Public
Tour Information Guide
UNITED
STATES CAPITOL - The half-hour public tour is available
Monday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and
New Year's Day, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free timed tickets
are distributed for tours throughout the day beginning at 9:00
AM. The public tour line begins at the southwest corner of the
building, near Independence Ave and 1st Street, SW. All security
screening is done at this facility, and groups of 40 are then
escorted by the Capitol Guide Service to the Rotunda to begin
their tour. Passes for the House and Senate galleries are available
in my office at 1126 Longworth, telephone: 202/225-5541. Capitol
Guide service info: 202/225-6827.
LIBRARY
OF CONGRESS - Visitor’s Center is located inside
Jefferson Building at the Ground Level. Open Monday through
Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Located at First Street
and Independence Avenue, SE. Public Tours are available Monday-Friday
10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM; Saturdays
10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM. Congressional reserved
tours are available through my office. Visitor’s office
telephone: 202/707-8000. Groups of 10 or more contact the
Library of Congress directly at 202/707-0919
THE
SUPREME COURT - Open Monday through Friday 9 AM to
4:30 PM, closed Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays. Lectures
are held from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM every hour on the half hour
when the court is not in session. No tours are given during
August. Located at First Street and Maryland Avenue, NE. Group
tours of 50 or more must contact the Supreme Court at least
one month in advance. Telephone: 202/479-3211.
THE
WHITE HOUSE - Walk-in tours are not operating at this
time. Advanced group tours may only be requested through my
office. These self-guided tours are scheduled from 7:30 AM
-12:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday excluding federal holidays. Requests
may be submitted up to six months in advance, but no later
than one month prior to the desired tour date. Telephone:
202/456-7041. The White House visitor's center is open daily
to the public from 7:30 AM to 4 PM and features many aspects
of the White House including information on its architecture,
furnishings, first families, social events, and relations
with the press and world leaders as well as a 30 minute video.
It is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. Telephone: 202/208-1631.
NATIONAL
ARCHIVES - Admission is free, reservations are required
for groups of 20 or more. Open daily 10 AM to 5:30 PM closed
Dec. 25. Located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Plan on spending
at least 90 minutes at the National Archives viewing a 17-minute
introductory film in the McGowan Theater and visiting three
exhibit galleries - the Lawrence F. O’Brien changing
exhibit gallery, The Public Vaults permanent exhibit gallery,
and the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom - home of the
Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
BUREAU
OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING - Open Monday through Friday
(Sep-April) from 9 AM to 10:45 AM and 12:30 PM to 2 PM with
tours leaving every 15 minutes. Extended summer hours (May-Aug)
are 5 PM to 7 PM with tours leaving every 15 minutes. The
Bureau is closed federal holidays and the week between Christmas
and New Years. The visitor's entrance is on 14th and C Streets,
SW. Public tickets are released starting at 8 AM visitors
usually begin lining up early. Additionally, advanced group
tours are available through my office. Requests may be submitted
up to six months in advance, but no later than two weeks prior
to the desired tour date. School group tours are from 11 AM
to 12:15 PM every 15 minutes with a maximum of 50 people per
tour. Complete school group reservation forms should be faxed
to 202/874-6331.Telephone: 202/874-2330.
FEDERAL
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION - The FBI has currently suspended
all tours until 2007. Telephone: 202/FBI-3447.
FORD'S
THEATER AND THE LINCOLN MUSEUM - Self-guided tours
are available seven days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM except when
theatrical rehearsals are in progress. Guides also narrate
certain details of the theater. Located at 10th Street between
E and F Streets, NW. Telephone: 202/426-9624.
THE
PENTAGON - Tours of the Pentagon are available to
schools, educational organizations and other select groups
by reservation only. Groups interested in touring the Pentagon
should contact the Pentagon Tour Office at 703-697-1776.
NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC WORLD HEADQUARTERS - Admission is free.
Open Monday through Sunday and holidays from 9 AM to 5 PM,
closed Dec. 25. Visit Explorers' Hall and view National Geographic's
latest expedition artifacts, including Jaques Cousteau's diving
saucer and Admiral Perry's sled, as well as hundreds of breathtaking
photographs. Located at 17th and M Streets, NW. Telephone:
202/857-7588.
EMBASSY
ROW - Some of the most impressive and varied residential
architecture -- ranging from the traditional British diplomatic
compound to the sleek- new Brazilian Embassy -- can be found
along this stately avenue. The official residence of the Vice
President of the United States is also located on Embassy
Row. Located at Massachusetts Avenue, NW from Sheridan Circle
north to Wisconsin Avenue.
JOHN
F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - Free tours
of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy
Center from 10 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday and 10 AM
to 1 PM, Saturday and Sunday. The hour-long tour leaves every
15 minutes from the Tour Lounge at Parking Plaza Level A,
and features 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. Additionally,
Congressional reserved tours are available through my office
at least two weeks in advance. For information on performances
and seating availability call 202/416-8340 (TTY 416-8524).
THE
NATIONAL ZOO -Admission is free. April 2 through October
28: grounds -- 6 AM to 6 PM; buildings -- 10 AM to 4:30 PM;
and October 25, 2005 through April 1, 2006: grounds -- 6 AM
to 8 PM; buildings – 10 AM to 6 PM. In the spring, many
school buses full of children arrive at the Zoo between 10
AM and noon. For a more enjoyable, quieter experience, we
recommend that you visit early in the day, between 8 and 10
AM, or later in the afternoon, after 2 PM. The animals are
generally more active at these times, too, and lines to see
the giant pandas are more likely to be short. Located at 3000
Connecticut Avenue, NW. See the great panda and tiger exhibits.
Telephone: 202/673-4800.
BOTANIC
GARDENS - Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Located at
1st Street and Maryland Avenue, SW. Telephone: 202/225-8333.
NATIONAL
AQUARIUM - Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, except Christmas
and Thanksgiving, with last admission at 4:30 PM. Self-guided
tours take about 45 minutes to an hour. Located in the U.S.
Department of Commerce Building on 14th Street between Constitution
and Pennsylvania Avenues. It is the oldest public aquarium
in the country. There are tanks of fish, frogs, alligators,
sharks, etc. and a special area for children to handle sea
creatures. Admission (cash or check only): Adults $5.00, Seniors
and Military Personnel: $4.00, Children ages 2-10 $2.00, Children
under two free. Telephone: 202/482-2825.
MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS
NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE - General Information: 202/426-6841
http://www.nps.gov/
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL - The memorial is situated on the south
bank of the Tidal Basin at West Potomac Park. Open daily,
24 hours. There is a museum located in the lower lobby. Free
tours 8 AM to midnight. Pedal boats can be rented at the Swan
Boathouse from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 202/426.6841
http://www.nps.gov/thje/
LINCOLN MEMORIAL - Open daily, 24 hours. Free tours
are available from 8 AM to 11:45PM. The memorial is located
at the Memorial Bridge and Independence Avenue.
http://www.nps.gov/linc/
WASHINGTON MONUMENT -Open daily 9 AM to 4:45 PM. Located
on the National Mall at 15th Street, NW. In order to enter
the Washington Monument, tickets are required. The ticket
system is administered through the National Park Reservation
Service (NPRS). Reservations for the Washington Monument may
be made between 10 AM and 10 PM by calling 1-800-967-2283
or over the Internet at http://reservations.nps.gov. Those
making advance reservations will be charged $1.50 service
fee per ticket, plus a $.50 handling fee per order. Free tickets
are distributed for that day's visit from the kiosk on the
Washington Monument grounds at 15th Street and Madison Drive
on a first-come first-served basis. Hours for the ticket kiosk
are 8 AM to 4:30 PM, but tickets run out early.
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/home.htm
IWO JIMA MEMORIAL -Located across the Potomac in Northern
Virginia on Rte. 50, near Arlington National Cemetery. This
statue was erected in memory of all marines who lost their
lives since 1775. Telephone 703-298-2500 for information about
scheduled events.
http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/usmc.htm
VIETNAM VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL - Constructed of Black
Granite to honor and recognize all Americans who served in
the Vietnam War. The names of over 58,000 who gave their lives
or who remain missing are inscribed in the memorial's walls.
The names are in chronological order and help is available
in locating names. Located at the Memorial Bridge and Independence
Avenue. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is opened daily from
8 AM until 11:45 PM, daily.
http://www.nps.gov/vive/
KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL - Honors those who fought in the
Korean War. Located at the Memorial Bridge and Independence
Avenue. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is opened daily from
8 AM until 11:45 PM daily.
http://www.nps.gov/kwvm/
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - The memorial 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. It is located on 17th Street, between
Constitution and Independence Avenues, and is flanked by the
Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to
the west. The memorial is operated by the National Park Service
and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information about visiting the memorial, accessibility,
parking, directions, special events and other details, please
visit the National Park Service Web site at http://www.nps.gov/nwwm/
or call the Park Service at 202/619-7222. Or visit the memorial's
website at http://www.wwiimemorial.com/
ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL - The main part of the memorial
remains open 24 hours a day. The Interpretive Ranger staff,
are there from 8 AM to midnight daily except Christmas Day.
The Bookstore opens from 8 AM to 10 PM. Honors FDR's four
terms in office from 1933 - 1945. Located along the famous
cherry tree walk on the Tidal Basin, West Potomac Park. Telephone:
202/426-6841.
http://www.nps.gov/fdrm/
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM -NATIONAL MALL - Open daily 10
AM to 5:30 PM, except Christmas. The world's most popular
museum, displaying the Wright brother's plane, "The Spirit
of St. Louis", the Apollo II command module and several
other interesting exhibits. The films, "Living Planet"
and "To Fly," are shown daily. Located Independence
Ave at 4th, SW. Telephone: 202/633-2211
http://www.nasm.si.edu/
AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM - THE UDVAR-HAZY CENTER - Open
daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, except Christmas. It is located
south of the main terminal at Dulles Airport in northern Virginia,
near the intersection of Routes 28 and 50. The 70,611-square-meter
(760,057-square-foot) building is situated on 176.5 acres.
The facility has a large aviation exhibit hangar and a separate
space exhibit hangar, an observation tower from which visitors
can watch air traffic at Dulles Airport, classrooms, a large-format
theater, food service and more. Museum collection includes
the Enola Gay, Space Shuttle Enterprise, SR-71 Blackbird,
and The Concorde. Telephone 703-572-4118. A shuttle bus service
runs between the downtown Museum and the new Center for a
fee.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/
ARTS AND INDUSTRIES BUILDING - (Currently closed for
renovations) Open daily 10 AM to 5:30 PM. The dynamic spirit
of America 100 years ago is recaptured in this building. Used
for president James Garfield's inaugural ball in 1881, today
it houses "1876: A Centennial Exhibition." Located
at 9th Street and Jefferson Drive, SW. Telephone: 202/357-1481.
http://www.si.edu/ai/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY - Open daily 10
AM to 5:30 PM. Highlights include the First Ladies' gowns,
George Washington's uniform and tent, and milestones of American
invention: Bell's telephone, Ford's Model T and Whitney's
model of the original cotton gin. Tours are available Tuesday
to Saturday at various times. Located at 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW. Telephone: 202/357-2700.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN - Open daily
10 AM to 5:30 PM, closed Dec. 25. Set against the backdrop
of the National Mall and Capitol building, the National Museum
of the American Indian celebrates the cultural achievements
of Native Americans from North, Central, and South America.
Located at 4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W. Telephone:
202/633-1000.
http://www.nmai.si.edu/
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - Open daily from 10 AM
to 5:30 PM except Dec. 25. Beginning on March 24, the museum
will be open until 7:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning
on May 26, the museum will be open until 7:30 PM every evening.
The museum will be closed on April 8, 22, June 13, 19 due
to special events. Exhibits range from the mounted African
bush elephant, dinosaur skeletons, and the 92-fool model of
a blue wale to the Hope diamond and the bones of a tiny pocket
mouse. Located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.
Telephone 202/633-1000 TTY 202/357-1729
http://www.mnh.si.edu/
SMITHSONIAN BUILDING - Open 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. This
building, popularly known as the Castle, symbolizes the entire
Smithsonian to many. Today it houses the Visitor Information
Center. Located at 10th Street and Jefferson Drive, SW. Telephone:
202/357-2700.
http://www.si.edu/visit/infocenter/sicastle.htm
All of the above Smithsonian Museums are open daily 10:00
a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Memorial Day thru Labor Day and 10:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the remainder of the year. For information
on Special Events recorded daily call: 202/357-2020.
ART GALLERIES
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART - The National Gallery
encompasses all aspects of the visual arts. Located on the
National Mall between Third and Ninth Streets at Constitution
Avenue, NW, it is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM
to 5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM closed Dec. 25 and January
1. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is located
on the National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Ave NW.
For general information call 202/737-4215
http://www.nga.gov/
THE HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN - The Hirshhorn
features contemporary painting and sculpture from the past
125 years. Located on Independence Avenue at 7th Street, SW.
Open daily except December 25; Museum: 10 AM - 5:30 PM, Plaza:
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Sculpture Garden: 7:30 AM - dusk. Walk-in
tours are available weekdays at 10:30 AM, 12 noon, 1 PM and
weekend 12 noon, 1 PM and 2 PM. Walk-in tours of the Sculpture
Garden are available June 1 through September 30 Monday-Saturday
at 10:30 AM. Telephone: 202/357-3091.
http://hirshhorn.si.edu/
THE FREER GALLERY - Open Daily from 10 AM to 5:30
PM except Dec. 25, this museum features Far and Near East
art works, a few dating back 2,000 years. Located on Jefferson
Drive at 12th Street, SW. Telephone: 202/357-4880.
http://www.asia.si.edu/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART - This museum celebrates
American art from the 19th and 20th centuries. It is currently
closed for renovations; however, the museum is continuing
a full program of exhibitions and events at its Renwick Gallery,
located near the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th
Street N.W. The museum's Renwick Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting
American crafts from the 19th to the 21st century and is open
from 10 AM to 5:30 PM Telephone: 202/275-1500.
http://americanart.si.edu/index3.cfm
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY - A four-year renovation
of the Patent Office Building, which houses the National Portrait
Gallery is currently underway until it reopens in July 2006.
Contact the office at (202)275-1738.
http://www.npg.si.edu/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART - This museum has in
its possession the finest collection of African art in the
United States, as well as American art influenced by African
styles. Located at 950 Independence Avenue, S.W. Hours are
10 AM to 5:30 PM daily except Dec. 25. Telephone: 202/633-4600.
http://www.nmafa.si.edu/voice.html
RENWICK GALLERY - The Renwick is a small, intimate
museum that features early American furnishings, as well as
samples of Americana. Open seven days a week from 10 AM to
5:30 PM except Dec. 25. Located across Pennsylvania Avenue
at 17th Street, NW. Telephone: 202/275-1693.
http://americanart.si.edu/renwick/index.cfm
THE CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART - This collection includes
many familiar American and European paintings as well as changing
exhibits by contemporary American artists. Located on 17th
Street at New York Avenue, NW. The Corcoran is open from 10
AM to 5 PM Wednesday to Sunday and Thursday’s until
9 PM. Closed every Tuesday and Thanksgiving, Christmas Day,
New Year’s Day. Closed all Mondays except for holiday
weekends, see the website for details. Admission is $8.00
adults, $6.00 seniors and military personnel, $4.00 students
with a current ID, $3.00 member guests. Telephone: 202/638-1070.
http://www.corcoran.org/
THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION - This private collection
features some of the finest French Impressionist paintings
in America. The Phillips collection is located in the heart
of Washington's "artist community" at 16112 21st
Street, NW. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM to 5
PM, Thursdays 10 AM to 8:30 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 7 PM, Sundays
in June-September 12 PM-5 PM. Closed on New Years Day, Martine
Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas
Day. Introductory, walk-in tours: Wednesdays and Saturdays
at 2 PM, no charge, for tours of the permanent collection:
Adults: $12.00 per person; Senior Adults (62+) and Students:
$10.00 per person, no charge for visitors under 18 or Museum
Members. There is no separate weekend admission charge for
entry to the Permanent Collection. Telephone: (202)387-2151.
http://www.phillipscollection.org/
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM - Quickly becoming one of
DC's most popular attractions. The museum opens at 10 AM daily.
April through October, the last tickets are sold at 7 pm,
and the Museum closes at 8 PM. November through March, the
last tickets are sold at 5 PM, and the Museum closes at 6
PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day.
Please note there is often a waiting line for admission on
weekends and holidays, especially during peak visiting hours
10 AM to 2 PM. The wait on holidays and weekends averages
between 1.5 to 3 hours. For the shortest wait, plan your arrival
for after 2 PM, keeping in mind that the last tickets are
sold 1 hour prior to closing. Please allow at least 1.5 hours
to enjoy all the museum has to offer. The Permanent Exhibition
is most appropriate for ages 12+. General Admission: Adults
(12-64): $15, Seniors (age 65+)/ Military & Intelligence
(with valid ID): $14, Children (grades K - 12): $12, Children
4 and under: Free. It is highly recommended that tickets be
purchased in advance off of their website at www.spymuseum.org.
Located at 800 F St., NW near the Gallery Place/Chinatown
Metro and MCI Arena. Telephone: 866/779-6873.
http://www.spymuseum.org/siteintro.asp
WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL - The largest Gothic
Cathedral in the Western Hemisphere. The Gloria in Excelsis
tower is the highest point in Washington. Located at Wisconsin
and Massachusetts Avenues, NW. Open Sunday 8 AM to 5:30 PM,
Monday-Friday 10 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
Tours are available Sunday 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM, Monday through
Friday 10 AM to 11:30 AM; 12:45 PM to 3:30 PM. On Mondays
and Wednesday when there is an organ demonstration scheduled,
tours are offered approx. 1:15 PM to 3:30PM. Saturday tours
are 10 AM to 11:30AM and 12:45PM-3:30PM. On Saturday the nave
is often closed due to special events. Telephone: 202/537-6200.
http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY - Open daily from 8 AM
to 5 PM, October thru March, and 8 AM to 7 PM, April thru
September. See the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater,
the Curtis-Lee mansion and the graves of Presidents John F.
Kennedy and William Howard Taft. The Changing of the Guard
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers occurs every hour on the
hour and every half hour during the summer months. Tour-mobile
tours are $2.00 for children under 11 and $4.00 for adults.
Telephone: 703/607-8052.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/
THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM - Open daily from 10 AM to 5:30
PM. Closed on Yom Kippur and Christmas Day. Located at 100
Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. There is also an entrance on 14th
Street next to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Timed
passes are required for visiting the permanent exhibition.
Tickets can be obtained on the day of visit or in advance
by calling tickets.com at 800/400-9373. Each day, the museum
tickets are released on a first-some first-served basis. Telephone:
202/488-0400. TTY: 202/488-0406
www.ushmm.org
MOUNT VERNON - Open daily April through August from
8 AM - 5 PM March, September, October from 9 AM - 5 PM November
through February from 9 AM - 4 PM. George Washington's mansion
overlooking the Potomac River. Admission: Adults $13.00, Senior
Citizens (62+ with identification) $12.00, Youth (ages 6-11
accompanied by an adult) $6.00, Children (5 and under accompanied
by an adult) Free, Annual Pass (unlimited daytime admission
for one year) - $18.00, add a Youth to Annual Pass, each -
$9.00 Telephone: 703/780-2000.
http://www.mountvernon.org/
GEORGETOWN - Georgetown is the focal point of much
of Washington's nightlife. It contains some of the best restaurants,
cafes and nightspots in town. It is also a shopper's paradise.
OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA - Located just minutes from downtown
Washington, the City of George Washington looks much the way
it did in the latter parts of the 18th century. Old Town's
cobblestone streets are home to some of the Washington area's
most interesting shops and restaurants.
UNION STATION - Wander through this beautifully renovated
historic station, stop to eat at one of the many fine restaurants
within, and browse in the many fine shops. Located at First
Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NE.
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