Checklist for Travelers
Checklist Tips for All Travelers from Destination DC at www.washington.org.
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 about 600 hotel rooms that are still available within the city, plus more than 12,000 hotel rooms within 300 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. The Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations will be closed on Inauguration Day. For more information and to purchase fare cards, 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; be sure to wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes fit for walking. If you’re holding tickets to the swearing-in, 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.
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.
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 about 600 hotel rooms that are still available within the city, plus more than 12,000 hotel rooms within 300 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. The Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations will be closed on Inauguration Day. For more information and to purchase fare cards, 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; be sure to wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes fit for walking. If you’re holding tickets to the swearing-in, 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.
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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