Photo courtesy of U.S. National
Parks Service
As you can see, there is a
tremendous amount that you and
your family can see and do during a
visit to our nation's capital. I do hope that if you are in
Washington area, you stop in and visit
my office. We'd be happy to help arrange tours for you or just
help you find your way around! If you are interested in a Capitol
or White House tour while you are in DC, please contact my Boston
office at 617-428-2000 or email my tour coordinator at Lynch.Tours@mail.house.gov.
Click here to visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro)
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL -1200 U St. N.W.
The first and only national memorial and museum to
African-American troops in the Civil War. Museum is open Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information
and group tours: (202) 667-2667. Metro stop: U St./Cardozo/African
American Civil War Memorial
ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY-Open Daily, year round, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. First tours begin at 9:00 a.m. Points of interest include
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Curtis-Lee
Mansion and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William
Howard Taft. Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier every half hour. Information: (703) 697-2131 Metro
stop: Arlington Cemetery
BOTANIC GARDENS-Free Admission. 1st Street and Maryland
Avenue, SW. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Group tours are
available with advance reservations. Information: (202) 226-4082.
Metro stop: Federal Center SW or Capitol South
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING (MINT)-14th and C
streets, S.W. Tours are available on a first come, first served basis.
Note: All visitors must present a valid photo ID (drivers
license, passport, or military ID) for entrance. Public tours
are given every 15 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday and are 35 minutes long. Closed Saturdays,
Sundays, and holidays. Visitors' entrance is located on 14th
Street. Information: (202) 622-2000. Metro
stop: Smithsonian
CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART-17th
Street and New York Avenue, NW. 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. daily. Closed every Tuesday. Extended hours Thursday
evenings until 9 pm except Thanksgiving. The museum is closed
Tuesdays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Information:
(202) 638-3211. Metro stop: Farragut West
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM-1776 D Street,
NW. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4 pm, and
Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday
through Friday and from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Tours of
the period rooms are provided weekdays from 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM and
Sunday from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. For group tour reservations or
additional information, call 202-879-3241. Free Admission,
donations accepted.
DUMBARTON OAKS-1703 32nd Street, NW. Gardens open daily from
2 pm to 5 pm. Museum open Tuesday through Sunday from 2 pm to 5
pm. Both are closed on Federal holidays. It is necessary to call
ahead. Admission to garden during summer months: Adults $2;
Senior Citizens and Children under 12 $1. Information: (202)
339-6400.
EXPLORERS HALL, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY-Headquarters and
museum of the National Geographic Society. 17th and M Sts. NW.
Admission is free. Open Mondays through Saturday and holidays from
9 am to 5 pm. Sundays from 10-5, Closed December 25. Information:
202-857-7588. Metro stop: Farragut North
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION-(Due
to security concerns the public tours of the J. Edgar Hoover
building have been suspended indefinitely.) Information: (202)
FBI-3447
FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY-201 East Capitol Street, SE. Open
Monday through Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. Free Admission.
Phone: (202) 544-7077. Metro stop: Union Station or Capitol South
FORD'S THEATRE AND LINCOLN MUSEUM-10th
Street between E and F Streets, NW. Building is open every day of
the year except Christmas, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed when a
matinee is scheduled or a rehearsal is in progress. Phone: (202)
426-6924. Metro stop: Gallery Place or Metro Center
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL-Opened
in May of 1997, this 7.5 acre memorial near the Tidal Basin
consists of four outdoor "gallery" rooms featuring ten bronze
sculptures depicting president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor
Roosevelt and events from the Great Depression and World War II.
The park-like setting includes waterfalls, quiet pools and granite
upon which President Roosevelt's inspiring words are carved.
Information: (202) 619-7222
GEORGETOWN-West of Rock Creek Park. First Catholic University in
the United States, old Stone House, oldest standing house in
Washington. Shopping, boutiques, restaurants and night clubs in
the old colonial section. Metro stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU, Rosslyn.
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM-100
Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
Closed Christmas and Yom Kippur. Tours available daily at fifteen
minute intervals. In order to view the permanent exhibition "The
Holocaust," tickets must be obtained free of charge by waiting in
line at the museum on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets
are also available through TicketMaster for a service charge. The
permanent collection is recommended for children 11 years and
older, and the children's exhibit for 8 years and younger.
Information: (202) 488-0400. Metro stop: Smithsonian
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL-South Bank of Tidal Basin. Open daily,
8:00 a.m. to midnight with NPS ranger protection. At the Swan
Boathouse you can rent a pedal boat to cruise the Basin from 10:00
a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (summer). $7/hour for a two-seater, $14/hour
for a four-seater. Information: (202) 484-0206 (boathouse), (202)
416-8341 (National Park Service)
KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL-Independence Avenue and Daniel
French Drive, SW. Open 24 hours Metro stop: Farragut West
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS-Jefferson
Building, First Street and Independence Avenue, SE. Docent led
tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30
p.m. Monday - Friday in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson
Building. Saturday public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30
a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The Library asks that groups of 10 or
more people make a reservation for a specific tour. Information:
(202) 707-5458. Metro stop: Capitol South
LINCOLN MEMORIAL-West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street,
NW. Open 8:00 a.m. until midnight with park rangers.
Information: (202) 426-6895. Metro stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU
NATIONAL ARBORETUM-24th and R streets, N.E. 44
acres of flowering trees and shrubs. Grounds open Monday through
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Information: (202) 245-2726
NATIONAL AQUARIUM-14th Street between Constitution
and Penn. Avenue N.W. Located in the U.S. Department of Commerce
Building. Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission: adults
$3, children (2-10) $1. Information: (202) 482-2825
NATIONAL ARCHIVES-(Closed
for renovations until 2003) Information: (202) 501-5402.
Metro stop: Archives-Navy Memorial
NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM-401 F Street, NW, between 4th and 5th
streets. Wheelchair access at 4th and G streets. Museum Hours:
Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00 p.m., Sunday noon - 4:00 p.m.
Summer Hours (June through August) Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. Sunday, 12 - 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and
New Year's Day. Information: (202) 272-2448. Metro stop: Judiciary
Square
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL-Massachusetts
and Wisconsin Avenues, NW. Open Monday through Saturday from
10:00 a.m. to 3:15 pm, and 12:30 to 2:45 pm on Sunday afternoons.
Information: (202) 537-6207.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART-4th
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday concerts
are held October through June at 7 pm in the East Garden Court.
Information: 737-4215. Metro stop: Archives/Navy Memorial
NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL-The Memorial is located on E
Street, between 4th and 5th Street, NW in Washington, DC and is
open year round, 24 hours a day. For additional information
please contact, the NLEOM at 202-737-3400. Metro stop: Judiciary
Square, F Street Exit
NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM-On the corner of Massachusetts Avenue
and North Capitol Street, N.W. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. Information: (202) 357-2700
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS-1250
New York Avenue, NW. Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m.
Information: (202) 783-5000. Metro Stop: Metro Center
NATIONAL ZOO-3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Grounds open
daily 8 am to 8 pm from April 15 through October 15, and from 8 am
to 6 pm October 16 through April 14. Buildings are open from 9 am
to 4:30 pm. Admission free. Information: (202) 673-4800. Metro stop: Woodley
Park/ Zoo
OLD TOWN
ALEXANDRIA-Located just minutes from downtown Washington,
the city of George Washington looks very much the way it did in
the latter part of the 18th century. Old Town's cobblestone
streets are home to Christ Church, George Washington's townhouse
and other historical attractions. Metro stop: King Street.
PENTAGON-(Due to security concerns the public tours of the J. Edgar Hoover building have been suspended indefinitely.) Information: (703) 695-1776. Metro Stop: Pentagon
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION GROUP
- The Smithsonian Institution consists of a number of national
museums, most of which are grouped together along either side of
the National Mall. Metro Stop: Smithsonian
(The above
are open during the summer 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rest of the
year from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
(The above
are open year-round from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
(The above
have hours that are subject to change, call the
Smithsonian's Information number for hours: (202) 357-1300
or (202) 357-27000. Dial-a-Museum directory: (202) 357-2020.
Smithsonian Operator: (202) 357-1300)
STATE DEPARTMENT-2201 C
Street, N.W. (Diplomatic Entrance). Tours by reservation only.
Reservations should be made about 90 days in advance. Recommended
for Children over 12. Information: (202) 647-3241, TDD (202)
736-4474. Metro stop: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
SUPREME COURT-First Street and Maryland Avenue, NE. Open
Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm, except Federal
holidays. Public lectures begin every hour on the half hour from
9:30 to 3:30, except when the Court is in session. No tours are
given in August. Information: (202) 479-3395. Metro stop:
Capitol South or Union Station.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT-1500
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. All tours suspended until further
notice. Information: (202) 622-2000. Metro stop: McPherson
Square or Metro Center.
UNION STATION-50 Massachusetts Ave, NE. Just minutes from the
Capitol, Union Station contains over 125 stores, an immense food
court and a 9 screen movie complex. The restored beaux-arts
structure still serves as Washington's main train station. Open 24
hours -- phone 800-872-7245. Metro stop: Union Station
U.S. CAPITOL-Capitol
Hill. Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; Closed Sundays and
holidays. Guided tours, limited to 25 people, are conducted every
half-hour (last tour starts at 1:30 pm). Please call my office at
617-428-2000 to pre-arrange a guided tour for you and your family. Security considerations sometimes limit access
without much notice; for the latest tour updates, please call the
Capitol Guide service at (202) 224-3121. Metro stop: Capitol
South or Union Station
U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY-(Due
to security concerns, tours have been canceled indefinitely.)
Information: (202) 762-1438.
VIETNAM VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL-Henry Bacon Drive and
Constitution Avenue, NW. Constructed of black granite to honor and
recognize all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. The names
of 58,000 plus who gave their lives or who remain missing are
inscribed in the Memorial's walls. Open daily from 8 am until
11:45 pm. Metro stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU
WASHINGTON MONUMENT-This
obelisk on the Mall, dedicated in 1888, remains one of the most
recognizable symbols of our nation's founder. Recently
renovated, with improved elevator access to the inside of the
monument. Phone: (202) 426-6841.
WASHINGTON
NAVY YARD-at 9th & M Streets, SE, on the banks of the Anacostia
River. The original buildings date back to the 1800s & contain
the Navy Memorial Museum & Marine Corps Museum. Admission free;
open from 10 am - 4 pm weekdays. Docked near the Navy Museum is a
real Vietnam-era destroyer, the USS Barry, open from 10 am - 5 pm.
WASHINGTON VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE-(Tourist Center) 1212
New York Avenue, NW, Suite 600. Open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through
Friday. Closed holidays. Information: (202) 789-7038. Metro
stop: Federal Triangle or Metro Center
THE WHITE HOUSE-Due to
security concerns, tours of the White House are available only if
arranged through a Congressional Office. Due to limited
availability, it is best to give maximum advance notice if you are
interested in a tour, preferably more than 3 months. Each White House tour
guest will have to provide basic personal information in order to
clear White House security. Please contact Congressman Lynch at
617-428-2000 for more information or if you are interested in a tour.
Metro stop: Farragut West or McPherson
Square
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