Popular Washington Attractions

Washington Monument
Location: On the Mall at 15th Street NW
Metro stops: Smithsonian

The Washington Monument is the city’s tallest structure, standing at 555’ 5”, a tribute to our nation’s first president. There are 897 steps the public may walk down, however, to reach the top, elevators must be used.  The lines tend to be long, but they generally move quickly.  Your wait will be rewarded by a panoramic view of the nation’s capitol from the top of the Monument.  

Open daily the day after Easter to Labor Day from 8:00 am to Midnight and from Labor Day through March from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  

Library of Congress
Location: Jefferson Building, 1st Street and Independence Ave, SE
Metro stops: Capitol South

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest research library and is visited each year by millions of scholars, readers, and tourists.  Our country’s national library contains over 75 million volumes.  

Tours are conducted every hour on the hour from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.  The Library asks that groups over 10 people make a reservation for a specific tour.

The White House
Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Metro stops: Metro Center or Federal Triangle

The White House is now offering tours on a limited basis to constituents through their Congressional office. White House tour requests can be accepted up to six months in advance.  To request a tour, please fill out the tour request form on my website or contact my office at 202-225-5401. 

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Location: just south of Independence Ave SW between 14th St and Raoul Wallenborg Place
Metro stops: Smithsonian

The Holocaust Museum serves as a national repository for Holocaust related artifacts and materials. Permanent exhibition is recommend for those over the age of 11.  

Open 7 days a week except on Christmas and Yom Kippur.

Smithsonian Museums
Location: National Mall
Metro stops: Smithsonian

As the world’s largest museum complex, the Smithsonian holds over 139 million artifacts of American history; including the Air and Space Museum, Arts and Industries, Museum of Natural History, and Museum of American History.  

Open year round from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Smithsonian National Zoo
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW
Metro stops: Woodley Park Zoo or Cleveland Park

Visit the new panda exhibit, see the orangutans swing or tour the heritage gardens and wetlands.  This visit takes a minimum of three hours; parking charges are per hour.  

The grounds are open daily from May 1 to Sept 15 from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (Buildings are open from 10 am to 6 pm) and September 16 to April 30 from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (Buildings are open from 10 am to 4:30 pm).  


The U.S. Supreme Court
Location: 1st and East Capitol Streets
Metro stops: Capitol South 

Guided tours are available, when the Court is not convening, Mondays through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, except Federal holidays.  No tours are given during August.



Botanic Gardens
Location: Independence and First St, SW
Metro stops: Federal Center SW or Capitol South

At the foot of the Capitol, under 29,000 square feet of glass, surrounded by ornamental pools this conservatory has more than 8,000 different types of exotic fruits, flowers and plants.


National Gallery of Art
Location: National Mall between 3rd and 7th Sts, NW
Metro stops: Smithsonian or Archives 

The National Gallery of Art is one of the world’s largest marble structures, measuring 780 feet in length and containing more than 500,000 square feet.  

Open year round Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and 
Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Arlington National Cemetary
Location: Memorial Drive and Hwy 110
Metro stops: Arlington Cemetery

View the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months.  See the Amphitheater, the Custis-Lee Mansion, and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft.

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.  

Washington National Cathedral
Location: Massachusetts & Wisconsin Ave NW
Metro stops: Tenleytown Station to “30” series Metro bus

The National Cathedral is the second-largest Gothic cathedral in the United States.  From the Cathedral, you may view the nation’s capitol or simply enjoy the peaceful gardens and the beauty of the Cathedral.
 
Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:15 pm, except during services and special events.  Tours are from 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm.


The Department of Treasury
Location: Next to the White House on 15th Street, between F & G Sts, NW
Metro stops:  Metro Center

This tour includes the history of the Treasury Department and the building’s architecture history, including a tour of the Andrew Johnson suite.  It was in this suite, in 1865, that President Johnson conducted official business for six weeks after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  

Tours are conducted Saturday mornings and last about 90 minutes.

The Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Location: 14th & C Sts, SW
Metro stops: Smithsonian

See how United States currency is printed. 
 
Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  
Closed weekends, Federal holidays and December 24 through January 3rd.