Would like to go see this coming Inauguration, anyone ever been to one.

Me | 11/12/2016 | TheLouiswu

[The Louiswu]

I am thinking about going to this coming Inauguration but I have never been to one before. Has anyone ever been to one? Is there a "best practices" or an FAQ on the best way to see and enjoy the event? Thanks in advance.

[OldMissileer]

I was stationed here in the DC area in 1992 and retired here. I would NEVER go to Clinton’s inauguration and was only lukewarm to Bush.

I would love to go to see Trump but I have had my fill of the DC traffic and crowds so will probably stay home.

[al baby]

Nope and no desire To go

[bigbob]

I’ll be watching from the comfortf of Right Here, but I do hope we are able to show those community organizers what a “million man” event actually looks like.

Heck, “Bikers for Trump” alone ought to be able to make DC look like Sturgis :-)

[PeachyKeen]

Went to both of W’s. The throngs of people and the cold were just to much for me.

[USNBandit]

The biggest challenge is lodging. If at all possible, find lodging close to a metro line. Driving around town will be really difficult with all the motorcade traffic.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Yep, I’ve heard that attending big events is a pain. While you can say you were there, frankly, we all get a better view and hear better, by staying home and watching on TV.

[Mamzelle]

Me, too. Maybe see the parade.

[castlegreyskull]

I really want to go. However, my wife will be 8.5 months pregnant. I will take a day off and watch the festivities; never done that before.

[MayflowerMadam]

I had tickets to the Bush inauguration in 2001, but didn’t go. Still have ‘em in my scrapbook.

[MHT]

Went to Bush Inaugural in 2001 and 2005. First, you need a hotel unless you have friends and they double the night rate. Secondly, we were regular and generous donors to the state Republican party and had worked with staffers on campaigns and in our Senator's office. They got us the pass for the Address and invitations to the state party for the Inaugural Ball. There are several ball locations and several states will go together and have their balls jointly in one location. Groups like veterans also go together. There are something like 7 different balls and the President and First Lady go to each and stay a few minutes and leave for another one. It is expensive, usually cold, and protesters are there shouting in your face as you go around, especially if you are watching the parade outside or even walking from restaurant to an event. You also need restaurant reservations and those can be at inconvenient times. We even hired a driver to take us everywhere and wait for us because transportation is impossible.

Would I do it again? Well, glad I did it once, and knew what to expect the second time. That was 16 years ago and I cannot imagine how BLM and Soros will change the atmosphere at this one. The safest place and best view for this one may be in your own living room.

[CaliGirlGodHelpMe]

I bought airline tickets at 11pm on election night. I couldn’t believe how fast they were disappearing on Southwest.com. There is a cruise on the Potomac on Inauguration day and I think we will go on that. Although if FR organizes a ball I would love to attend.

[PeachyKeen]

Yes, hubby and I kicked it around and I have applied to get tickets from my senator. But with the current political climate, I’m sure there will be some nasty protests going on. I think I’m just to old to handle it anymore.

[Semper911]

I would like to go too, but dealing with the crowds and the DC cesspool for lodging and transportation is something I can't deal with.

Instead I will take a personal day, make a nice brunch, and enjoy it in the comfort of my home.

Maybe that will become a thing: Inauguration brunch parties.

[Fiji Hill]

I have been to two inaugurations.

My first was in 1969, I marched with the Whittier (Calif.) High School band in the inaugural parade at President Nixon’s inauguration. I stayed at the Manger Hamilton Hotel (now the Crowne Plaza) at 14th Street and K Street NW. This is fairly pricey, but if you can get a room there, you can walk to the inauguration.

In 1981, because of my participation in Ronald Reagan’s campaign, I was able to obtain a ticket to get somewhat closer to the Capitol than the rest of the crowd. I had to stay overnight in Fredericksburg, Va., about 50 miles away, which was the closest motel room that I could find. However, Inauguration Day is a holiday in DC, so there wasn’t the usual commuter traffic.

I parked in a parking structure in Rosslyn, just off Rte. 50 and across the Potomac from Georgetown, and boarded the Metro train at the Rosslyn station. I got off at the Federal Center SW station, which is the closest to where the inauguration takes place.

After the inauguration, I walked over to Pennsylvania Ave. SE. and had lunch at the Hawk ‘n’ Dove—a great place for burgers, although I don’t know if it’s still around. Then I boarded the Metro at the Capitol South station and headed back to Rosslyn.

[randita]

Lodging prices within the city will be exorbitant. Best bet is to stay in the suburbs close to a Metro stop. The Metro will be absolutely mobbed, so be prepared for LONG waits or else get up REALLY early in the morning and get on it before the big crowds hit - I mean by 6 AM - preferably earlier.

Bring your own food and water. Eating places will be mobbed. Watch the weather report closely and dress to be comfortable in the predicted weather for all day.

There will not be places to sit. Be prepared to stand all day.

Bathrooms will be at a premium. Hope you have a large bladder.

If you’re up for all that, then you’ll have a blast.

[chronicles]

We lived in Northern Virginia in the 1970’s. In ‘76 my husband voted for Ford and it pains me to admit it but I voted for Carter. I dragged my family to Carter’s inauguration. We nearly froze to death. It was all downhill from there.

[The Louiswu]

Thanks for the input - lot’s to think about

[DJ Taylor]

I worked in DC from 1990 to 2000 and never even considered attending an Inauguration.

Now, comfortably retired in North Carolina, I shudder to think of what the traffic will be like on Inauguration day.

Finding parking on that day will be impossible.

If you don’t have a hotel room booked now, you probably won’t find one anywhere near DC.

Staying in a hotel in the suburbs and catching a train into DC is a possibility, but, no, I think I’ll comfortably watch the whole affair on Fox News in my living room.

[PUGACHEV]

I went to Reagan's first inaugural parade and the first one for Bush in 2001. Unless you can find some way to get a ticket for a seat in the stands you'll need to get there five or six hours in advance to find a spot along Pennsylvania Avenue from which you can actually see anything. Otherwise, you are going to be so far back in the crowd you would need a periscope.

The weather at that time of year in D.C. is usually terrible. It's always cold and often rainy, windy, or snowing. For Bush's inaugural I went to West Marine beforehand and bought a set of marine rain gear, a yellow parka and pants, and Polartec everything, and that with a pair of Sorrel boots kept me dry and warm all day. I would recommend wearing something like that.