Last updated: January 12, 2009 Planning to travel to Washington, DC for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama? As the official source for Washington, DC travel information, Destination DC has compiled this checklist to assist you with your travel arrangements. Checklist Tips for All Travelers | Confirm Your Hotel: If you have a hotel reservation, call the hotel directly to confirm it. If you’re still looking for a hotel room for yourself or for a group, call 1-800-422-8644 where local tourism experts can refer you directly to hotels with availability. Destination DC has located at least 750 hotel rooms that are still available within the city, plus more than 15,000 hotel rooms within 200 miles of the inauguration action.
| | Make Your Metro Plans: Be prepared to wait an hour or more before you board the train. You can save a step inside the station by pre-purchasing your fare cards online. Every rider needs his or her own card; up to two children under age 5 can ride free with a paying adult. The Metro parking lot at the Minnesota Avenue station will be restricted for use by Metro employees only. Parking at all other stations is $4 per day, cash only. Some stations downtown including the Smithsonian stop will be closed on 1/20; other stations may be exit/entrance only depending on the time of day. Metro will operate until 2 AM on the 19th and from 4 AM to 2 AM on the 20th. For more information, to purchase fare cards and to check on station closings and changes in operation, visit wmata.com.
| | Reserve Your Train Ticket: If you are taking the train to DC, plan ahead. Amtrak is adding service along the Northeast Corridor on Jan. 20, but trains will require reservations and tickets must be purchased prior to boarding. Reservations are also required on MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) and Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Plan to arrive at the station no earlier than one hour prior to departure time, and be sure to pick up your roundtrip tickets before boarding the train.
| | Choose Your Celebration: Along with the ten official balls, there are dozens of unofficial celebrations at venues throughout the region, like the Lincoln 2.0 Inaugural Ball at the breathtaking Smithsonian American Art Museum on Sun., Jan. 18, where Lincoln’s own inaugural ball took place, plus links to sites where you can learn more about the official events.
| | Get Travel Tips & Insider Advice: Need some help organizing your visit? Need recommendations on a good meeting point for your group? Contact Destination DC at 1-800-422-8644 or visit this site to request a copy of the Official Visitors Guide, Official Visitors Map or to get advice from a local travel expert. You’ll also find insider tips, sample itineraries, information about African-American history and a list of 44 free and affordable things to do in DC during inauguration and a rundown of restaurants serving up special inauguration-themed menu items.
| | Dress the Part: January temperatures average around 40 degrees in DC; early forecasts call for temperatures in the mid- to high 30s. Be sure to wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes fit for walking. If you’re holding tickets to the swearing-in or are planning to stand along the parade route, you’ll also want to review the list of prohibited items on inaugural.senate.gov. You can also pick stock up on souvenir inauguration-themed apparel before you arrive by visiting zazzle.com/Washingtondc (products ship in 24 hours). |
Special Checklist Tips for Travelers Arriving by Bus or Motorcoach
| Make Sure Your Motorcoach Has a Permit: If you’re planning to bring a group to DC by bus or motorcoach on Inauguration Day, make sure you’ve applied for a permit. All coaches traveling to DC on Inauguration Day must have a permit from the DC Department of Transportation, and applications for permits must be submitted by January 15. More information is available at inauguration.dc.gov/bus.asp.
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| Make Sure You Have a Motorcoach Parking Plan: Once you’ve secured your permit, you’ll need to register to park at RFK Stadium and other designated locations by visiting 2009inauguration.clickandpark.com. Because of the high level of Metro ridership expected on Inauguration Day, buses will not be allowed to drop passengers at Metrorail stations without registering in advance.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS JUST IN: Metro will operate until 2 AM on Monday, Jan. 19, reopening at 4 AM on Jan. 20.
For transportation tips and information, visit the Washington, DC government's transportation resource page.
The entertainment line up for Sunday's opening concert at the Lincoln Memorial has been announced, including headliners such as Bono, Mary J. Blige, Bruce Springsteen and Garth Brooks. The concert begins at 2 PM and is free and open to the public. Valet bicycle parking is available on Jan. 20, courtesy of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Drop off points are on the south side of the Jefferson Memorial and on 16th Street, between I and K Streets NW. Visit www.waba.org for details. All of Metro's parking lots will be open to the public on Inauguration Day, except for the Minnesota Avenue station, which will be reserved for Metro employees. Buses must have permits and must be registered to drop off passengers or park at Metro stations.
Inauguration-goers can celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama at the very location where Lincoln celebrated his own. The Lincoln 2.0 Ball takes place Jan. 18 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The formal inaugural program begins at 11:30 AM on Jan. 20, but the musical prelude will begin much earlier. Security checkpoints for ticket holders will open at 8 AM; ticket holders are encouraged to arrive by 9 AM to allow ample time for security screening. Late arrivals will not be admitted. The program will feature Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, the San Francisco Boys & Girls Choruses and a poem from Elizabeth Alexander. Obama will be sworn with the same Bible used by Abraham Lincoln.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced that there will be 10 official inaugural balls on Jan. 20. Six balls will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and the others will take place at Union Station, the D.C. Armory, the National Building Museum and the Hilton Washington.
DC restaurants have created inauguration-themed menu items in honor of the historic occasion, from Obama sushi rolls to Biden brunches. In honor of the upcoming Inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, and we've compiled 44 Free Things to Do during the Inauguration festivities.
Official details about the festivities will be released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Check back to this website for updates. You can also follow Destination DC on Twitter or look for news and information on our Facebook page.
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