The Newseum plans to offer visitors attending the presidential inauguration a warm viewing spot along the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route.
Newseum spokeswoman Susan Bennett said Thursday the museum will open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Inauguration Day. Several indoor balconies have prime views of Pennsylvania Avenue for those who pay a $20 admission fee for adults and $13 for youth.
Officials say the museum can handle more than 1,000 people per hour at its security checkpoints.
The museum about news had planned to remain closed until 3 p.m. because of security restrictions. After meeting with the Secret Service, museum officials realized they could open for business. President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in will be shown live on the Newseum's giant-screen television.
The Newseum already has sold 9,000 tickets for tours the day before on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.