"Seeking advice on best place to stay to be in the center of activity."

Probably the White House. Do you know anyone in the Obama or McCain families? :)

OK, for the serious answer...the Inauguration activity is all over town. Swearing-in at the Capitol, parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, Inaugural balls all over town later that night.

IMO, the best place to be would be at the JW Marriott Hotel. But as far as abailability you'd have to check. There have been some recent threads on this topic you might have a look at them.

And expect VERY expensive hotel rates in Washington that week - have you looked up any prices yet? Do you have a budget in mind?

There is no easy answer to that question unless you have about $3000.00 to spend for a 4 night minimum which is what the hotels are requiring. There are still hotel rooms available but they start at $599 and up per night. If you look outside the city like MD and VA maybe you will have better luck

I spoke to someone at the Convention Bureau for Washington DC to help me or their website is www.washington.org.

Good Luck!

Read the other "inauguration" thread to get an idea of the issues and difficulties, as well as the excitement and determination. I would not take a pre-teen child in the crush of people.

Locals:

Currently my cousin has reservations (that she can cancel) at a hotel near Dulles for the Inauguration. She has the opportunity to make reservations at a hotel in Tyson Corner (non refundable), which is half the distances closer to DC and the cost is about $100 more total. Should she hold off until/if something else closer becomes available or should she jump on the Tyson Corner (Vienna, VA)hotel?

My concern for her is trying to get to DC on the 20th coming all the way from Dulles. I know it's going to be bad no matter what, but maybe not as bad coming from Tyson Corner

Take the offer at Tyson, confirm and then cancel your Dulles lodging. Take it since it's doubtful anything closer (less than $500) will become available.

Yeah, go for Tysons. Metro (rail) doesn't serve either, but you will be closer using MetroBus and then rail if that is their choice.

If the choice is to get in via car-forget it. Either place will be impossible.

You are going to have to stay out in the burbs or either pay thousands of dollars for a room. It's not all that bad however as metro goes out there and/or just rent a car. What dates would you be coming in or are you flexible? And what did you really want to spend on the room total for your stay?

You'll probably want to go with Tysons over Dulles. Both are no where close, but at least Tysons has more around it.

Good luck. :-)