Things to do in DC during Inaguration that are not too expensive

Do any of you know of anything that my mom and I could attend during inaguration week that would be $100 or less? We really don't have much money to spend. My mom sounded kinda down today because people keep telling her we won't be able to see anything. Then she knows we do not have the money to attend the balls ($300 +). Thanks for any tips you can provide.

I don't know about parties that night but there are TONS of places to go and see that are free or very inexpensive. We went to the National Portrait Gallery and other galleries and museums for next to nothing. We had to stop because our feet HURT.

Maybe someone knows more about the parties.

:kick:

So are the museums of the Smithsonian located all around the mall. Check the paper for free concerts, etc. during the week. Go see your Representative and get tickets to go up in the Washington Monument.

You will need tickets though. On Monday, the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center has a free concert, Aretha Franklin, at 6 pm. Get in line at 4 for that.

The Newseum on the Parade Route is open on Tuesday. They'll have a whole Inauguration thing going on. I think it costs around $15, iirc.

There's lots of free things to do in DC.
http://www.districtcolumbia.com/DC_Twenty_Five_Free.html

First just being a part of the inauguration doesn't cost anything - you're a part of millions of people decending into DC to see history made.

Second - all the museums are free because they're part of the government. That includes the Smithsoneans and Holocaust.

noted many DUrs were going to get together. Maybe you could find out where and when? That would be a great time.. Wish I could join you but it is 74 here right now and well....ya know...LOL.

Go to some of the tours of public buildings. Treasury has one that's pretty good. Go to the Holocaust Museum.

Go to the FDR Memorial, the WW Two Memorial (hideous), the Vietnam War Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Jefferson Memorial, LIncoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and all of the other monuments, and public buildings of interest. The Kennedy Center has a free tour, too. Go see the Supreme Court, the Capitol, the Pentagon, Ford's Theater, the FBI.

You'll be able to see EVERYTHING. All this stuff is FREE. You might have to call ahead for the "hot" admissions (Holocaust Museum is a biggie, for example) but you will not have to spend a bundle to have a blast.

Start looking around the net. Start PLANNING. Save two days minimum for the Smithsonian--you might want more.

Have fun.

You will walk 5-10 miles just getting around the mall, museums, etc. Taxi's will not be available with the crowds there, the metro is fantastic but will be crowded. Plan for some roadblocks and delays to eat up some time here and there, so don't be overly ambitions on the first day.

Spend daytimes out, and relax with a good meal and rest in the evenings, so you will be ready for the next day of more free museums and walking. There is so much to see, plan on doing the TOP FIVE things and be happy if you do six or seven in two days. Don't forget to eat well, cheap food in a couple museum cafeterias is good, too.

Monuments and memorials. Arlington National Cemetery.

Ride the Metro to those places -- nice, cheap transport.