Time to plan your inauguration trip

Fri Nov 7, 2008 3:10 PM EST

barack-obama, united-states, only-on-msnbc-com, us-and-canada

msnbc.com News — Harriet Baskas, msnbc.com - Only on msnbc.com

So, you want to travel to the U.S. Capitol for the festivities surrounding the January 20th swearing-in of Senator Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States?

Forget about crashing with Sam Arora. The politically active law student has a small one-bedroom apartment in Washington, D.C., and has already agreed to give three friends a place to stay. Now he's getting calls from Clinton and Obama campaign volunteers he worked with in other states. “There are going to be people sleeping in the bathtub at this rate.”

Not interested in snoozing in a friend’s tub? Then get busy. Rooms in the D.C.-area are going fast. Many hotels are already sold out and staff members at Destination D.C., the official tourism site of Washington, D.C., say most properties with rooms still available are boosting their prices and imposing minimum-stay requirements up to five days.

But don’t give up. Here’s a checklist and some insider tips on how you can plan a trip to take in this historic event.

Getting there
If you don’t live close enough to Washington, D.C. to drive or get there on a train or a bus, start shopping for airfares now. Most airline and travel Web sites (Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, Cheapflights, etc.) offer a flexible search option for travel dates, so use that feature to make sure you’re seeing all the choices. And keep in mind that D.C. is served by three airports — Washington Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport — so broaden your airfare search to include alternate airports as well.

If you drive, traffic and parking inside Washington will be impossible. Plan on leaving your car somewhere outside the city and use public transportation instead. Event planner Pamela Milan says experienced folks pass up limos, which get stuck in traffic, in favor of the Metro subway system. “I've ridden on some of the best-dressed Metro trains during that week,” she said. “Ball gowns. Tuxes. Mink coats. Major bling. And very safe.”

Jacqueline Condie is leaving her car in New York and taking the train to Washington. The New Jersey resident booked Amtrak tickets first thing Wednesday morning, but wasn’t able to find hotel rooms to fit her budget. “So it looks like it will just be a day trip for us. We’re just going to be part of the madding crowd’s euphoria. No plans other than to be there and let the day unfold as it will.”

How to find a place to stay
Although there are more than 95,000 hotel rooms in the D.C. metropolitan region, don’t count on waiting to make plans and then finding many — or any — at anywhere near an affordable price. “It’s a rate game,” one travel insider told me. “Hotels are changing the rates and the terms by the hour.”

If you have a lot of money, you have some intriguing choices. The Fairmont Washington, D.C. Hotel, for example, is offering a $40,000, four-night “Eco-Inaugural Package” that includes lodging in an eco-friendly suite, a custom ball gown designed by a noted organic designer, organic spa treatments, an organic midnight supper and a Lexus hybrid vehicle and driver. For $99,000, The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, is offering a four-night “Politically Correct” package that includes a stay in the Presidential Suite, Gucci luggage and two tickets to the inaugural parade and an official inaugural ball. As a bonus, the package includes a four-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman “to relax after the festivities have ended.”

For those with tighter budgets, check for rates and packages on the major travel Web sites, individual hotel sites and D.C.-area tourism sites. Remember that most hotels have imposed minimum-stay requirements, so unless you put in a date range of at least three or four days, your searches will show no availability. And don’t limit yourself to Washington, D.C. properties. Rates should dip as you move away from the city center, so consider Arlington, Bethesda, Silver Spring and other nearby towns. (Before you confirm, check to see how far a hotel property is from a Metro subway station.)

No hotels in your price range? Consider renting an apartment through Craigslist and other informal sites, or trolling through your address book for friends who live in and around the D.C. area.

Now that you’re going, what can you do?
There’s the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural parade, and official and unofficial balls and galas that will take place in and around Washington D.C. during a celebration period that will last up to 10 days. There will also be concerts, parties and plenty of other activities. You'll need tickets for some while others will be free. Many haven’t even been organized yet.

To find out what’s going on, monitor these Web sites:

Some alternatives
If you can get to the Washington D.C. area during the inauguration festivities, don’t worry if you don’t have a ticket to an official event. There are plenty of viewing spots on the parade route and there will be giant viewing screens set up on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony. Restaurants, bars, hotels, museums and other tourist attractions will be organizing and hosting special events, so it will be hard to avoid being touched by the excitement of what officials predict will be the largest turnout for a U.S. presidential inauguration ever.

Just remember: Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes. And bring along plenty of patience.

4 Votes
Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

Published to:

Harriet Baskas's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: none
Regions: none

Public Discussion (34)

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

1.5

0.9

0.8

{"commentId":3967944,"authorDomain":"joemyxter"}

Joe Myxter

Do you know of a secret place to get a great view of the Inaugural Parade? Do you have a tip on where folks might find reasonably priced lodging? Tell us your insider tips for attending inauguration festivities.

{"commentId":3967944,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"joemyxter"}

#1 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 4:03 PM EST

{"commentId":3972473,"authorDomain":"flskevin"}

Kevin Morrow

Who says you have to stay in D.C.? Look for places to stay near by like Fredericksburg VA. Take the VRE train to D.C. and save the hassle of gridlock traffic and no where to park. I bet the rates will be better too.

{"commentId":3972473,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"flskevin"}

#1.1 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 9:42 PM EST

{"commentId":3969905,"authorDomain":"rmt555"}

RTucker-715377

Stay at a hotel in Maryland and take the subway/underground to DC. Very good price for transit and don't have to worry about parking.

{"commentId":3969905,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"rmt555"}

#2 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 6:02 PM EST

{"commentId":3970376,"authorDomain":"tonychimento"}

Tony Chimento

Bill Clinton's last inaugural ball cost $29 mil. George Bush spent $40 mil. Dear President Elect, if you really REALLY cared about our economy, you would simply shut down the ball and put that money to use somewhere else more effectively. Is it really such a good idea to party down while unemployment is rising, so many are losing houses, and the economy is buckling. Honestly, you could dump the cost for the ball right into the housing crisis and shore up some of the cash we just used to bail out that industry. Just a thought. But I am sure you will view the ball to be more important. I understand. Every other president felt the same way you will.

{"commentId":3970376,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"tonychimento"}

#3 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 6:38 PM EST

{"commentId":3970522,"authorDomain":"stanley-payne"}

538votes

Why is everything with you so doom and gloom? Were you complaining when Bush spent the money on his inaugurations? Jimmy Carter tried cutting back on spending during his inauguration and he was ran out of town as a clown. What's the matter, you feel you are not welcome to the party? Well, you are so come on down/up and have a good time because everything will be OK in America with or without you.

{"commentId":3970522,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"stanley-payne"}

2 votes

#3.1 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 6:52 PM EST

{"commentId":3971704,"authorDomain":"klk"}

kinsey

ah...let the new guy have his "hay day"....his campaign was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spending money....it's much easier to spend it when it is not yours....

{"commentId":3971704,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"klk"}

#3.2 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 8:40 PM EST

{"commentId":3996279,"authorDomain":"virginiasanmiguel"}

FriendNorFoe

Kinsey, do you mean "hey day"? I can't imagine why hay would be part in the inauguration ceremonies. Since the economy's in the crapper, why don't we ask Pappa Bush and Lil Bushie to donate some of the mula they got from war profiteering to us po' folks? Just a thought.

{"commentId":3996279,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"virginiasanmiguel"}

1 vote

#3.3 - Sun Nov 9, 2008 10:26 PM EST

{"commentId":3971242,"authorDomain":"pcm44"}

P.C. Moblee

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT stay at any motel located on New York Avenue (NE part of DC). If any of them are even still in business, you will be in the company of critters, vermin and other unmentionables.

The bugs and the rats ain't too comforting, either.

Most of the motels along the NY Avenue strip have been sanctioned or closed down for health department violations at one time or another, and because they are in the not-too-great part of town, they are magnets for thieves and other random idiots.

Caveat emptor...book early.

{"commentId":3971242,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"pcm44"}

#4 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 7:55 PM EST

{"commentId":3971786,"authorDomain":"papamur80"}

Retired But Active

it is time to celebrate, whether it is 20 or 40 million, it is our custom to celebrate the incoming new president, we celebrate the fourth of july, independence day and other american holidays, why are we complaining, is it that some of you are sore losers and can not stand the sight of a democratic inauguration? come off of it guys and dolls we have a new president, he has won the election fair and square, through all kinds of insults and innuendos, so let him show us what he has got, we did it with bushie and cheney and look what we got. HELL AND A RECESSION, BAIL OUTS AND MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES, CEO'S TAKING THE MONEY AND RUNNING WITH IT. So stop the rehetoric and let's get on with our customs, it is the AMERICAN WAY. Best of luck to our new president, may he serve with wisdom and compassion, Please. it is not a position to envy.

{"commentId":3971786,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"papamur80"}

1 vote

#5 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 8:47 PM EST

{"commentId":3972001,"authorDomain":"salina3368"}

Salina-715629

The prices for ticket to any of the balls, are absolutely ridiculous! I need a stimulus check to even consider taking my family of four. The "Average, Main Stret" American can not afford to attend any of the festivities. Even the parade is costly.

{"commentId":3972001,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"salina3368"}

#6 - Fri Nov 7, 2008 9:07 PM EST

{"commentId":3980678,"authorDomain":"Kimberly-717040"}

Kimberly-717040

Actually, the swearing in ceremony is free and so is the parade. To get tickets to th ceremony, you need to contact your incoming sentor or representative (but they'll still be hard to get). The parade doesn't even require tickets... it's a parade, just show up nice and early to claim your spot on the sidewalk.

{"commentId":3980678,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"Kimberly-717040"}

#6.1 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 2:39 PM EST

{"commentId":3975289,"authorDomain":"rab015"}

JA-270215

While the country burns...we'll let Washington do what they do best, party and do nothing.

{"commentId":3975289,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"rab015"}

#7 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 2:08 AM EST

{"commentId":3975408,"authorDomain":"willbereba"}

James-472119

I will be staying at the whitehouse. Spread the wealth.

{"commentId":3975408,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"willbereba"}

1 vote

#8 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 2:29 AM EST

{"commentId":3975473,"authorDomain":"dd50"}

DD50

It would be fun to go see the festivities, but too far- the opposite coast from Cali. (Since Homeland Security and all that, I try to avoid flying if at all possible, just hate it now.)

{"commentId":3975473,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"dd50"}

#9 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 2:41 AM EST

{"commentId":3976225,"authorDomain":"faminventor"}

Unreasonable Voice

I'm from CA to. That won't stop me even if I have to swim around the planet.

{"commentId":3976225,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"faminventor"}

#9.1 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 7:13 AM EST

{"commentId":4439499,"authorDomain":"Dlarosa13"}

Dlarosa13

I am from Ca too and we are driving down (leaving on the 10th). I can't wait!

{"commentId":4439499,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"Dlarosa13"}

#9.2 - Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:21 PM EST

{"commentId":3976221,"authorDomain":"faminventor"}

Unreasonable Voice

The maddening thing is that I went to the website that was supposed to deal with stuff like the innaguration 2 days ago. They said that nothing had been worked out for the innaguration yet and to request tickets from your senator/congersspeople in a FEW WEEKS. Man those sons of @!$%#es either didn't know what they were talking about or Obama's transition team deliberatly screwed millions of people over. They said I couldn't get tickets yet and acted like there was no hurry to book anything. Sons of @!$%#s.

{"commentId":3976221,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"faminventor"}

#10 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 7:12 AM EST

{"commentId":3982517,"authorDomain":"kellyannrob"}

Kelly Robinson-717270

I am thinking of coming from Australia for the festivites.

My question is, having not been to Washington what are the best areas to look in for hotels?

any help is appreciated

{"commentId":3982517,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"kellyannrob"}

#11 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 5:31 PM EST

{"commentId":3982610,"authorDomain":"kellyannrob"}

Kelly Robinson-717270

I am thinking of going to Washington to experience the festivities.

I live in Australia though and have never been to Washington.

I am looking at hotels in Washington but would like some advice what are the best areas to be concentrating in?

Much appreciated

{"commentId":3982610,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"kellyannrob"}

#12 - Sat Nov 8, 2008 5:39 PM EST

{"commentId":3995207,"authorDomain":"brittany-l-gill"}

Brittany-718702

Charles County (towns include Waldorf & La Plata) & St. Mary's County (towns include Lexington Park & California) in Maryland are within easy driving distance to the Metro that can get you into the city. It'll probably save you a lot of money, if you don't mind the distance.

{"commentId":3995207,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"brittany-l-gill"}

1 vote

#13 - Sun Nov 9, 2008 8:42 PM EST

{"commentId":4020601,"authorDomain":"leonard1"}

Kevin Leonard

How about a charter bus...we are looking into this alternative and if you get enough people interested, it should only run you about $120-$150 from the mid-west states.

{"commentId":4020601,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"leonard1"}

#14 - Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:32 PM EST

{"commentId":4053930,"authorDomain":"vtje"}

Waiting for Columbus

How are the tickets divided by state? I gave and and gave and all I got was some tshirts! I want to see the show! First state to vote for the winner and next highest percentage after Hawaii, VERMONT!

{"commentId":4053930,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"vtje"}

#15 - Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:47 PM EST

{"commentId":4055366,"authorDomain":"reneem4377"}

Renee-726735

I am in the Metro Atlanta area and I have chartered a luxury bus from ATL to Washington, DC and I also have hotel space. If you need a ride and a place to stay (for a nominal fee) while in DC just let me know... Thanks and have a great day!

{"commentId":4055366,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"reneem4377"}

#16 - Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:41 PM EST

{"commentId":4121091,"authorDomain":"tami8"}

Tami-734219

If anyone is looking for a place to stay for the inauguration or has a place to rent check out the site below. We are linking those who have space with those who need it.

{"commentId":4121091,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"tami8"}

#17 - Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:01 AM EST

{"commentId":4188985,"authorDomain":"amkelly"}

ANN KELLY

I would love to rent my house to to a nice older couple or young couple. I have a beautiful home and I would drive you as far as I could to down town, or the park and ride and you are on your own then, but as far as my house I would welcome you for the whole week or four days at the most, for a fee of course. I will make your stay more complete than any crowed hotel older hote. I am will to even cook for you. Please send me an e-mail if interested.

{"commentId":4188985,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"amkelly"}

#18 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:14 PM EST

{"commentId":4189091,"authorDomain":"amkelly"}

ANN KELLY

{"commentId":4189091,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"amkelly"}

#19 - Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:22 PM EST

{"commentId":4298429,"authorDomain":"jlynn432"}

jennifer in dc

"Restrooms are in short suppy on the Mall." That will be a massive understatement during the Inauguration with 4 million people sharing the same basic need.

I've researched every square block surrounding the Mall and have compiled a directory for that day entitled "Where to Pee in DC."

Available at

{"commentId":4298429,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"jlynn432"}

#20 - Thu Dec 4, 2008 11:23 PM EST

{"commentId":4338024,"authorDomain":"jlynn432"}

jennifer in dc

"Restrooms are in short suppy on the Mall" will be a massive understatement during the Inauguration with 4 million people sharing the same basic need.

We've researched every square block surrounding the Mall and have compiled a directory for that day entitled "Where to Pee in DC."

Available at

Enjoy your visit to DC!

{"commentId":4338024,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"jlynn432"}

#21 - Sun Dec 7, 2008 11:09 PM EST

{"commentId":4696186,"authorDomain":"gilchris"}

Steve Gilchrist

The hotels required a prepayment for rooms around the Inauguration date, so I've prepaid for a standard room at the Bolger Hotel in Potomac - handy to the Metro - and would be willing to take offers if anyone is interested. Drop me a line - gilchris at hot mail dot com.

{"commentId":4696186,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"gilchris"}

#22 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 2:34 AM EST

{"commentId":4737184,"authorDomain":"ncollins22"}

Noreen-806276

Hello Everyone!

Check it out....I booked my room THIS WEEK!! The Crowne Plaza Hamilton in DC has rooms available during Inauguration week. The hotel is located at 14th & K Street so right in the middle of all the action that week. With all of the road closures and travel restrictions happening, this is a great spot to stay to go to all of Obama's activities. Here is the link to the hotel: Looking forward to seeing history being made in a few weeks!!

{"commentId":4737184,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"ncollins22"}

#23 - Fri Jan 9, 2009 2:53 PM EST

{"commentId":4827239,"authorDomain":"EatWell"}

Martyna

For whoever is making their way down to DC, you should check out . I am currently an intern for this non-profit group which carries an online database of sustainable vendors; restaurants, cafes, stores, etc that serve fresh and local food. We have created special "Inaugural Travel Guides" in order to help people find good food on the road. They are really easy to use, and very helpful for the lucky, Inauguration-bound folks out there.

{"commentId":4827239,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"EatWell"}

#24 - Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:33 PM EST

{"commentId":4827319,"authorDomain":"EatWell"}

Martyna

woops, I don't think the website showed up on my post. The organization is called the Eat Well Guide. Check it out!

{"commentId":4827319,"threadId":"413101","contentId":"2086173","authorDomain":"EatWell"}

#24.1 - Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:38 PM EST

{"commentId":10406953,"authorDomain":"breelaboy"}

breelaboyDeleted

{"commentId":10437423,"authorDomain":"brianalampton"}

brianalamptonDeleted

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"413101","isPrivate":false}

Backyard

Time to plan your inauguration trip

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: