INAUGURATION ’09 From Atlanta to Washington, D.C.
LIVE VIDEO! Click now for six cameras showing the day's events
ARE YOU going from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration? Thousands of eager onlookers started planning for the historic event on Election Day.
WHAT TO WEAR
What do you wear at an Inaugural ball? The answer: glitz. | Plus: Vets say to hold your coat.
WATCH THE PARADE
Going to D.C.? Map the parade route. Plus, find times, sights and more info before inauguration.
SEND US YOUR:
- Inauguration photos
- Day of Service pix
- Text messages from the inauguration
PHOTO GALLERIES
INAUGURATION EVENTS
Balls, parties and other events will be plentiful, but many will require tickets.
- A Celebration of Change for the World
- African Diaspora Inaugural Ball
- American Music Inaugural Balls
- Georgia State Society Inaugural Ball
- HBCU Inaugural Gala Ball
- Russell Simmons' Hip-hop Inaugural Ball
- Historic Inaugural Ball
- H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth Ball
- Inaugural Celebration Concert
- Inaugural Watch Party Jazz Brunch
- Jay-Z in concert Jan. 19
- NAACP Presidential Inaugural Ball
- "Welcome to Washington" Black-tie Gala
- Inauguration events around Atlanta
D.C. ATTRACTIONS
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
- President-elect Barack Obama: Transition to the White House
- Official Washington, D.C., tourism Web site
- Official Washington, D.C., Mayor's Office Inauguration page
- Official U.S. Senate 2009 Inauguration Web site
- Secret Service's Inauguration Web site
- Democratic National Committee
- Georgia Democratic Party
- Expedia.com's Inauguration travel page
- InauguralEventsDC.com
- About.com's Inauguration Web site
- Facebook's Inauguration Web site
TRAVEL FROM ATLANTA TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Andrew Councill / The New York Times
In D.C., the historic U Street neighborhood (home to the now-famous Ben's Chili Bowl, above) is becoming trendier as it tries to hold onto its sense of history. • Story | More D.C. sightseeing: See Washington on a budget | Photos | Washington, D.C. travel guide
LATEST INAUGURATION HEADLINES
VIDEO: Inauguration events get test run in D.C. Faces in the crowd: Atlantans going to Inauguration 2009- See D.C. history attractions with civil rights ties
- A schedule of events for Obama's inauguration
- Washington's trendy U Street shows path of racial progress
- Congressional staffer sweats details of inauguration
- For inaugural balls, go for glitz, forget economy
- Well-wishers warned to use care along train route
- Bathroom break: Will inauguration have enough?
- Inauguration Day FAQ
- Despite predictions, housing still to be found in D.C.
- Inaugural parade route expected to fill up quickly
- Weather Service offers tips on keeping warm
- Beware of money scams related to Inauguration
- Inaugural organizers plan for disabled people
- Centennial of worst inaugural weather upcoming
- Inaugural eve concert to honor military families
- Beyonce, Wonder, Springsteen at inaugural event
- Military's inauguration point man has plans, backup plans
- Obama's 'Hope' portrait goes to U.S. gallery
- Balls, official or not, light up the D.C. night on Jan. 20
- Obama adds 'Youth Ball' to festivities
- Moon buggy, astronauts on tap for inaugural parade
ACCESS TO INAUGURAL EVENTS
Most events associated with the inauguration are by ticket or admission only, but the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue is free and open to the viewing public. Without tickets, be prepared to stand outside in a big crowd in cold weather and to watch events unfold on a jumbotron.
JAN. 20 SWEARING IN: Gates to the stands (by ticket only) open at 9 a.m. Vice-president-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in around 11:45 a.m. President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in shortly before noon.
PARADE: You may have to choose between the inaugural parade and the swearing-in ceremony. For the parade, line up as early as 7 a.m. to snag a good viewing spot. The parade begins at 2:30 p.m., but access to the route will be cut off well before then. • Find the parade entry points
• See the sights along the route
Cell phone service may be spotty in such a large crowd. Also, security may be tighter than usual and some Metrorail stations might be closed. Plan ahead.
GETTING AROUND WASHINGTON, D.C.
Transportation: Parking will be extremely limited in the district on Jan. 20.
Metrorail is a fast, efficient way to zip around the district. Fares start at $1.65 per ride. (Metrobus starts at $1.35 per ride.) Information and hours, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
• More D.C. transportation information from the Mayor's office
TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., FROM ATLANTA
Arrival: Washington, D.C., is about a 10-hour drive from Atlanta. (Click here for a map.)
The city is also served by three airports and Amtrak:
• Washington Dulles International Airport (Chantilly, Va.)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Arlington, Va.)
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (Linthicum, Md., about 45 minutes' drive to D.C.)
• Amtrak — From Atlanta, it's about a 14-hour train trip; the train arrives at Union Station near the U.S. Capitol.
WHERE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Hotels: Hotel rooms are still available around the District.
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