Senator Herb Kohl (WI) : Constituent Services

Washington Tourism Information

The nation's capital offers many historical and cultural resources for visitors. The Smithsonian Institution, monuments and memorials, parks and gardens, and countless museums and galleries provide something for everyone. And unlike sites in other major cities, many of Washington's attractions are open to the public free of charge.

Many of our Capital's most popular buildings offer guided tours, some of which are open to the public and others which require reservations well in advance of the tour date. My office can book a limited number of reserved tours for Wisconsin constituents on a first-come, first served basis. All requests are subject to availability. While we will make every effort to accommodate your travel plans, bookings for tours are often filled months in advance, particularly during the peak season (March through September) and holiday periods. To increase the likelihood that a tour will be available on your visit, please make your requests early, preferably six months to a year in advance.

Please complete my online tour request form to request assistance making tour arrangements. For information about tours for large groups or access for disabled, hearing or visually impaired visitors, please contact Judy Burmaster in my Washington office at (202) 224-5653.

The nation's capitol offers many historical and cultural resources for visitors. However, due to the heightened security in federal buildings, some of the Congressional and public tours have been canceled indefinitely. Since the regulations and availability of Washington tours are constantly subject to change, please call my office at (202) 224-5653 for the most up-to-date information.

Capitol Tours

The Capitol Guide Service offers free tours seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The tours run continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., beginning in the Rotunda at the center of the Capitol building. Stop by my Washington office (Hart 330) for passes to enter the Senate Chamber and House of Representatives galleries. Call ahead to find out what time Congress will be in session for the best opportunity to see legislative action.

The Congressional Special Services Office provides tours of the Capitol to disabled and handicapped individuals. Sign language tours are also available. The Special Services Office can be reached at (202) 224-4048.

My office can request a restricted number of more extensive guided tours (each office may request tours for three families per week; availability is not guaranteed). These tours are scheduled Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and last approximately one hour. Times cannot be requested, but my office will submit requests on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are confirmed two or three weeks before the requested date.

White House Tickets

The White House has announced that tours of the Executive Residence have been expanded to include parties of 10 or more people requesting a tour through their Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are granted by the White House on a first come, first served basis. In order to assure access to all Members of Congress, the White House advises that the number of tours requested by each congressional office will be taken into account. Due to the volume of requests we receive, there is a possibility requests will be denied by the White House, even if submitted in a timely manner. The decision made will be solely made by the White House and beyond our control.

You can submit this form to my office. We will notify you two to four weeks in advance of your requested date if you have received a tour.

If you have any additional questions regarding White House tours, please contact Judy Burmaster in my Washington office at (202) 224-5653 or the White House at 202-456-7041.


GENERAL INFORMATION Welcome Biography Office Locations Contact Information CONSTITUENT SERVICES Assistance with Federal Govt Federal Grant Requests Senate Page Program Service Academy Nominations Invitations Coffee with Herb Sightseeing in Washington Flag Requests Internships PRIORITIES Preparing Our Children Fighting For Families Protecting Our Homeland Standing Up For Farmers Looking Out for Consumers NEWSROOM Press Releases Statements Photos Wisconsin Media LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES Committee Assignments Appropriations Committee Judiciary Committee Special Committee on Aging Sponsored Legislation EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER Classroom Connection Elementary & Middle School Students High School Students College Students College & Post College Grads Parents		SIGHTSEEING IN WASHINGTON Washington Tourism Information The nation's capital offers many historical and cultural resources for visitors. The Smithsonian Institution, monuments and memorials, parks and gardens, and countless museums and galleries provide something for everyone. And unlike sites in other major cities, many of Washington's attractions are open to the public free of charge. Many of our Capital's most popular buildings offer guided tours, some of which are open to the public and others which require reservations well in advance of the tour date. My office can book a limited number of reserved tours for Wisconsin constituents on a first-come, first served basis. All requests are subject to availability. While we will make every effort to accommodate your travel plans, bookings for tours are often filled months in advance, particularly during the peak season (March through September) and holiday periods. To increase the likelihood that a tour will be available on your visit, please make your requests early, preferably six months to a year in advance. Please complete my online tour request form to request assistance making tour arrangements. For information about tours for large groups or access for disabled, hearing or visually impaired visitors, please contact Judy Burmaster in my Washington office at (202) 224-5653. The nation's capitol offers many historical and cultural resources for visitors. However, due to the heightened security in federal buildings, some of the Congressional and public tours have been canceled indefinitely. Since the regulations and availability of Washington tours are constantly subject to change, please call my office at (202) 224-5653 for the most up-to-date information. Capitol Tours The Capitol Guide Service offers free tours seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The tours run continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., beginning in the Rotunda at the center of the Capitol building. Stop by my Washington office (Hart 330) for passes to enter the Senate Chamber and House of Representatives galleries. Call ahead to find out what time Congress will be in session for the best opportunity to see legislative action. The Congressional Special Services Office provides tours of the Capitol to disabled and handicapped individuals. Sign language tours are also available. The Special Services Office can be reached at (202) 224-4048. My office can request a restricted number of more extensive guided tours (each office may request tours for three families per week; availability is not guaranteed). These tours are scheduled Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and last approximately one hour. Times cannot be requested, but my office will submit requests on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours are confirmed two or three weeks before the requested date. White House Tickets The White House has announced that tours of the Executive Residence have been expanded to include parties of 10 or more people requesting a tour through their Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are granted by the White House on a first come, first served basis. In order to assure access to all Members of Congress, the White House advises that the number of tours requested by each congressional office will be taken into account. Due to the volume of requests we receive, there is a possibility requests will be denied by the White House, even if submitted in a timely manner. The decision made will be solely made by the White House and beyond our control. You can submit this form to my office. We will notify you two to four weeks in advance of your requested date if you have received a tour. If you have any additional questions regarding White House tours, please contact Judy Burmaster in my Washington office at (202) 224-5653 or the White House at 202-456-7041.