Visiting
Washington, D.C.
Please let me know when you will be in Washington. I
would love to help you out in any way that I can with
your planning!
Monuments
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Open daily. October - March: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. March
- September: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Curtis-Lee Mansion and
the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard
Taft. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier is every hour on the hour during the winter months
and every half hour during the summer months. The Lee
Mansion opens at 9:30 and Closes at 4:30 during the summer
hours. Narrated bus tour: Adults-$4 and Children-$2 (under
12) Phone: 703.607.8052. Parking-$1.25/hour, after 3rd
hour $2/hour. Arlington Cemetery Metro Station.
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
South bank of the Tidal Basin. Open 24 hours a day. You
can rent a pedal boat at the Swan Boat House to cruise
the Basin. Smithsonian Metro Station.
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL
Located at West Potomac Park on the Tidal Basin near the
Jefferson Memorial. Open daily, every day of the year,
except Christmas, from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. Parking
is on Ohio Drive and parking lots are near the Inlet Bridge.
Memorial entrance is at the intersection of West Basin
Drive and Ohio Drive. For more information call the National
Park Service at 202.488.6841. Foggy Bottom or Smithsonian
Metro Stations (both are about 10 blocks away).
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
First and Independence Avenue. Tours of the Thomas Jefferson
Building are conducted at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30
p.m., and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Enter
and meet inside the West Front Entrance to the Thomas
Jefferson Building on First Street S.E. facing the Capitol.
Same day tickets are required and may be obtained at
the Jefferson information desk beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Phone: 202.707.5458. Capitol South Metro Station.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, N.W. Open
24 hours a day. Phone: 202. 426.6895. Foggy Bottom Metro
Station (a little over a mile walk down 23rd Street
to Mall).
MOUNT VERNON (HOME OF GEORGE WASHINGTON)
Alexandria, Virginia. Open to the public every day of
the year at 9:00 a.m. from September through March and
at 8:00 a.m. April through August. Gate closes at 4:00
p.m. November through February and 5:00 p.m. the rest
of the year. ADMISSION: Adults, $8; Seniors 62 and over,
$7.50: Children, ages 6-11, $4; Children, ages 5 and
under, free. Special prices available for certain school,
youth , and senior citizens groups. Phone: 703. 780.2000.
Transportation suggestions: car, bus, or boat. Metro
Bus and Rail 202.637.7000, Fairfax Connector 703.339.7200,
Tourmobile Sightseeing Tours 202.554.7950, Gold Line
202.289.1995, or All About Town 202.393.3606. Boat cruises
are available on the Potomac Spirit from mid-March to
October 202.554.8000.
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, N.W. This "great
church for national purposes” is open to visitors
from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, during
the summer months and until 4:30 during the rest of the
year. Extended summer hours are weekdays from May through
Labor Day. Guided tours are available Monday through Saturday
from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and again at 12:45 with
the last tour beginning at 3:15. However, on Wednesday,
the afternoon tours begin again at 1:15p.m. Sunday tours
are from 12:45 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. A donation of $2 is
requested. The Cathedral is closed Christmas, Palm Sunday,
Easter Sunday, and Thanksgiving. For more information
and group tour reservations, call 202.537.6207. Tenleytown/American
University Metro Station (approximately 1 ½ mile
walk south on Wisconsin).
NATIONAL SHRINE
The National Catholic Basilica is located on Michigan
and 4th Streets. Open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from April
1 through October 31, and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
during the Winter months. 202.526.8300. Brookland/CUA
Metro Station.
UNION STATION
Capitol Hill near the Senate Office Buildings. Recently
restored to its original splendor, this historic train
station , house shops, movie theaters, and restaurants.
The main hall is magnificent and is 22, 000 square feet
larger than its nearest rival, New York City's Grand
Central Station. Union Station is open 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. Union Station Metro.
VIETNAM VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL
Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Constructed
of black granite to honor and recognize all Americans
who served in the Vietnam War. As a special tribute to
those who did not return, the names of more than 58, 000
individuals who gave their lives or who remain missing
are inscribed in the Memorials walls. The names are listed
in chronological order. Open all day, year round. Smithsonian
Metro Station.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
On the mall at 15th Street, N.W. Open daily April through
Labor Day from 8:00 to midnight. September through March
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: 202.426.6841. Smithsonian
Metro Station.
THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
The National World War II Memorial, located on the National
Mall in Washington, DC commemorates the sacrifice and
celebrates the victory of the WWII generation. The World
War II Memorial creates a distinct, evocative and serene
tribute yet remains respectful and sensitive to its
historic surroundings. The memorial is scheduled for
completion in the spring of 2004. The memorials dedication
was on May 29th, 2004.
Museums
AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM'S STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, Virginia
20151.
Hours: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Open every day except December
25.
The Air and Space Museum's spectacular companion facility
opened in 2003 with more than 80 aircraft and 60 space
artifacts on display. The Udvar-Hazy Center is south of
the main terminal at Dulles Airport in northern Virginia.
Parking is available for $12 per day. Round trip shuttle
bus service is available to and from the National Mall
for $7 per person.
U.S. BOTANIC GARDENS
Maryland Avenue and 1st Street S.W. Open daily. 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. Group tours are available with reservations
made 14 days in advance. The tours are at 10:00 a.m. and
2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone: 202.225.8333. The Federal
Center S.W. Metro Station stops 3 blocks from the Gardens.
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING
14th and C Streets, S.W. See how U.S. currency is printed.
Tours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Closed
weekends, federal holidays, and December 24-January 4.
Tickets may be picked up for that day or later that week
from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Evening tours available June
2- August 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The ticket booth
reopens from 3:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Phone: 202.874.3019.
Smithsonian Metro Station.
FORD'S THEATER AND LINCOLN MUSEUM
10th Street between E and F Streets, N.W. Open daily (except
Christmas) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 15 minute stories
twice an hour from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-5:00
p.m. Phone: 202.426.6924. Metro Center Metro Station.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Open daily except Christmas and Yom Kippur from 10:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum is located at 100 Raoul
Wallenberg Place, SW (near 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW). Tickets are available in limited quantity
on a first come, first serve basis. Allow at least two
hours to visit the museum. Phone: 202.488.0400. Smithsonian
Metro Stop.
INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM
Located at 800 F Street NW. It's located near the 7th & F
Street exit of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop.
The hours vary, so check the website for more details
or call the 24-Hour Hotline at 866-SPY MUSEUM.
NATIONAL AQUARIUM
In the U.S. Commerce Building on 14th Street between Constitution
Avenue and Pennsylvania, N.W. House tanks of fish, alligators,
eels, and a touch tank for children. Open daily from 9:00
a.m. to 5;00 p.m., except Christmas. ADMISSION: Adults,
$2; children under 10, 75cents ; children under 2, free.
202.482.2825. Federal Triangle Metro Station.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
7th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Displays include
the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the
Constitution. Open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Call 202.501.5400 for general information and 202.501.5205
for tour information. Archives - Navy Memorial Metro Station.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
6th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Open daily from
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday and
from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday concerts
are held at 7:00 p.m. in the East Garden Court from
October through June. Phone: 202.737.4215. Archives
- Navy Metro Station.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
The Smithsonian museums are open 7 days a week from 10:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free Admission. Phone: 202.357.2700.
Smithsonian Metro Station (unless specified otherwise).
Arts and Industries
9th Street and Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Freer Gallery of Art
12th Street and Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.
National Museum of American Art
8th and G Streets, N.W. Gallery Place Metro Station.
National Portrait Gallery
8th and F Streets, N.W. Gallery Place Metro Station.
Renwick Gallery
17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Farragut West
Metro Station.
Smithsonian Building Offices (The Castle)
10th Street and Jefferson Drive, S.W. Open 9:00 a.m. to
5:30 p.m.
National Air and Space Museum
7th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W.
National Museum of American History
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Tours
THE WHITE HOUSE
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. If you are planning on
visiting the White House during your stay in Washington,
D.C., please contact our office as far in advance as
possible. Spots on White House tours are not guaranteed,
especially during peak travels seasons. While you may
not be able to tour the White House, the White House
Visitor's Center, located on E and 15th Streets, opens
at 7:30 a.m. Visitors may call in advance for the most
up-to-date information. 202.456.2200. McPherson Square
or Metro Center Metro Station.
PENTAGON
Across from the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia. Open from
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tours
start every half hour. Valid picture I.D. is required
for all persons over the age of 16. Phone: 703.695.1776.
Pentagon Metro Station.
STATE DEPARTMENT
2201 C Street, N.W. Tours are conducted Monday through
Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Tours
require reservations and are not recommended for children
under 12 years of age. Strollers are not permitted.
Phone: 202.647.3241. Foggy Bottom Metro Station.
SUPREME COURT
First Street and Maryland Avenue, N.E. Open Monday through
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except federal holidays.
When the court is not in session, public lectures are
conducted in the Courtroom every hour on the half hour
from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 202.479.3211 for a
schedule of cases being heard. For general information,
call 202.479.3395. Capitol South Metro Station.
TOURMOBILE SERVICE
The National Park Service operates concession-operated
tourmobiles that travel from Capitol Hill to Arlington
National Cemetery with stops at eighteen historical points
in between. Unlimited reboarding privileges for the day
of the ticket purchase. Tourmobiles operate from 9:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You must purchase tickets at Arlington
Cemetery, or from any driver. Admission: Adults, $12;
children ages 3-11, $6 Phone: 202.554.5100. For your groups
of 20 or more, please call 202.488.5218.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Located at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, the
historical Treasury Buliding has Texas ties. One-hour
guided tours are available on Saturday mornings, excluding
holidays, at 10:00 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., and 11:00
a.m. Ask about former Texas Congressman John Wilcox's
widow and her connection to the department. One week advance
registration is required and each visitor is required
to provide a photo ID, name, date of birth, and social
security number. Confirmed reservations are required.
Admission is free. Phone: 202.622.0896. Use the Metro
Center Metro Station ( use the F and 13th Streets Exit).
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Capitol Hill. The Capitol is open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m. 7 days a week from March through August. Guided tours
are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 on Saturday. No tours are offered
on Sunday, but guides will be stationed to answer any
questions that you may have. Tours begin at the Rotunda
in the center of the building. Enter from the East front,
facing the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.
Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Capitol
Historical Society Gift Shop is located in the middle
of the First Floor of the East Front of the Capitol. Phone:
202.225.6827. Capitol South Metro Station. Please contact
our office to schedule a staff guided Capitol Tour. We
schedule tours at 10AM or 2PM Monday through Friday.
UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY
34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. The Vice President's
home is located here, but is NOT open to the public.
The observatory is open to the public on Monday nights
from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The sessions are limited
to the first 90 visitors so plan to arrive at 7:00 p.m.
to assure entry. Gates open at 8:00 p.m. Phone: 202.762.1467.
No Metro Station available.
U.S. NAVAL MEMORIAL AND VISITOR'S CENTER
701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 123. Designed as
an educational and heritage awareness facility for the
U.S. Navy. Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
The center closes at 5:00 p.m. from November 1st through
March 31. McPherson Square or Farragut West Metro Station.
Events
NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
From March 26 - April 10, enjoy the 93rd annual Cherry
Blossom festival. In 1912, the city of Tokyo gave the
people of Washington, D.C. 3,000 cherry trees. Come
and enjoy the spirit and the season of the Cherry Blossoms!
JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Regular tours are conducted daily by Friends of the Kennedy
Center volunteers from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Visitors
should go to tour lounge, parking level A. Phone: 202.416.8340.
Foggy Bottom Metro Station.
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