Originally Posted by greggwiggins
It's true. While there are some election night activities (you might try a politically oriented bar like the Hawk & Dove on Capitol Hill or Dr. Dremo's across the Potomac in Arlington), it's the inaugurations that are the big political party occasions in this town.
... not that there are NO parties at all, of course.
Though I plan to skip them all this year, I can tell you where several of the official (party-sponsored) election night results-viewing parties are... IF you're a Republican, that is. Sorry, Dems, but I don't know where your people will be.
For non-political stuff, you've been given lots of good ideas. A critical thing to what you will or will NOT be able to do depends on your transportation options and whether you'll be able to drive yourself around.