Washington, DC

Washington is an exciting place to visit, with interesting sites to see.  On this section of my website, you'll find information about some of the most popular tourist spots in Washington. Many of these sites have connections to New Mexico, which I have highlighted on each page.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased security procedures enacted since September 11th, it is very difficult to get tickets to tour the White House and slots are extremely limited. Tour requests should be made up to six months in advance and requests are considered on a first come first serve basis. The earlier you request a tour, the better our chances of having your tour request approved.  However, the White House does not inform Congressional offices about the status of tour requests until one or two weeks before the requested tour date.

To request a tour you can call my Washington office at 202-225-2365 or submit a online form below.

capitol
The U.S. Capitol

The Capitol is home to the U.S. Congress and its two legislative bodies, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  

The new Capitol Visitors Center significantly enhances your visit to our nation’s Capitol. If you are planning a visit to Washington, you can book your Capitol tour online at www.visitthecapitol.gov or call my Washington, DC office at 202-224-5521. Capitol tours are available Monday through Saturday from 8:50am until 3:30pm. The tour lasts approximately an hour and a half and guests should plan to arrive promptly on time.  If you would like to visit the Senate gallery and the Senate is in session, please stop by our office at 703 Hart to pick up a gallery pass for each of your guests over the age of 5.

LOCATION AND HOURS
The Capitol Visitor Center, the new main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located below the East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues. Visitors: The Visitor Center is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day.

GUIDED TOURS OF THE CAPITOL
Guided tours of the Capitol begin at the Orientation Theaters on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. “Out of Many, One,” a 13-minute film, illustrates how this country established a new form of government, highlights the vital role that Congress plays in the daily lives of Americans, and introduces you to the building that houses the U.S. Congress. Tours are free, but tour passes are required.

WATCHING CONGRESS IN SESSION
Hours: The House Gallery is open to visitors. The House Gallery is open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Passes: Passes are required to enter either gallery at any time. Visitors may obtain gallery passes from my office.

VISITOR TIPS
All areas of the Visitor Center are smoke free. Strollers and Baby Changing: Strollers are permitted in the Visitor Center and baby-changing stations are available in each family restroom. Public Telephones and ATMs: These are located outside each Gift Shop. Foreign

Languages: Visitors may request listening devices for foreign-language versions of the films and the exhibition at the Information Desks.

Visitors with Disabilities: Visitors may request wheelchairs from Capitol Visitor Center staff wearing red vests or at one of the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall. Sign-language interpreting for tours is available when booked in advance. Listening devices with audio description of the films and exhibition are available at the Information Desks. All films have open captioning.

Service Animals: Service animals are allowed in the Visitor Center and the Capitol.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Before entering the Capitol Visitor Center, all visitors are screened by a magnetometer and all items that are permitted inside the building are screened by an x-ray device.

The following items are strictly prohibited:

  • Any bag larger than 14" wide x 13" high x 4" deep Aerosol containers
  • Any pointed object (i.e., knitting needles, letter openers, etc. Note: pens and pencils are permitted.)
  • Cans and bottles
  • Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices
  • Food or beverages of any kind
  • Guns, replica guns, ammunition, and fireworks Knives of any size Mace and pepper spray Non-aerosol spray (prescriptions for medical needs
    are permitted)
  • Razors and box cutters

The following are allowed in the Capitol Visitor Center and the Capitol, but not in the Senate and House Galleries:

  • Battery-operated electronic devices (Medical devices are permitted.)
  • Cameras
  • Creams, lotions, or perfumes
  • Strollers
  • Video recorders or any type of recording device

 

Tour Request Form

If you are planning a trip to the Nation's Capital, my office may be able to provide you with tickets to many of Washington, D.C.'s popular attractions and historical landmarks.

Tour hours and ticket availabilities vary throughout the year, so please contact my office with at least 8-12 weeks advance notice whenever possible.

Please submit the following information to request a tour. However, submitting this information does not guarantee your reservation for your tour request.
Name:
Prefix First Name MI Last Name Suffix (Jr., Sr.)
  Address:
City: State: Zip:
Email:
Phone: Phone while in D.C.:

Please select tours you would like to get tickets for:
The White House (groups of 10 or more) Capitol (groups of 15 or less)

Departure Date:   Enter the date you plan to leave home.
Arrive to DC:   Enter the date when you plan to arrive in Washington DC.
Leave DC:   Enter the date when you plan to leave Washington DC.
Dates in DC:   Enter the dates when you are available for tours.

Visitors:   Enter the total number of people in your group.
Children:
 Age 5-9 		  Enter the number of 5-9 years old children in your group.
Children:
Age 10-14 		  Enter the number of 10-14 years old children in your group.

Comments:
Write us about your tour details and any special accomodations that you may need.

* Please be advised that tours may be cancelled due to weather or national security issues.




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