Basic information you need to get there, get around, and get the most out of your D.C. visit.
We've gathered tips and links to online planning tools that should make your trip logistics flow smoothly.
Getting There
The airports serving the D.C. area are Reagan Washington National (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and Baltimore Washington International (BWI). National is directly accessible by Metro; take the Blue or Yellow line to the Reagan National Metrorail station. To get to Dulles, you can take either the Orange line to West Falls Church and then take the Washington Flyer shuttle bus, or opt for the 5A Metrobus from the Rosslyn or L'Enfant Plaza stations. BWI can be reached via Amtrak and Marc trains out of Union Station. The Washington Flyer Shuttle services all three airports.
For ticket prices, schedules, and route information visit the airport travel information sites:
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Amtrak's Regional route also services Washington D.C. Check the website for ticket prices and schedule information.
Many inexpensive buses run between Washington D.C. and New York City. Our Intelligent Travel blog rounded up the complete listing; compare and look for schedules to meet your needs.
Getting Around
The weekend of the inauguration is going to be a huge traffic headache. Navigating the city by car will be extremely difficult. D.C. Metro authorities suggest traveling by public transportation, and highly recommend ordering your SmarTrip Metrocard in advance online (special inauguration editions are now being sold, featuring a portrait of Obama). But even the Metro will only get you so far. Park officials are suggesting that if you're within two miles of the National Mall, you should plan on walking to the site, as the trains, train platforms, and buses are expected to be very crowded. If you have questions, the Metro call center will be extending their hours to handle requests. Call them at +1 202 637 7000. Visit the Metro website for updates and more information about trip-planning services, schedules, routes, and getting your card in advance.
The Circulator bus operates especially touristed routes, such as Georgetown to Union Station, and a ride is only $1.
D.C. taxis recently ditched their fare zone system and installed meters in every cab. Visit the Taxicab Commission for more information on fares.
Get help finding your way around town with HopStop, which offers directions for both Metro and walking and now also includes estimated taxi fare.
D.C. is one of the most walkable cities in America, according to the Walkscore rankings. The neighborhoods of Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, and Downtown rank the highest for walkability.
The Lay of the Land
D.C. is separated into four quadrants: NW, SW, NE, and SE, the center point being the Capitol Building. Streets that run east and west are labeled alphabetically, and those that run north and south are numbered; both kinds of streets increase as you move away from the Capitol (i.e., H St. is closer to the Capitol than P St., 4th St. is closer than 14th). Diagonal avenues are named for states, and will often intersect with traffic circles. When looking at an address, the letters NW, SW, NE, SE, will tell you which quadrant you're in. (tip: There is no J Street.)
Here are some of the neighborhoods you should know:
Georgetown's M Street is the shopping center of the city, and also where you'll find the bold-faced names when they come to town. There's also a critical mass of college students from nearby Georgetown and George Washington universities. Wander off M to admire the brick rowhouses along the cobblestone streets and enjoy the newly built waterfront park.
Downtown has experienced a revival in the past decade, from a lifeless zone after work hours to a lively nightlife destination of theaters, upscale restaurants, bars, shopping, and hotels.
Adams Morgan is known for its rowdy bar scene, though the neighborhood is also home to Ethiopian and Latino eats and funky boutiques.
Capitol Hill is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, sprinkled with interesting shops and high-end restaurants frequented by Congressional staffers.
The U Street Corridor was once known as Black Broadway, when Duke Ellington was king of the thriving jazz scene. The riots following the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., lay waste to the neighborhood in 1968, and since then the neighborhood has struggled to restore itself to its former glory. In recent years, gentrification has brought an influx of new restaurants, shops, bars, and condos. Get a virtual tour of the area with our U Street photo gallery.
In the Gilded Age, Dupont Circle became the hub for the nouveau riche; this past can still be seen in its opulent mansions and stately brick town houses. After falling on hard times, the neighborhood was revived by the gay community, and since that time has become a bustling commercial center with boutiques, restaurants, and a weekly FreshFarm market.
D.C. Tours
These knowledgeable guides help you experience the more surprising aspects of D.C.—by foot, bike, Segway, and even spy bus.
Learn some of Washington's secrets on The Original Spy Tour of Washington, led by Carol Bessette, a retired Air Force intelligence officer.
For the fleet of foot, City Running Tours offers custom tours. Just tell them what you want to see, and they'll construct a guided route. For more, see our Intelligent Travel blog post on City Running Tours.
Glide around the monuments with DC Segway Tours. The three-hour excursions are offered both day and night and include the city's iconic sites.
Visit the area's most haunted houses on the DC Haunted Tour. The nighttime walk passes by houses owned by Andrew Jackson, Henry Adams, and Stephen Decatur, and ends at the Octagon, with guides telling scary tales along the way.
Get to know some of the local scene with Washington Walks' neighborhood tours, including Embassy Row, Georgetown, U Street, and Monuments by Moonlight.
All Things Inaugural
Plans about the inauguration are updated daily, so here are a few great resources to keep tabs on:
The official inauguration website has everything from the history of inaugural ceremonies to ball listings.
The D.C. government has a presidential inauguration website dedicated to all the logistics of the big day, including how to get to the parade, road closures, what to expect while you're there, and more tips for an enjoyable experience.
The D.C. government has an FAQ page dedicated to the inauguration.
The Washington Post has launched an Inauguration Watch blog offering frequent updates.
Washington's official tourism office, Destination D.C., has a wealth of information.
WiFi Hotspots
Plug in at these hotspots around the D.C. area.
City libraries offer free wireless as well.