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DEL.ICIO.USAre you making the trip to DC for the inauguration?
Atlanta travelers can share their plans for next week's inauguration and check back with stories when they return.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Next week, the U.S. capital is expecting record numbers of visitors for the inauguration of our 44th President. Regardless of your politics, Barack Obama’s swearing-in will represent a significant milestone in our country’s history. Many people from throughout the nation are flocking to Washington to witness the event.
I love Washington, DC. I worked in the U.S. Senate for several years and enjoyed every season I spent there. When you live in the nation’s capital, you become accustomed to the inevitable road blocks, black SUV caravans and Secret Service escorts that go with transporting the world’s most-powerful leader. You also adjust to the various swells of visitors throughout the year. If it’s Spring Break and/or cherry blossoms are in bloom, you schedule extra time to drive down Independence or Constitution Avenue. You understand street parking or a quiet place on the Mall is impossible to find on a pretty summer day.
But Inauguration Day is like combining those spring and summer crowds with heightened security, roadblocks and often bad weather - then putting the whole thing on steroids.
Shortly after this election, a few people asked if I had any travel advice to share for the 2009 Inauguration. My answer was… stay home. Not exactly what most would expect from a travel blogger. Actually, I said don’t go, unless you have tickets to one of the Inaugural events.
As cool as it is to be in Washington on any inauguration day, I personally wouldn’t travel there without a seat for the swearing-in or tickets to one of the Inaugural balls. Even then, I would want admission to one of the “good” balls where the new President or Vice President was likely to drop by. Without tickets, I would feel like I made a special trip to stand on the Mall watching a Jumbotron in the cold.
That said - millions travel to DC for the swearing-in every four years. Only a fraction of those have access to the big events. So many people would disagree with my point of view on inauguration traveling.
The weather in Washington next week is expected to be near freezing, and road and bridge closings around the capital are already being publicized. If you are traveling to DC, make sure you’re prepared for the weather and plan your travel routes ahead of time to ensure you can get where you want to go. Also, don’t forget to check the AJC’s Inauguration travel guide for everything you need to know about the many inaugural events, crowd control, street closures and other useful tips.
Are you heading to DC for the inauguration? Do you have tickets or are you just getting there early and hoping you get a good spot along the parade route? What will you do/where will go after the swearing-in ceremony? When are you heading up and when are you returning?
Have you traveled to Washington for inaugural events before? Do you have advice for first-timers?
If you make the trip — check back with us when you return to share your stories and/or photos. You can submit your photos here and then see other inaugural snapshots from Atlantans in the photo gallery next week. Oh, and stay warm.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Inauguration Travel
Comments
By reservoirDAWG
January 14, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
HeII No!
By BiteMe
January 14, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
You wouldn’t get me near Washington, DC on any given day, much less with millions of people planning to be there - GOOD LUCK! I’ll be at home watching it on my tv on my nice, warm couch…….aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……
By Jason
January 14, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
Brilliant take, Keith. The controversy must be overwhelming.
By Cairo
January 14, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
YES and I can’t wait. It will be just as cold down here so might as well go and take a close look at HISTORY and our nation’s capital.
By NoBama-Atlanta
January 14, 2009 7:48 PM | Link to this
Surely you jest! Why would any sane person go to Washington to see this?
By NoObama
January 14, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this
Why would I want to go up there with all those thugs and take the chance of getting robbed , shot or beat because I am white?
By Brent
January 15, 2009 7:37 AM | Link to this
No, I will be at work just like most other hard working americans.
By Orlando
January 15, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
Yo bashers are pathetic. I will not be going, but surely wish I could be there. Leave it to backwater GA, to turn this into a race thing. You hillbillies are the most ignorant people in the world. Stay in your double wide and watch your redneck shows.
By NoObama
January 15, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Orlando, I live in Savannah and by far this is the most racist place I have ever lived. The whites and not the reacist it is the blacks.
By Gerald
January 15, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
History is being made, but the media knows how to cover it so you can see things you couldn’t see even if you were there! Proud as I am, I’ll be in front of my new flat screen TV celebrating!
By The Truth
January 15, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
I will be there for the weekend but may skip the inauguration itself due to the crowd and difficulty getting my two young children to and from the event. I’ll probably watch the inauguration from the hotel but attend the weekend events which will be less crowded.
On a separate note, I wish Georgians could put aside their racist notions for just once and recognize this event as a watershed moment in our country’s history. Regardless of your politics, everyone should be proud of this moment and what it means to future generations.