Visiting Washington DC

US State Capitol Building

Washington, D.C., is a town brimming with history and culture and your visit here will provide lasting memories. Click here to find information on where to stay and how to get around. Below, you will find a listing of available tours that our office can schedule for you. Please contact one of our offices if you are interested.

The White House

Tours are limited to those arranged through Congressional offices only. Tours begin at 7:30 and end at 12:30 Tuesday through Saturday. Tour requests need to be submitted at least three months in advance. However, we understand that trips to DC can formulate at the last minute, so please contact the tour coordinator in the DC office to see if there are any available times. Please go to the official site of The White House for more information, www.whitehouse.gov

United States Capitol Building

Congressional tours of the United States Capitol are available Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays, by contacting our office in advance. Tours will be given by knowledgeable staff members at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. This option is highly recommended for those interested.

Group tours of the Capitol are available on a limited basis for groups larger than 45 people Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. Tours should be requested several months in advance by contacting our office.

Public tours of the Capitol are available Monday through Saturday, except on federal holidays, by obtaining a free timed entry pass from the Tour Guide kiosk on the Southwest Corner of the Capitol Grounds. Tickets are distributed on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the day of the tour. Only one pass will be given out per person. A tour guide from the Capitol Guide service will lead a group throughout the Capitol building.

The following items are prohibited from being brought into the Capitol: cans, bottles and all liquids; aerosol and non-aerosol sprays; knives of any length, razors, and boxcutters; oversized backpacks, suitcases and dufflebags; mace and pepper spray; guns and weapons. For more information, go to www.aoc.gov

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Located at 14th and C Streets, SW, just one block from the Washington Monument, the Mint offers tours Monday through Friday. These tours last approximately one hour. Nearest Metro stop: Smithsonian. Congressional Tours can be arranged through our office or public tours occur between 9-10:45 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. For a public tour, tickets are needed from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and can be obtained on the 15th street side of the building. For additional tour information, please see www.moneyfactory.com

United States Supreme Court

Congressional tours are offered Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. when the Court is not hearing oral arguments. Tours last approximately 40 minutes and consist of a lecture in the Courtroom followed by a tour of the building. Groups larger than six cannot be accommodated on a Congressional tour and will have to line up for a public tour. Public tours are available on a first come, first-serve basis and occur at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. There is also a museum underneath the courtroom that enhances the tour. Nearest Metro stop: Capitol South or Union Station. For more information, please see www.supremecourtus.gov

Library of Congress

Tours offered on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. During the busy summer months, a 2 p.m. tour is also offered. Tours last approximately one hour. Nearest Metro stop: Capitol South. For more information on the Library of Congress, please see www.loc.gov

The Pentagon

Group Tours are available on a limited basis to select groups including educational institutions (middle schools/high schools/colleges), churches, government agencies, or military organizations. Tours run Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Groups that exceed 20 people will be split into smaller groups upon arrival. Groups should arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled tour time; groups arriving 20 minutes late will be cancelled. Tours can be requested either through our office or through the website. For more information, please see www.dod.gov

Department of State

Tours are given Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. The tours last 45 minutes and are recommended for those 12 years of age and over. Strollers, briefcases, backpacks and any kind of packages are not permitted. Contact our office to schedule a tour. For more information, please see receptiontours.state.gov/

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Tours offered Monday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tours last approximately one and half hours and conclude at the Millennium Stage. Free performances are offered every evening at 6 p.m. at the Millennium Stage. Nearest Metro stop: Foggy Bottom. For additional tour information, please see www.kennedy-center.org

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Tours are offered everyday at 8:45 a.m. This 45-minute walking tour of the grounds of the Estate is led by one of Mount Vernon's historic interpreters and concludes with a memorable wreath-laying ceremony at Washington's Tomb. Following the tour, guests are invited to walk through the Mansion on their own. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Nearest Metro stop: Mount Vernon. For more information on tours of the grounds and mansion, please see www.mountvernon.org

United States Marine Corps Evening Parade

Friday evenings from May 7 - August 27 at 8 p.m. This special event is located at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets, SE. Parking is extremely limited. Nearest Metro stop: Eastern Market. For more information, please call (202) 225-7125 ext 11.

Washington National Cathedral

Monday and Wednesday at 9:15am. This place of inspiration and beauty was built with attention to craftsmanship and artistic detail in stained glass, needlework, wrought iron, sculpture and stone. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and consist of a tour of the building and invitation to see the surrounding grounds and gardens. For more information, please see www.cathedral.org

Smithsonian Museums

Welcome to the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Composed of 16 museums and the National Zoo in the Washington-metropolitan area along with two museums in New York City, the Smithsonian's exhibitions offer visitors a glimpse into its vast collection numbering over 142 million objects. Visit www.si.edu for more information

The National Archives

The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in downtown Washington, D.C., contains the permanent exhibit of the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. A new exhibit called the Public Vaults displays over 1,000 fascinating records (originals or reproductions) from the National Archives holdings. Visit the National Archives for more information, www.archives.gov

The International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum is the only public museum in the world solely dedicated to the tradecraft, history and contemporary role of espionage. The Museum's permanent exhibition presents the tradecraft of espionage through the stories of individuals and their missions, tools and techniques. Exhibits feature the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display -- many for the first time. Admission rates are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Visit www.spymuseum.org/index.asp for more information

United States Botanic Gardens

The U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) currently maintains about 26,000 plants. The plants are used for exhibition, study and exchange with other institutions. The Garden's noteworthy collections include economic plants, medicinal plants, orchids, cacti and succulents, bromeliads, cycads and ferns. Admission to all public areas of the U.S. Botanic Garden is free. The Conservatory is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays. The Conservatory main entrance is located at 100 Maryland Avenue, SW. Visit the official U.S. Botanic Garden site for more information, www.usbg.gov