Doing Washington, DC, in style

Now that the Obamas have made the District of Columbia their home, Washington, DC, is no longer a place of endless debates and boring meetings. Sure, it is not as exciting as Chicago, San Francisco or New York (it's only a tenth of the size of New York, after all), but it has lots of lovely, lively places for young and old. We take you on a tour of seven of the best.

1. Before they moved into the White House on 20 January, the Obama family lived for two weeks across the road at the Hay Adams Hotel on 16th and H Streets NW. It's rather expensive (rooms cost between $400 and $3,000 a night). Even if you don't stay overnight, though, a visit to the bar — a favourite with politicians and the press — is a must. Because it's such a discreet place, it's called Off the Record.

2. Looking for great food, with a sense of fun? Go to Central Michel Richard at 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. His "faux gras" is said to be very popular with those who work next door at the FBI.

3. Georgetown is one of the hippest parts of the city, day and night, and it's got lots of pubs and clubs. Billy Martin's Tavern at 1264 Wisconsin Avenue NW, is just another Irish-American bar, except for that fact that it was John Fitzgerald Kennedy's local. He lived just up the street before he married, and spent many Sunday mornings having brunch in the Tavern. JFK is said to have proposed marriage to Jackie Bouvier in the bar.

4. Take the kids to the Spy Museum at 800 F Street. They'll love the fact that everyone can get a false identity and then take lots of tests along the way to check whether visitors can remember all the details about their new character. For the parents, the museum offers a serious look at the history of espionage, especially during the Cold War. Admission $25.

5. Where can the staff of Democratic and Republican politicians meet to talk about their bosses? The Hawk and Dove at 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE is a very basic bar, but it's the politico basic bar, and was even featured in an episode of the hit television series The West Wing.

6. For lunch, don't miss the Southern soul food at Georgia Brown's. The Sunday brunch is BIG: the buffet includes meat, eggs Benedict, waffles, shrimp, fried chicken and lots and lots of desserts.

7. One can never have enough shoes, right? Hu's Shoes on M Street has the latest footwear designs by Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Lanvin. Coming later this month: Some very cool clothing by the hot Italian indie label Hache. Who knows? You might even see Michelle shopping at Hu's.