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Visiting Our Nations Capitol
There are many Washington D.C. tours which you can arrange on your own. The list below is an excellent resource of links and schedules for you to use as you plan your trip to our Nation's Capitol. The 
DC Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center ia also a great resource. You may reach them at 1-866-DCISFUN (324-7386) or 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, using the Federal Triangle Metro.
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Monuments & Memorials | Government & Public Buildings | Federal Departments | Museums & Galleries
Monuments and Memorials (back to top)
The Arlington National Cemetery (703) 607-8052
Open daily October through March from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and April through September from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. View the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. See the Amphitheater, the Custis- Lee Mansion, and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft.
Location: Memorial Drive and Hwy 110
Metro: Arlington Cemetery
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
This memorial is a tribute to both President Roosevelt and the time in which he lived. There is a sequence of four outdoor rooms, each representing one of FDR's four terms in office. Park ranger talks and tours daily.
Location: Between the Potomac River and the Cherry Tree Walk of the Tidal Basin
Metro: Smithsonian
Jefferson Memorial (202) 426-6822
This monument is in honor of Thomas Jefferson, third president, author of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. You may rent paddleboats at the Swan Boathouse and cruise the Basin. Open 8:00 AM to Midnight every day but Christmas.
Location: South end of the Tidal Basin at 14th St
Metro: Smithsonian
Korean War Veterans Memorial
On the National Mall, use the Foggy Bottom Metro
Lincoln Memorial (202) 426-6895
This monument is in honor of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president, overlooking the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. Open 24 hours daily
Location: West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street
Metro: Foggy Bottom
U.S. Marine Corps Memorial to Iwo Jima
Arlington Boulevard and Meade Street in Arlington, Virginia
Metro: Rosslyn
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (202) 634-1568
Constructed of black granite to honor all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. In chronological order are over 58,000 names inscribed in the wall. Open 24 hours daily.
Location: Constitution Gardens on Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Ave NW, on the Mall
Metro: Foggy Bottom
The Washington Monument (202) 426-6840
Closed through late spring, the Washington Monument is the city's tallest structure, standing at 555' 5", a tribute to our nation's first president. There are 897 steps the public may walk down, however, to reach the top, elevators must be used. The lines tend to be long, but they generally move quickly. Your wait will be rewarded by a panoramic view of the nation's capitol from the top of the Monument. Open daily the day after Easter to Labor Day from 8:00AM to Midnight and from Labor Day through March from 9:00AM to 5:00 PM. Reserved tickets may be purchased online through the National Park Service. Closed until late spring for renovations.
Location: On the Mall at 15th Street NW
Metro: Smithsonian
World War II Memorial
The memorial is now open to the public. Located on the National Mall, use the Smithsonian Metro.
Government & Public Buildings (back to top)
The U.S. Capitol (202) 225-6827
The Capitol Guide Service conducts free guided tours of the Capitol Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The first public tour begins each day at 9:00 A.M. and the last at 3:30 PM. Tours last approximately thirty to forty minutes. Tickets are distributed each morning beginning at 9:00 AM at first-come first-served at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk in front of the West Entrance of the Capitol. Tickets are required for all tours of the Capitol. Capitol Guide Service personnel distribute the tickets on a first come, first serve basis from the Kiosk at the Southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, across from the Botanic Gardens. Tickets are distributed one per person and are for same day admission only. During the busy months of Spring and Summer, the line for tickets forms quite early in the morning, so please plan accordingly. The Capitol is closed Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving. Information about tours for the disabled is available from the Congressional Special Services Office at 202-224-4048 (voice) or 202-224-4049 (TDD). Tour Bus Route between the Capitol and Lot B at Union Station.
Location: East corner of the National Mall
Metro: Capitol South or Union Station
Eisenhower Old Executive Office Building
Pennsylvania Ave and 17 th St, NW, use the Farragut North or Farragut West Metros.
The Library of Congress (202) 707-5458
The world's largest and most open research library, millions of scholars, readers and tourists visit the Library of Congress annually. Our country's national library contains over 75 million volumes. Public tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. Guided tours for groups of 10 or fewer of the Thomas Jefferson building available 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM (Sat. 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM only). Groups of 10 or more require reservations. Open Mon-Sat 10 AM - 5:30 PM, admittance is free. American Treasures of the Library of Congress
Location: Jefferson Building , 1st St and Independence Ave, SE
Metro: Capitol South or Union Station
The National Archives (202) 501-5000
The National Archives building is being renovated, however the building remains open to the public during renovation and tours are available. The Rotunda is where the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are on display.
Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial
U.S. Naval Observatory (202) 653-1543
Evening hours are available Monday at 8:30 PM, weather permitting, exception Federal holidays.
Location: 34th and Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Metro: Friendship Heights
U.S. Supreme Court (202) 479-3030
This impressive building of white marble houses the highest court in the land. Public tours are offered Monday through Friday every hour on the half hour from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM, except Federal holidays. No tours are given during August. The Supreme Court is in session beginning the first Monday in October and continues for two weeks per month through April. Courtroom seats are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis when the Court is in session. Visitors are also welcome to attend one of the 20-minute public lectures scheduled each day that the Court is not hearing oral arguments. Lectures are held every hour from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM. No reservations are required.
Location: 1st and East Capitol Streets, NE
Metro: Capitol South or Union Station
The White House Visitor Center (202) 208-1631
Located inside the north end of the Department of Commerce Building between 14th & 15th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue, open daily 7:30AM – 4:00PM. It offers an array of information on the architecture, furnishings, first families and social events, a 30 minute video and a gift shop. The National Park Service at the White House Visitor Center is also available to provide your group with a variety of alternative experiences related to the White House, including guided walks, talks, films and lectures. There are several memorials, monuments and statues located in the White House Ellipse, as well as the Visitors Pavilion (8:00AM – 3:00PM) information, concessions and gifts. There is no parking available, but there are several parking garages nearby. Read about the history, life in the White House, watch videos and take an online tour by clicking here.
Location: 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Metro: Metro Center or Federal Triangle
Federal Departments (back to top)
Bureau of Engraving & Printing (202) 283-2646
See how United States currency is printed. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. closed weekends, federal holidays and December 24 through January 3rd. Public tours are available from 10:00 AM to 1:45 PM and are 30-45 minutes in length. Tickets are required and are available at 8:00 AM each day for that day's tours only. The ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street). Evening tours from May 6th through August 30th are offered every 5 minutes from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The ticket booth reopens at 3:30 PM to disburse free tickets. Closed weekends and federal holidays.
Location: 14th and C Streets, SW
Metro: Smithsonian
Department of the Treasury (202) 637-7000
All tours of the Main Treasury Building have been suspended until further notice.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.)
Closed to tours. No public or Congressional tours are available at this time.
Museums and Galleries (back to top)
Corcoran Gallery of Art (202) 639-1700
500 17th Street NW, use the Farragut Square or Foggy Bottom Metros
Ford's Theater and Lincoln Museum (202) 426-6924
The building is open every day between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM with the exception of Christmas. The Petersen's Boarding House, where President Lincoln died, is across the street and free tours are available.
Location: 10th Street between E and F Streets
Metro: Metro Center, Gallery Place/ Chinatown, or Archives/Navy Memorial
Holocaust Memorial Museum (202) 488-0400
The Holocaust Museum serves as a national repository for Holocaust related artifacts and materials. Permanent exhibition is recommended for those over the age of 11. Open 7 days a week except on Christmas and Yom Kippur. Admission is free and a limited number of tickets are passed out each day. During peak tourist season, tickets are usually completely dispensed before noon. To ensure a specific day for the museum, you can reserve your tickets through Tickets.com at (800) 400-9373 for a fee of $2.75 a ticket.
Location: South of Independence Ave SW between 14th St and Raoul Wallenborg Place
Metro: Smithsonian
International Spy Museum (202) 393-7798
Gain access to the world's largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Over 600 pieces are on exhibit, including our collection of G-Man toys from the 1930s and 1940s when interest in G-Men ("G" stands for "Government," in this case FBI agents) was at a high and children searched for worthy role models. Same-Day Tickets are those purchased in person at the International Spy Museum for use on the same day as purchased, either for immediate access or for a time later the same day. All Tickets are date and time specific and are subject to availability. You may purchase advance tickets by phone at 800.551.7328 (800.551.SEAT); online Ticketmaster.com
Location: 800 F Street NW
Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown or Archives/Navy Memorial
National Building Museum (202) 272-2448
Open to the public Monday - Saturday, 10AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, 11AM to 5 PM. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. On rare occasions, the Museum may close for a special event. Admission is free. A donation of $5 per person is suggested.
Location: 401 F Street NW, between 4th and 5th Streets
Metro: Judiciary Square
National Gallery of Art (202) 737-4215
Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To make your self-guided visit to the National Gallery of Art more enjoyable, please call (202) 789-4623 two weeks prior to your visit to register your group. Leave your name, the name of your school, your school address, and the date and time you will be coming to the Gallery. Self-guided groups must be accompanied by one adult chaperone for every ten students. Please indicate whether you would like to receive information describing resources at the Gallery. Self-guided groups must register their groups either in advance by phone or at the Art Information Desk upon arrival.
Location: National Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW
Metro: Judiciary Square, Archives/Navy Memorial, or Smithsonian
National Geographic Society (202) 857-7588
The Society's museum, Explorers Hall Admission is free. Open Monday through Saturday and holidays from 9AM to 5PM Sundays from 10AM to 5PM. Closed December 25.
Location: 17thand M Streets N.W.
Metro: Farragut North or Farragut West
The Smithsonian Institution (202) 357-2700
As the world's largest museum complex, it holds over 139 million artifacts of American history; including the Air and Space Mus3001 Connecticut Avenue NWeum, Arts and Industries, Museum of Natural History, and Museum of American History. Open year round from 10:00AM to 5:30 PM. Search the Smithsonian site for a full list of all 15 museums.
Location: National Mall
Metro: Smithsonian
The National Zoo
Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is the nation's zoo. It is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. You can visit the Zoo 364 days a year to see 2,000 individual animals of 400 different species. Come explore the Zoo and help us celebrate, study, and protect the diversity of animals and their habitats. Admission to the National Zoo is FREE. There is a fee for parking in Zoo lots, but FONZ members park for free!
Location: 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW
Metro: Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan or the Cleveland Park