Visiting Washington
To schedule a Congressional tour, please click here.
There are many points of interest to visit throughout this area. I have compiled a list of places you may wish to visit.
Maps of Washington, DC – http://www.house.gov/house/DC_Maps.html
Map of the Washington, DC Metro System - http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
Arlington National Cemetery
Open daily May through September from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and October through April from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Custis-Lee Mansion is open daily April through September from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM and October through March from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is every hour on the half hour during the summer months and every hour on the hour in the winter months. Also at the Cemetery is the Amphitheatre and the graves of Presidents' John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. Narrated bus tour: Adults - $2.75; Children - $1.25. Phone: (703) 692-0931.
Botanic Gardens
1st and Maryland Avenue, S.W. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Group tours are available with advance reservations. Phone: (202) 225-8333.
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
The Bureau of Engraving & Printing, located at 11th & C Streets, SW, is where U.S. currency is printed. Tours are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and last about one hour. Tickets required June through September at the 15th Street kiosk at 8:00 AM, that day only. Ticketed tours are from 9:00 AM to 1:45 PM. Arrive early - first come, first served. The Visitors Center is open from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Closed weekends, Federal holidays and December 24 through January 4. Phone: (202) 874-3188.
Ford's Theatre and Lincoln Museum
10th Street between E and F Streets, N.W. Building is open every day of the year except Christmas from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (202) 426-6924.
Georgetown
Old Stone House, oldest standing house in Washington, west of Rock Creek Park. Wednesday through Sunday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 3051 M Street, N.W. (202) 426-6851.
Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Holocaust Memorial Museum is located at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW (old 15th Street, SW, between 14th and Independence). The museum is open daily, except December 25, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. We recommend that you call ProTix (1-800-400-9373) to reserve your tickets - they are free, but there is a $2.75 service/handling fee for each. You may then pick your tickets up at the "will call" desk at the museum to avoid the lines. Please allow at least two hours or more for your visit.
Jefferson Memorial
South side of the Tidal Basin. Open 24 hours daily, 365 days per year. At the Swan Boathouse, north side of Tidal Basin, you can rent a pedal boat to cruise the Basin. Phone: (202) 426-6841.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Regular tours are conducted by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers daily, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Visitors should go to the tour desk on Motor Lobby A. Tours leave every 15 minutes. No tours on Christmas or New Year's Day. Phone: (202) 416-8340. Ticket information: (202) 467-4600.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Hours: Open 8 AM to Midnight, every day except December 25. Location: French Drive, SW. Metro: Foggy Bottom. Facilities: Bookstore, Restrooms, Museum. Information: (202) 426-6841
Library of Congress
Madison Building, 1st Street and Independence Ave., S.E. Tours are conducted at 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM after a film is shown, Monday through Friday. The Jefferson Building is presently under renovation. The Library asks that groups of over 10 people make a reservation 30 days in advance. Phone: (202) 707-5458.
Lincoln Memorial
West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, N.W. Open 24 hours daily, 365 days per year. Phone: (202) 426-6841.
Mount Vernon
Home of George Washington. Open to the public daily from 9:00 AM, September through March, 8 AM, April through August. Closes at 4 PM, November through February, 5 PM all other times. Adults - $7.00; Senior citizens (62 or above with ID) - $6.00; children 6 through 11 years - $3.00 with an adult; 6 and under - Free. Phone: (703) 780-2000 for information and group information.
National Aquarium
Established in 1873. 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Ave., Dept. of Commerce Building. Tanks of fish, frogs, alligators, sharks, etc. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM except Christmas. Admission: Adults - $2.00; Senior Citizens and Children - .75 cents. Phone: (202) 482-2825.
National Archives
8th and Constitution Avenue, N.W. See the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Open daily 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM - April through Labor Day; 10:00 to 5:30 - Labor Day to April. Closed on holidays. Phone: (202) 501-5402.
National Gallery of Art
On the Mall at Constitution Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets, N.W. Open Monday through Saturday - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sunday - 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday concerts are held at 7:00 PM in the West Garden Court first Sunday in October through the last Sunday in June. Phone: (202) 737-4215.
National Park Service Monuments
The National Park Service Monuments Tour begins at 9:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm. A stop for lunch at Union Station is your expense. The narrated tour begins at the Interior Department at 1849 C Street, NW, circles the Mall, and drives to Arlington National Cemetery, as well as Ford's Theatre.
National Postal Museum
First Street and Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. Closed December 25. Free. (202) 357-2700.
DC Visitor Information Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. For detailed information on visitor services, phone: 1-866-DCISFUN.
Newseum
1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, V.A. The Newseum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days. Admission is free. For more information, call the toll-free, public-inquiry telephone number at 888/NEWSEUM (639-7386) or, in the Washington area, 703/284-3544.
Pentagon
Located near the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia. Tours Monday through Friday - 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, every half hour. See the Flag Corridor and the Hall of Heroes. Phone: (703) 695-1776.
Smithsonian Institution
For information, call (202) 357-2700.
Hours: The Washington Museums are open daily, except December 25, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Anacostia Museum - 1901 Fort Place, S.E.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery - 1050 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Arts and Industries Building - 900 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Enid A. Haupt Garden - 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Freer Gallery of Art - Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, S.W.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.
International Gallery - 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
National Air and Space - Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.
National Museum of African Art - 950 Independence Avenue, S.W.
National Museum of American Art - 8th and G Streets, N.W.
National Museum of American History - 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
National Museum of Natural History - 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
National Portrait Gallery - 8th and F Streets, N.W.
National Postal Museum - 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
National Zoological Park - 3000 block, Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Renwick Gallery - 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) - 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
State Department
2201 C Street, N.W. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 2:45 PM. Tours are by reservation only. Closed on federal holidays. Phone: (202) 647-3241.
Supreme Court
1 First Street, NE. Public lectures are conducted Monday through Friday in the courtroom from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM every hour on the half hour, except when the Court is in session. Information on public lectures - Phone: (202) 479-3298.
Treasury Department
National Historical Landmark. Located east of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street, NW. Tours are given on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, 10:20 AM and 10:40 AM for 90 minutes and focuses on the architecture and history of the building. Reservations are required 1 week ahead. Phone: (202) 622-0896.
U.S. Capitol
Capitol Hill. Tours are conducted daily from 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM beginning at the Rotunda. Closed Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving. Visit your Congressman or Senator for passes to the House of Representatives and Senate Galleries. Phone: (202) 225-6827.
U.S. Naval Observatory
34th and Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. A 90 minute evening tour is available on Monday evenings at 8:30 PM except holidays. Plan to arrive by 7:30 PM to ensure entrance. Only 90 admitted. Phone: (202) 653-1507.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Henry Bacon Drive and 21st Street, N.W. is allways open. Constructed of black granite to honor all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a special tribute to those who did not return, the names of more than 58,000 who gave their lives, or who remain missing are inscribed in the Memorial's walls. The names are in chronological order.
Washington Monument
On the Mall at 15th Street, N.W. Open daily April through Labor Day from 8:00 AM to midnight, September through March from 9:00 AM to 5 PM. Phone: (202) 789-7038, 39, 40.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Open Tuesday through Saturday. From mid-March to mid-September, tickets are required and can be obtained at the booth on the Ellipse on the day of the tour, first-come, first-served starting at 8:00 AM. Plan to arrive well before the booth opens. The time of your tour between 10 AM and noon will be on the ticket. From mid-September to mid-March a ticket is not required. Go to E Street and East Executive Avenue. Again, plan to arrive early. Since the White House is occasionally closed for official events, it is recommended that visitors call in advance. Phone: (202) 456-7041.
Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts
Route 7 West near Vienna, Virginia, left onto Towlston Road, one mile with Park on the left. The Nation's first National Park for the performing arts offers opera, symphonic music, pop concerts, jazz and ballet. Open during warm weather only. Price of admission varies. Phone: (703) 255-1900. Tickets: (703) 218-6500.
Zoological Park
3000 block of Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Grounds open daily April 15 to October 15 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and from October 16 to April 14 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The buildings are open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM all year. Closed on Christmas day. Phone: (202) 673-4717.
DIAL - A - MUSEUM - (202) 357-2020
DIAL - A - PHENOMENON - (202) 357-2000