Contrary to what Republicans, naysayers and the I-hate-crowds set might be saying, there could be no better time to see the nation`s capital than during Inauguration Week.
A travelers` nightmare? Not so, according to travel and accommodations experts. Though many of the inaugural events will be crowded, it won`t be hard to get here, find a room or-if you use public transportation-move around.
And if you`re a people-watcher looking for eventfulness, you`ll be in the right place when Bill Clinton is inaugurated as president on Jan. 20.
When political power changes political parties in Washington, the inaugural bashes always take on new proportions. According to the Washington spinners, this city will be the events capital of the world that week.
”From what I`m seeing,” says Nelson Whitman, an expert on presidential memorabilia, ”this is going to be the biggest inaugural since (John F.)
Kennedy`s, and that was the biggest.”
If you love museums, history and monuments, Washington can`t be topped. But even if you hate museums, historical tours and reading long lists of names on pillars, you will have more than enough to see and do.
As of last week, planners were estimating that 250 events in hotels, restaurants and halls of government have been scheduled.
You might very well fail to get into one of the nine official balls (more on this later) or the three free-but-ticketed public events. But other public events are open to anyone who shows up.
There`s no guarantee of front-row seats (or even a view from two city blocks away), but you definitely will be part of the celebration-”whether you want to or not,” according to Tom Haten, general manager of Showbiz Productions, which is organizing events for various state and local Democratic organizations. ”You won`t be able to get away from them.”
And then there are the corporate parties, impromptu bashes in hotels, restaurant galas and pickup parties on the street. All in all, the total number of events is expected to reach into the thousands, though most of them will be private.
And there`s a bonus for Chicagoans: The weather in Washington is usually a little warmer in January; the dogwood trees might even be in bloom.
Here are the public events scheduled:
– Jan. 17: America`s Reunion on the Mall. An outdoor festival including regional food, music, crafts and a celebration of America`s cultural diversity. Open to all.
– Jan. 17: A Call for Reunion. An open-to-all concert with fireworks at the Lincoln Memorial.
– Jan. 18: The American Gala at the Capital Centre. Internationally renowned entertainment (to be announced). Tickets are required but are free, though limited, at this 2,500-seat site in suburban Landover, Md.; call 800-INAUG93.
– Jan. 19: Salute to Youth and Salute to Children. Two events at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are required but are free though limited; call 800-INAUG93.
– Jan. 20: Presidential inauguration. Oath of office and inaugural speech at the Capitol, followed by a parade from the Capitol to the White House. Prime seats will be reserved for VIPs, but the public will be able to attend; for information, call 202-252-2300 (for the swearing-in) and 202-252-2323 (for the parade).
– Jan. 21: A presidential open house at the White House: The general public is invited to visit President and Mrs. Clinton in their new home. Details on admission procedures had not been determined at press time.
But what about congestion in the streets and subway? What about bursting hotels?
”It`s a myth,” says Tom Murphy, director of the Washington, D.C., Convention and Visitors Association, reacting to the widely held belief that inauguration week is not a good time to visit. ”The inauguration is a major event, but we`ve got 64,000 rooms (in the area), 24,000 alone in the District of Columbia.”
Some 20,000 people are expected to travel to Washington for the inaugural week. That`s fewer than the number of people who normally travel to Washington for conventions each week, according to Murphy.
Getting here won`t be a problem. Airlines have seats available on non-stop and direct flights from Chicago to Washington National Airport for about $300 round trip if you book 14 days in advance and stay over one Saturday night. (There also are connecting flights, but they are no cheaper.) But don`t wait too long; regular air fare is $600 or more.
Once you`re here, car rental companies expect to have plenty of cars available, beginning at $130 a week with unlimited mileage.
But cars are not the preferred mode of transportation during inaugural week, says Laura O`Connell, a former Washington travel planner and now a Chicago travel agent. ”It`s going to be very congested with all those events. Your best bet is the Metro,” Washington`s subway system.
”If you`re worried about safety,” says Thom Hall, president of Capitol Reservations, a free hotel reservations service (800-VISIT-DC), ”make sure you are in accommodations in a safe neighborhood near the Metro” or have easy access to it. ”That won`t be difficult because most hotels are providing shuttle service to the Metro.”
”We`ve got the safest transit system in the country,” said Peter Benjamin, an executive of Metro. ”You`re safer on the Metro than on the street.”
Metro is going all-out for visitors during Inaugural Week. Shuttles will run to the subway system from the major events. Trains will be added and closing hours extended from midnight to 2 a.m. Benjamin recommends a $5 daily pass with unlimited use during off-peak hours (single fares are $1-$2 off-peak, $1-$3.15 during peak hours depending on destination).
”Since three of the days during the week are on the weekend or are holidays-Sunday, Monday (President`s Day), Wednesday (Inauguration Day-a holiday here)-it`s a pretty good deal,” Benjamin said. (Museums and monuments, incidentally, will be open during these holidays.)
But what about hotels? Do not despair if you find there are no rooms available in the heart of the District of Columbia if you call today.
”But hold on,” said Nancy Riker of Washington, D.C., Accommodations, another free hotel reservation service (202-289-2200). ”Rooms everywhere will be freeing up by the end of the year.”
The current problem, inaugural officials and hotel reservations people explained, is that the Democratic National Committee, the Inaugural Committee and many state, county and local Democratic organizations blocked out hotel rooms the minute Clinton was elected.
”But all these hotels have cutoff days for those blocked and reserved rooms to be paid for,” Riker said. ”The pay-up days range from Dec. 15 to Jan. 1.
”You know that because the hotels are asking for pre-payment, four days guaranteed, that rooms are going to be available everywhere-$250 in D.C., much cheaper between three and 10 miles of the Capitol,” Riker said. ”And that does not include hundreds of bed-and-breakfast accommodations in the area.”
According to Anne Earle of Bed & Breakfast Accommodations Ltd.
(202-328-3510), ”We still have 20 percent of our houses with rooms available.”
If you`re determined to stay at a power hotel such as the Willard Continental, there could be hope. ”Get on the waiting list and keep calling,” O`Connell suggests. ”It`s not impossible (to get a room) after the deadlines for paying up.”
If you`re persistent, insiders say, you might even have a chance for a ticket ($125) to one of the balls.
”Call your local Democratic congressman,” said one political wag.
”This is an inauguration for the people.”
