Visiting DC - DC Visitor Info |
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Visiting In Washington, DC
What To See and Where to See It
The nation's capital offers Americans the chance to learn about our past and see our future. As your United States Senator, I invite you to see the architectural magnificence of many historical landmarks such as the Capitol, Kennedy Center, the Supreme Court, the Smithsonian and the Pentagon. I hope to help make your vacation an exciting and memorable occasion. Please fill out the Tour Request form and submit it to my Washington, DC office so we may assist you in seeing the many popular points of interest.
AQUATIC GARDENS- Located at Anacostia Avenue and Douglas Street, NE. See hardy water lilies, tropical water lilies, and lotus plants. Peak season: late May to late September. Open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM seven days a week. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Donations accepted. Phone: (202) 426-6905. Metro: Deanwood.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY- Open daily October through March from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and April through September from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tomb of the Unknown soldier, the Amphitheater, and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. Narrated bus tour: Adults $4.00; Children $2.00.
Tours every 15 minutes beginning at 8:30 AM. Phone: (703) 607-8000. Metro: Arlington Cemetery.
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING- See how U.S. currency is printed. Congressional tours may be booked up to three months in advance. Contact my office (202-224-4774) for further information. Schedule: Tours: 10AM to 2PM (every 15 minutes). Tickets: Tickets are required for all tours beginning the first Monday in March through Sept on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th St.). Only same day tickets are offered. The ticket booth opens at 8AM Monday through Friday and closes when all day and evening tickets have been distributed. Evening tours from 5PM to 7PM May through August only. No tickets required October through February. Closed federal holidays, weekends and the week from Dec 25 through Jan 1. Phone: (866) 874-2330 Metro: Smithsonian
CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART- 17th Street and New York Avenue, NW. Open Wednesday through Monday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed Christmas and New Year's day. Phone: (202)639-1700. Metro: Farragut West. |
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM- 1776 D Street, NW. The DAR has collected and preserved a remarkable array of period pieces which vividly recall America's Revolutionary War era. A chest from the Boston Tea Party, Daniel Boone's ladderback chair and replicas of home life in several states during the Revolution are among the exhibits. Open Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 4 PM and 9AM to 5PM on Saturdays. Closed Sundays, federal holiday weekends and two weeks in July for the DAR annual meeting. Phone: (202) 628-4780. Metro: Farragut West |
DUMBARTON OAKS- 1703 32nd Street, NW. Sixteen acres of glorious gardens open daily from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM daily. World famous collections of Byzantine and pre-Columbian art. Both are closed on federal holidays. Admission to garden: Adults $3.00; Senior Citizens and Children under twelve- $2.00. Phone: (202) 339-6401. Metro: Dupont Circle
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FDR MEMORIAL- Located on the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial. Over 7 acres dedicated to the only U.S. President in history to serve four terms. Park rangers on site 8AM - 11:45 PM daily, except December 25. Bookstore is open from 8AM -5PM. Phone: 202-426-6841Metro: Smithsonian |
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION- Closed until Further Notice. Phone: (202) 324-3447. Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown. |
FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY- 201 East Capital Street, SE. The library houses the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, as well as an authentic Elizabethan Theater. Closed on Federal holidays. Phone (202) 544-7077 |
FORD'S THEATER AND LINCOLN MUSEUM- 511 10th Street, NW. Visit the historic site where President Lincoln was assassinated. Building is open every day of the year except Christmas from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (202) 426-6924. Metro: Gallery Place
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GEORGETOWN- West of Rock Creek Park at Wisconsin and M Streets, NW. Old Stone House, oldest standing house in Washington. Shopping, boutiques, restaurants and night clubs in the old colonial section. Limited parking and metro access.
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HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM- 100 Raoul Wallenburg Place, SW. Open 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily. Admission is free, but tickets are required. The museum tells the story of the holocaust in its three floor permanent exhibition. (202) 488-0400.
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JEFFERSON MEMORIAL- 14th St., S.W., South Bank of the Tidal Basin. Open 8:00am - 11:45pm. At the Swan Boathouse, you can rent a pedal boat to cruise the Basin. Phone: (202)426-6841. Limited parking and metro access.
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JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS- Regular tours are conducted by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers daily. Tours may be booked through our office (202-224-4774) for 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily. The Center holds a free concert 365 days a year at 6pm.
Visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking level A. For performance information and ticket availability call (202) 467-4600. 2700 F Street Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU. |
KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL- Located beside the Lincoln Memorial, this monument pays tribute to the men and women who served our country in the Korean War. The wall of memories and lifelike statues honor those who did not return. Always open- Staffed 8a.m. - Midnight. Phone: (202) 426-6841. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS- Jefferson Building, 1st Street and Independence Avenue, SE. Tours are conducted at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 Monday � Saturday (no 3:30 tour on Saturday). Congressional tours booked through our office are offered at 8:30 am and 2 pm. The library also offers special �highlight� tours every fifteen minutes between 4 pm and 5 pm. The Library also offers Spanish-language tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Tickets are available at the information desk on first floor of the Jefferson Building. Please call (202) 707-5000 for updated information. Metro: Capitol South.
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LINCOLN MEMORIAL- West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, NW. Open 8a.m. - 11:45p.m. everyday except Christmas. Phone: (202) 426-6841. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
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MARINE CORPS MEMORIAL- Commonly known as the "Iwo Jima Memorial", this statue is located on Route 50 in Arlington, Va. just outside the northern foundries of Arlington Cemetery. The statue commemorates the men of the U.S. Marine Corps who served in the South Pacific during World War II. It stands 78 feet in the air and is the world's tallest bronze statue. Ceremonies are held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday evenings during the summer months.
MOUNT VERNON- Home of George Washington. Open to the public daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM April-August; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM September, October and March; and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM November-February. Admission: Adults $8.00, Seniors $7.50, and kids ages 6-11 $4.00. Phone: (703) 780-2000. No metro access.
NATIONAL AQUARIUM- 14th Street between Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Tanks of fish, frogs, alligators, sharks, etc. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM except Christmas. Admission: Adults $2.00, kids ages 2-10 $.75. Phone: (202) 482-2825. Metro: Federal Triangle.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES- 8th and Constitution Avenue, NW. See the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The Exhibition Hall is open 10 am � 9 pm (Memorial Day through Labor Day); 10 am � 5:30 pm (the day after Labor Day- March 31); 10 am � 7 pm (April- the Friday before Memorial Day). Tour reservations may be made through our office on a first serve basis with limited space available.
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S EXPLORERS HALL- 17th and M Streets, NW. The centerpiece of the National Geographic Building features a giant rotating Earth globe, Jacque Cousteau's diving saucer, Admiral Perry's arctic sled and a special electronic map depicting many famous world expeditions. Open Monday through Saturday and holidays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sundays 10:00 AM to 5:00pm. For recorded information call (202) 857-7588. For group tours call (202) 857-7689. Metro: Farragut North.
NATIONAL THEATRE- 1321 E Street, NW. See musicals, comedies, dramas, Broadway, and pre-Broadway shows at the 165 year old theater. Phone: (202) 628-6161. Metro: Metro Center.
NATIONAL ZOO - 3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW. The 168-acre National
Zoo is a year-round favorite of tourists and residents alike. The Giant panda,
Hsing-Hsing, rare white tigers and hundreds of other creatures populate the
park. Here old-style cages are rare and many natural habitats are recreated.
The park is open from 6:00am to 8:00pm daily. The animal houses are open 10:00am
to 6:00pm. Closed Christmas day. Phone: (202) 673-4800 (recorded information)
(202) 357-1729 (TDD-TTY).
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NEWSEUM- Closed until 2006 - Moving from Virginia to Washington DC. An interactive museum of news history. Phone: (703) 284-3544.
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OCTAGON HOUSE- 18th and New York Avenue, NW. Architectural exhibits. Served as James Madison's White House following the destruction of the original White House by the British in 1814. The Treaty of Ghent signed here, ending the war of 1812. Open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: Adults $5.00, Students and Seniors $3.00. Phone: (202) 638-3105. Metro: Farragut West.
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OLD POST OFFICE PAVILION- 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Shops, restaurants, and an observation tower with a great view of Washington. Phone: (202) 606-8691. Metro: Federal Triangle.
PENTAGON- Tours are available on a limited basis Monday - Friday. Call our office for further information (202-224-4774) Across the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia. Phone: (703) 695-1776. Metro: Pentagon.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION- For updated information please call (202) 357-2700. The museums are open daily, except Christmas, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Extended summer hours are determined annually.
Anacostia Neighborhood Museum- 1901 Fort Place, SE. (No metro access) 202-633-4820
Arts and Industries Building- 900 Jefferson Drive, SW. (Smithsonian) 202-633-1000
Freer Gallery of Art- Jefferson Drive and 12th Street, SW. (Smithsonian) 202-633-4880
Museum & Sculpture Garden-
Independence Avenue and 7th Street, SW. (L'Enfant Plaza) 202-633-1000
National Air & Space- Independence Avenue and 7th Street, SW. (L'Enfant Plaza)
National Gallery of Art- 6th and Constitution Avenue, NW. (Archives-Navy Memorial)
National Museum of African Art- 950 Independence Avenue, SW. (Smithsonian)
National Museum of American Art- 8th and G Street, NW. (Gallery Place-Chinatown) - Closed until 2006
National Museum of American History -
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. (Smithsonian)
National Museum of Natural History-
10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. (Smithsonian)
National Portrait Gallery- 8th and F Streets, NW. (Gallery Place-Chinatown) - Closed until 2006
National Postal Museum- 2nd and Massachusetts Avenue, NE. (Union Station)
Renwick Gallery- Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, NW. (Farragut West)
Smithsonian Institution Building [The Castle]- 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW. (Smithsonian)
STATE DEPARTMENT- Tours are available on a limited basis at 9:30 am, 10:30 am and 2:45 pm, Monday- Friday. Call our office for further information (202-224-4774).
2201 C Street, NW. Phone (202) 647-3241. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
SUPREME COURT- Located directly east of the Capitol on First Street, NE. Tours are open to the public every hour on the half hour 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Limited reservations available for Congressional Tours given Monday through Friday at 2 pm when the Court is not sitting. Groups of six or less may request this tour. Groups of 25 or more may call the Court Tour line directly at 202-479-3300.
Metro: Union Station.
TOURMOBILE SIGHTSEEING- The National Park Service has guided tourmobiles that travel from Capitol Hill to Arlington Cemetery and points in between with unlimited re-boarding privileges the day of ticket purchase. Open June 15 - Labor Day Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, daily. Call for information and rates. Phone: (202) 554-5100 or (888)868-7707.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT- 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Due to current security concerns all tours are suspended until further notice. Phone: (202) 622-0896. Metro: McPherson Square.
U.S. CAPITOL- Until further notice the Capitol is only offering public tours from 9:00am-4:30pm, Monday through Saturday. Our office staff can give personal tours of the Capitol to small groups. Larger groups can be led through the Capitol by the Capitol Guide Service. Contact our Washington, DC office [(202)224-4774] to arrange your tour.
U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY- 34th and Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Home of the Vice-President of the U.S. Public tours are now offered on alternating Monday evenings from 8:30 pm until 10:00 pm. Reservations necessary - see the web page. . Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL- Located beside the Lincoln Memorial. This monument is constructed of black granite to honor all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a special tribute to those who did not return, the names of more than 58,000 who gave their lives or now remain missing are inscribed in the Memorial's walls. The names are in chronological order.Open 8:00am-11:45pm daily.
Please Note:Portions of the Memorial are being renovated with new lighting. The East Panels will be closed June through mid-August and the West Penels will be closed mid-August through October. (more on closings) Phone: (202) 426-6841 Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER- 1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 600. The Washington Convention Center features state-of-the-art design and engineering, with accommodations for large conventions, trade shows, and special events. Open 9:00 PM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Phone (202) 249-3000. Metro: Metro Center
WASHINGTON MONUMENT- On the Mall at 15th Street, NW. The Monument is 555 feet tall. Tickets to view the city from the top are available near the base of the Monument. Open daily April through Labor Day from 8:00 AM to 11:45pm, September through March from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM. Phone: (202)426-6841 Metro: Smithsonian.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL- located at the intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW. This inspiring house of worship is one of the world's finest examples of Gothic Architecture and craftsmanship. Congressional Tours offered to families and individuals on Monday and Wednesday at 9 am and may be booked through our office. A donation is requested upon arrival at the Cathedral. Highlight tours for groups and individuals are offered on a walk-in basis Monday through Saturday, 10-11:15 am and 12:45-3:15 pm and Sunday from 12:45 to 2:30 pm.
Phone: (202) 537-6247.
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WHITE HOUSE- 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Tours of the White House
are available Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 am � 12:30 pm. Tours are granted to congressional offices on a first come first serve basis. Requests may be submitted up to six months in advance. These self-guided group tours will be granted approximately one month before the requested date. Please contact my office to submit a request (202-224-4774).
WOLF TRAP FARM PARK FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS- Virginia Route 7 near Vienna, Virginia. The nation's first National Park for the performing arts offers a variety of performances throughout the warm weather months. Price of admission varies depending on program. Phone: (703) 255-1860 or (703) 218-6500. Metro: West Falls Church
WORLD WAR TWO MEMORIAL- On April 29, 2004, as a service and tribute to members of the World War II Generation, the National World War II Memorial opened for public viewing. Exactly one month later, on May 29, the memorial was formally dedicated. Located at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Free Metro: Smithsonian
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