Use the links below to jump to information on a particular Washington, D.C. museum or gallery.

The National Archives
Department of State
Holocaust Memorial Museum
International Spy Museum
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
National Cathedral
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Department of the Interior
Newseum
Drug Enforcement Agency Museum
The Phillips Collection
Folger Shakespeare Library
Corcoran Gallery of Art
National Building Museum
The Textile Museum
Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Navy Museum
National Geographic Society Museum at Explorers Hall
Naval Observatory
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
Voice of America
Ronald Reagan Building
Federal Bureau of Investigations


The National Archives
Tour Summary: Features the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and other national treasures.
Address: 700 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Archives-Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines)
Availability: Open daily from 10 AM - 5:30 PM. During the summer months extended hours until 9 PM.
Cost: Free.
Restrictions: All food and beverages are prohibited.
How to request a tour: Tours are self-guided. Contact (202) 357-5000 to schedule a visit. For a guided tour of “The National Archives Experience,” reservations must be made at least 6 weeks in advance. Contact volunteer@nara.gov to schedule a tour.
Website: Archives.gov
Notes: The Rotunda entrance which includes the Exhibit Hall is on Constitution Avenue.


Department of State
Tour Summary: The Diplomatic Reception Rooms tour includes the Entrance Hall, Transition Room, Gallery, Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room and the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room. In addition to their diplomatic function, these rooms house a premier collection of early American paintings, furniture, and decorative arts.
Address: 2201 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20520
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom (Blue and Orange lines)
Tour Length: 45 minutes
Restrictions: This is a Fine Arts tour, and not recommended for children below the age of 12. 
Tours:
Availability: 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 2:45 pm Monday through Friday
Tour Request Deadline: At least 90 days before the desired tour date
Procedures: Reservations for public tours may be requested by visiting the Department of State website. You will receive an e-mail notifying you that your request was received by the tour office and is pending approval.
Website: state.gov


Holocaust Memorial Museum
Tour Summary: Three floors of history covering from the Nazi’s rise to power to the liberation of the troops.
Address: 14th St and Raoul Wallenberg Place in Washington, DC
Directions: Public transportation is advised as parking is very limited.
Availability: Open daily from 10 AM -5:30 PM except Christmas and Yom Kippur (October 2). Tuesdays and Thursdays April through Mid-June there are extended hours until 7:50 PM. No passes are necessary for entering the Museum building. Special exhibitions require passes obtained by visiting Ushmm.org.
Costs: Free.
Restrictions: Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted. Video/audio recording are not permitted. Photography is not permitted in the exhibitions. Flash photography is not permitted in the Hall of Remembrance.
How to Request a Tour: Timed passes are necessary for visiting the Permanent Exhibition. These can be obtained the morning of you visit outside the museum on the day of your visit, or in advance by calling (800) 400-9373. Each day, the Museum distributes on a first-come first-served basis a large but limited number of timed entry passes for use that same day.
Notes: For more information call (202) 488-0400 or visit ushmm.org.


International Spy Museum
Tour Summary: 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 on public display – many for the first time. Address: The entire city block between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Green, Yellow, & Red Lines)
Availability: All tickets are date and time specific. Advance tickets are highly recommended and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
Costs: Adult (ages 12-64): $15, Seniors (65+) and Active Duty Military & Intel Community: $14, Children (ages 5-11): $12, Children age 4 and under are free.
How to Request a Tour: Groups of 20 or more qualify for Group Admission and require advance reservations which can be made by calling Bill Adams, Group Sales Manager at (202) 654-0944.
Notes: The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. On occasion the Museum closes earlier than regular visiting hours. Such early closings will be posted at Spymuseum.org.


Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Tour Summary: Tour Summary: The Bureau is responsible for the printing and designing the nation’s currency, U.S. postal stamps, official invitations, and ID cards. The tour features various steps of currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper, and ending with wallet-ready bills.
Address: 14th and C Streets, SW Washington, DC 20228
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Blue and Orange lines)
Tour Length: One hour
Tours:
--March through August: 9:00 am to 10:45 am and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays)
--May through August: additional tours are available from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday
--September through February: every 15 minutes from 9:00 am to 10:45 am and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Monday through Friday
Procedures:
--March through August: Free, timed tickets are required for entry. You may obtain same-day tickets by visiting the ticket booth located at Raoul Wallenberg Place. The ticket booth opens at 8:00 am Monday through Friday and closes when all tickets have been distributed. Note: Lines form early and tickets go quickly; most days’ tickets are gone by 9:00 am.
--September through February: No tickets are required. Simply line up at the visitor entrance on 14^th Street.Department of the Interior Museum
Website: Moneyfactory.gov


National Cathedral
Tour Summary: One can see the dramatic art and Gothic architecture of the Cathedral.
Address: Wisconsin Ave
Directions: Metro directions: Exit on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue. Take any 30 series bus going south. Ride approximately one and one-half miles south on Wisconsin Avenue to the Cathedral. Driving directions: From Downtown DC take Massachusetts Avenue north to Wisconsin Avenue. Turn right onto Wisconsin Avenue. The Cathedral is on your immediate right.
Closest Metro Stop: Tenleytown/AU (Red Line).
Availability: Monday-Friday 10 AM - 5:30 PM with tours 10 AM - 11:30 AM and 12:45 AM - 3:30 PM. Saturday open 10 AM - 4:30 PM with tours 10 AM – 11:30 AM and 12:45 PM - 3:30 PM. Sunday open 8 AM - 6:30 PM with tours 12:45 AM - 2:30 PM.
Costs: Guided tour fees: Adults $3, Seniors $2, Children $1. Audio tour fees: $5 per person. Tour and Tea fees: $22 per person.
How to request a tour: Visit cathedral.org to see the options.


Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Tour Summary: The tour features the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center's main theaters and dozens of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork given to the Center by foreign countries. You will also visit the four major theaters, the Grand Foyer, the Presidential Box, the Golden Circle Lounge, and the Roof Terrace.
Address: 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University (Blue and Orange lines) Tour Length: One hour
Note: Free performances take place on the Millennium Stage at 6:00 pm 365 days a year. The Kennedy Center also offers free tours of the building given in several foreign languages upon request.
Website: kennedy-center.org.

Reserved tours:
Availability: 9:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. 9:30 am Saturday and Sunday. The Center is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Tour Request Deadline: At least one week before the desired tour date

Public tours:
Availability: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome. The Center is closed on only the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


Department of the Interior
Tour Summary: A tour focusing on the relationship between the Department of Interior and the history of the nation. Includes surveying equipment, models, dioramas, and natural history specimens.
Tour Length: Not specified.
Address: 1849 C Street, NW.
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines)
Availability: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Also open the third Saturday of the month.
Cost: Free
How to Request a Tour: Reservations are required two weeks in advance for guided tours or appointments to view the building’s New Deal murals located in a restricted-access area. To make reservations, call: (202) 208-4743.
Notes: Adults must have photo ID when entering. The E street entrance is wheelchair accessible.
For More Information:  Visit Doi.gov/interiormuseum. 


Newseum
Tour Summary: An interactive museum featuring information and experiences and how and why the news is made. Visitors can act as reporters, news anchors, and journalists.
Address: Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th Street, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Archives/Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green and Yellow lines)
Availability: Tickets are not yet available for purchase.
Notes: The opening date of the Newseum will be announced this fall. For more information, visit: Newseum.org.


Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Museum
Tour Summary: The tour will demonstrate how the DEA is fighting drugs via land, air, and water. It also includes exhibits focusing on the impact of drug addictions from the past to the present.
Address: 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
Closest Metro Stop: Pentagon City (Blue and Yellow lines)
Cost: Free
Availability: Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM.
How to Request a Tour: For groups of 15 or more, please make reservations by contacting: (202) 307-3463.
Notes: The museum is designed for children ages 10 and older. For more information, visit: Deamuseum.org or call: (202) 307-3463.


The Phillips Collection
Tour Summary: A tour of America’s first museum of modern art and the collection of Duncan Phillips. The collection includes paintings by Cezanne, van Gogh, Picasso, O’Keefe, and Matisse. Traveling exhibitions of modern art are present for a limited time.
Tour Length: One hour.
Address: 1600 21st Street, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Dupont Circle (Red line)
Availability: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM; Thursday, 10 AM – 8:30 PM; Sunday, 11 AM – 6 PM.
Cost: Admission price varies with each exhibition. The Permanent Collection: $10 for adults; $8 for visitors 62+ and students; free for individuals under 18.
How to Request a Tour: Tours may be guided or self-guided. Groups must have a minimum of 15. Guided tours are offered Tuesday – Friday at 10 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM and Thursday evenings at 6 PM. To reserve a guided tour, call: (202) 387-2151, x247. Reservations must be made at least one month in advance. Self-guided tours are available for groups with a minimum of 15, Tuesday – Friday, at 10:30 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 2 PM.
Notes: Backpacks, including back baby-carriers, are not allowed. To see a schedule of upcoming exhibits, visit: Phillipscollection.org/exhibitions. For additional information, visit: Phillipscollection.org.


Folger Shakespeare Library
Tour Summary: Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection.
Address: 201 East Capitol Street, SE
Closest Metro Stops: Union Station (Red Line) or Capitol South (Blue and Orange Lines)
Availability: The library is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM, but is closed on all federal holidays. Docent tours of the building and the current exhibition are available Monday through Friday at 11 AM and on Saturday at 11 AM and 1 PM. Docent tours of the Elizabethan Garden are available every third Saturday of the month, from April through October, at 10 AM and 11 AM.
Costs: Free.
How to Request a Tour: Group tours are available for both school groups and adult groups, and must be arranged in advance. Please call the Education department at (202) 675-0395.
Notes: If you have any questions call (202) 675-0309 before 8:45 AM and (202)544-4600 from 8:45 AM - 4:45 PM. To learn about a performance or event, call (202) 544-7077.
For More Information:  Visit Folger.edu. 


Corcoran Gallery of Art
Summary: Features a number of exhibits in all areas of art.
Address: 17th and New York Ave, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines) or Farragut North (Red line)
Availability: The Gallery is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, 10 AM – 6 PM; Thursday, 10 AM – 9 PM; and Friday and Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM. The Gallery is closed on Tuesdays.
Cost: Adults: $14; Senior/Military: $12; Students: $10; Children under 6 years of age: Free.
Notes: For more information, call: (202) 639-1700 or visit: Corcoran.org.


National Building Museum
Summary: Exhibits change yearly and range from Shakespeare for the 21st Century to years of Domestic Architecture to America’s World’s Fairs.
Tour Length: 45 minutes.
Address: 401 F St, NW, between 4th and 5th Streets.
Closest Metro Stop: Judiciary Square (Red Line).
Availability: The National Building Museum is open to the public Monday - Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. On rare occasions, the Museum may close for a special event. Walk-in public tours are offered Monday through Wednesday at 12:30 PM, and Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM.
Costs: Free, but there is a $5 suggested donation.
Notes: Groups of 10 or more must make a reservation by contacting the group coordinator at grouptours@nbm.org. Fees may apply to group tours for 10 or more. Wheelchair access is available through the G Street entrance. For more information call (202) 272-2448 or visit Nbm.org.


The Textile Museum
Tour Summary: A museum featuring creative achievements in the textile arts. Exhibits feature textile works from all over the world, including Asia, Europe, and America.
Tour Length: Not specified.
Address: 2320 S Street, SW
Closest Metro Step: Dupont Circle (Red line)
Availability: Wednesday – Friday, 10 AM – 2 PM; Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM.
Cost: Free; suggested donation of $5.
How to Request a Tour: Introductory tours of the Museum and exhibits are offered September – May, every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM. No reservations required. Guided exhibition tours must be scheduled at least 4 weeks in advance for the following days and times: Monday – Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, from 10:15 AM – 3 PM; Thursday from 1:30 PM – 3 PM. Fill out a request form here: Textilemuseum.org/tours, or call: (202) 667-0441, ext. 65.
Notes: For additional information, visit: Textilemuseum.org.


Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Summary: The DAR Museum is comprised of 31 period rooms and 2 galleries.  The collection consists of over 30,000 decorative and fine arts objects spanning the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tour Length: 45 minutes.
Address: 1776 D Street, NW. Two blocks from the White House.
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut West (Blue and Orange Lines)
Availability: GUIDED TOURS: Groups of 9 or less: Free tours on the hour and half-hour Monday through Friday 10 AM to 2:30 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Groups of 10 or more: Reservations are required with a fee of $3 per person. Tours are on the hour and half-hour Monday through Friday 10 AM to 2:30 PM.
SELF -GUIDED TOURS: Anytime Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 4 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM. Self-guided groups of 10 or more are asked to notify the museum of their planned visit at 202-879-3341 or email museum@dar.org.
Notes: For more information call (202) 879-3341 or visit Dar.org.


Navy Museum
Tour Summary: Highlights include notable naval artifacts from the Museum’s collection, learning Navy signal flags, and other facets of the Washington Navy Yard’s history.
Address: 805 Kidder Breese, SE
Closest Metro Stop: Navy Yard (Green) or Eastern Market (Blue and Orange lines). The museum is a 25 minute walk from both locations.
Availability: The museum is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM; and weekends and holidays from 10 AM – 5 PM. Tours may be scheduled Monday – Friday, 10 AM to 2 PM; and on weekends and holidays, from 10 AM – 3 PM.
How to Schedule a Tour: 24 hour notice must be given for weekday visits, and reservations must be made by noon on Friday for weekend visits. Call (202) 433-6897.
Cost: Free
Notes: For more information, call: (202) 433-4882 or visit: History.navy.mil.


National Geographic Society Museum at Explorers Hall
Summary: The Hall features permanent interactive geography and science exhibits, as well as changing displays to give visitors opportunities to share in recent archaeological finds, the latest in photography, and expositions of exotic cultures.
Address: 17th and M Streets NW
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut North (Red Line).
Availability: Open Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM; Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
Costs: Free
Notes: No guided tours are available. For more information call (202) 857-7588 or visit Nationalgeographic.com.


Naval Observatory
Tour Summary: Tours begin with a history and mission of the Observatory. In continues with the viewing of development of USNO’s timekeeping responsibilities with a member of the Observatory’s Time Services Department staff and a viewing of celestial objects with an Astronomer if the weather permits.
Address: 34th St and Massachusetts Ave, NW
Availability: Public tours are offered on alternating Monday evenings from 8:30 AM – 10 PM and are available by reservation only.
Costs: Free.
Restrictions: Backpacks, bags and bulky items are not permitted on the grounds. Photo ID is required for all adults.
How to request a tour: Fax a request to the Public Affairs Office at (202) 762-1489. You must submit your tour reservation 4 to 6 weeks in advance. You must provide the names and dates-of-birth of all individuals in your party. As a Requestor you must also provide an email address or daytime telephone number so that the USNO may contact you with the status of your request. You will receive an email or telephone confirmation when your order has been processed no later than the Friday before your First
Choice tour date.
For More Information:  Visit Usno.navy.mil. 


Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
Summary: A architecturally breathtaking museum featuring a number of interactive exhibits which allow individuals to renew and explore their faith.
Address: 3900 Harewood Road, NE
Closest Metro Stop: Medical Center (Red line)
Cost: Donations are suggested. Individuals: $5; families: $15; students and seniors: $4. Group visits (15 or more): $4.
Availability: Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday, 12 PM – 5 PM.
How to Request a Tour: Reservations are required for group visits and should be made at least 30 days in advance. To make a group reservation, call: (202) 635-5475, e-mail: groups@jp2cc.org, or fill out the online request form: Jp2cc.org.
Notes: For more information, visit: Jp2cc.org or call: (202) 635-5400.


Voice of America
Tour Summary: A look behind-the-scenes of the Voice of America,
an international multimedia broadcasting service funded by the U.S. government.
Address: 330 Independence Avenue, SW
Closest Metro Stop: L’Enfant Plaza (Yellow, Green, Blue, and Orange lines)
Cost: Free
Availability: Monday – Friday, 12 PM – 3 PM.
How to Request a Tour: Reservations for tours are recommended, and can be made by calling: (202) 203-4990 or visiting: ibb.gov. Reservations are required for groups of 5 or more.
Notes: When making reservations, please indicate if a wheelchair will be needed. Visitors should arrive approximately 10 minutes before their scheduled tour. For more information, visit: voanews.com


Ronald Reagan Building
Summary: The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center facility brings together federal, state and regional trade resources, international trade related businesses and services to convey the United States' recognition of the importance of trade in linking countries and communities. It hosts a number of events over the course of the year.
Address: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines)
Cost: Free
Availability: Time varies with each event.
Notes: For more information and a schedule of events, visit: itcdc.com.