Washington is full of stately monuments and exciting history and I am pleased to provide you with information about the area. Some specific tours can be arranged through my office, while other locations can be toured at your discretion.
Requesting Tour Tickets:
Congressional tours of many Washington sites can be arranged through your Congresswoman's office.
For tours it is best to contact our DC office at least six weeks before your arrival date.
Request Your Tour Tickets On-line
|
Quick Links:
Request D.C. Tour Tickets On-Line
Congressional tours of many Washington sites can be arranged through your Congresswoman's office. Tours of the Capitol building are given throughout the year by the staff and can be scheduled by calling our DC office in advance. For tours it is best to contact our DC office at least six weeks before your arrival date. Please keep in mind that due to increased security concerns some tours are no longer available or may have changed.
Click on the On-line Ticket Requests link above to request tickets for Congressional tours in the DC area that we are able to arrange for your next visit to Washington. Please be sure to include all required information to ensure you receive your requested tickets in a timely fashion.
Public Transportation and Accommodation Information
Take the Metro
Find maps, stations, advisories, fares, accessibility, schedules, and more on the Metro home page. Many of the sites you may wish to visit are easily accessible by Metro.
The District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce is another useful resource for getting oriented and finding a place to stay. You may wish to peruse their tourism section for more information regarding D.C.
Monuments, Federal and Historic Buildings
Arlington National Cemetery
In Arlington, Virginia. Open daily October - March, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April - September, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every half-hour,
April - October; every hour, November - March. 703-692-0931. Adults - $3, Children - $1.50. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Arlington Cemetery.
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
14th and C Streets SW. Where paper money and stamps are printed. Tour tickets available during the morning hours, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free. Tours are 25 minutes. Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. Tickets required March - September. 202-874-3019. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
U.S. Capitol
Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Tours daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving Day. 202-225-6827. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Capitol South or Union Station.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Unfortunately, the FBI will be closed for tours indefinitely.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial
Ohio Dr. SW, near the Tidal Basin. Open daily 8 a.m. to Midnight. 202-426-6841. Unfortunately, there is no Metro service nearby.
Jefferson Memorial
South Bank of the Potomac Tidal Basin in Southwest Washington, D.C. Open daily 8 a.m. to midnight. Pedal boats available for rent at the boathouse from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
Library of Congress
First Street and Independence Ave. SE. Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, closed. One-hour tours Monday - Friday, 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Groups of ten or more must call ahead. Video program every 30 minutes. 202-707-5458. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Capitol South.
Lincoln Memorial
West end of the National Mall near 23rd St. NW and Memorial Bridge. Daily, 8 a.m. to midnight. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Arlington Cemetery.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, VA. Home of President George Washington. April through August from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; March, September, October from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; November through February from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Adults, $ 8; Senior Citizens, age 62 and above (with identification), $7.50; Children age 6 through 11 (accompanied by an adult), $4; Children age 5 and under FREE (accompanied by an adult); Annual Pass (unlimited admission for one year) - $12.00. 703-780-2000. Unfortunately, there is no Metro access nearby.
Monticello
Charlottesville, VA. Home of President Thomas Jefferson. Open March 1 - October 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 1 - February 28, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission - Children under 6, free; Ages 6-11, $5.00; Ages 12 & older, $9.00; Senior Citizens (age 62+), $8.00. 804-984-9822. Unfortunately, there is no Metro access nearby.
National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Ave.'s NW. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 202-537-6207. Unfortunately, there is no Metro service nearby.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
E St NW, between 4th and 5th Sts. NW. Open 24 hours daily. 202-737-3400. Metro - Judiciary Square.
U.S. Naval Observatory
Massachusetts Ave. at 34th St. NW. Ninety-minute tour Mondays at 8:30 p.m. Arrive before 7:30 p.m. Free, but limited to the first 90 people. Grounds include the home of the Vice
President of the United States. 202-653-1507. Unfortunately, there is no Metro service nearby.
The Pentagon
Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense. Tour length is approximately 60 minutes and includes walking about one and a half miles of Pentagon corridors and several staircases. If you are 13 to 17 years old, you need 1 form of Photo ID or a parent/guardian to vouch for you. If you are 18 or older you need 2 forma of ID (one form must be a Photo ID, the other may be social security card, birth certificate, any club card, anything with the individuals name on it [excluding business cards]). Please contact Pentagon Force Protection Agency directly at (703) 697-1001, (703) 692-7184 or (703) 695-3206 regarding acceptable forms of ID. (drivers license, passport, or U.S. Government ID). If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Pentagon.
Supreme Court
First Street and Maryland Ave. NE. Open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Public lectures in the Courtroom every hour on the half-hour, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., except when court is in session. 202-479-3211. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Capitol South or Union Station.
Treasury Department
15th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Displays of money, both real and counterfeit. Tours on Saturday only. Reservations and valid photo identification required. 202-622-0896. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be McPherson Square.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
On the National Mall near Bacon Drive and Constitution Ave. NW. Open daily 8 a.m. to midnight. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Arlington Cemetery.
Washington Monument
Tickets are now available on the web.
On the National Mall at 15th St. NW. Open daily 8 a.m. to midnight, April 13 - Labor Day; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. otherwise. Tours of interior staircase at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 202-426-6841. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
The White House
White House tours are available but requests can only be made through your member of Congress. Please Note: The White House accepts a limited number of tours on a first-served basis.
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
202-456-7041 for recording, 202-456-1414 for information. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be McPherson Square.
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Beautifully restored Amtrak train station, shopping, and large food court. 202-371-9441. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Union Station.
Museums
U.S. Botanic Garden
First St. SW and Maryland Ave. SW. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 202-225-8333. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Federal Center Southwest.
Capital Children’s Museum
800 Third St NE. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 202-675-4149. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Union Station.
Corcoran Museum
17th St NW at New York Ave. NW. Open Wednesday - Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday open until 9 p.m., except Thanksgiving. Closed Tuesdays, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission - suggested contributions of $3 for individuals, $1 for senior citizens and students, $5 for families. Children under 12 are free. 202-639-1700. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Farragut West.
National Aquarium
14th St., between Constitution Ave. and D St. NW in the U.S. Department of Commerce building. Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $.75. Closed Christmas day. 202-482-2825 for recording, 202-482-2826 for information. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Federal Triangle.
National Archives
Constitution Ave. at 7th St. NW. Original copies of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution on display. Open daily, April 1 - Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; otherwise, Monday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ninety minute tours, Monday - Friday at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., please call in advance. 202-501-5205. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Archives/Navy Memorial.
National Building Museum
401 F St NW (between 4th and 5th Sts. NW). Open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. Free admission. 202-272-2448. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Union Station.
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Ave. NW, between 3rd and 7th Sts. NW (on the National Mall). Open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 to 6 p.m. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day. 202-737-4215. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Archives/Navy Memorial.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave NW (between G and H Sts. NW). Open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. Admission - suggested donation of $3 at the door. 202-783-5000. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Metro Center.
National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Grounds open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., buildings open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (shorter hours during the winter months). Admission is free, fee for parking. 202-673-4800. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Woodley Park/Zoo.
The Newseum
1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. Open Wednesday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Free admission. 1-888-639-7386 (toll free). If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Rosslyn.
Smithsonian Institution
Each of the following museums are open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The National Air and Space Museum is open until 6:30 p.m. June 13 through Labor Day. Information on special events recorded daily. 202-357-2020 for recording, 202-357-2700.
- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
10th St. and Independence Ave. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
- Arts and Industries Building
9th St. and Jefferson Ave. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
- Freer Gallery of Art
12th St. and Jefferson Ave. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Ave. at 7th St. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be L'Enfant Plaza.
- National Air and Space Museum
7th St. and Independence Ave. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be L'Enfant Plaza.
- National Museum of African Art
9th St. and Independence Ave. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
- National Museum of American Art
9th and G Streets NW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Gallery Place/Chinatown.
- National Museum of American History
14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Federal Triangle.
- National Museum of Natural History
Constitution Ave. at 10th St. NW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Archives/Navy Memorial.
- National Portrait Gallery
8th and F Streets NW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Gallery Place/Chinatown.
- Renwick Gallery
17th St. at Pennsylvania Ave. NW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Farragut West.
- Smithsonian Castle (the administrative offices)
10th St. and Jefferson Ave. SW. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenburg Place (formerly 15th St.) SW. Free admission, but tickets required. Same-day tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the 14th St. SW entrance beginning at 9 a.m. 202-488-0400. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Smithsonian.
Theaters
Ford’s Theatre
10th St., between E and F Sts, NW. Site of President Lincoln's assassination. Self-guided tours daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guides give talks hourly. 202-426-6924. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Archives/Navy Memorial.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
On the Potomac waterfront in Northwest Washington, D.C. Tours daily 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors should go to Motor Lobby A, Parking Level A. 202-416-8000 for information, 202-416-8340 for tours. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Foggy Bottom/George Washington University.
National Theatre
E St NW, between 13th and 14th Sts. NW. 202-628-6161. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Metro Center.
Warner Theatre
1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW (at 13th and E Sts NW). 202-783-4000. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be Metro Center.
Wolf Trap
1624 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA. 703-255-1900. If you are taking the Metro, your stop will be West Falls Church. You may catch a shuttle bus from West Falls Church to Wolf Trap.
|