841; www.nps.gov/linc

National Portrait Gallery, 750 Ninth St. N.W.; (202) 633-1000; www.npg.si.edu/

Oprah takes her show on the road: Oprah Winfrey, one of Obama's biggest supporters, tapes an episode of her television show Jan. 19 at the Kennedy Center's Opera House. And since there's a better chance of winning the lottery than getting tickets to the taping, fans of Oprah may want to pay a visit to Art Smith's Art and Soul Restaurant at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel. Smith, a Florida native, was Winfrey's personal chef for 10 years.

If you go: 415 New Jersey Ave. N.W., (202) 393-7777; www.artandsouldc.com

Busboys and Poets: A sort of informal headquarters for Obama supporters, Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore and market with an emphasis on social justice issues. The name refers to poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1930s.

There are three in the area — the one on 14th Street is the original. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by Ben's Chili Bowl, a D.C. institution, for a chili dog or two.

If you go: 2021 14th St, (202) 387-7638; www.busboysandpoets.com/

Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 U St., (202) 667-0909; www.benschilibowl.com/

Hawk 'n' Dove: This bar made a cameo or two on NBC's "The West Wing" and is a good place to spot (and eavesdrop on) Capitol Hill staffers.

If you go: Hawk 'n' Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E.; (202) 543-3300; www.hawkanddoveonline.com

Inaugural D.C. Ball: For those who can't get tickets to any state inaugural balls, check out the Inaugural D.C. Ball at The Old Post Office Pavilion. The event raises money for the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs and features Chuck Brown, the godfather of go-go.

If you go: Inaugural D.C. Ball, The Old Post Office Pavilion, 1110 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Tickets: $150; (202) 488-6990; www.inauguraldc.com/

Barack Obama souvenir store: It seems every major intersection houses a vendor with Obama merchandise these days. For a more extensive selection, head to the new Obama Inaugural Souvenirs Center at 15th Street and New York Avenue Northwest. From traditional T-shirts and mugs to rare jewelry, there's political memorabilia aplenty.

Beds to let: If you want to go to Washington but didn't move quick enough to book a hotel room, check www.airbedandbreakfast.com. Locals have posted airbeds, bedrooms, couches and futons they're willing to rent for pretty good prices.

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