I visited Washington D.C during election year — it’s so much more than politics

The 2024 United States presidential election is now in its final hours, with polls across the USA closing this evening.

And, as Americans decide who will take the keys to the White House, Washington D.C is the city on everyone’s lips. 

To find myself visiting the country’s capital city in an election year, when its presence looms larger than ever, was a surreal experience. 

When you think of Washington, there are plenty of iconic images that come to mind: the White House, of course, the monuments, the history.

It makes you wonder: does the city live up to its own reputation? Well, after five days there I learnt that it doesn’t – but for all the right reasons. 

I learnt that D.C embodies the term ‘business in the front, party in the back’. It’s home to some of the most influential politics in the world, but also to music legends and a rich history that goes beyond just the people in suits. 

Whether you’re a lover of food, music, history, politics – whatever – here’s everything you need to know. 

Are the monuments in Washington D.C actually worth a visit?

It’s almost criminal to visit America’s capital city and not sneak a look at the monuments. Carving out a morning, afternoon, or evening to take in all you can is simply a D.C-must. And you can do it completely for free, too.

While the iconic structures like the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are unsurprisingly breath-taking to see in person, there are even more that you wouldn’t think to visit.

The memorial for Martin Luther King Jr. in particular is beautiful. It sits peacefully looking out at the water in West Potomac Park on the city’s National Mall.

And, as well as being striking to look at, the monument has an interesting history. When it was unveiled in 20111, it was the first on the Mall that did not honour a president or fallen soldiers, but was a backlash against it – some said it didn’t look much like the late Black rights activist, and had issue with the fact it was made in white stone. The quote inscribed in the stone was also a shortened, paraphrase of words spoken by King. In 2012, the quote was corrected.

If you’re up for spending a bit of money, I’d recommend signing up for a guided tour of the city’s famous memorials. I learnt about the controversies surrounding the Vietnam War memorial and how the impressive size of FDR’s monument went against his wishes for something more humble.

And, of course, visiting the White House is essential – but don’t pin your entire trip on it. British citizens currently can’t tour the building, so all I could do was look at it from a respectable distance.

As you explore the city’s political buildings, there’s something striking about standing so close to power. Walking past the US Capitol building, for example, I found it swarmed with secret service and journalists, waiting patiently for Congressmen to emerge after voting on a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine.

That’s an energy you’d be stuck trying to find anywhere else – a feeling of being right in the middle of the political world, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with history.

Is D.C only good for politics?

Politics is merely one branch of Washington’s charm. Once you step out of Capitol Hill, there’s a whole different side to the city. 

While maybe not as legendary as the cuisines of other American cities like New York or New Orleans, D.C’s food scene was an unanticipated highlight.

Firstly, you must get yourself a half smoke for $9.79 (about £7.50) at Ben’s Chili Bowl – a city staple enjoyed by many a celeb since 1958, including Barack Obama. The D.C delicacy is a quarter-pound sausage made from beef and pork, grilled and served on a steamed bun, with onions, lashings of mustard, and homemade chili. It may not look like much, but you won’t regret trying it.

I also loved empanadas at the family-owned Colada Shop, and if you want something a little more luxe, head for sundowners and sushi at Moonraker. It’s not cheap, with cocktails averaging around $28 (about £20) but it’s worth it for the experience.

Another top spot for any foodies has to be the food hall tucked away in Union Market district. An area known for it’s shops and food spots, its market is filled to the brim with stalls offering an abundance of different cuisines, including a rather interesting spot with ‘British’ grub on sale. If you want a taste of home you can order the ‘The Governor’s’ fish and chips, or a chicken tikka masala.

Whether you’re in need of a breakfast bagel overflowing with meat and cheese, or a mimosa after a particularly heavy night on the rooftops, there’s plenty of things to try.

Marrying the beauty of both politics and plates, Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown is a real gem. The spot is famed as an old haunt for countless presidents in its decades-long history; Nixon, Clinton, Bush – JFK even proposed to Jackie here. 

It’s not quite a budget find, with some main dishes hitting the $40 to $50 (£30 to £398) range, but the high quality comfort food pairs excellently against the intimate atmosphere for a night steeped in history. The lobster ravioli may be like 80 percent lobster, but that’s far from a fault in my book.

On a tight schedule, I didn’t have much time to explore Georgetown – but this trendy neighbourhood is one of the many reasons I’d like to head back to D.C. And, if you’re a horror fan, you absolutely have to check out the Exorcist Steps on the corner of Prospect Street. It’s a fun (albeit quick and creepy) stop.

The music scene is another thing you absolutely can’t miss. As the home of Go-go music and many, many music legends – including famous jazz composer Duke Ellington – there is so much to explore. 

The Black Broadway tour by author and historian Briana A. Thomas offers an authentic peek into D.C’s relationship with music through the years, and the influence of Black artists and business owners in all aspects of the city’s culture.

For $45 (£35) per person, Briana walks through iconic locations in U-Street – once known as ‘Black Broadway’ – while delving into the city’s musical history, as well as offering an insight into recent struggles of gentrification. It’s a sincere and candid exploration into D.C that shouldn’t be missed.

For more culture, it almost goes without saying, but the Smithsonian Museums are an essential part to any visit – and admission to all of them in D.C is completely free, with no tickets required. As a collection of seventeen museums in the city (with a handful more in New York and Virginia), there’s no shortage of things to choose from. 

As well as the iconic Natural History Museum, the American History Museum has some incredible collections to observe – including Prince’s guitar, Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the original (and enormous) Star Spangled Banner.

Beyond the Smithsonians, the National Gallery of Art also holds an impressive collection of iconic artists and collections, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas.

What makes Washington D.C worth a visit?

As the world waits with bated breath over Kamala and Donald’s head-to-head for the country’s top job in Washington D.C, I can practically feel the energy of the city from thousands of miles away. 

D.C is truly unique to any capital city you’ll have experienced before, and not just in the way you’d expect.

Certain parts of it are so pristine – almost eerily so. The skyline is completely uncluttered (thanks to a law that forbids buildings exceeding the height of the Washington Monument), and the roads wide and clear.

But the real charm of Washington D.C is experiencing every side of it, not just the old (and evidently short) buildings.

Areas like U-Street with it’s unforgettable stories and Union Market’s quirky shops and stalls aren’t necessarily what you see of the city when switching on the news, but hold a rich history all the same.

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