LINCOLN PERKS IN DC
Shaking hands with legendary US president was among many highlights of a trip to Washington’s National Harbor
IT’S not every day you get to shake hands with the president of the United States.
OK, it wasn’t the current leader. Or even one of the surviving former presidents.
In fact, it was a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln. But still, a president all the same.
I was at National Harbor, strolling down American Way, home to the sculptures of Lincoln and others. Before my trip to Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, I didn’t expect to encounter a president – well, not in the flesh anyway.
However, I realised the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Donald Trump, was probably going to play a small part in my trip, as he continues to crop up in many conversations more than a year on from his election victory.
But it’s not just the political landscape that has changed in the US’s capital region over the past 12 months – the area itself is undergoing considerable transformation.
I was a guest at MGM National Harbor, the $1.4billion entertainment venue that has brought Las Vegas glamour to the shores of the Potomac.
From the second I set foot in the place, I was reminded of Sin City, in particular the five-star Aria resort on the Strip.
It even smells like a Vegas mega hotel (but without the stale smoke).
Although thousands flock to MGM National Harbor each day, predominantly for the gaming, you’d be a fool to waste all your time in the sensory-overloading casino.
For a start, it’s a haven for foodies. During my stay I dined at the resort’s three flagship restaurants – the nautical Fish By José Andrés, sleek pan-Asian restaurant Ginger and celebrity siblings Bryan and Michael’s first joint venture, Voltaggio Brothers Steak House.
Despite flying into Dulles in luxury, courtesy of British Airways, the effects of jet lag – and some over-indulgence – were unavoidable, so I booked myself in at the resort’s world-class spa.
After a steam, sauna and swim, I arrived for a 80-minute sensational fusion signature massage that featured a hot-water foot treatment followed by a harmonising massage targeting my aches and pains.
Although you could easily spend your full break cocooned in the luxurious MGM property, there is plenty to see and do in the National Harbor area.
The Tanger Outlets are just a five-minute walk up Oxon Hill, while down the bike trail, adjacent to Woodrow Wilson Bridge, is National Harbor itself – a waterfront development of smart condos, quaint shops and quirky restaurants.
I jumped on a Potomac RiverBoat Company water taxi to historic Alexandria in Virginia and took a ride on the Capital Wheel before sitting down to
enjoy some afternoon seafood at Redstone Grill.
Following a few days at the MGM, I left Maryland behind and headed into DC to stay at another very special hotel.
Originally built in 1917, the W Washington DC reopened its doors in 2009 after an extensive refurbishment.
Hosting everyone from presidents to politicians, celebrities to CEOs and socialites to superstars, this was where Elvis Presley met with President Nixon to ask if he could become a federal agent.
After a spot of relaxation in my appropriately named Fantastic Suite, I ascended to the iconic rooftop lounge, POV, where I sipped on strawberry lemonade and chomped down on a hanger steak salad while watching the sun set over the White House.
For first-time visitors to DC, by far the easiest and most fun way to see the US capital is on a Segway tour.
Our Bike and Roll DC guide Bill took us through the Segway basics before leading our small group up to the National Mall – a two-mile long area of green space that contains many of Washington’s key landmarks.
To the east there is the Capitol Building, site of the inauguration and where the US Congress meet.
Roughly in the middle of the Mall stands 555ft-high marble obelisk the Washington Monument, while at the other end there’s the Lincoln Memorial temple and the Reflecting Pool.
On my last morning, I had breakfast at Old Ebbitt Grill around the corner from the hotel before hopping on a bike and pedalling over to Arlington, Virginia.
Coming across the Potomac at Key Bridge, I cycled south on the scenic Mount Vernon Trail, along the river, passing Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon before reaching the Four Mile Run Trail. This took me into Shirlington, where I had a spot of lunch at Busboys and Poets.
During the ride back, I heard sirens and saw flashing blue lights coming down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the White House.
“Perhaps this is Mr Trump on his way home?” I thought.
It is likely to be the closest I will ever get to the 45th President – unless they build a statue in his memory one day.
But I’d say the odds of that happening right now are greater than winning the jackpot on a slot machine in the MGM casino.