Tour Information: Visiting Washington, DC
Every year, we have hundreds of Idahoans who come to Washington, DC, on business and pleasure trips. The seat of American government is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but it does take some planning to make the most of your time in our nation's capital. There is so much to see and do (click here to read an editorial I wrote about visiting DC) that it is hard not to be overwhelmed. Washington, DC is a beautiful city with a lot of history. There is notable architecture, impressive museums, political landmarks and family-friendly activities.
To help you with your planning, I have come up with a number of categories that may help you determine what will interest you and your travel companions. Please click on the categories listed in the table below to learn more about attractions, sites and suggestions that can help make your visit unforgettable. You can also download a comprehensive list of all the attractions (PDF file-144KB or Word document) that are listed on my site. It notes the attraction, address, telephone, closest Metro stop, hours of operation, admission if charged and any additional information that may be helpful to you. This map of Washington, DC, will also be helpful in deciding what sights would be of interest.
Whenever possible, you will find links included with the entry; those links will open in a separate window. We make every effort to keep the information on these pages updated, but because of the volume of material, we encourage you to confirm hours, admission costs and other details should you decide to visit a particular site. Some of the attractions also offer discount admission tickets through their websites, so it's worth checking out!
Learn some insight for touring Washington, DC, by visiting the Touring Tips page. Please also remember that my office can assist you with congressional tours of certain sites. That information is available on a Tour Request Form. Also, please remember to request a Welcome To Washington: A Guide To Our Nation's Capital brochure; it is an invaluable resource for planning your trip.
It is worth remembering that most federal buildings and tour attractions will require you to pass through security screening. As such, please consider leaving backpacks, large bags and metal jewelry behind in order to expedite entry.
I am also interested in learning about your thoughts on the various sites you visited. Please send those to me through this e-mail link. Please put DC Tour Review in your subject line. Information that you send to me may be used on this website to advise others about what to expect, so please take that into consideration when submitting comments.