Witnessing history can be pricey

If you're looking for a place to stay while you attend the presidential inauguration festivities in Washington, you've still got options, but be prepared to shell out.

Craigslist.com has pages of ads from people who live around Washington, D.C., who see the four-day event in January as a great opportunity to make a few thousand dollars. One person wants to charge $5,000 to rent out a condo just outside the city for five days. Another is offering a basement studio apartment for $7,500 and will serve you a continental breakfast.

Expect downtown hotels to be filled by Jan. 20. Josh Earnest, a spokesman for Presidential Inaugural Committee, said the staff won't speculate about the number of people expected to be in attendance for the swearing-in of President-elect Obama; others predict hundreds of thousands of people to flood the area.

Here are answers to questions for people trying to decide whether to make the trip:

Q: What are the inauguration events, and how do I get in?

A: Tickets to the 56th Inaugural Ceremonies are distributed free through members of the 111th Congress. Contact your congressman to request tickets, which must be picked up in person from your lawmaker's office. Tickets won't be available until the week before the event.

Q: Are there other ways to get tickets?

A: Watch out for scams. No Web site or other ticket outlet has inaugural swearing-in tickets for sale.

Q: What if I want to go to the Inaugural Ball?

A: For members of the general public, tickets are hard to come by. The Presidential Inaugural Committee, established after the November election, is in charge and can be reached at www.pic2009.org. But there are plenty of other formal events. Check with your state society for information about its ball. But don't wait too long. Some, such as South Carolina's, are already sold out.

Q: I'd like to participate in the Inaugural Parade. Is it too late?

A: Yes, but you may watch the procession from bleachers and stands along Pennsylvania Avenue, which will move from the Capitol to the White House after the swearing in of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden at noon on the steps of the Capitol.

Q: What should I wear?

A: Prepare for cold weather. The capital is chilly in late January, often not getting warmer than 45 degrees during the day and plunging into the 20s at night.