Things to See in D.C.

Before completing my office’s request form, click the areas that interest you to view the capital city’s free tours and tour sites.

View the Three Branches of the Federal Government

Admire National Treasures, Fine Art and Artifacts

Visit Memorials to Our Presidents, Veterans and the Armed Forces

Tour Federal Buildings and Facilities

Enjoy the Zoo, Pleasant Parks and Gardens [Seasonal]


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See the Three Branches of the Federal Government:

The United States Capitol
Group tours over 15 are offered by the U.S. Capitol Guide Service and may be requested through my office.  For groups of 15 or fewer, staff-led tours can be provided from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Wait time for staff-led tours varies daily and may be excessive during peak seasons.
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST REQUIRED**

While you’re there:

View Congressional Proceedings
If your time is limited, you may wish to request House and Senate Gallery passes (available in 436 Cannon Building) that allow access to the Capitol’s House Chamber to watch the proceedings of the House of Representatives when in session.  Click to find out if the House is in session during your visit.
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST REQUIRED**
**Tour is only available by requesting a gallery pass through your congressional representantive**

The Library of Congress offers a fantastic gift shop in the Jefferson Building and library cards to the world's largest library are available in the Madison Building. Tours are available on the half hour Monday through Saturday.
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST OPTIONAL**

The United States Botanic Gardens conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday, including weekends and holidays.

The White House
Take a tour of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, the most famous address in the country. 
However, please note that White House availability is extremely limited, and tours are subject to cancellation due to special events.  With at least six months advance notice, residents of the 22nd District may tour the White House on Wednesdays in groups of ten or less. 
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST REQUIRED**


Supreme Court Lectures
Lectures on the Supreme Court and its history are offered in the Court Room on non-argument days. 
1:45 p.m. lectures may be reserved through my office; all other times are available to the public every hour, on the half hour, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST OPTIONAL**


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View National Treasures, Fine Arts and Artifacts:
National Archives
To see original copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, enter the National Archives Building at 9th and Constitution Ave.

While you’re there:

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is a peaceful spot for lunch or taking a break between sites.

Old Post Office Pavilion Observation Tower at Pennsylvania Ave. and 12th St. NW is a clock tower in the neighborhood offering a unique look at DC from above.

Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian is not one museum but rather 19 separate history, art, and heritage museums scattered across our nation’s capital, including the National Zoo. Use this guide to navigate your way around.

Another popular attraction is the National Air & Space Museum, currently housing highlight artifacts of the Museum of American History, which is under renovation.

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Visit Memorials to Our Presidents, Veterans and the Armed Forces

National Mall Memorials

Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial and its Reflecting Pool witnessed the 1963 March on Washington and its “I Have A Dream” speech delivered by Rev. Martin Luther King.

President Lincoln’s 1865 assassination occurred at Ford’s Theatre at 9th St. and F St. NW.  The site has a basement full of artifacts related to that event, and Park Rangers offer explanatory lectures in the theater itself. However, the theatre is undergoing renovation and will reopen in Winter 2009.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
This famous wall was designed by a 21-year-old college student, Maya Lin.  Visitors still place wreaths, flowers and other mementos before the wall bearing the names of 58,195 casualties.

Korean War Veterans Memorial
A lifelike group of 19 stainless steel soldiers and a wall etched with actual veterans’ faces form the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

World War II Memorial
The Pacific and Atlantic battles of World War II are commemorated at this oval-shaped memorial, located at the end of the Reflecting Pool opposite the Lincoln Memorial.  A wall of 4,000 gold stars honors over 400,000 who died.

Washington Monument 
**TICKET REQUIRED**
Tickets for the monument are obtained at a booth on the monument’s 15th Street side.  The booth opens at 8:30 am and tickets are distributed first come, first serve.  One person may obtain up to six tickets.  All individuals including children require tickets.  Tickets in advance are available at http://www.reservation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777; for group reservations only call (877) 559-6777.  There is a $1.50 fee to reserve tickets.

For another view of Washington, D.C. from above, go up the Old Post Office Pavilion Tower on Pennsylvania Ave. at 12th St. NW.

Tidal Basin Memorials

Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Jefferson Memorial is located directly south of the White House along the Tidal Basin.

Franklin Roosevelt
Also along the Tidal Basin, this bronze- and fountain-filled memorial honors President Franklin Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt’s memorial, an island in the Potomac River, is a nature preserve accessible from the George Washington Parkway.  No cars are allowed on the island itself.

Kennedy Center
The six-theater complex is the presidential memorial to John F. Kennedy.  Congressionally-requested tours are set at daily at 9:30 and Mon-Fri at 4:30 p.m., however tours are available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For groups less than 20, no reservation is required.  For groups of 20 or more, please call 202-416-8340 to schedule a tour.  The Kennedy Center also offers a free performance in the Grand Foyer daily at 6 p.m.
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST OPTIONAL**

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of war heroes, their spouses, and presidents.  Also at Arlington are the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Challenger and Columbia shuttle crew memorials.

Armed Forces Memorials

U.S. Navy Memorial
A highlight of the Navy Memorial is its floor, a round map of the Earth showing its bodies of water.  The memorial plaza is across Pennsylvania Ave. from the National Archives building.

U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
Established in 1954, the bronze memorial commemorates the raising of our flag over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during World War II.  Felix de Weldon, the memorial’s sculptor, also created statues on display in the U.S. Capitol Building.

U.S. Air Force Memorial
The newest of the armed services memorials in the capital features 270-foot steel spires so high they can be seen from across the Potomac River.

Women in Military Service for America Memorial
This memorial is located two blocks from the Arlington Cemetery station on Metro’s Blue Line trains, at the entrance to the Cemetery.  Open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 1 – March 31, and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., April 1 – September 30, every day except Christmas.

The U.S. Navy Museum
**RESERVATION REQUIRED**
Washington Navy Yard, Building 76: 805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington, DC.  Visitors without military or Department of Defense identification should call (202) 433-4882 in advance for an appointment.  Hours:  Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
weekends/holidays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Please call by noon Friday for a weekend visit.
Treasury Building Saturdays

**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST REQUIRED**
This historic building tour is offered Saturday mornings next door to the White House.  Full names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers are required for each person attending the tour.

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Tour Federal Buildings and Facilities

Bureau of Engraving and Printing
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST OPTIONAL**
Known as a “money factory,” this facility prints paper U.S. currency of all denominations.

State Department Diplomatic Reception Rooms
**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST REQUIRED**
This tour is offered Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m.  A Congressional request is required, and recommended three months in advance.

Pentagon
Pentagon tours are limited to school and military groups, Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m.  A Congressional request is required.
**RESERVATION REQUIRED, CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST OPTIONAL**

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Enjoy the Zoo, Pleasant Parks and Gardens [Seasonal, y’all]
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Located directly south of the National Archives, this is a modern sculpture park with a huge and impressive fountain in the center.

Lafayette Park
Monuments, trees and squirrels fill this charming square north of the White House, bordered by 15th and 17th Streets NW and Pennsylvania Ave and H Street NW.

National Arboretum
Arboretum grounds are open and free daily, except Dec. 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The Arboretum is located in northeast Washington, DC, bordered on the west by Bladensburg Road, on the north by New York Avenue, and on the south by M Street.  Entrances for visitors are on New York Avenue and on R Street.

National Mall
The National Mall is the central green space, lined with Smithsonian museums, that runs along Constitution and Independence Avenues between the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol Building.

National Parks and National Historic Sites
http://www.nps.gov/state/dc/

National Zoo
The National Zoo is in Rock Creek Park, outside walking distance of the Mall and most attractions and near Washington National Cathedral.  It is home to Tai Shan, Washington’s famous panda cub.

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**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST REQUIRED**
**Tour is only available by request through your congressional representantive**

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**CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST OPTIONAL**
**You may request to visit through my office, however these sites have a daily public admission process if your request cannot be granted for a specific time.**

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