Inauguration

Old Sep 29th, 2000, 04:00 PM
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Sylvia
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Inauguration

Can any provide some advice? My husband, three sons and I are traveling to DC for the Inauguration. My sons' high school has a group going but we've decided to go on our own. We are staying in Crystal City. Is that a good area and will the sites be easily accessible from there?
 
Old Sep 29th, 2000, 07:21 PM
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I lived in Crystal City for several years. it is very quite, and there is not much around other than apartment buildings and pentagon city mall. it is very safe, and the metro under the marriott will take you to just about everywhere you want to go for the inaugauration in 10-15 mins.
 
Old Oct 1st, 2000, 07:24 AM
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Yes, you will be able to get around quite easily by metro. And believe me, you will want to take metro because traffic downtown gets really bad around inauguration--all those limos. Some of the worst traffic jams I've seen not related to weather have been in the evenings before the inaugural.
 
Old Oct 1st, 2000, 11:13 PM
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yup-crystal city is very good place to catch metro and the sights. i use to live there for nine years and enjoyed helping visitors figure out the subway fare cards-easy dont worry. i hope you have a wonderful time watching the parade for al and joe. smile
 
Old Oct 2nd, 2000, 06:32 AM
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If you're not planning to spend much time there, Crystal City is fine. It's not as quick a trip to downtown as North Arlington (you'll be in South Arlington), but it's still not too bad. It's incredibly boring in Crystal City, and there isn't much selection in terms of restaurants. However, if you have a car, you're a short trip (about 2-3 miles) from Old Town Alexandria (head straight down Route 1 south), where there is a plethora of restaurants, shopping, and great neighborhoods to stroll through.
 
Old Nov 28th, 2008, 10:18 AM
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For anyone visiting DC during the inauguration, this little guide will come in very handy if you find yourself standing on the National Mall among two or three million of your closest friends when nature calls:

"Where to Pee in DC"

Available on Ebay, item 120339318748

Best,

Jennifer
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Old Dec 5th, 2008, 10:30 AM
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Crystal City is very close to DC and has a metro right there and a big mall.

Most hotels are booked. A great alternative is to rent a place and then you can have a kitchen to cook in, etc.

I know this website www.InaugurationRentalsByOwner.com has inauguration rentals and also other services that people might need and inauguration specials. It also has a forum dedicated to the inauguration.
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Old Dec 6th, 2008, 01:07 AM
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A word of caution - check stories in the Washington Post.

Metro - Metro advises if you are within 2 miles of the mall you should walk and not take Metro. It is going to be very busy and crowded. If you do use metro purchase your ticket ahead of time through the mail. Do not wait to purchase at the stations as they will be very crowded and guarantee machines will work do to overuse.

We walk from downtown over to Arlington Cemetary so if worse comes to worse you could take the metro to arlingtong stop and walk from there.

Mall itself - no chairs, strollers, umbrellas, backpacks, etc.

Make sure you are dressed warm and have great walking shoes.
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Old Dec 6th, 2008, 06:29 AM
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"It's not as quick a trip to downtown as North Arlington (you'll be in South Arlington), but it's still not too bad"

Actually, you are closer to the Mall in Crystal City than you are if coming from Rosslyn.

"It's incredibly boring in Crystal City, and there isn't much selection in terms of restaurants."

While that was once true, it's not anymore. Lots of restaurant options.
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Old Dec 6th, 2008, 08:47 AM
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Just to note--this was originally posted in 2000 for the first inauguration of Bush. Things have certainly changed since then--e.g. Crystal City as Mike T mentioned.
Things are going to be very different with crowds, transporation, and accomodations this time around.
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Old Dec 6th, 2008, 10:23 AM
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Looks like someone pulled up an eight (8) year old message to plug an EBAY book on where to take a "pee" in DC.
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Old Dec 21st, 2008, 02:29 PM
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Agree with denice7's advice -- check out the Inaugruation page on washingtonpost.com. They are keeping it up to date with information, regulations and advice for getting around that day. Based on what I've read there so far, I wouldn't count on taking the Metro unless you're okay with possibly having to wait for hours on both ends.
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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 01:57 PM
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Thanks for the suggestion to watch the Washington Post, as I have not seen info. anywhere else as what to expect for us not with in the security area. questions- will buildings be open that day such as Smithsonian? I'm thinking what if the weather is really bad, will there be somewhere to get in out of it for at least awhile?
Food-if we are in Mall area will there be anywhere nearby, etc. for food , water , etc.?
Thanks!
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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 02:22 PM
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Hi

Most answers to your questions can be found on:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ina...ation_faq.html

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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 02:33 PM
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When I was at Clinton's inauguration leading a school group, we ducked into the Air and Space Museum and caught an IMAX movie to warm up and get off our feet. It was a great break in a long but inspiring day.
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Old Jan 8th, 2009, 10:29 AM
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The Secret Service and DC officials have just announced details of the (massive) road closures and vehicle restrictions in and around the District for the inauguration:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...0702404&s_pos=

On the public trans side, the Metro stops for Smithsonian and Navy Memorial will be closed that day (as is the case, w/Smithsonian, on July 4). Still, from reading this, it sounds like walking is going to be the best bet.
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Old Jan 8th, 2009, 02:03 PM
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For clarification, only the Mall entrance to the Smithsonian Metro stop is closed.

The Smithsonian museums will be open. National History is opening at 8 a.m., I haven't seen that any of the others are opening early (10 a.m. is regular opening).

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Old Jan 8th, 2009, 02:15 PM
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I take it back. Previously they had said only the Mall entrance for Smithsonian Metro stop would be closed but now the WMATA site just says closed.
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Old Jan 8th, 2009, 06:52 PM
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VRBO has listings for rentals in D.C. It would be soooooo much easier to stay in the city.
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Old Jan 15th, 2009, 01:55 PM
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The last information I heard was that Smithsonian Metro will be closed at both sides (both on The Mall and on Independence Ave). They do this to force people to disperse by looking for other more remote Metro stops. This means more walking in the cold.

I just did a post on advice--which did deal with the universal inaugural obsession: toilets. I gave advice to wear Depends--and I was serious. The difficulty with the toilets is even worse than the traffic gridlock. Downtown DC is already gridlocked and it is 5 days to go. Please, all of you, put your feet up and enjoy all the pagentry of our great festival of freedom on your TV.
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