Anyone been to an inauguration before? is it worth the trip?

[agit8dchop]

Punching some numbers, for $3500 AUS I could fly to DC and stay a few nights over the inauguration.

Is it worth it? has anyone done one before? I've seen you need tickets (via your local congressman) to get tickets for the viewing area's.

[FlyersFan]

Nope.   Never gone.  I live close enough to go.   But the only DC events with presidents that I've gone to are the Arlington Cemetery laying of the wreath for Veterans Day.   That is a an excellent experience.    

We get to Arlington .. go through security ... go up the hill to the ampetheatre ... hear the canons do their 21 gun salute when the president arrives at arlington ... watch the laying of the wreath ... sit in the ampetheatre and listen to the president give the speech.   The first lady is also there.  So are members of congress and high up military officers that you recognize.   And there is usually a celebrity who is involved with charity who gives a speech as well.   One time when we went it was Gary Sinese and the officers introducted him as Lieutenant Dan .. his Character on Forrest Gump.    One time when we were there it was George W. Bush giving the speech.  When the speech was over and everyone was leaving, I rushed up to where First Lady Laura Bush was sitting just before and I took her seating arrangement.  She left it behind.  It was a tag with her name on it with the seal fo the White House, and a US flag to wave and a few other little things.  I figured they were a cool souvenier.

[agit8dchop]

Yeah right, you're not a fan of DC?
Veterans day would be interesting. I've always wanted to travel and do a July 4 in the US.

I ended up biting the bullet. 48hrs in DC for the inauguration and 48hrs in NYC.. even got a night at Trump international Hotel (for a lousy $1000pn)

Nope.   Never gone.  I live close enough to go.   But the only DC events with presidents that I've gone to are the Arlington Cemetery laying of the wreath for Veterans Day.   That is a an excellent experience.    

We get to Arlington .. go through security ... go up the hill to the ampetheatre ... hear the canons do their 21 gun salute when the president arrives at arlington ... watch the laying of the wreath ... sit in the ampetheatre and listen to the president give the speech.   The first lady is also there.  So are members of congress and high up military officers that you recognize.   And there is usually a celebrity who is involved with charity who gives a speech as well.   One time when we went it was Gary Sinese and the officers introducted him as Lieutenant Dan .. his Character on Forrest Gump.    One time when we were there it was George W. Bush giving the speech.  When the speech was over and everyone was leaving, I rushed up to where First Lady Laura Bush was sitting just before and I took her seating arrangement.  She left it behind.  It was a tag with her name on it with the seal fo the White House, and a US flag to wave and a few other little things.  I figured they were a cool souvenier.

[FlyersFan]

Yeah right, you're not a fan of DC?

Just the opposite.  We go all the time.  Been to just about every museum, many multiple times.  Walked the National Mall a bunch of times.  Done Arlington a bunch of times.   Library of Congress tour.  White House tour.   Capitol tour.   Cherry Blossom festival on the National Mall a half dozen times.  We used to take our daughter into DC to ride the trains/subway and run around the National Mall a bunch when she was younger ... 4-6 ... she loved the trains/subway at that age.   Did the zoo and saw the panda bears.   Everything.   We've seen Trump, Biden, and Bush43 ... along with Nancy Pelosi, Collin Powell, Sen Blumenthal, and myriads of other senators/congressmen etc etc.   Seen the presidential motorcade for Biden two or three times.   Seen the presidential helicopter flying with it's two marine escorts.  We go to the Basilica at Catholic University in DC every Christmas, and when we go to DC we park the car at their parking lot on the Red Line in order to go into DC.  It's safe and free and easy access to the trains/subway.

Just never did an inauguration.   Didn't really have a hanker'n to do it.

[FlyersFan]

I ended up biting the bullet. 48hrs in DC for the inauguration and 48hrs in NYC.. even got a night at Trump international Hotel (for a lousy $1000pn)

That's a lot of money to spend on just 4 days in those cities.   But I wish you a lot of fun!

When you go to NYC ... go to the STAGE DELI.   Either breakfast or lunch.   It's a typical NYC Jewish deli and a lot of celebrities go there.   We ate there once.  Didn't see any celebrities.  But it was a good 'typical NYC' thing to do and the food was good.  Great pickle barrels.

[FlyersFan]

Weather for Sunday - Extreme Cold and a SNOWSTORM in the area.

Inauguration moved indoors to the rotonda.  No one can see it outside.

The parade may or may not happen.   EXTREME COLD.

Oh ... and they announced that if there is a parade like usual, the DUMP TRUCK that Trump used after Biden called Trump supporters 'garbage' will be driven in the parade.

[KKLoco]

Weather for Sunday - Extreme Cold and a SNOWSTORM in the area.

Inauguration moved indoors to the rotonda.  No one can see it outside.

The parade may or may not happen.   EXTREME COLD.

Oh ... and they announced that if there is a parade like usual, the DUMP TRUCK that Trump used after Biden called Trump supporters 'garbage' will be driven in the parade.

This is a good thing. I was worried about an outdoor venue. If they wanted to send a message, Inauguration Day would be the day to do it.

[Chiefsmom]

I hope you will do a thread about it, with some pictures!

[SnrRog]

Punching some numbers, for $3500 AUS I could fly to DC and stay a few nights over the inauguration.

Is it worth it? has anyone done one before? I've seen you need tickets (via your local congressman) to get tickets for the viewing area's.

I went to an inauguration in 1968. I was a paperboy for the Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin,
I lived in Allentown, Pa. The Bulletin gave all of the paperboy a trip to the Inauguration. Le me just say, I was 11. The trip was free. Took a bus from Allentown to Philly, (about 45 miles), then took train from Philly to DC. I honestly don't remember how we got to Pennsylvania Ave from there.
Was it worth it?? Hell yeah!! I got a day off from 6th grade!
Good times..

[FlyersFan]

Not the inauguration, but I'd like to visit the White House. I got permission from my congresswoman last year to go, but I've yet to make my way up there. I've always wanted to visit DC though. The Smithsonian especially. I'd need a week to take it all in, history nerd that I am.

I toured the White House once when I was a kid, and then when Bush 43 was in office we took our daughter and I got to do it again.  VERY COOL!  We toured the Library of Congress as well as the Capitol Building as well.   

We did the Newseum.  That was excellent.  I don't know if it exists anymore.  I remember they had a section of the Berlin Wall.  I was surprised at how thin and short it was.  We did almost all the Smithsoneans.  Best one is the Natural History, and the one with the best food is the American Indian Smithsonean.   We did the Spy Museum.  We were in there 3 hours and could have stayed for another 3 ... so much stuff!   Fords Theatre is a 'must do' when you go, as well as the Peterson House across the street (Where Lincoln died).

When a person 'does DC', they should always go to Arlington Cemetery.  Take the tram tour before walking on your own.  Very informative.