For Those Coming to DC, Please Please Plan Ahead

[NeedleCast]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but in an effort to maybe help all you touristas coming to DC for the inaguration, can I ofer you a little local advice?

1. Plan ahead. If you want to be on the mall for the inaguration address, or see the parade, plan to get there many, many hours early. Plan on bringing food and drink with you.

2. Have a Plan B. Because it's going to be a madhouse, and plan A might not work.

3. Understand just how many people are coming. DC gets about 16 million tourists a year. Reports vary, but the media here is saying we are expecting an influx of at least three million people and some are saying as high as five million. Please understand that this means that DC will experience almost 20% of it's YEARLY tourism in an four day period.

4. Mass transit will be completely, totally, impossibly beyond capacity. Expect delays. Especially on inaguration day, mass transit capacity will make our normal rush hour look like a Sunday morning.

5. It will be impossible to drive from outside DC into DC. It will be almost impossible to drive around DC. We're talking literally hundreds of thousands of visitors in downtown DC alone, most of whom do not know the area. Traffic in and around the DC metro area is bad. Traffic in and around the DC metro area for the weekend through Tuesday will be insane.

6. Don't expect to be able to get a cab in a timely manner.

7. If you are staying in Northern VA or Southern MD, plan SEVERAL routes into the city on inauguration day.

8. DC is expensive. Plan accordingly.

9. DC. January. Cold. Those of your from the South who might not be used to 20-30 degree temps, plan accordingly.

10. There will be no parking in DC anywhere near the mall or other attractions. If you're outside of downtown DC, you won't be able to drive into the city anyway, but even if you could, there would be no place to park.

Let me recall some words of wisdom: "A mob is only as smart as it's dumbest member." There are going to be a shitstorm of people in DC. Please, please show kindness and tolerance to your fellow humans. I hope everyone coming to visit has a good experience but try to keep your head about you. People are going to be packed in tight in lots of areas so if that's not your thing, be warned. Give yourself lots of extra time to get to and from the things you want to do. EXPECT delays and you won't be upset when they happen.

Lastly, if I, humble local can help you find restaurants or bars, feel free to send me a PM. I'm not good at much beyond eats and drinks.

I hope all the DUers coming in enjoy their visit. I'll be watching you all from the warm comfort of my living room.

[seemunkee]

1. Complete Inauguration Transportation Plan

http://newsroom.dc.gov/show.aspx/agency/ddot/section/2/release/15839

[NeedleCast]

2. Thanks For Adding That

To summarize for people who don't know the bridges/major roads in DC, this basically means all the bridges leading into DC will be closed to traffic other than buses and shuttles.

[EraOfResponsibility]

3. good advice! n/t

[ThomWV]

4. By the way, expect it to be very cold too.

[NeedleCast]

7. Yes! Added that to my list, good call.

[azmouse]

5. That is precisely why I'm watching comfortably from home.

But I'll be thinking good thoughts for all the DUers who chose to go! Have a great time!

[dysfunctional press]

6. i drove into the city for dumbya's coronation, and had no problem parking on the street.

1/2 from 14th & K, next to the park.

[HughBeaumont]

12. I was there.

It was somewhat crowded, but I could move around without a problem and had no issue getting something to eat.

This . . . won't be the same as that.

[dysfunctional press]

18. the mood will be A LOT different, that's for sure.

in 2001, there was A LOT of anger in the air.

BUT- there was definitely a feeling of solidarity among the angry.

one funny thing for us- after zig-zagging around the city, by foot and by metra to various events- my wife and i joined the goings-on at dupont circle, and ended up by chance with the banner i had made, leading the procession of hundreds of people from dupont circle to the coronation route- we even ended up making it into fahrenheit 9/11:


before we got to the parade route, we were met by a line of cops in full riot gear- we had to stop, but the people behind us kept coming...we made it out and down a side alley, and discovered that we we at 14th&K, and right across the street from our van, which meant shelter, some food, drink, herbal refreshment, and some dry clothes. truly serendipitous for us.
we recharged the batteries(ours, not the vans) and took our banner down to the route, where we ended up at pershing park(iirc) where the parade route turned a corner, and we were able to hang the banner on some chain-link fencing in view of the motorcade.
overall, it ended up being a very worthwhile trip...and i'd recommend everyone try to attend at least one in their lifetime.

[LynneSin]

8. People thought I was crazy to book my hotel room a month before the election

I'm now 4 blocks from the parade route - I'm a happy camper

[YOY]

9. and for f***s sake remember this one.

Some of us live and work here. Some of us actually have to try and make it in to work on inauguration day...as asinine as that sounds. When you see a "tagger" (with a ID tag card) please, let them get to work. Not asking for much, but jobs are on the line according to some severe upper management types we have.

I have people who work for and under me that need to get in...due to some complete lack of executive oversight.

[Ioo]

10. Thanks - As someone who lives and works in DC, WEAR GOOD SHOES, YOU WILL USE THEM

[HughBeaumont]

11. I go to DC 8 times a year.

I've also been there when there were half a million-1 million. I'm thinking on the Metro there'll be squatting room :rofl: I'll definitely be getting on the Ride On bus stop at six AM. I already have a 7 dollar Metro Card in my wallet, so no line for that, at least.

The cold warnings are strictly for the Mid-staters/Southerners. I work in Downtown Cleveland, where lunch in January/February means an extra layer of clothing . . . on your head. Inauguration Day is supposed to be sunny and 37, as will the whole week. In Cleveland, we call that "Spring".

People would be total idiots to try to drive into D.C. with a car ANYtime, much less Inauguration day.

[MiniMe]

14. Most of the parking garages are closed for the day

And they revised the weather to being 33 degrees. Cold if you are standing outside for a long period of time, which you will be. It is a long range forecase, so still subject to a lot of change.

[MiniMe]

13. The park service has revised their estimates down somewhat...

but it will still be crowded. Right now, the long range forecast is sunny, but 33 degrees. The park service is also limiting the number of people they are allowing along the parade route to about 300,000. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/12/AR2009011203046.html?hpid=topnews

Have fun, I work in DC too, but fortunately we have the day off. I plan on being home and watching on TV.

[Renew Deal]

15. Thanks or this!!!

:bounce:

[seemunkee]

16. BAG/PURSE size restrictions - ticketed area and parade route

Please note that bags are can be no larger than 8"x6"x4"
This is not for the mall but if you have tickets for the Inauguration area or will be going through a checkpoint to get to the parade route.

[pipi_k]

17. Another suggestion...

I think it also bears stating that people should leave their valuables at home. Or somewhere else safe. It's amazing how many people don't think of that. Leave large amounts of cash at home. Maybe invest in those little pouches that go under clothing for keeping license, credit cards, and small amounts of cash.

Crowds are perfect places for pickpockets and other mischievous types.