Services |
Visiting Washington D.C.A visit to our nations Capital is a trip every American should make. Packed with museums, history and monuments visiting Washington D.C is important to understanding who we are as a people. Below is a description of some of the most popular attractions in Washington, along with some tips to help you make your experience as positive as possible. Washington is your city, make the most of it!Coffee with ClaireSince taking office in January 2007, I have made it a priority to continue listening to the everyday concerns of Missourians, both while I am at home and during my time in Washington, D.C. Since I can't always be in the Show-Me-State, I am pleased to announce that I will host a weekly coffee in my office for Missourians visiting Washington, D.C.Please join me for a hot cup of coffee, friendly conversation, and a chance to take a few pictures at 9:00 a.m. every Thursday when the Senate is in session. My office is in Suite 717 in the Hart Senate Office Building. It's located next to Union Station, on the Metro and Amtrak lines, at the corner of First and C Streets, N.E. I ask that you please call ahead and let us know that you will be joining me for coffee. You can confirm your attendance by calling Amber Whittington at (202) 224-6154. I look forward to seeing you in Washington! U.S. Capitol and White House ToursWashington, DC is an historic, educational and exciting city. There is a plethora of museums, monuments, and memorials. My office can schedule a tour of the Capitol complex and request a tour of the White House.Click here for additional information » The PentagonThe Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and the center of the United States military command. One of the world's largest office buildings, the Pentagon houses over 23,000 military and civilian employees. It is located in Arlington, VA, just west of the Potomac River. Group tours of the Pentagon are available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and normally last approximately 60 minutes. Pentagon tours must be requested through the office of your Senator or Congressman. The name, date of birth, and city/state of birth for each visitor must be provided when making a reservation. Tours can be reserved up to 3 months in advance, with a minimum of two weeks notice prior to the proposed tour date required. The program does not operate on federal holidays and weekends. Please visit the Pentagon website for more information.The United States TreasuryThe United States Treasury Building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972. One of our Nation's most significant monuments, the magnificent granite structure was constructed over a period of 33 years between 1836 and 1869. Today, the building still serves as the headquarters for the Treasury Department. The Treasury is located at 15th St and Hamilton Pl, NW. Tours of the Treasury building are open to the public Saturday mornings at 9:00, 9:45, 10:30, and 11:15am. Treasury building tours must be requested through the office of your Senator or Congressman. Tours are available at this time for citizens and legal residents of the United States only. The name, date of birth and social security number for each visitor must be provided when making a reservation. Please visit the Treasury building's website for more information.Bureau of Engraving and PrintingOne of the biggest hits in Washington is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It provides the opportunity to learn about our currency, printing and watch millions of dollars roll right off the press! Check out their website or call 1-866-874-2330 for more information. During the off-peak season of September through February, groups of fewer than 10 people do not need to request BEP tours through their Congressional office because the wait for the public tour line will be very short. For groups larger than 10 people, tour requests may be submitted to our office up to six months in advance.The Library of CongressThe Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress is perhaps the most beautiful building in all of Washington. The Library of Congress is located at 1st St and Independence, SE. Docent-led tours of the historic Thomas Jefferson Building provide insight into the building's symbolic art and architecture, and share the story of its history and collections. Public Tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. (although there is no 3:30 p.m. tour on Saturdays). These free tours are open to individuals and small groups with no more than 10 participants. Groups of 10 to 60 can reserve private tours with advance notice by contacting the Visitor Services Office, or calling (202) 707�0919. It is also possible for our office to reserve LOC tours for groups of 15 or less.The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and the final authority for the Judicial branch of government. The Court is located at the corner of 1st Street NE and East Capitol, directly across from the Capitol building. The building is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm, with Courtroom lectures held every hour on the half hour from 9:30am to 3:30pm on days that the Court is not sitting. Attendance to these lectures is on a first come, first serve, basis. The Court is closed during all federal holidays, and Court hours can fluctuate depending on the court docket. Please visit the Supreme Court website for the most up to date information.The State DepartmentThe Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the Department of State, which are used for official functions hosted by the Secretary of State and other high level government officials, are open for pre-arranged tours at no charge. These elegantly decorated, architecturally detailed rooms serve as our country's main stage of international diplomacy. These rooms hold a premier collection of early American furniture, paintings and decorative arts. The Dept. of State is located on 23rd St NW, in between C and D Sts NW. Guided tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Tours are 45 minutes in duration. Reservations are required and should be made 2-3 months in advance, due to the large volume of requests. Reservations for tours may be requested by calling (202) 647-3241 or visiting the Department of State website.The National ArchivesThe National Archives and Records Administration is America's national record keeper. At the Washington D.C. location at 7th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW, visitors can view some of the cornerstone documents of our government such as the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. The archives are open 10:15am to 4:00pm from the day after Labor Day to March 14, and 10:15am to 5:30pm from March 15 to Labor Day. Reservations are recommended for self-guided visits to the National Archives Experience, and must be submitted at least 6 weeks before your visit. Please contact the Visitor Services Manager at visitorservices@nara.gov to schedule a date and time for your visit. The Archives also offers one-hour guided tours for groups under 20 people. Guided tours are conducted at 9:45am daily and require reservations made six weeks in advance. Please call the Volunteer and Tour office at (202) 357-5450 to schedule a guided tour. For updated information please call (866) 272-6272.The MonumentsA requirement of any trip to D.C. is a nighttime viewing of the monuments. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Korean Memorial and Vietnam Wall appear particularly majestic at night. A walk from the Smithsonian Metro stop (orange line), to all of the above monuments and back is approximately 2.5 miles.Air & Space MuseumA classic favorite of Washington is the Air and Space Museum part of the Smithsonian Institute the worlds largest museum collection, the Air and Space Museum traces the history of flight from the Wright brothers to the space shuttle. Admission is free and the Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day but Christmas.International Spy MuseumA new attraction is the International Spy Museum. Learn about espionage, see real spy equipment or test your skills at their Operation Spy exhibit. Admission is approximately 16 dollars and hours of operation vary. Consult their website for the latest information.The Holocaust Memorial MuseumThe Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of the most moving exhibits in Washington. It provides a graphic exploration of the Holocaust, Nazi cruelty and the human spirit. Admission is free, though some parts of the exhibit require first come, first serve tickets. Check their website, for hour of operations or to reserve tickets.Tips for TravelersWashington is a dynamic, international city. Travelers from across the United States and all over the globe come to see the Capitol of the free world in action. As a result Washington can be a very busy place! Peak travel season is March thru August, with Fridays and Saturdays, and days around three days weekends being the most crowded. If you can come during non-peak times you will find shorter lines and more accessible tours.Getting Around D.C.The easiest way to get around the city of Washington is through the mass transit Metro System. Trains run every few minutes during rush hour and every 12-15 minutes throughout the day. Washingtonians are notorious for being in a hurry, so be sure to stand to the right of the escalator so commuters can pass on the left!Where to StayYour stay in the city will be much more enjoyable if you find a central location to stay. Check http://www.washingtondchotels.com/ for a complete listing of hotels in the D.C. area.I hope your visit to your capital city is educational and enjoyable. Please feel free to contact my office anytime at tours@mccaskill.senate.gov or call 202-224-6154 if you have any questions or concerns. |
