Capital dome and the United States flagCongressman Henry Hyde
Representing Illinois' Sixth District
          "The Land of Lincoln"

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Washington D.C. Visitor's Guide
 

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Memorials, Monuments, and Points of Interest
Outdoor Theaters
Plantations and Historic Mansions
The Smithsonian Institution
Sports
Theaters
Tours and Other Places of Interest
Transportation
Washington, DC and Adjacent State Home Pages
Weather Forecast for Washington, DC


Memorials, Monuments and Points of Interest

  • Corcoran Gallery of Art Museum - 17th Street and New York Avenue, NW - one block west and south of the White House. The main entrance is on 17th Street. Special needs access is at 1701 E Street, around the corner from the 17th Street entrance. Phone: (202) 639-1700 Metro Stop: Four blocks from the Farragut West station or Farragut North station.
  • Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum - 511 10th Street, NW - 10th Street Between E and F Streets. Telephone: (202) 426-6924. Metro Stop: the closest station to the theatre is Metro Center
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial: 900 Ohio Drive, S.W., near the Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River.  There are park rangers available from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except Christmas Day. There are no fees to visit any of the monuments or memorials in the park. Telphone: (202) 426-6841 Information. Metro stop:  Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
  • Hall of States Building - 444 North Capitol Street, NW. This building houses 32 state offices. For information call the Council of State Governments at (202) 624-5386.
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - The Museum is located just south of Independence Ave., SW. between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th St.). There is an entrance also on 14th street, next to the Bureau of Printing & Engraving. Permanent exhibition is recommended for ages 11 and up. Daniel's Story is recommended for ages 8 and up. The visit will take from 1 1/2 to 3 hours. ONLY the Permanent Exhibition requires a timed entry pass to begin the self-guided tour of the Museum's primary exhibition. Passes are FREE and are NOT required for the Museum's other exhibitions, memorials, resources and facilities. Metro Stop: Smithsonian on the blue or orange lines exit at 12th and Independence Avenue. Telephone: (202) 488-0400.
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial - South bank of the Tidal Basin - At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddle boat to cruise on the Basin. The Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall. Phone: (202) 426-6841
 
  • Lincoln Memorial - West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, NW. Telephone: (202) 426-6895. Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or the Smithsonian Metro stop which comes out on the National Mall.
  • National Building Museum - 401 F Street, NW, between 4th and 5th streets. Wheelchair access at 4th and G streets. Metro Stop: Judiciary Square - Red line. Telephone: (202) 272-2448.
  • National Geographic Society - 1145 17th & M Street. Exhibits of famous scientific expeditions. Phone: 800 NGS LINE (800 647 5463); 800 548 9797 (TDD) .
  • National Postal Museum - 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE in the Washington City Post Office Building on Capitol Hill (next to Union Station). Metro: Take Metro's Red Line to Union Station. Leave through the Massachusetts Avenue exit. As you get off the escalator, the National Postal Museum will be to your left.
  • National Capital Trolley Museum - 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, Maryland. Metro: Take Metro's Red Line to Glenmont and then take the 39 Ride-On bus in the direction of "Briggs Chaney Park and Ride".
  • United States Navy Memorial and Visitors Center - Located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 123, Washington, D.C, 20004-2608. The D.C. Metro's Green and Yellow Line stops at Archives-Navy Memorial, steps from the Memorial's front door. There is a Motor Coach Drop on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th Streets, in front of the U.S. Navy Memorial. The Memorial offers a Concert Hotline at (202) 737-2300 ext. 768 for updated schedules or cancellations due to weather.
  • The Phillips Collection - 1600 21st Street, N.W. The Phillips Collection is located in the Dupont Circle area, one-half block off of Massachusetts Avenue on 21st Street, between Q and R Streets. Offices and Visitor information: (202) 387-2151. Metro Stop: RED line of the Metro to the Dupont Circle Station. Exit to Q street. At the top of the escalator, go left on Q street one block to 21st Street. The museum entrance is located halfway up 21st Street on the left.
  • Smithsonian Museums - The entrances to the West Building are located on Constitution Avenue at 6th Street, NW, on Madison Drive at 6th Street, NW, and on 4th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, NW. The entrance for the East Building is located on 4th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, NW.
  • Textile Museum - 2320 S Street, NW. Telephone: (202) 667-0441. Metro Stop: Take the red line to the Dupont Circle stop. Leave the station via the Q Street exit. Walk north on Connecticut Avenue. At the intersection of Connecticut Avenue, Florida Avenue and S Street cross Florida Avenue and go left. Take immediate right onto S Street. Continue walking up S Street 2 long blocks to The Textile Museum on the left.
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Henry Bacon Drive & Constitution Avenue, NW. Metro Stop:  Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall. Telephone: (202) 426-6841.
  • Washington Dolls' House & Toy Museum is located at 5236 44th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, one block west of Wisconsin Avenue between Jenifer and Harrison Streets. If you go by Metro, take the red line to Friendship Heights and use the Jenifer Street exit.

    Guided tours are available for 12 or more by making reservations. For more information, call 202-244-0024.

  • Washington Monument - On the Mall at 15th Street, SW.  Tickets are required.  They are free and available at the booth located on the west side of 15th Street, NW, on the Mall. Advance Tickets (small fee charged):  Ticketmaster:  (DC Metro) 202-432-7328 (Outside DC) 1-800-551-7328. Facilities:  Bookstore, Restrooms, Museum.  Information: 202-426-6841. Metro stop: Smithsonian


Outdoor Theaters

  • Merriweather Post Pavilion - 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway. Located in Columbia, Maryland between Baltimore and Washington D.C. and is readily accessible from I-95. Performing arts center offers symphonic music, and pop concerts. Ticket Infor.: 703-218-6500 in Washington D.C.; 410-481-6500 in Baltimore; 800-955-5566 elsewhere
  • Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts - 1645 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182. The nation's first National Park for the performing arts offers opera, symphonic music, pop concerts, jazz and ballet. Only open during warm weather. Price of admission varies depending on program. Telephone: 703-255-1800.


Plantations and Historic Mansions

  • Dumbarton Oaks - 1703 32nd Street, NW (one block east of Wisconsin Avenue between R and S Streets in Georgetown). Telephone: (202) 339-6401.
  • Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens - Home of George Washington. Telephone: (703) 780-2000.  Metro stop: Take Metro's Yellow Line Train to Huntington Station in Virginia. Exit to the lower level (Huntington Avenue) of the station to catch a Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.
  • Octagon House - 1799 New York Ave., NW (18th and New York). Architectural exhibits.  Served as James Madison's White House following the destruction of the real White House by the British in 1814. Telephone: (202) 638-3105.  Metro stop: Farragut West or Farragut North


Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution - The museums are open daily, except Christmas, from 10:00am to 5:30pm (Air and Space 10:00am to 7:30pm and Anacostia Museum which closes at 5 p.m.).  Extended Summer hours are determined annually.  Smithsonian Information Center:  202/357-2700 (voice) 202/357-2729 (TTY).  Metro: Smithsonian or L'Enfant Plaza.



Sports

  • Baltimore Ravens
    Location: PSINet Stadium
    1101 Russell Street
    Baltimore, MD 21230
    410-230-8000
  • D.C. United Major League Soccer at RFK - Location: RFK Stadium, RFK East Capitol Street, Washington, D.C.
    (202) 432-SEAT in Washington D.C. Ticket Information
    (703) 573-SEAT in Virginia Ticket Information
    (410) 481-SEAT in Maryland Ticket Information
  • MCI Center - Located at 7th and F Streets NW, MCI Center is the state-of-the-art home of the NBA’s Wizards, NHL’s Capitals, WNBA's Mystics, Georgetown Hoyas plus big-time concerts, family shows and sporting events.
  • Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards - Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards 333 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Westside of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Phone:  (410) 685-9800
  • Washington Capitals - MCI Center: Located at 7th and F Streets NW.
    For season tickets and partial plans, call 202-661-5050. For single-game tickets, call TicketMaster: 202-432-SEAT.
  • Washington Mystics - MCI Center: 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 (Between 6th and 7th, and F and G Street)
    202-661-5050 for season tickets & partial plans
    202-432-SEAT for individual game tickets
  • Washington Wizards - MCI Center: 601 F Street NW Washington, DC 20004 (Between 6th and 7th, and F and G Street)
    For season tickets and partial plans call (202) 661-5050.
    For single-game tickets, call TicketMaster at (202) 432-SEAT.


Theaters

  • Arena Stage - 6th and Maine Ave, SW. Telephone: (202) 488-3300 or (800) 777-2238.
  • Capitol Steps - The Capitol Steps now perform every Friday & Saturday night at 7:30 pm at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC). Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 202-432-7328 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com.
  • Discovery Theater - Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building 900 Jefferson Drive, SW. Performances for young audiences. Telephone: (202) 357-1500.
  • John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - New Hampshire Avenue at Rock Creek Parkway, NW. Free tours of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.  They depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center's main theaters, and dozens of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks given to the Center by foreign countries.  For more information, call (202) 416-8340 (TTY 416-8524). Foggy Bottom Metro Station.  (There is a free shuttle bus which takes visitors from the station to the center).
  • Source Theatre - 1835 14th Street, NW.  Location: 1835 14th Street, NW (between S & T Streets, NW, 2 blocks from the U STreet Cardoza Stop on Metro's Green Line).  Telephone: (202) 462-1073.
  • Warner Theater - Theatre Location: 13th & E Streets NW, Washington DC. Mailing Address: 1299 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 111 Telephone:  202-783-4000.  Metro:  Metro Center (Red, Orange, and Blue lines) is located 1/2 block north of the Theatre.


Tours and Other Places of Interest

  • Arlington National Cemetery - Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. Narrated bus tour run one half hour after opening to one half hour before closing. Phone:(703) 692-0931 Metro: Arlington Cemetary
  • Botanic Gardens - Maryland Avenue, SW. Group tours are available by request except Saturday and Sunday or during any shows. Telephone: (202) 225-8333 Metro: Federal Center South West.
  • Brookside Gardens - 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland. Metro: Go to the Glenmont Metro station and then take a 5-minute ride either on the 10 Ride-On bus (toward Hillandale), the Z1 Metro bus (toward Silver Spring Metro), or the C7 Metro bus (toward Greenbelt Metro)
  • Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 14th and C Streets SW>. See how US currency is printed.  Provides public tours Monday through Friday continually from 9:00 a.m until 2:00 p.m., leaving every 15 minutes. Public tours can be reserved by calling (202) 874-2330.
    You should enter at the Visitor Entrance on 14th Street. Metro: Smithsonian.
     
  • United States Capitol Building - The Capitol Guide Service conducts free guided tours of the Capitol Monday through Saturday throughout the year.  During the non-peak visitor season (September through February) tours are offered every 15 to 30 minutes, from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM.  During the peak visitor season (March through August), tours are offered every 10 to 15 minutes, from 9:00 AM until 7:30 PM.  Please call 202-225-6827 for the latest recorded information on visiting the Capitol.  Metro: Capitol South or Union Station.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip. Gallery passes to view proceedings on the House and Senate must be picked up at my Washington D.C. office at 2110 Rayburn House Office Building. The passes can only be used when the House and Senate are meeting.
  • Capital Children's Museum - The whole city block at 3rd and H streets, NE. About three blocks behind Union Station at 800 3rd Street, NE. The museum specializes in hands-on, interactive educational exhibits.   Telephone: (202) 675-4120 Metro: Union Station.
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation - This is a guided tour, lasting approximately 1 hour. Tours run every 20 minutes. Enter Rear of FBI Building on E Street between 9th and 10th Streets, NW. A 45 to 60 minute tour leaves every 15 to 20 minutes. Congressional tours are not available, however we can make reservations for you. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more people. Telephone: (202) FBI-3447 Metro: Gallery Place.
    Note: Due to renovations at the FBI building, tours are cancelled until sometime in 2004.
  • Folger Shakespeare Library - The Folger is located at 201 East Capitol St., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003-1094 Phone: 202-544-4600 Directions: The Folger is one block from the U.S. Capitol and is accessible by Metrobus. Limited street parking is available. Regularly scheduled, no prior arrangement necessary. Metro: Capitol South or Union Station
  • John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - New Hampshire Avenue at Rock Creek Parkway, NW.  Free tours of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.  Tours leave every 15 minutes.  They depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center's main theaters, and dozens of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks given to the Center by foreign countries.  For more information, call (202) 416-8340 (TTY 416-8524).  Foggy Bottom Metro Station.  (There is a free shuttle bus which takes visitors from the station to the center).
  • Library of Congress - Located on First Street SE between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street, the Library of Congress houses more than 119 million items, including the papers of 23 presidents of the United States, Thomas Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and the earliest motion picture print.

    Thomas Jefferson Building was completed in 1897 and restored to its original splendor in 1997. Visitors can view the Main Reading Room with its magnificent domed ceiling from the Visitors' Gallery.

    Adult's over the age of 18 can utilize the Library's collections once they register as readers in room LM 140 of the Madison Building. Please note that the stacks are closed and that books are requested for use in the appropriate reading rooms.

    There are guided tours daily, Monday through Saturday, at 11:30 am, 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00 pm. Spanish language tours are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 pm. All tours start in the Visitors' Center in the Jefferson Building.

    Researcher hours are not the same for all reading rooms. Be sure to call 707-6400 or visit the Library's web site for complete information.

  • National Aquarium - 14th Street between Constitution Avenue and D Street, NW. Tanks filled with fish, frogs, alligators, sharks, etc. Telephone: (202) 377-2825.
  • United States National Arboretum - 444 acres of trees, shrubs and assorted plants in the northeast section of the District of Columbia. Guide services for organized groups are available. Please make reservations for groups. Entrance: New York Avenue, NE. Metro: Stadium Armory on the Blue or Orange Lines, then Bus number B-2, B-4, or B-5 to the intersection of Bladensburg Road and R Street, Walk east of R Street 300 yards to the R street gate. Telephone: (202) 637-7000.
  • National Cathedral - It is located on Mount Saint Alban in Washington, D.C., which is one of the highest points in the city. Guided tours are given Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:15 pm and Sundays from 12:30 to 2:45 pm except during special events and services. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 per adult and $1.00 per child for tours. The grounds tour takes you through the Bishop's Lawn and Gardens. You get many details on the plants and trees in the garden. These tours are given on Wednesdays from 10:30 - 11:30 am, April through October.
  • United States Naval Observatory - 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW. The U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. conducts a free 90 minute tour of its facilities every Monday night at 8:30 pm, except on Federal holidays. Reservations are not necessary for individuals or for small groups, but groups of 15 to 30 should call or e-mail to make reservations. The tour includes presentations about the Master Clock, observations through telescopes (weather permitting), a video presentation on the mission and history of the Observatory, and discussions with staff astronomers. The Observatory is not open to the public at any other time. For tour reservations or for further information please call (202) 762-1467, or e-mail the USNO Public Affairs Office.
  • Eisenhower Executive Office Building - Next door to the White House, the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB) commands a unique position in both our national history and architectural heritage. Designed by Supervising Architect of the Treasury, Alfred B. Mullett, it was built from 1871 to 1888 to house the growing staffs of the State, War, and Navy Departments, and is considered one of the best examples of French Second Empire architecture in the country.
  • Old Post Office Pavilion - 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. National Parks Service offers a tour of the bell tower with a splendid view of the city. The lines for this tour are normally much shorter than for the Washington Memorial. Telephone: (202) 289-4224 Metro: Federal Triangle or Navy Memorial.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip.
  • Pentagon - Across the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia (I-395). Sights to see: the Flag Corridor and Hall of Heroes. Telephone: (703) 697-1776 Metro: Pentagon.
    Note: Public tours have been cancelled indefinitely because of security precautions.
  • Department of State - 2201 C Street, NW.  Tours of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms are given at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Reservations are required and should be made approximately four weeks in advance.  Due to the large volume of requests, reservations can be made up to three months in advance.  Tours may be arranged by contacting the Department of State Tour Office on 202-647-3241, fax (202) 647-4232, or TDD (202) 736-4474 between the hours of 8:15 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. weekdays.  The State Department Tour Office is closed on weekends and holidays.  Metro stop: Foggy Bottom
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip.
  • Supreme Court - First Street and Maryland Avenue, NE. Open Monday through Friday except on Federal holidays. Tours & public lectures are conducted in the courtroom from 9:00am to 4:30pm every hour on the half hour, except when court is in session.  No tours are given during August.  Reservations can be made through you Senators' or Representatives' office.  When the Court is in session tours are only given on Thursdays and Fridays.  To see the Court in session, wait in two lines outside the building.  The lines start forming around 8:30 a.m. so get there early!  Public lectures are conducted in the courtroom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when the Court is not in session. Telephone: (202) 479-3000.  Metro: Capitol South or Union Station.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip.
  • Department of the Treasury - This building was built in 1836 and since then has served as the headquarters for the Treasury Department. The tour includes the history of the Treasury Department and the building's architecture history. This includes a tour of the Andrew Johnson suite, where, in 1865, President Johnson conducted official business for 6 weeks after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It also includes the beautiful Salmon P. Chase suite, the Cash room (the site for Grant's inaugural reception), and the 1864 burglar proof vault. Entrance through Appointment Center doors located next to the White House on 15th street between F and G streets, NW. Hours: Saturday morning, lasting 90 minutes. Admission: free. For Tour information or to make an advanced reservation call (202) 622-0896. For hearing impaired tours call (202) 622-0692. Metro: Metro Center.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip.
  • White House - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Visitors are welcome from 7:45 a.m. am to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays.) Tours are available for groups of 10 or more people. Sorry, no exceptions will be made for smaller groups, per the White House. Requests must be submitted in writing to Congressman Hyde's Washington D.C. office at least one month in advance and up to six months in advance.  Due to mail delays, we recommend that you fax your request to (202) 225-1166, or email it by clicking on "contact me" in the blue menu on the left side of this page.. Tours are scheduled by the White House on a first-come, first-served basis. Congressman Hyde encourages you to submit your request as early as possible since a very limited number of tours are available. During the summer, tours are often filled months in advance. General information about these tours is available by calling the White House at (202) 456-7041. Metro: McPherson Square.
  • Zoological Park - 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW.15: 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., animal rooms open 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; September 16 to April 30: 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., animal rooms open 10:00 - 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted.  Phone (202)673-4800 or 673-4717. Metro stop: Woodley Park


Transportation

  • Baltimore/Washington International Airport
    • General Information (301) 261-1000
    • Ground Transportation (301) 261-1091
    • Amtrak BWI Station (301) 674-1167
  • Dulles International Airport
    • General Information (703) 471-7838
    • Lost and Found (703) 471-4114
    • Taxi Service (703) 528-4440
    • Travelers Aid (703) 661-8636
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
    • General Information (703) 685-8000
    • Lost and Found (703) 685-8034
    • Metro Information (703) 637-7000
    • Travelers Aid and Paging (703) 684-3472
  • Amtrak
    • (800) USA-RAIL
  • Metro (Public Transportation)
    • 6:00am to 11:30pm (days & times vary by route)
    • Transit Information, Timetable Requests & Parking Information (202) 637-7000
    • Handicapped Assistance (202) 962-1245
    • Lost & Found (202) 962-1196
  • Tourmobile Service:
    • The National Park Service has concessionaire-operated guided tourmobiles that travel from Capitol Hill to Arlington Cemetery and points in between with unlimited reboarding privileges the day of ticket purchase; call for rates.  Tourmobile opearates daily 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Phone (202) 554-7950 or 628-4844.

  • Traffic Report


    Washington D.C. and Adjacent State Home Pages

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