DC is a wonderful city, easily one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. Everything you want is in the city limits, i.e., art, music, history, good food, great bars, churches, great colleges and universities, shopping, entertainment, wonderful people, great scenery, great parks and trails, and much, much more. Come to Washington! You'll enjoy every moment of your visit. If you want to be here to experience the Obama Inaguration great! Come on! But do me a favor, huh? Plan your trip carefully.
If you have friends here, finding a place on the floor to sleep probably won't be a problem. I stress floor becuase if you have not already planned your trip, chances are others have, so they may have snagged the guest room and/or family room you want. Unless you have deep pockets, you can probably forget about a 3-Star or up hotel room. (And if you do in the middle of this officially declared recession, let's talk.) Do not rent a room in any of the motels on New York Avenue, NE. These are used by prostitutes and tend to be greasy. Your best bet will be to start checking with surburban hotels close to subway stations in either suburban Maryland or suburban Virginia. If you can actually still get a room in either Silver Spring, or Arlington, or Crystal City, or Chevy Chase, or whatever, stay close when you get on the train. The lastest estimates are that approximmately 4,000,000 will attend. Remember, there are states that don't have 4,000,000 people. Everyone will have to crowd onto limited subway platform space and subway cars. Don't lose anyone.
To date DC, unlike some other cities, has not had problems with pickpockets, but do yourself a favor, bring your drivers license AND passport and keep them on your body. DC, of late, has had problems with snatch and grab boys, and girls, stealing iPods and crackberrys. It might be a good idea to leave those kind of toys at home. Do bring sandwhiches, water, and coffee. If you don't have tickets and want to get a good spot on the parade route, you will have to get downtown early. If you get a good spot you won't be able to leave, so it will be a good idea for you to have your own goodies.
Chances are you will wind up watching the whole thing on one of the "JumboTrons" they'll set up on the Mall. Either way, this is probably not the best venue for your 86 year old Grandma or your two year old. Remember if you are on the Mall, the only place to sit will be on the ground, so bring blankets.
That brings to mind the weather. I don't hold with long range weather forecasts. I've been screwed way too many times by those. Rule of thumb? January in DC is cold. Every once in a blue moon we get lucky...for a day of two. Plan for the cold.
Bring your own sani-wipes or TP. If I were in charge of security, I would not grant access to restrooms in federal buildings. Who knows? The government might. But if not, you'll be stuck with Porta-Potties. So be prepared and bring along hand-sanitizer.
After the swearing in and he parades are all over, stay downtown and gt a bite to eat. Getting on the trains after it's all over will just be nuts. Relax, get warm, and eat some good food. The subway will be running to midnight, for sure.
Don't get drunk, don't screw with John Law, ignore the pan handlers, and you are sure to have a trip you'll be talking about for years.
Now, any questions?
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