DC during the Inaguration
Dec 5, 2012 | 12:07 pm
#16
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make certain you and son have an accessible location if separated. i think the museums will be buried in the masses. one place would probably be the Folgers library in front of the capitol. for the back side, i would guess the jefferson. to the south, the occidental hotel.
Penn Avenue will be mobbed and difficult -- for an emergency/backup meeting point, I'd recommend somewhere north of it, a bit away from the hoopla.
Dec 5, 2012 | 12:32 pm
#17
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Yes, museums will be mobbed by people seeking restrooms (hint). Think you mean the Willard Hotel (which has Occidental grille)?
Penn Avenue will be mobbed and difficult -- for an emergency/backup meeting point, I'd recommend somewhere north of it, a bit away from the hoopla.
Penn Avenue will be mobbed and difficult -- for an emergency/backup meeting point, I'd recommend somewhere north of it, a bit away from the hoopla.
Dec 5, 2012 | 7:54 pm
#19
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Dec 5, 2012 | 8:44 pm
#20
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My GF works in a Starbucks right across 7th Street from the memorial. Last time, the crowds and security were so bad, she barely made it in to work.
You might try further up 7th Street, in the Verizon Center/Portrait Gallery area.
You might try further up 7th Street, in the Verizon Center/Portrait Gallery area.
Dec 5, 2012 | 10:17 pm
#21
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My thinking was more for a post parade meet-up. I've been to huge events before, and generally if you get separated during one, that's it for the duration. He's 13 and soon to be taller than me, so I wouldn't be panicking if we got separated.
After the parade, won't most of the crowd be heading south toward the museums? So north of Pennsylvania Ave might be less crowded? There's a bit of a sheltered area in front of the Navy Memorial flagpole - my Dad's flag was flown there - so the landmark would be easy to spot from a distance.
aces, do you know if your GF's Starbucks will be open on parade morning? Would be nice to know where to get a hot drink.
After the parade, won't most of the crowd be heading south toward the museums? So north of Pennsylvania Ave might be less crowded? There's a bit of a sheltered area in front of the Navy Memorial flagpole - my Dad's flag was flown there - so the landmark would be easy to spot from a distance.
aces, do you know if your GF's Starbucks will be open on parade morning? Would be nice to know where to get a hot drink.
Dec 5, 2012 | 10:39 pm
#22
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If you can't make it, there are other Starbucks further north on 7th, away from the parade. Best of luck!
Dec 6, 2012 | 8:12 am
#23
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we're talking close to a couple million people on streets that are impassable with the daily 50,000 or so. i have been to 2 4th of july events that we departed at the end. between crowd control and blocked streets traffic is still a mess after two hours. if you have been at a dump after a big game, or a rock concert, that's 100k people, usually with expressway exits. this is 2000k, down blocked streets.
if you want to go to 4th of july events, rent a hotel with a view of the fireworks.
if you want to go to 4th of july events, rent a hotel with a view of the fireworks.
Dec 6, 2012 | 9:46 am
#24
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we're talking close to a couple million people on streets that are impassable with the daily 50,000 or so. i have been to 2 4th of july events that we departed at the end. between crowd control and blocked streets traffic is still a mess after two hours. if you have been at a dump after a big game, or a rock concert, that's 100k people, usually with expressway exits. this is 2000k, down blocked streets.
My question about traffic patterns remain: after the parade, will most people be heading south/toward the Mall, or north, away from the public events area?
How did that get in this thread?
Dec 6, 2012 | 3:02 pm
#25
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Post-parade, most people will be headed toward Metro stations, the nearest ones of which are likely to be fairly jammed for a few hours. On the south side of Pennsylvania Ave the crowds will head toward the stations south of the Mall, and on the north side they will head north.
Dec 7, 2012 | 3:13 am
#26
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Dec 7, 2012 | 11:38 am
#27
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There are still a lot of downtown hotel rooms available. It's well worth staying downtown and walking as much as possible. On Innauguration Day, most of downtown will be closed to all but official traffic, it will be hard to cross many streets other than at designated places and many Metro stops will be closed.
I would simply check with event sites to make sure that they will be open. Also, remember that the innaugural is on Sunday and that Monday is MLK Day, so a holiday for most, and everything will be back to normal by then.
The key is to wear layered clothing to deal with changing weather and have things like water & snacks with you. Pay attention to security rules about what you can and cannot carry where, and all will be well.
I would simply check with event sites to make sure that they will be open. Also, remember that the innaugural is on Sunday and that Monday is MLK Day, so a holiday for most, and everything will be back to normal by then.
The key is to wear layered clothing to deal with changing weather and have things like water & snacks with you. Pay attention to security rules about what you can and cannot carry where, and all will be well.
Dec 7, 2012 | 11:51 am
#28
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Post-parade, most people will be headed toward Metro stations, the nearest ones of which are likely to be fairly jammed for a few hours. On the south side of Pennsylvania Ave the crowds will head toward the stations south of the Mall, and on the north side they will head north.
I would definitely select something further north, like Verizon Center area someone suggested, or National Building Museum.
I was here last time, and the crowds and gridlock were unbelievable (though this time should be better, with fewer). Also, as someone alluded, if it gets really bad law enforcement might just close certain areas.
One other thing -- cell service in DC is terrible, and fails under high demand (9/11, earthquake...) So prepare not to panic.
Dec 7, 2012 | 1:00 pm
#29
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Rats! I was going to mention the Newseum's Inauguration Day package (they are right at the foot of Penn. Ave., great vantage point for the parade) but they are sold out. 
It's not cheap but worth remembering for the 2016 event: http://www.newseum.org/plan-your-vis...day/index.html
It's not cheap but worth remembering for the 2016 event: http://www.newseum.org/plan-your-vis...day/index.html