Senator Barbara Mikulski :: Visiting Washington D.C.

Washington Tours

Our Nation's Capital is the home of our most important government institutions, but it is also a major cultural and historical center with great natural and architectural beauty. Whether you are visiting Washington for the first time or are simply on another weekend excursion, you will find that Washington always has something new and fascinating to offer. This section of my web site will help you locate old favorites and suggest a variety of attractions to make your visit special.

I recommend a visit to the U.S. Capitol, a beautiful structure providing many insights into the history of our nation. The Senate and the House of Representatives are in the Capitol and you are welcome to observe the lawmaking process while either body is in session. Please stop by my office and we will be happy to provide you with passes.

There are many things to do and see in Washington. We hope the following list of tour sites will be helpful as you plan your visit. Some tours require no reservations, while others require reservations well in advance of the tour date. Our office can assist in scheduling some of these tours for you. Please call us at (202) 224-4654 and let us know what we can do for you.

Special Congressional Tours

Many federal buildings in Washington, D.C. offer reserved tours that can be booked through Congressional offices. Senator Mikulski's booking policies are:

Bookings are made on a first-come, first-serve basis.
All requests are subject to availability. Specific tour dates cannot be guaranteed until confirmed by the host site.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR REQUEST EARLY. Spaces for tours during the summer months and holiday periods are often filled months in advance.

Group Tours and Special Services

For information on tours for larger groups or if your party needs special services (access for the disabled, translation for deaf or hearing-impared, or tours for the blind or visually-impared), please call Senator Mikulski's Washington office and ask to speak with the Tour Coordinator.

Public Tours

Most sites also offer public tours on a first-come, first-serve basis. If a public tour is available, that information is included in this fact sheet. Most public tours are identical to the Congressional tours.

Virtual Tours

A virtual tour of the Capitol is available online by clicking Here. This tour highlights the rooms and landmarks that you will see if you take a Capitol tour.

The U. S. Capitol

Between Constitution and Independence Avenues

Tours are conducted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Same-day, time-stamped tickets are distributed every morning at 8:15 a.m. Advance reservations are available for organized groups of 16 or more. Gallery passes are required to view the Senate and House in session and may be obtained from Senator Mikulski's DC office.

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.

Due to security concerns, tours are limited to groups of ten or more. These tours are scheduled by the White House Visitor's Office Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Requests must be made at least two to three months in advance, and can be submitted up to six months in advance. To set up a tour contact the Tour Coordinator in Senator Mikulski's DC office by calling (202) 224-4654.

In addition, the White House requires the following information be submitted within a week of the original request: full name, date of birth, social security number and country of citizenship.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

14th and C Streets S.W.

PUBLIC TOURS: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Every 15 minutes. All visitors must bring a valid photo ID.

Library of Congress

10 First Street S.E.

CONGRESSIONAL TOURS: Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Limited to groups of six or fewer.

PUBLIC TOURS: Monday through Saturday, at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and weekdays only at 3:30 p.m. For information call (202)707-8000.

Supreme Court

First and East Capitol Streets N.E.

CONGRESSIONAL TOURS: Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. when the court is not sitting. Limited to groups of six or fewer.

PUBLIC TOURS: Public lectures are given in the courtroom every hour on the half hour Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on days the court is not sitting. For information call (202) 479-3030.

Kennedy Center

2700 F Street N.W.

CONGRESSIONAL TOURS: Monday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Monday through Friday at 4:30 p.m.

PUBLIC TOURS: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours leave every fifteen minutes from the Friends of the Kennedy Center tour desk on Level A.

Washington National Cathedral

Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues N.W.

CONGRESSIONAL TOURS: Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

PUBLIC TOURS: Monday through Saturday 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 to 3:15 p.m., Sunday from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. For information call (202) 537-6247.

Helpful links for Washington information:

Washington, D.C. Tourist Information

This extensive web site by the House of Representatives offers a treasure trove for visitors to Washington with information on memorials and points of interest, theaters, sports teams, transportation and local weather forecasts.

The Official Tourism Website of Washington, D.C.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Washington, D.C. registry
Recreational Opportunities on Federal Lands