Museums

Ford’s Theater and Lincoln Museum

Visit the historic site where President Lincoln was assassinated and explore some of the motivation behind this tragic act and its impact on the nation.

Admission: Free and is open to the general public, Open all year from 9:00am-5:00pm

Located: 511 10th Street, NW between E & F St (Metro stop: Metro Center).

For more information please call (202) 426-6924

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

The museum’s permanent exhibition, The Holocaust spans, three floors of the museum building. It presents a narrative history using more than 900 artifacts, 70 video monitors and four theaters that include historic film footage and eyewitness testimonies.

Admission: Timed passes are free on first come first serve basis for permanent exhibitions, for the rest of the museum, passes may be used for duration of hours of operation.

Free admission 10:00am- 5:30pm

Located: South of Independence Ave, SW between 14th and Raoul Wallenberg Place.

Fore more information please call (202) 488-0400

The Smithsonian Institutions

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum complex and research organization. Composed of 14 museums and the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

Includes: Anacostia Museums and Center for African American History and Culture, Arts and Industries Building, National Design Museum, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of the American Indian, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Smithsonian Institution Building "the Castle."

Admission: Free, Open daily 10:00am-5:30pm except for December 25, the National Air and Space Museum open 10:00am-7:30pm.

For more information regarding Smithsonian Institutions please call (202) 357-2729

Smithsonian Washington D.C. National Zoo

Discover and appreciate diverse and unusual creatures from tiny leaf cutter-ants to giant giraffes. Sections of the National Zoo include; the African Savanna, Amazonia, Asian Trail, Giant Pandas, Great Apes & Primates, Birds, Invertebrates, Kid’s Farm, Ocean Living and much more. Admission: Free, Open year round: April 3 to October 31; Grounds 6:00am-8:00pm / Buildings 10:00am-6:00pm, November 1 to April 2; Grounds 6:00am-6:00pm / Buildings 10:00am-4:30pm, Zoo closes at 5:00 pm  Note: Closed December 25, June 23.

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens

Escape the bustle of 21st Century life by touring the beautiful home of George and Martha Washington. Explore the mansion and the gardens or take a special focus-tour.

Admission: Adults: $11.00, Children 6-11: $ 5.00, Seniors age 62+: $10.50, Children ages 5 and below free and Annual Passes are $15 dollars.

Open year round: April-August 8:00am-5:00pm/March, September, October 9:00am-5:00pm/ November thru February 9:00am-4:00pm.

Located: 3200 George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon, and Virginia, Also accessible via Metro’s Yellow line to Huntington Station.

For more information please call (703) 780-2000

International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum is the first and only public museum in the U.S. solely dedicated to espionage. It features the largest collection of international spy artifacts ever placed on display.

Admission: Adults $13.00/ Seniors, Active Duty Military & Intelligence Community $12.00/ Children 5-11 $10.00/ Children 5 and under free.

Open: April 9 thru August 8, 9:00am-8:00pm & August 9 thru October 8 10:00am-8:00pm.

Location: 800 F Street, NW (Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown).

For more information please call (202) 393-7798

Memorials

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial’s shade trees, waterfalls, statuary, and quiet alcoves create a feeling of a secluded garden rather than an expansive memorial. The memorial is divided into four rooms, each conveying in its own way the spirit of this great man.

Admission: Free, Open daily except December 25, 8:00am-Midnight.

900 Ohio Drive, SW (Metro stop: Smithsonian).

For more information please call (202) 426-6841.

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument stands 550ft above Washington D.C. offering a breath taking view of the city. Citizens flock to this monument to show their gratitude and respect to the nations first President.

Admission: Tickets are required for entry and are accessible starting at 8 am, they are free at the booth located on the west side of 15th Street. If you want advance tickets they can be acquired at the booth for a charge of a $1.50, open from 9am to 5pm except on Tuesday (closed on Tuesday).

Located on the Mall at 15th Street, SW.

For more information please call (202) 426-6841

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial pays tribute to the author of the Deceleration of Independence, one of the nation’s founding fathers, and former President. A 19ft tall statue of President Jefferson is the center piece of the memorial, surrounded by engraved inscriptions from the Declaration of Independence, speeches, and his writings.

Admission: Free, Open 24 hours a day, police on location from 8am-Midnight.

Location: Near the south bank of the Tidal Basin. Accessible via the Swan Boat House, (Metro Stop: Smithsonian).

The Lincoln Memorial

The memorial was constructed in a classical Greek style. The 36 columned structure representing the 36 states in the Union during Lincoln’s Presidency, pays tribute to our nations 16 th President.

Admission: Free, open 24 hrs a day, police on location from 8:00am to 12:00am

Location: At the foot of 23 rd Street in West Potomac Park (Metro Stop: Smithsonian).

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a testament to the sacrifice of American military personnel. The memorial consists of three distinct sections; "the wall," the three service men statue and flag pole and the women in service Vietnam war statue.

Admission: Free, open 24 hrs a day, police on location from 8:00am to 12:00am

Location: The National Mall near Constitution Avenue, (Metro Stop: Smithsonian)

Korean Veterans Memorial

The memorial pays tribute to those who sacrificed to defend South Korea. The memorial consisting of statues depicting fighting men on patrol represent the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. A granite mural of over 2,000 sandblasted photographs honors the supporting services who provided supply, medical, spiritual and fire support to the front line units.

Admission: Free, open 24 hrs a day, police on location from 8:00am to 12:00am

Location: The National Mall near Independence Avenue, (Metro Stop: Smithsonian)

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died and the millions who supported the war effort at home.

Admission: Free, open 24 hrs a day, police on location from 8:00am to 12:00am

Location: The National Mall, (Metro Stop: Smithsonian).

For information on events, please call 1-800-639-4WW2.

Arlington National Cemetery

For the almost four million people who visit annually, Arlington National Cemetery represents many different things. For some it’s a chance to walk among headstones that chronicle American History, for many it is an opportunity to remember and honor the nation’s war heroes, and for others it’s a place to a last farewell during funeral services for a family member or friend.

Admission: Free, open 8:00am to 5:00pm except on those months between April 1 and September 30 when it closes at 7:00pm. A narrated bus tour that runs one half hour after opening, to one half hour before closing. For those interested in seeing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the event is schedule every hour on the hour and every half hour during summer months. A visitor center is open to the general public during the cemetery’s hours of operation.

Location: Arlington, Virginia 22211, (Metro Stop: Arlington).

Federal Buildings

Botanic Gardens

The United States Botanic Garden is a living plant museum. The garden includes 26,000 types of plants, used for exhibition, study and exchange with other institutions. The garden’s noteworthy collections include economic plants, medicinal plants, cacti, cycads and ferns.

Admission: Free, Conservatory open daily from 10:00am-5:00pm. Guided tours are available upon request, except for Saturday and Sunday when reservations are not needed.

Location: Maryland Avenue, SW (Metro Stop: Federal Center SW).

For additional information please call (202) 225-8333.

The Octagon House

Visit the historic home of President Madison. Built in 1798, the home was built to serve as an "Executive Mansion," after British soldiers burned down the White House.

Admission: $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for Children and Seniors.

Open from 10:00am-5:00pm Tuesday thru Sunday.

Location: 1799 New York Ave., NW (18th and New York). Meter street parking on New York and 18th Streets as well as garage parking at 18th Street.

For more information please call (202) 638-3221

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

The Kennedy Center is located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River is America’s living memorial to President Kennedy as well as the nation’s busiest arts facility, presenting more than 3,000 performances each year.

Admission: Free tours are given Monday thru Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-1:00pm; Congressional tours can also be arranged by contacting Congressman Rogers’ office. To purchase tickets for a performance at the Kennedy Center, please call the office of accessibility at: (202) 416-8727

Location: New Hampshire Avenue at Rock Creek Parkway, NW (Metro stop: Foggy Bottom).

For more information please call (202) 416-8340

The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with nearly 128 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves.

Admission: Free, Open Monday thru Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm / Public tour schedule: Monday thru Friday 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm, Saturday 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm

Location: 101 Independence Avenue, SE (Metro stop: Capitol South).

For more information please call (202) 707-5000.

The National Aquarium

Visit the nations oldest aquarium. Established in 1873 and in its current location since 1932. There are 50 tanks containing over 200 species of saltwater fish including piranha, shark and eel.

Admission: 2 & under free, 2-10 $1.00, Seniors & Military Personnel $3.00, 11 & up $3.50

Open 7 days a week 9:00am-5:00pm except December 25

Location: 14th Street between Constitution Ave and D Street, NW (basement of the Department of Commerce Building) (Metro Stop: Federal Triangle)

For more information please call (202) 377-2825

The United States National Arboretum

The beautiful National Arboretum is a living museum where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.

Admission: Free, Arboretum grounds are open every day of the year except December 25, National Bonsai and Penjing Museum open daily 10:00am- 3:30pm

Location: New York Avenue, NE (Metro stop: Stadium Armory).

For more information and extended summer hours please call (202) 637-7000

The National Archives

Visit America’s national record keeper. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights are all here.

Admission: Free to the public.

Open daily: April 1- Memorial Day Weekend 10:00am-7:00pm, Memorial Day Weekend- Labor Day 10:00am- 9:00pm, day after Labor Day-March 31 (except Dec. 25) 10:00am- 5:30pm

Location: 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW (Metro stop: Archives)

For additional information please call (866) 272-6272

The National Cathedral

The Cathedral was begun being built in 1907 and rests on 57 acres of land. The center of the Cathedral stands 30 stories high. The National Cathedral is the sixth largest in the world and the second largest in the U.S. 700,000 people visit or worship at the National Cathedral annually.

Admission is free, Open daily: 10:00am-4:30pm, Gardens open daily till dusk, Good Shepard Chapel is open for private prayer 6:00am-10:00pm, Guided tours available Monday-Saturday 10:00am-3:15, Sundays 12:30pm- 2:45pm $2.00 tour donation is appreciated

Location: Corner of Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenue (Metro stop: Tenleytown/AU).

For more information please call (202) 537-5596

The United States Naval Observatory

The U.S. Navel Observatory serves as the official source of time for the Department of Defense, Global Positioning System, and serves as a standard of time for the United States.

Admission: Free 90 minute tours of the Observatory available every Monday night at 8:30pm except for Federal Holidays.

Location: 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW (Near the New Zealand Embassy)

For more tour or general information please call (202) 762-1467.

The Old Post Office Pavilion

The historic pavilion offers international cuisine, shopping and live music. The pavilion stands 12 stories, which makes for a beautiful view of the city.

Admission: Free, Open Monday-Saturday 10:00am- 8:00pm, Sunday 12:00-7:00pm

Location: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (Metro stop: Federal Triangle or Navy Memorial).

For more information please call (202) 289- 4224

The Supreme Court

Visit the nation’s highest court. The current Supreme Court was first built in 1935. The historic court has more than 400 employees and hosts’ 1,000,000 visitors annually.

Admission: Free, the building is open Monday thru Friday 9:00am-4:40pm, Supreme Court tours and public lectures given from 9:00am to 4:30 pm (every hour on the half hour). When Court is in session tours are only given Thursdays and Fridays. Lines for the tours start forming around 8:30 so it is recommended to arrive early.

Location: Behind the Capitol building on historic First Street and Maryland Avenue (Metro: Capitol South or Union Station).

For more information please call (202) 479-3211

Department of the Treasury

Built in 1836 the Treasury Building is the oldest federal building in Washington, and the third oldest federally occupied building in Washington. The building covers five acres and stretches 466ft North to South and 260ft East to West.

Admission: Free, Unfortunately public tours are suspended until further notice.

The White House

Construction of the White House first began in 1792. The White House stands as a symbol of the Presidency, the United States Government, and the American people.

The White House is not open to walk-ins of the general public. If you wish to see the White House, tours must be made three to six months in advance with Congressman Rogers’ office. Tour groups are self-guided with Tour Officers at every station to assist you with questions. Tour groups of ten or more are also allowed.

Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, It is strongly encouraged that you take Metro-Rail with stops at Federal Triangle, Metro Center, or McPherson Square. Public parking is not allowed near the White House.

For more information please call (202) 456-2200.