Planning on attending the Inauguration? Tips for coming to DC from a resident.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

I don't mean to be mean or anything, but following a few simple (safety) tips can make your visit more enjoyable for both you and the city's natural inhabitants...

1) When using escalators - if you don't plan on walking on them, kindly stand to the right. People are trying to get by.

2) When finished using the escalators - please go SOMEWHERE. Anywhere, really. Just don't block the path - there are people right behind you that have no choice but to keep moving. You will be trampled. Similarly, I promise you that the escalator will not bite... just keep walking normally until you are fully on the stairs. You need not approach it as if it were a pissed off alligator.

3) On the same topic, if you don't know where you're going, DON'T BLOCK THE PATH. Kindly step to the side, figure it out, or ask someone - most Washingtonians are more than happy to help. We are less happy to have to walk around human walls when we're late for a meeting as it is.

4) Not to beat a dead horse, but our sidewalks are very narrow as well. If you're taking your time and strolling casually, please don't form a walking wall by going three or four people wide. If you have a group, some will have to walk ahead and some will have to walk behind. Remember that this is a working city, not a tourist destination - people have places to go.

4) Have some respect. Have respect for yourself by not acting like a fool moron - if you want to do that, the fine folks in Orlando and Las Vegas will be pleased to have you. Have respect for others by not screaming at each other in close quarters (ie. Metro, elevators). Have some respect for where you are, by dressing appropriately (if you're visiting your Congress critter, for example, don't show up at the Capitol wearing Crocs.) And if you absolutely must have a cell phone conversation on a bus or train, please use your indoor voice. Remember that text messaging does indeed work if you're trying to coordinate with others.

5) Above all - have some respect for our monuments. For example, if I happen to catch someone giddily standing in the statued bread line at the FDR memorial for a picture, I WILL elbow you in the stomach. That always pisses me off - you're mocking what was a very trying time in our nation - one that many people are still struggling through, especially in today's economy. Our memorials are not rides at Disney World - they are important reminders of both great and tragic moments in our country's history. Show a little decency, please.

6) Rule #5 does not apply to the White House until George W. Bush vacates it. Please feel free to flip him off - lord knows I do every day on my way to work.

[Bragi]

1. Thanks for that

Though I could use a bit more detail on use of escalators.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. I know you're being sarcastic, but trust me, people need a fucking users manual for them.

You truly would not believe what I go through during the tourist months here. It's like people have never seen them before.

[taterguy]

2. Can you explain how to use traffic circles?

Those things confuse the hell out of those of use from the sticks.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. The person on the circle has the right of way - ALWAYS.

It's as simple as it gets. Wait until you have a chance to get on.

[MountainLaurel]

20. If you want to continue on the same street

On the other side of the circle, get on the interior circle lanes.

[DS1]

3. What about pointed sticks?

[vard28]

4. Gotta go through

the whole self denfense against fresh fruit class before we tell you about the dreaded pointed sticks. :hi:

[Chan790]

5. As a former Washingtonian...

I'd like to add:

~I've seen people shoved down the escalator for standing on the wrong side. It's rare but it happens and people get hurt.

~Blocking the escalator while people are trying to catch a departing Metro train, in particular, is a capital offense.

~Take the Metro as much as possible instead of driving. The Metro day-pass is the best bargain in public transit (unlimited one-day transit during off-peak hours) and you're doing your part to reduce congestion. The Metro opens at the crack of dawn and is open past midnight. (During the inauguration activities, it is likely that weekend or 24-hour scheduling will be in effect.)

~If you're lost, ask directions. We've (with few exceptions) all been new to DC at one time...we know that it's easy to get lost with all the circles, the strange road-grid and the plotted-quarters (NE, NW, SE, SW) and that fact that some addresses exist in all four quarters. Don't pick the worst place to stop and plug up the works. Road and foot traffic is already a nightmare. In particular, the kiosk people at the Metro would be glad to help you and they know the city better than many natives.

~Turn off your cell phone in inappropriate settings.

~Please ask permission of people before you take someone's picture. I know...you think it'll be neat to have a picture of the people's business being done. From the other standpoint, it's kind of weird and uncomfortable to have some random dude taking your picture. Also, many places do not allow photography for security reasons.

~In the unlikely event that anything happens, DC has one of the best emergency-response plans anywhere. Calmly get to someplace safe and await public safety instructions. It will save lives and restore order more quickly. If you need assistance, ask public safety personnel. Wear walkable shoes...I had to walk from Pentagon City Mall to Brookland to get home on 9/11.

[evlbstrd]

8. I've visited DC many times.

But, excuse me, YOUR monuments?!

[Chan790]

9. Yeah...

I peed on them, they're mine. :hide:

Just to be clear, I've never peed on the monuments nor would I ever. The "marking the territory" joke was just low-hanging fruit.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. Uhm, last I checked, DC is part of the United States.

And since we are Americans, I think I can reasonably say OUR, collective OUR monuments. Jackass.

[evlbstrd]

14. The context is everything.

It's clear to me what you were saying. You consider us outsiders and interlopers. Jackass.

[Zavulon]

25. If you lived in this area and had to deal with ignorant tourists,

you might very well share Vash's frustrations. I live just outside DC and work in the city, and I know I share them.

And yes, when we see groups jerks clogging up escalators so that nobody can pass them, or parents letting kids write their names on the monuments, we do consider THOSE people outsiders and interlopers. The people who exhibit common sense and common courtesy are no problem.

[evlbstrd]

30. I resent the assumptions.

Sure, you've seen that side of people. So have I. I've been lucky enough to travel. Some of the tips were useful to people who might be new to DC. But I found the entire tone to be incredibly condescending.
My last few visits to your fair city involved police guards and free speech zones. You make me feel even less welcome.

[Zavulon]

32. I made none.

I pointed out that there are tourists which exhibit common sense and those who don't. I never assumed that you or anyone else in particular would fall into either category; I merely pointed out that the ones with common sense are no problem and the ignorant ones are a royal pain in the ass.

If by "assumptions" you were referring to the OP instead of my post, then ignore this one.

Edited to add "you" before "or anyone else," which my lame typing made me somehow omit

[evlbstrd]

33. Sorry, gotcha confused.

I shouldn't have. You didn't call me a name.

[Zavulon]

34. No worries.

I posted a dozen tips in one post in this thread myself, and although I tried to include more advice and less criticism than the OP, you'll see one in particular in which I couldn't help using a lot of caps because people who do what I warn against in that tip REALLY piss me off. The pros of living here are many, but the few cons can be unbelievably frustrating.

I might not have made the same post that Vash made, but I do share a lot of his feeling on this. As happy as I am that Obama is going to be inaugurated, I'm seriously considering getting out of town during that time (three days before, Inauguration Day and three days after) rather than trying to go downtown for it. If even half of that Chicago crowd that celebrated with Obama comes, I might as well not even try going to work that week.

Anyway, I was just defending the sentiment behind the OP. As for the actual tone, that's in the eye of the beholder. If you don't live in this area, I certainly can see why you might have been rubbed the wrong way.

P.S. - If you're coming, please see that post of mine, especially the tip about the red light cameras. That post of mine just might save you a few hundred bucks.

[evlbstrd]

36. I was stationed in Norfolk.

And did some Navy time in Baltimore. I wandered Maryland and Virginia and visited DC a lot. And that was before the trains.
I'm coming to the Inauguration and staying with friends. I'll use public transportation, like I always do.
While it's not the same scale, most cities have events that inconvenience the residents. I was in NYC for the Bicentennial. Would you have joined the party or have hightailed it out of town?

[Jeanette in FL]

56. Have fun at the inauguration, don't forget the beer!

That should be the Public Service Announcement for DC.

Get your Adult Beverages early in the day, so you don't spend half the night walking around DC looking for a grocery store or liquor store that sells beer. :toast:

Have fun. :hug:

[evlbstrd]

65. I'm bringing it this time.

[Zavulon]

86. Can't say, I wasn't there and

I wasn't old enough to have made the decision anyway (I was five weeks away from turning 13). The Bicentennial didn't have much effect on a pre-teen living in Quebec at the time :)

Nowadays, if an event looks like it's going to be too much of a pain in the ass, I ask for vacation around that time to at least give myself the option. I'll have to see with this one. I can be just as happy for myself, you, and Obama at Fells Point.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

49. You made the wrong assumptions.

Sorry if you read too much into it, but that's your problem.

[arcadian]

10. If you see a building with cameras, checkpoints and barbed wire fencing

Please, feel free to take as many pictures of it as you want. It's a federal building so you own it and you are on a public sidewalk. If police or security guards try to confiscate your memory card or try to get you to delete your photos, tell them to "Fuck off!" then contact the ACLU.


Secret Buildings You May Not Photograph, Part 643

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/07/secret_buildings_you_may_not_p.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. Does that mean you have a right to everything that requires security clearance too?

I think not. Sorry,but you're not winning that one.

[arcadian]

15. What are you saying exactly?

I have the right to take a picture of a building from a public sidewalk. Period.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

13. As far as I'm concerned those are rules that people should follow everywhere

God, I hate going into NYC and having tourists in my way.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

52. And I'm apparently a hateful asshole for preaching common sense.

Funny, ain't it?

[Mabus]

16. Since when is someone living in Silver Spring, MD a DC resident?

:shrug:

Don't bother to answer. I don't care what you have to say especially after you told me you wished I were dead. Your manners leave much to be desired.

[Zavulon]

21. Silver Spring is DC Metro area, as is

Laurel (where my official home of residence is) and Arlington, VA (where my girlfriend's place is and where I spend a lot of time). The Silver Spring Metro, which is Red Line, can you directly (in other words, without changing trains) to one of the closest stops to the White House (Farragut North).

No comment on whatever manners issue you two have between you, but a typical Silver Spring resident who works in DC is probably about as knowledgeable about DC as any actual DC resident is, at least from the aspect of advising tourists.

[Chovexani]

43. You live in Laurel?

I'm so sorry.

(I can make fun, my sister lives there--and works in Silver Spring :))

[Zavulon]

85. Too lazy to move.

Besides, I spend 25-26 out of every 30 nights in Arlington anyway.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

50. When did I do that?

Probably the Russert thread, in which you were acting like an abysmal human being.

[Texasgal]

17. wow...

Your kind of an asshole.

[Shakespeare]

35. I lived in DC for years, and he's exactly right.

Consideration goes both ways. You'll find DC residents for the most part friendly and helpful (and in a city that can be confusing to find your way around in, you might need their help), but don't act like a clueless goober, especially on the subways.

I can't count how many times I missed a train home (or was late getting TO work) because some tourist who was more interested in talking than paying attention blocked the escalator and caused scores of people to miss a departing train.

He's not an asshole. He's a little snarky, but he's offering good tips for visitors.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

51. For essentially preaching common sense and courtesy? Really?

Hmm... can't say I agree.

[Zavulon]

18. Let me add a few. Well, a dozen.

1.) Don't take photos in a Metro station. It's been against the law since 9/11. Truth be told, your chances of getting caught are barely 50-50 even if you use flash, but if you do get caught you're facing a big fine, a lot of time wasted and you probably won't get your camera back.

2.) You can carry food and drink in a Metro train car, but if you're caught consuming it you're going to be fined and detained. Remember, this is the same city that handcuffed a 12 year-old girl for eating a cheeseburger on the train. Just ask our current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, who ruled that Metro was within its rights.

3.) Sorry to yell, but this one pisses me off: WHEN BUYING TICKETS FOR THE METRO AND USING CASH, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE MACHINES THAT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS. THESE MACHINES ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT PEOPLE WHO USE SMARTTRIP CARDS (plastic readable cards that you can load up with money) CAN USE TO REPLENISH THEIR CARDS. With the exception of standing still on the left side of the escalator, NOTHING IS MORE INCONSIDERATE IN THE METRO THAN USING ONE OF THESE MACHINES TO PAY CASH FOR A TICKET WHEN ALL OF THE OTHER MACHINES OFFER THAT SAME SERVICE. It's easy to tell which ones to use if you're paying cash for your ticket: tall and mostly black in color - good. Shorter with lots of light blue on the face: bad.

4.) Don't use a $20 bill unless you're spending at least $13 on Metro trips. The machines will not dispense any more than $7 in change. Also, remember that EVERY PASSENGER NEEDS A SEPARATE TICKET because you have to insert your fare on the way in and on the way out. The trips are priced by length; this is not the New York system by any means.

5.) If you come up short on your exit fare, there are exit fare machines just before the exits. As a general rule, there will be someone there with a sob story about how he is just 35-50 cents short, and, gosh darn it, he forgot his wallet. THIS PERSON DOES THIS FOR A LIVING AND YOU SHOULD NOT GIVE HIM A CENT.

6.) For that matter, you'll see that crap near the ticket machines near the entrances, too; a guy gives you a bad luck sob story. As soon as you give him money, he'll walk away until you're out of his line of sight and then uncork the same sob story on the next sap. DON'T HELP HIM EITHER.

7.) Tickets to all Smithsonian museums, including the zoo, are free. Don't fall for those professionally-printed "discount" tickets someone might try to sell you neat the entrance. "Only two bucks to get into the Natural History Museum? I'm in!" The guards will laugh at you and you'll deserve it.

8.) If you overshoot your stop on the Green Line and wind up south of L'Enfant Plaza, don't exit the station - just take the train back. This area has a very high crime rate and the locals can smell tourists like sharks can smell blood. Same goes on the Green Line between Mt. Vernon Square and Fort Totten.

9.) If you rent a car, do not assume that letting your parking meter run over by a mere five minutes is probably safe. D.C. gets shot down every time it tries to get a commuter tax passed, so its parking enforcement division is the most efficient in the country.

10.) Similarly, if you rent, be aware of the red light cameras stationed throughout the city. They photograph the license plates of speeders and those who run red lights. Thanks to the ACLU, MPD is required to tell us where they are, so look for yourself: http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1240,q,548257,mpdcNav_GID,1552,mpdcNav,%7C31885%7C.asp

11.) If you take in a Capitals or Wizards game while here (Verizon Center, directly above the Gallery Place / Chinatown stop) and are using Metro, please make sure you have your return trip already purchased so as to avoid long lines of idiots buying tickets after the game.

12.) For women (or for men who carry "man purses"): If you're going to museums, especially those of the Smithsonian type, see if you can tour the city without carrying a purse. Some of the Smithsonian museums, depending on the crowds, have "purse lines" and "non-purse lines." Every fucking year, when my aunt visits, I have to stand in the lobby of one museum or another for 15 minutes or more because she can't do without that CVS outlet she calls a purse.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

39. This is very informative

:thumbsup:

You should actually post this in its own thread. A lot of people would find it helpful

[realisticphish]

19. so, basically

follow the exact same rules that any city dweller anywhere in the united states follows?

Gosh golly gee, THANKS mister!

[Zavulon]

22. You would be surprised

to learn how many tourists either can't figure out or know and don't care about every piece of advice Vash offers.

I, personally, share in Vash's frustration.

[MountainLaurel]

23. Ditto that. n/t

[realisticphish]

26. all i'm saying

is that this is hardly particular to DC... hell, I live in Columbus, OH, and we have the same behavior from morons who are here for whatever convention is going on downtown

though, i will cede the monument thing, but i hardly think the people who would do that give a shit what anyone else thinks :shrug:

[Zavulon]

27. Fine, but

I've been to Columbus and you're not nearly as dependent on public transportation as we are. DC has, in comparison with its population, almost no parking. Tourists can really screw things up for those who don't have parking passes and can't get to work without Metro.

I'm also guessing that we get a lot more tourists than you do, at least on those days when OSU doesn't have a home game.

Trust me - it's bad here. If I were in charge, I'd cut down all of the cherry trees in the area just to give locals a break in spring. In fact, it was tourists that eventually got me to move a bit outside the city so that at least I could have some peace of mind once I got home. I used to live in Woodley Park and couldn't handle the tourists (particularly the ones going to / coming from the zoo - it got so bad, that even though I used to live directly across the street from the Metro I'd take the bus and make my trip longer just to avoid them.

[realisticphish]

28. no

but i've also been to cleveland and chicago, which DO have major public transit, and jerkoffs are jerkoffs.

I'm not trying to say that DC... hell, i don't even know what the argument is about :D

i think the OP was just written in an odd tone, and it bugged me. i dunno :shrug:

[Zavulon]

31. I understand.

I recognize by your post and a few others that the OP's tone wasn't well-received by all. I'm just saying that mostly everyone here who has to use the Metro would agree with the gist of the message, anyway. I know I do.

Take a look at the dozen tips I posted (#18). I tried to be more informative than snide, but on a couple (especially the one where I used a lot of caps), I couldn't help myself.

I didn't take our exchange as an argument, BTW. :)

[realisticphish]

37. heh

didn't know what else to call it :)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

53. I'm not sure why, to be honest.,

I rarely used profanity, I used words like "please" and "kindly", and only once did I threaten physical harm. Everything else was just common sense. It might piss off people that think "Well no shit, sherlock" to everything I said, and I can see why so many might think I was regarding visitors to DC as country bumpkin or something like that. But the truth is that I encounter the things I listed multiple times, every single day - so it obviously isn't so common sense. And if that rubs people the wrong way, well... too bad. Inconsiderate people rub me the wrong way.

[realisticphish]

75. well

i think part of it is the assumption that those inconsiderate assholes are all tourists, or at least aren't from dc. I dunno, like i said, it's not anything specific

[Lavender Brown]

24. I'm coming... it's happening during my vacation and right before my birthday

:woohoo:

[Zavulon]

29. In case you haven't already,

please take a look at my dozen pieces of advice earlier in the thread (#18, I believe). At least a couple will come in handy if you're not used to the area.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

38. Here's where I have a problem with standing to the right...

...when a parent is riding the escalator with their child, and needs to hold their hand, as cautioned in safety instructions.

I'm sorry...I can appreciate that sometimes people are in a hurry...sometimes I am, too. The elevators often do not work properly in the Metro stations, so it's unreasonable to expect those with children or elderly people who require assistance on the escalator to ride the elevator instead.

I agree that it's most polite to move to the right when not assisting someone else; but I don't think people's safety should be compromised because someone else is impatient. Maybe the best solution would be to have an express escalator, or stairs in every Metro station for people who are in a hurry to run down.

Flame away. :hide:

[WildEyedLiberal]

41. Would it be possible to have the parent stand in front of the child, holding the child's hand?

You can turn and face the child and kind of walk off the escalator sideways, holding the child's hand to make sure he/she doesn't trip. That way you are looking out for the kid's safety and not being in everyone's way.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

42. Safety recommendations tell passengers to face forward when riding.

It makes sense, as you're less likely to trip. Standing side by side helps the kid because you can tell him to watch your feet and copy what you do in exiting the escalator.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

60. You can still face forward and hold hands.

Not to mention that kids are small - just bring them as close to you as possible. That'll suffice.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

63. It doesn't suffice if the parent is large...

and trying to help someone off an escalator from in front or behind is not as readily done as from their side.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

61. You can still face forward and hold hands.

Not to mention that kids are small - just bring them as close to you as possible. That'll suffice.

[KamaAina]

76. Ever been to Dupont Metro?

or stairs in every Metro station for people who are in a hurry to run down.

That'd be about, oh, I don't know, three brazillion stairs. The station is like a hundred feet below ground. Even riding the escalator down gives me vertigo, 'specially last time, when I was holding on to two suitcases (headed for Please Don't Call It Reagan National)!

edit: caps (letters, not hockey :-) )

[GoddessOfGuinness]

83. Yes, I have.

There'd be no more stationary stairs than there are moving ones.

If anything, it'd be better for people to run down regular stairs. Potential injuries would be less severe.

[KamaAina]

87. Perhaps, but how about running (or rather, trudging) *up* them to get out?

:scared:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

92. I always thought that was the idea behind escalators...

You ride them so you don't have to tear your knees up....you don't use them the way you use regular stairs.

[WildEyedLiberal]

40. Any tourist unfamiliar with very large cities needs to read this and heed it well

I realize some people think this sounds snotty, but I guarantee Vash is posting from 100% personal experience. I have lived in Boston and London and have seen every single one of the behaviors he describes. I had a couple of people I knew from home visit me in London, and they are both intelligent people, but they completely and utterly failed to catch on to escalator and sidewalk protocol. I had to actually TELL my sister to not stand RIGHT IN FRONT OF the gates to the London Underground and to put her Oyster Card back in her purse SOMEWHERE NOT IN EVERYONE'S WAY. Again, smart people... but being citywise has nothing to do with intelligence, as I have seen time and again.

[Withywindle]

47. I've lived in New York and Chicago and it's true there too!

Oh my fucking GOD. Nothing like a whole line of bovine tourists strolling slowly four abreast on the sidewalk on the Mag Mile at rush hour.

Sidewalks in big cities have lanes just like highways do. Northbound/southbound, fast/slow. OBSERVE and follow.

In the middle of pedestrian traffic is NOT the place to check your map. There are few things city walkers hate more than having to break our stride.

Most of this is just basic urban etiquette really.

[struggle4progress]

44. One should also mention snow. If you are familiar with snow, you will not

understand why DC shuts down completely when there is the slightest smattering of snowflakes. The reason is that there are thousands & thousands of idiots who have moved to DC from places likke Florida or Texas, who lack basic snow-sense. So the proper protocol in DC when snow falls is: to shriek in terror and hide indoors with the covers pulled up over your head. If you don't, you will be sorry. Really.

[MountainLaurel]

72. Don't forget running to the grocery store

And buying milk, eggs, bread, and toilet paper.

:evilgrin:

[struggle4progress]

74. Such Southern charm! I've seen that happen in the Carolinas and Texas

Weatherman says "possible snow," followed by big lines at every convenience store and empty shelves

[Book Lover]

45. And here I thought San Francisco hated its tourists

but this list puts any sfist screed to shame.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

59. Most tourists are just fine.

Like everything else in life, it's a handful of morons that ruin it for everyone.

[Bunny]

46. Instead of stampeding and crushing people on the escalator, why don't you perhaps leave

maybe ten minutes earlier or something? Then you won't have to be in such a rush to catch the Metro.




:hide:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

58. Not exactly always possible.

It's not like I'm sitting around at my office twiddling my thumbs. In such cases, I'm usually getting out of one meeting late and hurrying to another one. Again, this is a working town.

[Phentex]

48. If you have scissors in your purse, do NOT blame the lady

behind you causing *her* to be pulled out of line for extra security while her kids and spouse watch. Admit you accidentally forgot them and take yer lumps. Grrr...

[taterguy]

54. Escalators are one story, about 20 feet at the most

Are you in that much of a fucking hurry?

[TZ]

55. The escalators in the metro system are WAAAY longer than that

Some of them are definitely hundreds of feet long and take a long time to get from top to bottom.
You've never been on Metro have you? Or you wouldn't make such a ridiculous statement.
And while I don't necessarily agree with the OP on many of his points..standing to the right IS something that is important especially since Metro is a very crowded system.

[taterguy]

62. You've never read any of my posts have you?

Or you'd realize that sometimes I'm too lazy to include that sarcasm smiley

:toast:

[Chan790]

64. DC's longest escalator.

Wheaton Station has one of the longest escalators in the world at 230 ft. in length. Total stationary (ie. non-running) transit time is over 3 minutes. (Edit: According to WMATA the transit time is 2:45...but I think they're full of it.)

Forest Glen is the deepest station in the system (-21 stories) but access is through high-speed elevator and total transit time is about 20 seconds.

[TZ]

66. I didn't know that about Forest Glen.

huh. 21 stories in 20 seconds--thats indeed dizzyingly fast!

[Chan790]

67. I didn't either...

I found it out when I was googling the length of the Wheaton escalator. I hate that escalator...I'm slightly acrophobic and I've had to squat 1/2-way down to not become nauseous on a few occasions.

[TZ]

68. And I thought the Woodley Park Zoo escalator was bad

Note to self..avoid Wheaton station!:scared:

[KamaAina]

77. Holy cats! I might have to rethink that new apt. building that's right there

did a phone interview with DC this very week, so am poking around for furnished places where I could hang my hat should this come to pass, preferably on the Red Line, as the place is back behind Union Station. One such place, brand-new, is right at the top of said 230-foot escalator. :scared:

edit: if only it were 23 feet (sigh)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

57. Missing a train can mean waiting for another hour in some cases.

So yes, it's that much of a hurry. And as the other poster noted, DC escalators can be more than 10 times what you noted. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalator#Longest_systems

[SOteric]

69. Sadly, a good percentage of tourists are buttheads

wherever they may be. And strangely, the butthead tourists who need the comeuppance never actually read it (or think it applies to them if they do). And the tourists who manage to comport themselves with dignity and an ounce of intelligence always take these criticisms personally and get all huffy and indignant.

Send them out to Seattle. We'll let them clog the sidewalks and act like goobers on the Metro buses. They can even stand and stare, if they like getting rained on.

:hi:

[seemunkee]

70. Parking at Metro stations. Many require Smarttrip card to exit

This most likely will not matter on Inauguration day, and it doesn't matter on the weekends BUT if you park at a Metro station lot on weekdays you will require one of the plastic Smarttrip cards to exit the lot. The card costs minimum of $10 with $5 loaded on the card. Parking costs $4.75 per day. If you try to leave the lot without the card you will to make a line of angry drivers behind you back up so you can go into the station and buy a card. Only 3 stations have mulit day parking Greenbelt, Huntington, and Franconia-Springfield and the spaces are very limited. As a matter of fact parking at some stations is limited and parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is usually restricted to residents.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

71. That's a good one to note

Especially where many are staying in hotels further and further outside of the city.

[MountainLaurel]

73. Also, remember not everyone is on vacation

A lot of people are trying to get to work, to the day care or afterschool care, to classes, to a meeting, to catch a quick lunch they can eat at their desks.

[WolverineDG]

78. I clicked on this thread thinking it would have helpful information

like how to find a good, cheap hotel close to a metro station.

dg

[Chan790]

80. I can answer that question sadly...

you really really can't. On typical circumstances, DC hotels are obscene...when my parents came down to visit, they'd stay 1/2 hour or more outside the city. For the inauguration, they're already full. The only reason I'll be attending is because I'm moving to DC in early January.

One idea...seriously, if you want public transit and a cheap stay and time is not a huge factor for you...you can stay in Baltimore or Columbia, just outside Baltimore, and take the Marc into Union Station for about $10 each way. It's about 30-45 minute ride. Go down one flight of stairs and hop on the Metro. It'd probably save you about $100/day on hotel. My senior year of college in DC, I lived in Baltimore.

[WolverineDG]

82. Yeah, I figured that out with the closer hotels

but was interested in something further out, with travel options to the city. :) Thanks for being helpful.

dg

[TZ]

90. You are coming to DC?

I hope we get to meet up with all the DU stuff that will be going on....:hi:

[Chan790]

91. Probably...

I have to move out of my house by Jan 2(-ish). My mother has decided that she wants to be alone and doesn't want the help anymore. So...I'm returning to the "real" workforce. I hate CT so...I'm moving away. DC is not certain, I have applications in for NPOs in NYC, Miami, Boston, DC, and Philly. If none of those come through, it's DC by default as my best friend is from Crofton and has agreed to let me crash while I look for a permanent position.

Know of anybody looking for a fundraiser?

I can't wait to get back to city-life.

[Mutley]

79. If you're gonna ride the Metro

Do some research on where you're going ahead of time. It can be confusing if you're not used to it.

http://www.wmata.com/maps/maps.cfm?fromMenu=MapsAndStations.0

[Missy Vixen]

81. V the S, this is brilliant

I was in DC in 2003 for a private function. We were lucky enough to go on the "Washington After Dark" tour, which I HIGHLY recommend. (I don't know if they do this during the wintertime, but it was amazing.) We stopped at the FDR for a look. It's my favorite monument. Anyway, these two idiot high school-age students started climbing on the statue of FDR like it was a jungle gym, and my husband had to drag me away.

That statue belongs to the people of the United States, not a couple of assholes who can't be bothered to exhibit any manners at all.

IMHO, YMMV,
Julie

p.s. We won't even go into the gaggle of loudly laughing students at the Wall. Even at 9 p.m. or so, the mood was solemn and contemplative. Evidently, these kids did not get the memo. It's too bad for those who wanted to quietly reflect.

[shugah]

84. as one who once lived in the area (NoVa resident, worked in DC)

#1 - i just want to say when i come back, i will purposely stand on the left side of the escalator, because i will get a kick out of pissing off the oh-so-important-district-dwellers just like i used to get pissed off because i knew the rules.

#2 - are you kidding??!!! escalators can be very scary! rosslyn on the orange line comes to mind.

#3 - those of you who don't have familiarity with DC - this is very important. DO NOT EVER ASK ANYONE FOR DIRECTIONS IN DC!! they will indeed appear very happy to help, but i assure you, they will give you directions with confidence and a smile, and it will be at least an hour before you realize that you didn't mis-hear the directions, but that the directions you got were not correct.

#4 - the district is a tourist destination. i finally swore off the Air & Space museum because of all the times i had to take our visitors there!

#5 - the monuments in DC belong to the whole country.

an additional tip for tourists: a lot of the people in DC and the surrounding area are mean people. i know i learned to be one after i lived there for a while. i look back and laugh at them and at me. if some resident of "The District" gets all up in your face when you are enjoying your inaugural experience, tell them to "chill the f*ck out!" really. they may grumble and growl, but they understand that hostility thing. :-)

LOVE AND PEACE!

[bbernardini]

88. Is it okay if my son wears Crocs while visiting our Congress critter?

He'll only be a little older than two that day, and he's pretty determined to wear only Crocs whenever footwear is necessary. Sometimes he even puts them on the correct feet by himself. (Also, he started singing along with "Psycho Killer" in the car today, the little scamp.)

[Chan790]

89. I doubt they'd give you a hard time. n/m