Going to see Obama? No photos, please

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You just can’t wait for the inauguration to happen. You need your dose of hope, change and belief now. So, you get on a plane for Chicago and navigate your way to Hyde Park. According to the NY Times, you won’t be able to take any pictures of our next president’s Greenwood Avenue home. Fortunately, there’s a bit more to do in Chicago than try to catch a glimpse of the man who will be our 44th president. Skip his place and check out the Robie House, for which Frank Lloyd Wright is responsible. Trek around 10 blocks north, and you can visit another home … belonging to Louis Farrakhan.

While in town, you can live like a future president, spending $21 on a haircut at Hyde Park Hair Salon and picking up breakfast at the Valois Cafeteria (get the scrambled eggs, hash browns and sausage and be just like the future #44!). In fact, drop in on any of these spots starting in February, and you can do what the president can’t: get what you want without crowds creating a scene.

[Via NY Times]

When supply and demand becomes gouge and pilfer

by Scott Carmichael on

January 20th will be a pretty big day for any business in the Washington DC area. It probably doesn’t matter whether you are selling doughnuts or special inauguration plates, people will be heading to DC in the millions ready to buy whatever it is you are selling.

With that many people, it is only logical that many of them will plan to stay the night, so naturally that drives the price of accommodations up a little. However, it appears that most hotels in the area have taken “a little” to a whole new level, way beyond what they usually do for special events.

Take for example the Crown Plaza Hamilton, a fairly basic 3 1/2 star hotel in the downtown area. This hotel normally charges between $85 and $100 for a standard room. Care to guess what they want for a night in a standard room during the inauguration?

That’s right, $1000 bucks. And not just anyone can get that rate, you’ll need to reserve at least 3 nights to get that “special rate”.

In their defense, they are by far not the only ones cashing in on this event, even suburban 1 star hotels are charging a staggering $699 a night (compared to their usual $59 rate).

Planning to go to the inauguration? Here are some tips to be prepared

by Karen Walrond on

As I watched President-elect Barack Obama’s victory speech on November 4th, 2008, I vowed to myself that our family was going to be in Washington D.C. on January 20th — if only just to catch a glimpse of the motorcade as it went by. It’s going to be such a historic moment, I thought to myself. We should be there.

Two days later, as I was frantically googling hotels and other places to stay, I realized that my original idea of visiting the Capitol city wasn’t all that original. Prices had skyrocketed, but that didn’t seem to hinder hotels from completely booking all of their rooms. Disappointedly, I gave up on my idea of my historic trip.

Recently, however, the New York Times published a few strategies for those of you who haven’t given up on the idea of heading to Washington for the big day. For example, consider checking out Craigslist.com or Homeaway.com for some non-hotel lodging. You never know what you might get.

In any event, check it out. And if you do end up going to Washington, let me know — maybe I’ll see you there.