One of our favorite sites is Travelmuse  and they've recently come up with top tips for the upcoming Inauguration...

TravelMuse Shares Top Insider Tips to the Obama Inauguration
Former White House Staffer Offers Valuable Insight on Everything From Best Viewing Venues and Culinary Creations to Historic Experiences and Affordable Fun

LOS ALTOS, CA. - Jan. 6, 2009

With the “really big show” slated for January 20, political insiders, VIPs, and the general public are gearing up all across the nation for the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. And, nowhere is the inauguration excitement more prominent than in Washington, D.C.

For travelers making a trip to our nation’s capital to join in the inauguration festivities, TravelMuse, Inc., creators of TravelMuse.com—the online travel destination for finding inspiration, planning trips and booking travel, has created a special inauguration feature to help visitors make the most of their time in D.C. For an insider’s view of inauguration events, TravelMuse invited Debbie K. Hardin, a former White House staffer, to share some of her top tips. Along with Hardin’s coveted insight, TravelMuse is offering comprehensive coverage of the city, including the best places to eat, sleep and explore in and around Washington, D.C. The company also kicked off an inauguration-related poll to find out where people plan to celebrate Inauguration Day 2009.

“With millions expected to attend this historic presidential inauguration, TravelMuse offers valuable insider knowledge and advice to help those planning a trip for the event,” said Kevin Fliess, CEO, TravelMuse, Inc. “We also know that travelers worldwide will make Washington, D.C., part of their travel plans beyond the inauguration, and they can take advantage of TravelMuse’s in-depth coverage of the city and powerful planning tools to help research, organize and build the best trip possible.”

If you’re lucky enough to attend the inaugural events or are planning a future trip to our nation’s capital, TravelMuse will help make the most of your visit. The inauguration feature can be found at http://travelmuse.com and includes insights such as:

    * Inauguration Day Planning Tips—Whether you plan to join or avoid the crowds on January 20, this section helps you navigate the nation’s Inauguration Day offerings.
    * 5 D.C. Hot Spots With Obama-Inspired Menu Items—Check out the culinary creations of chefs throughout the nation’s capital who salute the inauguration with special drinks and dishes ranging from the Obama Roll to vodka-and-fruit shakes.
    * 7 Top Presidential Attractions in Washington, D.C.—Beyond the White House, these historic options get you and your family closer to the Chief Executive.
    * 44 Free Things to Do in D.C.—Make your trip even more memorable with this list of affordable experiences.

Giving and Getting the Inside Scoop

Debbie K. Hardin is a former White House staffer—she worked for the Clinton administration for two years as the director of presidential messages in the communications department. Hardin has attended a number of inaugural parades and balls and was in attendance for the first swearing in of President Clinton. “Washington, D.C., is a chaotic city in the best of times, and during enormous events like the inauguration, it is beyond intimidating to a traveler,” says Hardin. “But with some good advice, a little common sense and a lot of patience, visitors can take part in the excitement of inauguration and actually participate in history. The hassle of crowds is well worth it!”

Carrie Pendolino, founder of Glue Communications (Burlingame, Calif.), is no stranger to political events as she has attended past inaugurations (including George H. W. Bush), and has also worked on various local and national campaigns. On January 20, Pendolino and her family will attend the inauguration. “Even though I have some experience navigating political events and the city of D.C., I am always looking for unique insight on the latest in food, wine, events, who’s who, hot spots and more. TravelMuse offers a Washington insider’s point of view coupled with research and planning options that will really make my family’s upcoming experience truly historic,” said Pendolino.

As the director of admissions for Saint Louis School, (Honolulu, Hawaii), Sam Kong Kee will attend the Secondary Schools Admission Testing Board Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., in October 2009. “Traveling is educational and visiting our nation’s capital provides an opportunity for me and my ohana (family) to experience the rich history and diversity of this influential metropolis. I’m utilizing the user-friendly tools from TravelMuse to create a trip plan and capture top tips I might not have otherwise discovered on my own to help navigate this prominent city. President Obama’s unprecedented election and his ties to Hawaii will enhance our D.C. experience,” said Kong Kee.

About TravelMuse, Inc.

Headquartered in Los Altos, Calif., TravelMuse.com is the online destination for finding inspiration, planning trips and booking travel. Visitors can peruse weekly articles written by seasoned writers, use the industry’s first Inspiration Finder™ to discover destinations, create trip plans via the TravelMuse Planner, and make air, hotel, car, cruise and package reservations though a comprehensive booking engine. (Reservations made on TravelMuse.com are powered by World Choice Travel, a division of Travelocity.com LP, a Sabre Holdings company.) The company has raised more than $3 million in funding from Azure Capital Partners and California Technology Ventures.

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