Congressional Tours and Visiting D.C.
The following are available federal tours that Senator Lautenberg's office can request for you. If you would like to book a tour, please fill out the Tour Request Form and email it to Senator Lautenberg's Tour Coordinator.
If you have any questions please feel free to call 202-224-3224. Please do not use the web-form under the "Contact Me" link to request tours.
The Capitol Building
Senator Lautenberg offers Capitol Building tours every weekday at 10:30am and 2:30pm. This tour lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour and, if the Senate is in session, includes gallery passes to watch Senate proceedings. A member of Senator Lautenberg’s staff will escort you through the building on this personal tour.
White House
The White House has recently re-opened for public tours; however, requests must be submitted through Senator Lautenberg’s office at least 4 to 6 months in advance and each tour must include ten or more participants. We are free to solicit other Congressional offices to combine small tour groups in order to reach the minimum 10 requirement. Each tour is self-guided; security agents posted throughout the tour can provide information on each exhibit. Unfortunately, White House tours are difficult to arrange; there are no guarantees that each request will lead to a tour. Please note: White House tours are currently booked over the next two months and that we only have a waiting list available.
The Mint
The Philadelphia and Denver Mint have recently transitioned from congressionally sponsored tours to public tours effective April 6, 2005. The free, self-guided public tours are available Monday - Friday 9am until 3pm. Please be aware that there will be no tours on federal holidays and tours are subject to cancellation in the event of a change in the national security alert status. Visitors will be required to provide a photo ID. Congressionally sponsored tours previously scheduled will be honored. For further information please call 215-408-0114.
The Supreme Court
Congressional Tours for the Supreme Court occur weekdays at 2pm. Please note that this tour is offered only on days when the Supreme Court is not in session. These tours last approximately 30 minutes. All congressional tours are limited to four people. Public tours are also offered without any need for an appointment. The public tours are a restricted version of a congressional tour – they are shorter in length and limited to an informative lecture occurring in the main chambers of the Court. They occur on the bottom of every hour beginning at 9:30am and ending at 3:30pm. The Court recommends that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of any tour to ensure a slot in the group, as well as pass through security checks.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is also a very popular tour. During off-peak tour season (September through April), the Bureau offers two congressional tours at 8:15am and 8:45am. During the summer, however, congressional tours are extended to the afternoon at 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, and 4:45pm. Congressional tours are limited to 10 people. Tours last approximately 45 minutes. Public tours occur every 15 minutes between 9am and 2pm. During the off-peak season, tickets are not required. Peak season public tours require tickets for that same day – the ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th St, just off from the Washington Monument). The booth opens at 8am – tickets go fast and lines fill up quickly.
Library of Congress
Congressional tours for the Library of Congress occur at 8:30am and 2pm only. Public tours take place every weekday at the bottom of the every hour from 10:30 through 3:30 (note: no 12:30 tour). All tours last approximately 45 minutes. The Library recommends that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the beginning of any tour allow for enough time to pass through security.
Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center tours occur at 10am and 4:30pm. Tours last approximately an hour. The 4:30 tour concludes near the Millennium Stage – the site of a free performance that occurs weekdays at 6pm. Performances include movie screenings, poetry readings, short plays, and scores of other forms of performance art.
National Archives
Congressional tours are offered at 10:15am and 1:15pm Monday through Friday. They last approximately 90 minutes. The Archives are also open to the public. To see the original copies of the Bill of Rights and Constitution, simply enter the building between 10am and 5pm.
Holocaust Museum
The Holocaust Museum is open 10:00am – 5:30pm everyday except for Yom Kippur and Christmas day. All exhibitions and memorials are free; however, the permanent exhibition requires a timed entry pass. Timed entry passes can be obtained at tickets.com or by calling 800.400.9373. Groups of 10 or larger must reserve a group entry time through the museum scheduling office.
