I have few illusions re getting actual inaugural tickets. But I’m going to be in DC anyway, and wondered if anyone here knows of any good bars that might be showing the inaugural address.
I’m sure many hotels and restaraunts will be hosting their own formal and informal parties. I’m not averse to buying a ticket to such an event, depending on the cost.
And to any of you in DC, what time do people start lining up to see the parade? Do the police let you camp out for a few nights? If not, what’s the earliest you can start to sit on the curb to grab a spot???
Who else is going? I’ll be with a friend and her family, and without my own source of transportation – so I may not be able to meet up with anyone else. But it would be fun to know who’s there, sharing the experience, nonetheless!
I’ll be there! We should definitely get a meet-up put together.
Fantastic, Man Egee! I’m definitely tied to the family I’m going with, but will make my cell phone available when the time gets closer. If there’s a chance to meet, I’d like to seize it!
They’ll start putting up the bleachers along PA Avenue before Christmas, but I think you need a ticket to get a seat on those. But there’s plenty of sidewalk all along the route, which will be jam-packed, especially if the weather is good. (We had VERY good weather for Clinton’s first Inaugural, which I attended….)
As a meet-up and possible parade spot, I’d recommend the Navy Memorial area, (Navy Memorial/Archives metro stop). We used it as a meeting spot for some of the war protests, and it’s easy to find. (and there’s a Starbucks nearby….) That’s Pennsylvania Ave. and 7th street NW on the map.
I don’t know if Obama will get out of the limo — Secret Service probably won’t let him, they only let Clinton out for a brief time. And I’m sure security will be tight around him the whole time (which it should be… unfortunately).
I’m assuming they will have Jumbotrons or something set up so even if the crowd extends halfway down the Mall from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, we’ll be able to see and hear what’s going on up at the podium. (I hope so, anyway — what was it like at some of Obama’s really BIG outdoor rallies or at Grant Park on November 4th? Could you see and hear even if you were a ways back?)
A lot depends on the weather (always iffy in January), but the festive atmosphere should warm a lot of hearts if not their feet…..
Get your hotel rooms or other arrangements ASAP. I’m assuming the Metro will run extra trains that day (and the federal government will have the day off, as will most of the offices and businesses in DC not hospitality-related).
We do have a hotel room down in Ashland, VA, and will be driving in, or at least, driving to the nearest (furthest out) metro stop and training in from there.
I am leaning towards the mall too, for best party atmosphere and best chance of seeing/hearing SOMETHING of the inauguration. But I’m wholly chained to the people I’m traveling with, since they’re picking up most of the bills…! I’m not complaining, either!
Or friends. Damned near everything is sold out, and what hasn’t is going for an astronomical fee. Hotels started doubling their rates at least a week before the election. I did a quick check on Orbitz using dates 1/17-20th, and only 4 hotels had their per price listed–other hotels were listed as “rooms may be available.”
Of the 4 hotels, only one had a reasonable rate: the Comfort Inn BWI Airport at $131/night (and you can always hop a MARC train which ends at Union Station, a very short walk to the Capitol, Senate side). The other two hotels are not close (one near Dulles airport in VA and one in St. Michael’s in Maryland, both running for $430ish/night) and the only DC hotel available is running for $998/night).
See if you can get a deal on Craigslist, even though the private rentals are commanding top dollar, too.
I am SO glad I live here–but my house is filling up, too. My parents already made “reservations” with us…and they didn’t ask, either.
It was more along the lines of, “Have our room ready.” :<)
That’s hilarious. Parents can do that. Yeah – I’ve got lodging covered. And I got RT airfare from CA for $350, which is a steal. I booked BEFORE the election, nonrefundable. That proved a brilliant move – it could have been a very costly mistake!! 🙂
Very smart. Of course, had it gone the other way, you could have joined us in agony!
I hope we can all meet up in January. Navy/Archives Metro is pretty close to where I work, and TRUST ME when I tell you that we’ll repair to my building when folks need bathroom breaks. I just wish I was lucky enough to actually work on Penn. Avenue.
But that gives me an idea. I should make sure we have nibbles and hot chocolate and such here at work, so after everything is said and done, everybody can just come here, warm up, get a bite, and THEN go home.
Right now, I have my parents, my bro and SIL, and our nieces and nephew (OK, he’s two so he doesn’t take up space) confirmed. It’s a strong possibility that my Uncle and up to 8 cousins from all over will come as well. So yeah…we’ll have a house full.