From historic sites and new attractions to election-themed exhibitions, DC packs a powerful line up of DC during election season.
New Attractions
The new Capitol Visitor Center is designed to welcome visitors to the seat of the U.S. government. The largest project in the Capitol’s 212-year history, it encompasses two orientation theatres, an exhibition gallery, a dining facility for up to 550 people, two gift shops and an underground walkway linking to the Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress.
Trace remnants of past presidencies at the newly renovated National Museum of American History, which re-opened Nov. 21 after a massive two- year renovation. Visitors can look forward to a new high-tech gallery displaying the original Star-Spangled Banner, a central atrium and grand staircase, and a new permanent exhibit space - the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.
Special Exhibitions: Presidents, Power and Civil Rights
As part of DC’s citywide Abraham Lincoln bicentennial celebration, you can step back in time to experience another historic presidential moment in The Honor of Your Company is Requested: President Lincoln's Inaugural Ball, on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum through Jan. 18, 2010. The ball actually took place inside the museum itself, which once housed the US Patent Office.
See a re-creation of the White House China Room, including more than 150 pieces of presidential china in The Presidential Dish, on display at the Woodrow Wilson House Museum through Jan. 25, 2009.
Experience Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power, currently on display at the Corcoran Gallery of Art through Jan. 25, 2009. The Collection features nearly 250 juxtaposing images of elite government, media, and labor officials, such as Karl Rove, Julian Bond and Barack Obama, with counter-cultural activists and ordinary citizens caught up in national debates.
Powerful and poignant photographs and works of art from the Civil Rights era are on display in two timely exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution's Ripley Center through March 9. Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956-1968 is a collection of evocative images, beginning with the Rosa Parks case in 1955-56 and ending with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.
To complement the photography exhibition, the Ripley Center is also displaying The Civil Rights Legacy and Contemporary Art. The exhibition illustrates the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the social changes that resulted, including issues of racial identity, commodity culture and political action in response to the legacy of the year 1968, when political unrest and social upheaval took over the urban landscape.
And coinciding with Inauguration Day, Presidents in Waiting comes to the National Portrait Gallery on Jan. 2009. It highlights American vice presidents who succeeded to the presidency. The exhibition will be on display through Jan. 2, 2010. While you’re there, check out the Gallery’s permanent collection, America’s Presidents, featuring imagery of all 42 U.S. presidents.
At The Phillips Collection, visitors will find two special installations that echo the spirit of American perseverance, independence, and hope that President-Elect Obama has brought to the national stage. The Phillips has re-installed its 30 panels of Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series (1941). A masterpiece of narrative painting, the series is an unforgettable work portraying the 20th-century exodus of more than a million African Americans from the rural South to the industrial North. Capturing racial ruptures of the day, Lawrence recorded the search of a people for greater economic and social justice—a story that continues to transcend time, nationality, and geography.
Also at the Phillips, The Eight: Rebels for American Art features paintings by eight American artists including Maurice Prendergast, John Sloan, Ernest Lawson and George Luks. Frustrated by the limited exhibition venues in New York, “The Eight” mounted their own show—attracting thousands of visitors, galvanizing the attention of critics nationwide and paving the way for American artists for generations to come. The exhibition is on display through Feb. 1. Visitors who mention the word "inauguration" at the admissions desk will receive 2-for-1 admission.
Getting to the Capitol
Click here to view an interactive map created by the Joint Congressional Inaugural Committee to assist with your trip planning.
Swearing-In Ticket Access Points
Click here to view a map of the ticketed areas for the swearing-in ceremony.
Inaugural Parade
Click here to view the offical parade map, provided by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.
DC Maps
Click here to view interactive Washington, DC tourism maps from Destination DC.
Department of Homeland Security Road Closures and Access Points
Click here to view.
DC Government Transportation Plan
Click here for practical transportation tips and links to maps from the Washington, DC government.
Access Points for Opening Ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial
Click here to view.
Hotel rooms are still available in Washington, DC for the Inauguration, however, many properties require a 4 to 5 night minimum stay and pre-payment during this time period.
HOTEL UPDATE: Hotel rooms are still available in Washington, DC. As of Jan. 12, there were at least 750 rooms available in Washington, DC.
As of December 1, we highly recommend calling Destination DC's toll-free number, 1-800-422-8644, for assistance in remaining hotel availability in DC and the surrounding Virginia and Maryland areas. We have surveyed hundreds of hotels for their availability and can provide callers the best comprehensive picture of availability; this is much easier than calling indiviudual properties.
Groups in need of assistance in locating rooms, restaurants, transportation or other needs may contact Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, DC, for support. Groups requiring ten or more rooms may call 1-800-422-8644 or fill out an online RFP for travel professionals or meeting planners. If you choose to submit an online RFP, please note that DC area hotels are requiring 3-5 night minimum stays during this time period.
If you wish to book a pre-packaged tour that includes hotel accommodations and transportation to official public events, click here for more information.DC hotels have also developed themed hotel packages to appeal to inauguration-goers. Be sure to check out our press release, which details these packages.
2009 INAUGURATION EVENTS
Official inauguration activities will span a four-day period, beginning with a welcome ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial, beginning at 2 PM on Jan. 18, including a day of service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19 and ending with a prayer service on Jan. 21 at the Washington National Cathedral. The Obamas and Bidens are expected to arrive in DC by train on Saturday, Jan. 17, following events in Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore.
The President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol just before noon on Jan. 20. The formal ceremony begins at 11:30 AM. The swearing-in is followed by a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in the afternoon, following a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Commission on Inaugural Ceremonies.
"A New Birth of Freedom," was the theme selected for the Swearing-in ceremony by the Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies and commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The words come from the Gettysburg address, and express Lincoln's hope that the sacrifice of those who died to preserve the nation shall lead to "a new birth of freedom" for our nation. Obama will take the oath of office using the Bible used by Lincoln at his own swearing-in. Washington, DC will continue to mark the Lincoln Bicentennial with a 4-month promotion featuring more than 80 events celebrating the life and legacy of President Lincoln.
Each U.S. Senator and Representative receives a limited quantity of free tickets to the swearing-in ceremony that they may distribute to the public at their discretion. If you have questions, contact your U.S. Senator or Representative. We urge you to take caution if obtaining tickets from an unofficial source.
Participating bands were recently announced by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. There will be fewer ticketed bleacher seating areas along the inaugural parade route, allowing more space for public viewing than in past inaugurations. You can view the parade route and access information here. Note that the number of spectators allowed along Pennsylvania Avenue during the parade will be limited and transportation between the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue will be difficult.
Inaugural balls and parties are starting to take shape at venues throughout the city, beginning approximately January 15 and ending the evening of January 20. There will be 10 official balls planned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Six will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and one each at the National Building Museum, Hilton Washington, Union Station and the D.C. Armory. Details will be announced in the coming weeks. Other balls are planned by the state societies and many more unofficial balls and parties will also be held during the week of the Inauguration. Entertainment line-ups for the parties are still being negotiated, but early reports include Sting, Elivs Costello and Sam Moore at The Creative Coalition's Ball at the Harman Center; Cyndi Lauper and Melissa Ethridge in attendance at the HRC Ball at the Mayflower and Harry Belafante at the Inaugural Peace Ball.
Requests to participate in Inauguration Day events for marching bands, marching units, mounted units, and other performers are now closed.
Volunteer Information
Interested in volunteering for a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while you are in DC? Make it a day ON, not a day off and check out these volunteer opportunities available through Serve DC from the District of Columbia.
VISITOR INFORMATION: Red Cross officals have announced plans for 52 first aid stations along the parade route and near the National Mall. There will be approximately 5,000 portable toilets available for visitors. A list of items prohibited within the ticketed areas for the swearing-in ceremony is available here.The Joint Congressional Inaugural Committee advises that there will be designated drop-off points for visitors with disabilities outside of the security perimeters, but traffic conditions may make it difficult to reach these points. Each ticketed area for the swearing-in ceremony will offer some seating, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors using walkers or wheelchairs should be aware that they may need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas and possibly icy areas. More accessibility information is available here.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) will also provide bicycle valet service for inauguration-goers arriving by bicycle. Valet details and locations will be posted on WABA's website.
Amtrak will add trains along the Northeast Corridor on Jan. 20 to maximize available space. Trains will require reservations and tickets must be purchased prior to boarding. Commuter rail service will supplement Amtrak service. The MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) Penn Line will provide service between DC and Baltimore on Jan. 20, with reservations required. Virgnia Railway Express (VRE) willl operate between Fredericksburg/ Manassas, VA and DC and will require reservations. Travelers on Amtrak and commuter rail are advised to arrive at the station no earlier than one hour prior to departure time, pick up roundtrip tickets before boarding their trains, pack lightly and be prepared for new pedestrian traffic patterns.
Due to incredible demand, Southwest Airlines added a total of 26 additional flights into and out of both BWI and Washington Dulles for the presidential inauguration. Visit www.southwest.com to book your flight to the DC area.
For additional transportation recommendations, visit the Washington, DC government's transportation resource web page. Travelers coming from Virginia can also find information on the state of Virginia's transportation website.
Travelers coming from Montgomery County, MD should note that Ride On buses will be running on a normal weekday schedule, with some routes extending service until 10 PM on the 20th. Montgomery County will also provide shuttle service to the Shade Grove Metro from Park and Ride lots and will allow parking at two high schools. More information is posted on the county's website.
MOTORCOACH TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Motorcoaches are required to register for a Trip Permit. To obtain a permit and reserve motorcoach parking at RFK Stadium and other designated locations, please click here. The deadline to apply for a permit is January 15. Groups planning to travel to DC on a motorcoach can also obtain information about parking, restrictions and permit requirements at this site. Drivers should expect street closures around the National Mall and in parts of downtown on Inauguration Day. Additional transportation information will be posted as it becomes available.
Presidential Places
During the hot summer season, Abraham Lincoln almost never slept at the White House. Instead, he brought his family to Anderson Cottage. Lincoln spent about a quarter of his administration at the cottage and was there the day before his assassination. Now open daily for tours, President Lincoln Cottage is one of the city’s newest presidential places.
Historic Mount Vernon welcomes inauguration visitors in January with 20% off adult admission. Visitors must print the coupon from Mount Vernon's website, visit.mountvernon.org. Take the oath of office in the new interactive Inaugural Gallery, one of 25 new galleries and theaters, see the nation's very first Inaugural buttons worn by supporters of George Washington, and tour an exhibition of the finest collection of presidential china outside of the White House. "Setting the President's Table: American Presidential China" from the Philadelphia Museum of Art is open through January 21. January is also the 250th wedding anniversary of George and Martha Washington, and on display this month only are Mrs. Washington's wedding slippers, which have not been exhibited at Mount Vernon in over 30 years and due to their fragile condition will not be on display for many years to come.
Pierre L'Enfant's original plan for the city called for a church "intended for national purposes, such as public prayer, thanksgiving, funeral orations, etc., and assigned it to the special use of no particular sect or denomination, but equally open to all." The Washington National Cathedral has filled this role with its share of presidential connections. President Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the foundation stone laying in 1907. Woodrow Wilson was buried at the Cathedral in 1956 - the only president buried within the District. On the grounds of the Cathedral, the Bishop’s Garden contains a collection of plants from historic gardens owned by Washington and Jefferson.
Organized to accommodate the worship of residents of the White House and their families, St. John’s Church dates back to 1815 and is one of the original buildings on Lafayette Square, just north of the White House. Every president since James Madison has attended regular or occasional service at this historic church, known as the "President’s Church." Pew 54 is outfitted with embroidered pillows that honor each man who has held the office.
Also near the White House, the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (at 1313 New York Avenue, NW) is most closely linked to one of its most noted members, Abraham Lincoln, though Presidents Jackson, Pierce, Buchanan, Johnson, Fillmore, and Cleveland were all visitors. Lincoln paid $50 per year to rent his own personal pew at the center of the church, and a plaque on the pew honors his memory today.
Other presidents ventured further away from the White House for religious service. Harry Truman worshiped regularly at First Baptist Church (16th and O Streets, NW). Although his funeral service was held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew (1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW), John F. Kennedy attended mass in Georgetown at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (3513 N Street, NW). Also in Georgetown, St. John’s Episcopal Church (3240 O Street) has a presidential past. Thomas Jefferson donated $50 for its construction, and Dolley Madison was a regular attendee.
Washington, DC's natural surroundings have long been inviting retreats for occupants of the White House. Carved out of the middle of the District, Rock Creek Park has long held a reputation among visitors and Washingtonians as an ideal spot for an urban escape. Teddy Roosevelt frequented the park for hiking and bird-watching. Visitors today can enjoy tours of the park on horseback by visiting the stables where Ronald Reagan used to ride.
The National Museum of Health and Medicine has its share of medical oddities, including some with presidential connections: a segment of John Wilkes Booth's vertebrae; gallstones and a molar from President Eisenhower; microscope slides of Ulysses S. Grant's tumor; the brain, spleen, and partial skeleton of President Garfield's assassin; and microscope slides of President Cleveland’s tumor.
