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Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot

What to do on Inauguration Day that doesn't involve politics

By Michelle Goldchain
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Theodore Roosevelt Island
| Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot
By Michelle Goldchain

On January 20, Barack Obama will pass the Presidential torch to Donald Trump. For those who may want to avoid all of the political hullabaloo, check out the events and venues mapped below, from a jazz concert to a cabaret to a celebrity-filled bash.

Have any other suggestions? Let Curbed know in the comments or email the tipline.

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See some celebrities

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On January 19, Busboys & Poets will host the Peace Ball: Voices of Hope and Resistance at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This event will "celebrate the accomplishments and successes of the past four years and the vow to continue to be the change we want to see in the world," according to the event page. DCist reported that approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend the event. Hosts and guests will include Angela Davis, Alice Walker, Danny Glover, José Andrés, and more. To attend, prices for general admission are $200.
1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 633-1000
(202) 633-1000
Photo via Rex Hammock

Check out some art

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During Inauguration weekend, all tickets are free of charge at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only major museum in the world dedicated to women artists. Here, expect to find approximately 4,500 artworks as well as a library and research center that houses 18,500 volumes.
1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 783-5000
(202) 783-5000
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Go to a cabaret

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In this Trinidad arts venue, the non-profit arts organization, Capital Fringe, will host a "cabaret of resistance performance" with comedians, musicians, dancers, and even clowns. The event is on January 20 at 8 p.m. It is also free and open to all.
1358 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

See Jimi Hendrix's guitar

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This might be the most political event on this list, but it's still worth a see. In the Newseum, the public can see the guitar Jimi Hendrix played when he did a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" in Woodstock. In the same exhibit, the public will find John Lennon’s guitar, Bob Dylan's harmonica, Bruce Springsteen’s outfit from the cover of Born in the U.S.A., and the FBI’s concerned letter about N.W.A. The exhibit runs from January 13 through July 31.
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 292-6100
(202) 292-6100
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/David Monack

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Visit a beautiful monastery

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Time to venture away from the National Mall, away from politics, and away from the city. In Brookland, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of the city's hidden gems, with a jaw-dropping church and over 1,000 roses planted in a garden. Here, come for the great views. Hours for guided tours vary throughout the week.
1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
(202) 526-6800
(202) 526-6800
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Farragutful

See inside a stunning mansion

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Hillwood Estate offers a museum, gardens, and even an outdoor exhibition. The museum also houses a collection of Fabergé eggs, orchids, and 18th and 19th century art. On Monday, January 23, it will be closed, but before that hours range from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays. Ticket prices are $15 when purchased online and $18 in person.
4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 686-5807
(202) 686-5807
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Jllm06

Learn about historic diseases and remedies

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From January 8 through April 9, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will offer 45-minute tours every second Sunday on 1800s remedies. Starting January 13, the museum will also feature an exhibition that will offer information on a historic apothecary that once supplied Alexandria.
105 S Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 746-3852
(703) 746-3852
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AlbertHerring

Listen to some Jazz

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Jazz ensemble The Wee Trio has toured internationally and is expected to perform at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on January 20. Online magazine All About Jazz described the group's recent album as “highly accessible music built on a unique blend of intellect, brawn, sensitivity, and humor.” The event starts at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
(202) 416-8000
(202) 416-8000
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Tom

Visit the opera house

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For around $40, the public will be able to enjoy the vocals of Ailyn Pérez on January 20. The American soprano is expected to sing popular Spanish songs at the Vienna venue.

A photo posted by Wolf Trap (@wolf_trap) on

1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 255-1900
(703) 255-1900

Get away from it all

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For those who want to feel like they've left the city altogether, visit the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Here, crack open a book or take a run or just enjoy the views of the city from afar.
Analostan Island, Washington, D.C. 20037
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot
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See some celebrities

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
On January 19, Busboys & Poets will host the Peace Ball: Voices of Hope and Resistance at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This event will "celebrate the accomplishments and successes of the past four years and the vow to continue to be the change we want to see in the world," according to the event page. DCist reported that approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend the event. Hosts and guests will include Angela Davis, Alice Walker, Danny Glover, José Andrés, and more. To attend, prices for general admission are $200.
1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 633-1000
(202) 633-1000
Photo via Rex Hammock

Check out some art

1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
During Inauguration weekend, all tickets are free of charge at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only major museum in the world dedicated to women artists. Here, expect to find approximately 4,500 artworks as well as a library and research center that houses 18,500 volumes.
1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 783-5000
(202) 783-5000
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Go to a cabaret

1358 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
In this Trinidad arts venue, the non-profit arts organization, Capital Fringe, will host a "cabaret of resistance performance" with comedians, musicians, dancers, and even clowns. The event is on January 20 at 8 p.m. It is also free and open to all.
1358 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

See Jimi Hendrix's guitar

555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
This might be the most political event on this list, but it's still worth a see. In the Newseum, the public can see the guitar Jimi Hendrix played when he did a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" in Woodstock. In the same exhibit, the public will find John Lennon’s guitar, Bob Dylan's harmonica, Bruce Springsteen’s outfit from the cover of Born in the U.S.A., and the FBI’s concerned letter about N.W.A. The exhibit runs from January 13 through July 31.
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 292-6100
(202) 292-6100
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/David Monack

Visit a beautiful monastery

1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
Time to venture away from the National Mall, away from politics, and away from the city. In Brookland, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of the city's hidden gems, with a jaw-dropping church and over 1,000 roses planted in a garden. Here, come for the great views. Hours for guided tours vary throughout the week.
1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, D.C. 20017
(202) 526-6800
(202) 526-6800
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Farragutful

See inside a stunning mansion

4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Hillwood Estate offers a museum, gardens, and even an outdoor exhibition. The museum also houses a collection of Fabergé eggs, orchids, and 18th and 19th century art. On Monday, January 23, it will be closed, but before that hours range from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays. Ticket prices are $15 when purchased online and $18 in person.
4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
(202) 686-5807
(202) 686-5807
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Jllm06

Learn about historic diseases and remedies

105 S Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314
From January 8 through April 9, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum will offer 45-minute tours every second Sunday on 1800s remedies. Starting January 13, the museum will also feature an exhibition that will offer information on a historic apothecary that once supplied Alexandria.
105 S Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 746-3852
(703) 746-3852
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AlbertHerring

Listen to some Jazz

2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
Jazz ensemble The Wee Trio has toured internationally and is expected to perform at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on January 20. Online magazine All About Jazz described the group's recent album as “highly accessible music built on a unique blend of intellect, brawn, sensitivity, and humor.” The event starts at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
(202) 416-8000
(202) 416-8000
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Tom

Visit the opera house

1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
For around $40, the public will be able to enjoy the vocals of Ailyn Pérez on January 20. The American soprano is expected to sing popular Spanish songs at the Vienna venue.

A photo posted by Wolf Trap (@wolf_trap) on

1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 255-1900
(703) 255-1900

Get away from it all

Analostan Island, Washington, D.C. 20037
For those who want to feel like they've left the city altogether, visit the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Here, crack open a book or take a run or just enjoy the views of the city from afar.
Analostan Island, Washington, D.C. 20037
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot