Visitor's Guide
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is located south of the National Mall on 14th & C Sts., SW, within easy walking distance of a number of popular sites for visitors to Washington, D.C. This is a handy guide for things to do and see while waiting for your scheduled tour time or after completing your tour of the Bureau.
Food:
Street vendors along 14th Street and Independence Avenue offer quick refreshment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Cafeteria is open to the public from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., upon presentation of a valid picture I.D. at the Wing 3 entrance, 12th & C Streets, SW in the South Building. The Museum Cafe, located on Raoul Wallenberg Place adjacent to the Holocaust Museum, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Starbucks, Potbelly, and various delicatessens can be found in the buildings at 12th Street and Maryland Avenue, SW. At a slightly greater distance is L'Enfant Plaza, located down D Street, SW, between 9th and 10th Streets, which offers a variety of eating places, as well as shopping. Maine Avenue, part of Washington, D.C.'s waterfront, is home to several seafood restaurants, and is
located south of L'Enfant Plaza.
Nearby Places of Interest...
The Holocaust Memorial Museum is located just north of BEP on 14th Street. Tickets are required, and lines form early in the morning to obtain the free tickets for tours throughout the day. Paddleboats can be rented at the Tidal Basin, just in front of BEP. The Jefferson Memorial is a short walk from BEP around the Tidal Basin.
Several museums of the Smithsonian Institution are close to BEP:
- the Freer Gallery of Art
- the National Museum of African Arts
- the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- the Castle
- the Arts and Industries Building
- and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Gardens
are located on the south side of the Mall between 12th and 7th Streets, SW. The National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History are on the northern part of the Mall, between 14th and 9th Sts., NW. The Washington Monument is to the north of BEP. Just north of the Washington Monument, is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The National Aquarium is located on 14th Street, north of Constitution Avenue, in the Commerce Department Building. A Tourist Infortmation Center can be found at the corner of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Transportation
METRO: The most convenient way to reach BEP is on the Metro, Washington, D.C.'s subway system. The closest Metro stop is the Smithsonian Station, Independence Avenue exit (12th & Independence, SW) on the Blue and Orange line trains.
METROBUS: BEP is served by Metrobus routes 52,V4 and V6 in D.C. and 13 from Virginia. Call (202) 637-7000 for information and schedules.
PARKING: Parking is extremely limited in the area. Some metered parking is available on side streets, with a two-hour limit. Parking lots are located at the southeast corner of 14th & D Sts., SW; at 12th & Maryland Aves., SW and at 12th & C Sts., SW.
TOURMOBILE: BEP is included on the Tourmobile "Washington Mall" tour that operates continually during the day between Washington landmarks. The Tourmobile stop is across Raoul Wallenberg Place, the exit point of the BEP tour.
ATM
An ATM is located outside of the entrance of the BEP's public tour. Another ATM is located inside of the BEP's Visitor's Center. An ATM can also be found in the cafeteria of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (12th & C Sts., SW).
