Inauguration Details

Here are a few important things I think you should keep in mind if you're coming to the Inauguration...

Pick your event. Either plan to be on the Mall for the swearing in or on the Pensylvania Ave for the parade. Given the size of the crowd, it's highly unlikely you'll be able to do both.

Although it's supposed to warm up to the balmy mid-30s, to be safe and comfortable, bring some hand warmers and wear a hat.

Go to the bathroom before you come and don't drink anything while there unless you want to experience one of the 5,000 Inaugural thrones.


Bring some snacks, nuts, granola, dried fruit, etc.

Bring binoculars.


Strollers, backpacks and umbrellas are prohibited so don't bring em.

If you're entering a secured area a handbag can't be bigger than brown paper lunch bag.


If you're planning to come by car via Virginia good luck with that...all bridges from Virginia into DC will be closed during the Inauguration.

If you're planning on taking the Metro, build in additional time. Metro will start running at 4am and it will be extremely crowded. Metro officials estimate it may be a 2-3 hour wait to board subway cars once the Inauguration and parade are over.

Some more information from the Atlanta Constitution...

Spectators hoping to attend the parade celebrating Barack Obama’s inauguration are being urged to show up early, with officials warning they will close off access once the crowd reaches capacity of some 300,000.

Security checkpoints surrounding the parade route will open at 7 a.m. and the area likely will be filled within three hours.

The parade is scheduled to begin about 2:30 p.m. after the swearing-in of Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. The approximately 1.5-mile route begins on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Capitol and ends in front of the White House.

About 300,000 to 350,000 spectators will be allowed in the area. Everyone will be screened at checkpoints before entering the viewing area, with some people passing through metal detectors.

Because of the large crowds, people likely will not be able to attend both the parade and the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol, which begins at 11:30 a.m. He said spectators lining the parade route will be able to watch the swearing-in on large TV screens.

The entire length of the National Mall also will be open for overflow crowds, with 20 giant TV screens set up so people can watch the festivities.