Rich history of US powerhouse

All eyes will soon be on the American capital as the presidential campaign trail heats up – but it's not all politics and no play in Washington DC.

This is a city that packs a powerful punch in more ways than one.

Washington is also a capital of cool. It's a world away from the in-your-face craziness of New York. It's beautiful streets aren't crammed with towering skyscrapers – instead they are full of grand architecture and steeped in never-ending history.

It has so many iconic monuments and memorials – not to mention an array of free museums. These combined with hip neighbourhoods and a fantastic restaurant scene certainly give it a wow factor of capital proportions.

Our trip to DC (as many locals call it) was just for a long weekend and what certainly helped in cutting out the usual hassle involved in a US arrival – namely, long queues at customs in the airport – was the pre-clearance at our departure airport in Dublin.

Yes, we may not have flown direct from Birmingham to Washington but after a brief Aer Lingus flight to the Emerald Isle and just a couple of hours wait to our connection, we were able to go through pre-clearance – which allows travellers to clear immigration and customs before take-off.

What a refreshing start to our journey across the pond, having breezed through this in minutes, as there was not a queue to be seen. Soon we were on board the Aer Lingus jet and Washington bound. Around eight hours later we arrived in DC and our home for the following three nights was the Dupont Circle Hotel in the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of the same name.

The sleek and very comfortable hotel is in a great location – close to many restaurants and bars – although to be honest, you didn't need to wander far as the hotel serves up first class fare and its watering hole Bar Dupont is a great nightspot popular with both locals and tourists.

With time of the essence, our trip was very much a pack-in-as-much-as-you-can break.

And what better way to soak up the sights – and the atmosphere – of this impressive city, by taking a tour – by bike. A visit to the city's many majestic monuments and memorials has to be at the heart of any trip to Washington – and we whizzed (well, casually cycled) alongside the famous sights in a three hour bike ride, which provided us with plenty of time to stop at each attraction, take in the view and enjoy a fascinating history lesson from our 'Bike and Roll' tour guide.

Our guided tour took in the National Mall – and no, that's not a shopping centre. It's a two mile stretch which features a host of major attractions from the US Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial.

It provides the visitor with a chance to reflect on the contribution of the country's forefathers, legendary leaders and fallen soldiers.

We passed the Washington Monument, one of the city's most iconic structures as well as the tallest at 555 feet. It's a towering tribute to George Washington, America's first president. A lift to the observation deck on the top floor provides visitors with unparalleled panoramic views across the city and beyond, taking in a host of landmark memorials on the Mall as well as the Pentagon and the most famous home in America – the White House.

Nearby there are many poignant memorials to the armed services, honouring those who perished in conflict. Each offers a quiet place of reflection. These include the Second World War Memorial, which stands at one end of the impressive reflecting pool (Lincoln Memorial is at the other), the powerful Vietnam Veterans War Memorial and the hauntingly beautiful Korean War Veterans Memorial, which features life-like statues of soldiers on patrol.

At the other end of the reflecting pool we visited the grand Lincoln Memorial, a tribute to the man considered the greatest American president. Inside is a 19-foot marble statue of Abe, flanked by an inscription of the famous Gettysburg address.

Close by is a memorial to another American icon. The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is the newest monument on the National Mall.

The centrepiece of the memorial is a 30 ft statue of the civil rights leader.

His likeness is carved into the Stone of Hope, which emerges powerfully from two large boulders.

Again this is a place for contemplation, but rather than looking at it in sadness, it's a monument of hope.

Now if politics is not your thing, fear not as the Mall area is also home to many of America's important museums.

The Smithsonian Institution comprises more than a dozen museums including the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum and American History Museum – and they are all free to get in to.

My personal favourite is the Newseum, a fascinating museum about the history of news and journalism.

It does charge an entry fee, but it's worth every penny.

We were there for three hours – I could have stayed three days. And yes, while I'm a big fan as a journalist, this museum will appeal to all.

The many exhibits are fascinating – there's a huge chunk of the Berlin Wall, a fascinating insight into the stories behind the FBI and an incredibly moving 9/11 display and video.

DC's trendy neighbourhoods offer attractions all of their own. We went for a leisurely stroll through U Street.

The neighbourhood was the boyhood home of Duke Ellington and is also known for its Civil Rights history in the 1960s. Now it's a nightlife hotspot, with a host of great food spots and bars.

The district is home to Ben's Chili Bowl – a DC institution which serves half-smokes, a smokier version of the hot dog.

Presidents (Barack Obama's picture is on the wall) and rock stars have dined at this humble establishment over the past 60 years, but you're made to feel like a local even if you're not.

So after all this sight-seeing, you'll no doubt want to relax in one of the many fine bars and restaurants in the city.

We visited Georgetown, a great district by day and night. We tasted the culinary delights of Tony & Joe's Seafood Place at the pretty Georgetown Harbour, and also visited Pinstripes, home to an American-Italian restaurant and bar – as well as an indoor bowling alley. Tasty food followed by a fun night of bowling was had by all.

In fact, we were all bowled over by DC. A city with grand designs and rich in history – and pretty cool too. I'll be back DC.

Travel Facts

Flights: Birmingham to Washington with Aer Lingus (via Dublin), £215 each way. Visit aerlingus.com for further information.

Hotel: The Dupont Circle. The rate with B&B is $309.00 plus tax per night (approx £217). For more information visit the site www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-dupont-circle-hotel

Sightseeing: For more information about what to do in the city visit washington.org. To book a bike tour visit bikeandrolldc.com