ASU2003

I have penciled in taking a trip to DC around this date (Jan 17th-Jan 20th) with probably a bunch of other people. I'm sure it will be a mess. I still haven't really decided on going yet, or if I will even be in the country that day. But, it will be one of those historical days.

I don't know if my family would be going with me, or if I would see if an old college friend is still in the area, but if I end up going by myself, I'm wondering if anyone would want to have an impromptu meetup sometime that weekend, Monday night or Tuesday at the mall even.

On a serious note, am I crazy for wanting to try and see this, or will the crowd just be ridiculous? I mean 250,000 people went to Grant Park on election night with no planning. How many people do you think will descend on the capitol that day?

SabrinaFair

I'll be there!!!!! My parents bought my plane ticket Wednesday as an early Christmas present, as a matter of fact. I know it's going to be nuts, but I have every intention of going and being in that city and a part of that day.

I'd love to get a group together--I'll be there the 16th-21st.

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PonyPotato

I live near DC and plan on taking Inauguration Day off work so I can at least get somewhere to watch it on TV. A couple of friends from Ohio are planning their trips, as well.

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dc_dux

Depending on the weather, the crowds could be massive and getting near the Capitol to see the swearing in ceremony wont be easy.

You will be able to find a spot along the parade route and if you want to spend a little money and want to party, you will probably be able to buy a ticket to one of the many "public" inaugural balls that night.

I doubt you will be able to find a hotel room in the city now or if you do, the price will be jacked up and it will have a three-day minimum stay.

But it will be a memorable event and if you can do it...I say, go for it!

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ratbastid

StellaLuna has a cow-orker who's said she's renting a charter bus to take people up there. If that happens, we'll likely be on it, and it'd be fun to get together in the middle of the crazy party!

Can we crash a dozen TFPers on your floor, dux?

dc_dux

sorry, rat....but we are up to eight already, including SOs family coming from Israel...and and our condo is not that big.

One last suggestion for the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol. The best viewing is reserved but you can get free tickets from your Congressperson or Senator. Its probably already too late, but it might be worth a call:

U.S. Senate: Senators Home

Member Web Site Listing (by State) - United States House of Representatives, 110th Congress, 2nd Session

We still might be up for a party for those in town.

__________________
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jewels

I'll be there with a couple of friends, arriving on the 16th.

I think we might be able to find a few minutes to meet up with like-minded TFPers.

J bought our tickets a couple of days ago and we looked at hotels yesterday. It took us forever to find something less than an hour away without paying $400+ a night. Don't put it off if you're planning on going!

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dc_dux

Take note:
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is expected to print 250,000 tickets for viewing from the Capitol grounds and the Mall.

So understand that you wont get close to viewing the ceremony and Obama's inaugural address w/o a ticket.

Another million people are expected to line the parade route along Pennsylvania Ave between the Capitol and the White House.

Tickets to Ceremony Limited; Viewing Area Isn't

Several congressional members' offices said they had been so deluged with calls requesting tickets that they were planning to set up Web sites, probably by tomorrow, to take requests.

__________________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
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ASU2003

I got a room at the only priority club hotel (Crowne Plaza) with reward point rooms still available for Sat, Sun and checking out at noon on Monday. Andrews AFB Holiday Inn Express still had rooms for $142/night. I figure that I'll park my car and either go to a bar until 2AM and then make my way to the mall area or find some party on Monday night. Maybe I'll just drive around in my car or eat at the waffle house or shop at a 24-hour Wal-Mart to pass the time if they won't let people in until 8am or something.

If they think that there will be only 1 million people, they are underestimating it by a lot. You will see buses and buses of people from Chicago, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia and other smaller cities on the east coast. Lots of people from there will drive themselves or their families as well. What have I gotten myself into?

DreStreet

i'm definitely going. Looking for tickets to the ceremony.

Tully Mars

Hope everyone has a great time. I was going to go but a recent family illness and unplanned trip has derailed any future travel plans for the time being. Hopefully it's like the Super Bowl and the best view is from the easy chair in my living room. I have about 20 people coming, some US citizens, Canadians, Germans and Mexicans. I'm still waiting to hear back from a Norwegian couple. They may still be in Costa Rica on the 20th. Some of you may have heard people from all corners of the world are thrilled with Obama's win. I hope the expectations aren't so high no one could live up to them.

I've ordered food and a cake as well as a few tables and chairs. Interestingly the amount of catering supplies/services available that day were already limited. I did manage to snag the last 8 bottles of Dom Pérignon from Costco at a somewhat reasonable price. Plus a bunch of Tillamook, Oregon sharp cheddar cheese and Oregon coast Dungeness crab (it's canned but what are you going to do?) and a few cases of Sam Adams brew.

Before and after, ok mainly after, we're planning to play clothing optional volley ball in my pool. I mentioned to several people I needed to get my net fixed. The overwhelming response was 'Net? We don't need no stinking net." There will be alcohol involved.

On a side note- I found out Obama won while sitting on a plane somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot came on and stated the Obama "squeaked out a victory" Everyone in 1st class groaned but I could hear a cheer go up back in coach. I kept my my mouth shut. I got off the plane and saw he won with well over 340 EV's and thought "squeaked? sounds more like land side to me."

Anyway hope all have a blast and I seriously hope the right gives him a chance to right our ship.

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Poppinjay

You can get ticket info from your senator or rep. Keep in mind that there are 240,000 tickets but NOT 240,000 chairs. No seating is assigned, so when things happen, it'll be a great big musical chairs.

If you don't have housing by the end of this week, you don't have a place to stay.

We're actually considering renting out our apartment and heading down to the outer banks. It's quite possible that we could wait until mid December and get a month's rent for a week's stay. Maybe more, considering we're metro accessible and within an easy walk to the heart of Old Town.

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dc_dux

A list of "unofficial" inaugural balls and events is starting to come together.

Balls & Events

Damn (from the SO)...the Oprah show is already sold out.

The Aretha concert at the Kennedy Center might be fun (if you dont mind standing in line for hours for tickets) and the MTV ball will undoubtedly be a zoo (I'm too old for that).

__________________
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ASU2003

I got tickets to go on the Capital tour on Saturday, might splurge a little and go to one of the Pre-Inaugural Kick-Off or some other bar Saturday night. I'll do some more tourist stuff on Sunday (Or if there is something better to do on Sunday night, I'm up for it). Then Monday I'll probably have to hang out at the Mall if other people are staying over-night. I'll park my car at the farthest metro stop parking lot on Monday and ride that into town. I'm sure that will be jam packed after the parade, but it's better than getting stuck in traffic.

(Oprah should have done her show on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial)

Did anybody get tickets from their congressman? The new congressman here isn't really setup to do anything about it yet, if he even got any.

dc_dux

DC enacted emergency legislation last week that will allow bars and restaurants to stay open all night and to serve alcohol until 5 a.m.(three hours later than usual) and serve food round-the-clock from Jan. 17 until the morning after Obama's swearing-in on Jan. 20.

District Raises a Glass to History - washingtonpost.com

I like the idea of staying open all night to help deal with the huge crowds expected.......extending the drinking hours, not so much.

__________________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
~ Voltaire

ASU2003

This is going to be a crazy weekend and inauguration...

I'm getting to DC on Saturday then taking the Capital tour (I have reservations). Sunday is the concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Monday night, I will party at a bar until 1-2am and then make my way to the security checkpoints outside of the national mall that will open at 4am. Then after all is said and done (and nothing bad happened), then I will make my way back. Hopefully. I worry about the traffic and the ability to get out of that city.

There will be tons of people, it might be one of the biggest crowds ever in the history of the world (well, except for India) List of largest gatherings in history - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Plan9

I live right outside DC and might consider going if TFPers were around.

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dc_dux

ASU....I still havent been to the new Capitol Visitors Center that just opened up last month, but I hear its very cool and all underground.

And dont think about driving into the city. Park near a suburban metro station!

__________________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
~ Voltaire

ASU2003

Do you have a bar recommendation that is within walking distance of the national mall? Monday night would be the best for me, but I'll have to play it by ear.

I am a little conserned that everyone else will have the idea to park at the last metro station and ride it. It should work, and is better than any other idea though. There might be huge crowds at the subway station after it is over to deal with.

(I will be able to read this thread, but probably won't be able to post this weekend. I'll be using my iPod touch for all internet browsing and such)

dc_dux

ASU....the bars will be packed where ever you go. Try a few blocks north of the Mall around Penn Ave or above (F and G Streets).

You might try Hawk and Dove on Capitol Hill (3rd and Penn, SE), Dubliners near Union Station, 18th Amendment (6th & Penn, NW), Capitol City Brewing Company (11th & F), Old Ebbitt right near the White House (15th & G).

Or get away from the Mall completely for your bar crawl and try around Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan....plenty of bars in both neighborhoods.

I will be staying inside where its warm, watching from a friend's condo that overlooks the parade route on Penn Ave.

Have fun!

__________________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
~ Voltaire