Inauguration Tourist Guide (Part 2)

January 16, 12:28 PMDC Transportation ExaminerKatherine M. Hill

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Order a milkshake, too! (Katherine M. Hill)

Welcome guests to the nation's capital! Today we look at the places you want to see on your mini vacation to celebrate democracy! Yesterday we looked at ways to navigate Metro, threw out the fanny pack and blended in with the locals following my snobby suggestions.

Ben's Chili Bowl is widely considered both historic and tasty; given President-elect Barack Obama's visit Sunday there may be a larger influx of visitor. Ben'is located at 1213 U St. and can be reached by Metro on the green line using U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo. Use the 13th Street exit; you'll see Ben's as you rise to the street on the escalator.

U.S. Capitol is a tourist trap, but probably a worthy one. You can reach the Capitol on the eastern end of the National Mall (past the Reflecting Pool), at 200 Constitution Ave. NW. Several stations reach the Capitol. They are Union Station on the red line, Capitol South on the blue and orange line, and Federal Center on the blue and orange line. (You can find more here.) The building will NOT be open for tours on Monday and Tuesday.

Eastern Market, a fresh food market on Capitol Hill, has been in operation since 1873. In addition to its historical significance and operation as one of the few public markets in the city, Eastern Market is known for its crabcakes and blueberry pancakes (if you can get there early enough!) The site is located at 7th Steet and North Carolina Avenue SE one block from Eastern Market on the blue and orange line.

Music Venues
Several popular and culturally significant concert venues are points of interest and hosting inaugural activities. Most can be reached using public transit. (It's okay to drive or taxi to the other one.)

The Black Cat is a few blocks and a short walk from Ben's, and thus, accessible by Metro using the 13th Street exit at the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station on the green line. The venue is located at 1811 14th St. NW. Monday night will see Andrew Bird, Ted Leo and many others take the state for an 7 p.m. Inaugural Ball on the main stage. Anti-Flag, Ruiner and Darkest Hour will join Demand in DC, "Applauding the empowement of people thru art, film and music," at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage.

The 9:30 Club should be declared a cultural landmark for its contributions to rock and roll history. Its "new" location is 815 V St. NW and a few blocks from U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station on the green line. (Use the Vermont Avenue exit or the walk will be much longer; I make this mistake if I've just been to the Black Cat.) For its part toward the Inauguration, 9:30 is having an Inaugural Kick Off party featuring Moby Sunday at midnight, "Hey America Feels Kind of Cool Again" Inaugural Gala (presented by Rock the Vote) featuring Sheryl Crow and the Beastie Boys Monday at 8 p.m., and an Inauguration Party Tuesday at 8 p.m. with the Dresden Dolls and Talib Kweli.

The Rock and Roll Hotel is a popular rock club with a small stage and an expansive upstairs. The usually all ages venue has a free, 21+ Inauguration Kickoff dance party tonight starting at 9:30 p.m., Afrofunk Inaugural Ball tomorrow night at 9 p.m., free 21+ Garutachi Redstripe(D) Pre-Inauguration Ball tomorrow night starting at 9:30 p.m., two-floor party, The People's Inauguration Ball Tuesday, featuring Baltimore's Scottie B, Blaqstarr, and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Finally, the venue has an amateur female jell-o wrestling "Inaugural Brawl." (...Given Ms. upcoming cover I hardly see the connection between Obama and half-naked women, but I guess someone does.) RnRH is located at 1353 H Street, NE and...a pretty long walk from Metro. 1.3 miles separates the two, and the path isn't pedestrian friendly or particuarly safe. From Union Station you can take XB toward Carver Terrace or D8 toward Washington Hospital.

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue hosts concerts in addition to a bevy of events. Tomorrow night Sixth and I hosts Songs for Presidents at 7 p.m. (Grizzly Bear performed last fall and Lykke Li will perform at the end of the month.) The synagogue is located at 600 I St. NW and can be reached by Metro on the red, green and yellow line using Gallery Place Chinatown. Use the Chinatown exit and walk one block north and one block east.

The Smithsonian is a treasure in disguise: the buildings house art, artifacts, history, a portrait of Stephen Colbert, the Hope Diamond, the Star Spangled Banner, Archie Bunker's arm chair, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and much much much more. It's staggering. (I feel the locals rolling their eyes.) Most of the museums line the National Mall and are within walking distance of each other. Multiple stops reach the museums, so check the website for more details. The National Zoo, which has a new baby gorilla and the National Pandas, is off the red line. It's quite a hike, so keep that in mind before you load the stroller and bundle up.

Rock and Roll Hotel via Van (Katherine M. Hill)

The National Art Gallery (Katherine M. Hill)

The White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., is almost impossible to cruise past by car. Heading to the President's home seems kind of crazy to do these days, given the crowds, but I understand your desire to pursue history.  (Don't expect a tour right now.) Metro Center, on the Red Line, is approximately .43 miles from The White House. Farragut West on the blue and orange line is .3 miles from the White House.

The Women in Military Service Memorial, or Women's Memorial, is at the end of Memorial Drive and entrance of Arlington National Cemetery (where you can see Robert E. Lee's family property, the Tomb of the Unknowns and more). Both are accessible on the blue line using the Arlington National Cemetery stop. Both are visible from the station (you'll have to take the escalator upstairs) and within walking distance.

Special Report: Inauguration Day 2009

• Neighborhood Inaugural Ball project
• Examiner.com Inauguration Roundup
• Examiner Coverage: Inauguration Day 2009
• The Obama Administration at a glance
• Elections 2008 Examiner Coverage