Below are some websites sent out by the DC Chief of Police that u may find useful if you're visiting DC for the Inauguration
DC Govt: 1) To sign up for Alert-DC, which will allow you to register
your cell phone number or email address for emergency announcements
regarding transportation, weather and other emergencies in the city
during the inaugural period (Jan 15 – 22, 2009), please visit the sitemanaged by the D.C. Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency Visit:
http://tiny.cc/baWxR

2) To view updates from Metro/WMATA regarding Inauguration Day
Plans, including; - Metrorail Travel; - Metrobus Travel; -
MetroAccess - Travel; - Parking; - Security; - Travel Tips; - Bus
Parking & Station Closures Due to Security, visit
http://tinyurl.com/88vylb

3.)To View the Maps of Road Closures, managed by the U.S.
Secret Service:
http://tinyurl.com/5hot9b

4) To View the list of Scheduled Events by the
Presidential Inaugural Committee, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/8bjo73

DC Govt: 5) To Obtain Details about Traveling by Bicycle and read
about Valet Parking for Bikes, view the page managed by the D.C.
Department of Transportation (DDOT):
http://tinyurl.com/9d8523

Congressional: 7) To Obtain a list of Prohibited Items on the Parade
Route and at Entry Points:
http://tinyurl.com/7jlzv8

DC Govt: 8) To Obtain Details about Parking Enforcement, Traffic
Restrictions and Towing Cars by the District, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/7s9p3w

Prohibited items, from link #7:

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
Mace and/or pepper spray
Sticks or poles
Pocket or hand tools, such as “Leatherman”
Packages
Backpacks
Large bags
Duffel bags
Suitcases
Thermoses
Coolers
Strollers
Umbrellas
Laser pointers
Signs
Posters
Animals (other than service animals)
Alcoholic beverages

Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners

Mobility Aids such as canes, including those with a fold-down seat, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters are allowed.

Does anyone know what time Obama's inaugural address will happen on the 20th?

Noon, isn't it? Just about the time everyone's keesters go completely numb!
Dear friend is coming with son from Syracuse, but I think I'll just point them in the right direction and stay home. Not the crowds that bother me. It's the cold that's being predicted and the lack of porta-johns! All that hot coffee and no where to put it ... later!

There's a sequence of events that's supposed to start at 10 AM (see link #4), so the exact time of the new President's address cant' be pinpointed; I've heard an estimate of 11:30.

As I recall from past inaugurations, the swearing in is always right before noon. So the speech is just a little after noon.

Thanks! I heard they're working on a webcast of the events. That'll be helpful for those of us away from TVs at noon.

Thanks! I heard they're working on a webcast of the events. That'll be helpful for those of us away from TVs at noon.

I wonder how many people will be "working" who go to work on Jan. 20 and have access to webcast or TV?

yes,

Thnaks for the links - very helpful.

Don't forget that the Smithsonian stays open on Inauguration Day. The museums are a great place to get out of the cold, especially if you are trying to avoid the crowds leaving the city afterwards and want something interesting to do indoors.

http://www.gosmithsonian.com/inauguration

When I took a school group there for an inauguration years ago, the kids were so exhausted from getting up at 4:30 am to get into the city early on busses, that we went into an IMAX movie at the Air and Space museum after the ceremony ended and they all fell asleep (or bus didn't pick us up until 8:00 that night, so they appreciated the nap and the warmth.)

Museums are a great place to get out of the cold, get a bite to eat and they all have that all important place, rest rooms. Many will have special events planned for the day. The National Musuem of American History will be open at 8 am. The others will open at their nomral time, 10 am. They close at 5:30 pm.

Having lived in DC my entire life, it's always hard to realize that people actually go to work on Inauguration Day. It's always been such a big deal here, of course none bigger than this one.

This week I saw what appeared to be hundreds of portajohns along both sides of the Mall near 14th Street, plus another large bunch on the Monument grounds near 15th. Folks who watch the Capitol ceremonies from a mile away will appreciate those.
Saw temporary cell phone towers too, but the phone companies urge visitors not to send their cell phone photos until later in the day lest the whole system collapse from overload at noon! They recommend texting for arranging your meeting place, etc. -- that requires less power than two-way voice calls.

Our friends who live on the HIll and pass the area, say it's really funny looking. The lawn from the foot of the Capitol back to the Grant Memorial is solid folding chairs. And then on the sides are all the portajohns lined up