Visiting Washington, D.C.
I am glad that you are considering a trip to our nation’s capital, which is an enjoyable destination for both children and adults. I hope you will find the following information useful in planning and enjoying your time in Washington, D.C. Not only does Washington serve as the seat of our federal government, it also offers an abundance of cultural, entertainment and historical experiences.
In order to ensure you are able to visit as many places as possible, please request your tours as far in advance as possible. For example, the White House requires 3 to 6 months notice for tours. While some tours can be scheduled directly with the organization, my Washington, D.C. office can assist in scheduling tours for you. For assistance regarding select tours, please fill out the Tour Request Form.
NOTE: It is always at the discretion of the institution to confirm or decline a tour. Though we cannot guarantee tour availability, we do everything we can to make it possible.
**As of September 28th, the following tours are completely booked, or unavailable.
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing: Starting September 1st, no tickets are required
- Supreme Court: No reserved tours, only walk-up tickets
- White House: November 22nd-28th and December 23rd-January 1st
- Library of Congress: November 22nd, December 25th, and January 21st
Traveling in D.C.
I recommend taking public transportation in Washington D.C. Traffic can be very heavy and parking in the city is limited.
Helpful Links
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Tour Request Form
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Map of Capitol Hill
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Map of the Washington D.C. Mall
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Visiting DC: Government Sites
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Visiting DC: Monuments
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Visiting DC: Museums
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Visiting DC: Other Places of Interest
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Metro
The best option for traveling in D.C. is taking the metro. You can purchase single fares or passes. Fares vary based on the distance that you travel. -
Circulator
Another convenient option for travel in D.C. is the Circulator Bus. It runs between popular sites such as Georgetown, Woodley Park, and the Smithsonian museums. All fares are $1.00, but may be discounted if you are transferring from another means of public transportation (for example, the metro or another bus). -
Weather
Particularly in the summer, weather in Washington is much more humid than Massachusetts. Be sure to check the weather before coming down.