Looking at Lincoln

President Barack Obama is a big fan of Abraham Lincoln, as we saw during his campaign for the country's top political spot. All the parallels to the iconic former president are timely because the nation's capital is celebrating 200 years of Lincoln's birth with a slew of special exhibits, lectures and events.

Now that the inaugural crowds have cleared, here are some reasons to plan a day trip south during February's celebrations of American presidents.

*The National Museum of American History is showing off historical treasures associated with Lincoln's life, including his famous top hat and the iron wedge he used to split wood.

*On the second floor of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, you'll find a special exhibit dedicated to Lincoln's second inaugural ball.

*The National Portrait Gallery's Mask of Lincoln and the National Postal Museum's Lincoln-related family festival (July 11) are others to note.