Conquering the Crowds: Inauguration Day Tips

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(To view a series of interactive inaugural maps, please visit washingtonpost.com's Inaugural Survival Guide.)

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED many times by now that the hordes of people descending on D.C., paired with myriad road and bridge closures, will make getting around on Tuesday a monumental struggle. But if you're still looking to try to get close to the inaugural action, our advice is simple: Have a plan and pack your patience. Here are some tips to help you out.

» Driving Downtown
Good luck. The reason the Secret Service did everything it could to prevent people from driving was to keep drivers from abandoning their cars out of frustration. That's how bad it's expected to be.

A drive-then-walk plan is not that ridiculous, assuming you know someone who lives in the city but outside of the security zone.

Even if you think you'll be able to find an out-of-the-way parking lot to stash your vehicle in, though, be prepared to shell out major cash.

» Walking Into History
This is the best option if you have the stamina to endure it. No matter which direction you're coming from, you'll likely never forget the views and camaraderie you'll experience walking over a bridge into the city or just strolling through D.C.

At the end of the day, if Metrorail breaks down or some other security threat thwarts your original plan, you can trust your own two feet.

If you get tired or cold, you can still catch a cab — taxis are allowed to operate inside the restricted zone.

» Two-Wheeled Transport
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is providing free bike valet service from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at I Street NW and the Jefferson Memorial. (Be sure to bring your lock.) Eric Gilliland, executive director of WABA, said that if riders don't make it back in time to pick up their bikes, valets will "lock them up to the best of their ability."

Navigating back to a valet could be tough to time accurately. If you choose to cycle in solo, standard D.C. bike-securing rules apply.

» Braving the Metro
In our opinion, you're rolling the dice if you expect to get anywhere on time using Metro — the system will be packed and, as always, vulnerable to disruption.

That said, if all goes right, Metro riders will have the best access to the city and the warmest mode of transport. Also, if you are not familiar with D.C. streets, Metro is likely your safest option.

If regular bathroom runs are a part of your routine, however, don't look to Metro for relief. The transit system is closing all restrooms for security reasons.
And be sure to have a plan for your return trip, too. Metro officials are predicting a crush of riders after the ceremony and parade. Their advice: Grab lunch or see a movie first and then hop on the train.

» General Tips

» If you want to ensure that you'll make the event you're itching to see, be somewhere close to your destination by sunrise. Seriously. That goes for the inauguration ceremony and for the parade.

» Officials say they will close down checkpoints and stop letting people in once the restricted areas start to fill up. Read: You will not be able to argue or sneak your way in. That time could come as early as 10 a.m.

» Five Metro stations — Federal Triangle, Federal Center SW, Farragut West, Capitol South and McPherson Square — will be exit-only from 4 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Smithsonian and Archives-Navy Memorial will be closed until 6:30 p.m., and Judiciary Square will close at 4 p.m. Parking at Metro lots is $4, cash only, opening at 3:30 a.m.

Map sources: National Park Service, U.S. Secret Service, D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The Washington Post, WABA

Art by Scott McCarthy/Express