Visiting Washington D.C.

How to request a White House tour

Self-guided public tours of the East Wing of the White House are available by reservation only on Tuesdays through Saturdays (excluding federal holiday closures). White House tours may only be requested between 6 months and 30 days in advance of your preferred tour date. 4 to 6 months advance notice is recommended, since tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed. The White House will not honor tour requests made fewer than 30 days before the requested tour date.

You can request a White House tour by calling my office at 202-225-3101 or using my website. Please let my staff know the exact number of attendees and the full days you will be available for White House tours. The United States Secret Service now requires the submission of security information to request a White House tour. The Secret Service requires the Full Name (including Middle Initial), Date of Birth, Social Security Number (for individuals 16 years old and older), Citizenship Status (Yes or No), Country of Birth, Gender, City (of current residence), and State (of current residence) for each visitor. You can download the White House Security Form (in Microsoft Excel Format) and email it to Dennis.Sills@mail.house.gov or fax it to us at 202-225-3354. Security information can also be provided to my office via telephone at 202-225-3101. The White House is unable to process your tour request if you do not provide security information. Your security information will be shared exclusively with the Secret Service and the White House Visitor’s Office for the sole purpose of reserving a White House tour.  

The White House publicly releases visitor access records after 90-120 days. White House tour participants’ full names and dates of visits are included in the publicly released records. Additional security information including (but not limited to) Date of Birth, Social Security information, citizenship information, and residence information is kept strictly confidential by the White House.  

All White House tours are free of charge, but please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour White House Information line at 202-456-7041. For further information, including a list of prohibited items, please visit the White House Visitor Center website.

For those unable to secure White House tours, the White House Visitor Center is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 7 days a week. The Visitor Center is located at the intersection of 15th and E Streets NW. Allow between 20 minutes to one hour to explore the exhibits.

The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines) and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is not available near the White House, and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

• White House Security Information Form

How to request a Capitol tour

The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours of the U.S. Capitol depart from the Capitol Visitor Center, which also includes an exhibition hall with historic Congressional memorabilia. The Capitol Visitor Center is located at the intersection of East First Street and East Capitol Street. For more information and directions please visit the Capitol Visitor Center website.

Tours of the U.S. Capitol are led by tour guides from the Capitol Visitor Center and depart from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For groups of 10 or less, you can book your own Capitol Tour. For groups larger than 10, you can request a Capitol tour on my website or by calling my office at 202-225-3101.

Cameras are welcome on all Capitol tours. Large daypacks, backpacks, or luggage (bags larger than 14" wide x 13" high x 4"), food items, and liquids are prohibited. Please review the full list of prohibited items before visiting the Capitol.  

The closest Metrorail stations to the U.S. Capitol are Capitol South (blue and orange lines), Union Station (red line) and Federal Center, SW (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is very limited near the U.S. Capitol, so use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

The following guides will provide you with information about the Capitol and the Capitol Visitors Center.

• The United States Capitol and Congress
• United States Capitol Visitor Guide
• Emancipation Hall
• Exhibition Hall Cell Phone Tour

Things to do in DC

• Things to do in DC Downloadable Document

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Building
  • Where: J. Edgar Hoover Building, 935 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20535
  • Phone: (202) 324-3447 (202) 324-1016 (TTY)
  • Closest Metro Station: Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange lines)

• National Museum of Women in the Arts
  • Where: 1250 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005
  • Phone: 202-783-5000
  • (202) 783-7996 (Tours)
  • Closest Metro Station: Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange lines)

• Ford’s Theater
  • Where: 511 10th St. NW Washington, DC 20004
  • More Information: http://www.nps.gov/archive/foth/schedule.htm
  • Tours: Self-guided, but there are scheduled talks
  • Closest Metro Station: Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange lines)

• Verizon Center (Washington Wizards, Georgetown Hoyas, Washington Capitals & Concerts)
  • Where: 601 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
  • Phone: (202) 661-5061 (group sales tickets)
  • Closest Metro Station: Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green lines)

• Smithsonian Institution
  • Where: 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
  • Phone: (202) 633-1000
  • Tours: http://www.si.edu/group_tours/
  • Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Orange and Blue lines)

• The Pentagon
  • Where: Army-Navy Dr. and Fern St. Arlington, VA 22202
  • Phone: 703-697-1776
  • 703-614-1642 (fax)
  • More Information: http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/tour_request_public.cfm
  • If you are part of a school, church, government agency, or military organization group of 5 or more people you may go through the web site. Otherwise, you must go through your Congressional office to request a tour
  • Tours must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance
  • Closest Metro Station: Pentagon (Blue and Yellow Lines)

• National Guard Memorial Museum
  • Where: One Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 408-5887
  • Closest Metro Station: Union Station (Red Line)
    
    
• Building Museum
  • Where: 401 F St. NW Washington DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 272-2448
  • More Information: For groups of 10 or more contact gharris@nbm.org. Schedule at least 3 weeks in advance
  • Closest Metro Station: Judiciary Square (Red Line)

• Sewall-Belmont House
  • Where: 144 Constitution Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002
  • Phone: (202) 546-1210
  • More Information: http://www.sewallbelmont.org/mainpages/museum_tours.html
  • This museum explores the evolving role of women and their contributions to society through the continuing, and often untold, story of women's pursuit for equality

• Headquarters of National Women’s Party
  • Tours offered from Tuesday to Saturday; and should be arranged 2-4 weeks in advance
  • The Museum can only accommodate up to 30 visitors
  • Closest Metro Station: Union Station (Red Line)

• Washington Monument
  • Where: 15th St. SW Washington, DC 20002
  • Phone: (202) 426-6841
  • More Information: Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8:30 am until all tickets for that day are gone.
  • Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Orange and Blue Lines)

• Library of Congress
  • Where: 101 Independence Ave. SE Washington, DC 20540
  • Phone: (202) 707-8000
  • More Information: Groups of 16-60 participants may reserve private tours with advance notice by contacting the Visitor Service Office at: http://www.loc.gov/visit/contact.php
  • Tours only by reservation and on a first-come first-served basis
  • The Group Tour schedule is Mon-Fri, at 9am, 10am, 11am, or 1pm
  • This is a lecture tour and is not suitable for school groups younger than 5th grade
  • Closest Metro Station: Capitol South (Orange and Blue Lines)

• The United States Botanical Garden
  • Where: 100 Maryland Ave. SW Washington, DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 226-4082
  • More Information: www.usbg.gov
  • Guided tours are available for groups of 10-25 persons; Mon-Fri 10:30am-1:30pm
  • Schedule at least 3 weeks in advance
  • Closest Metro Station: Federal Center SW (Orange and Blue Lines)

• Arlington National Cemetery
  • Where: Arlington, VA 22211
  • Phone: (703) 607-8000
  • More Information: www.arlingtoncemetery.org
  • Closest Metro Station: Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line)

• John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
  • Where: 2700 F St. NW Washington, DC 20566
  • Phone: (202) 416-8340
  • More Information: www.kennedy-center.org
  • Free tours available Mon-Fri. 10am-5pm and Sat-Sun. 10am-1pm
  • Free tours are given at the Kennedy Center weekdays 10am-5pm, weekends 10am-1pm
  • Reservations needed (20 or more) by calling the Visitors Center (202-416-8340, 10am-9pm daily)
  • Closest Metro Station: Foggy Bottom/ GW University (Orange and Blue Line)

• National Cathedral Tours
  • Where: Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW Washington, D.C. 20016-5098
  • Phone: (202) 537-6200
  • Fax: (202) 364-6600
  • More Information: www.cathedral.org/cathedral/visit/tour
  • Tours are offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:15am, tours can accommodate 45 people and last for approx 45 min
  • Closest Metro Station: Cleveland Park (Red Line)

• National Postal Museum
  • Where: 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 633-5555
  • Fax: (202) 633-5534 (tours)
  • More Information: Groups of 10 or more visitors may schedule a tour at least three weeks in advance
  • Tours are approx one hour long and are NOT recommended for school groups
  • Closest Metro Station: Union Station (Red Line)

• The U.S. Capitol
  • Where: Between Independence and Constitution Avenues Washington, DC
  • Phone: (202) 225-6827
  • More Information: www.aoc.gov/cc/visit/index.cfm
  • Visitors can obtain free tickets for tours on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol, by Independence Ave and the House Office Buildings
  • Tours are available Mon-Sat. from 9am-3:30pm, and last for approx 45 min
  • Closest Metro Station: Capitol South or Union Station (Orange and Blue Lines, or Red Line, respectively)

• Bureau Engraving and Printing
  • Where: 14th St and C St. SW Washington, DC 20228
  • Phone: (202) 874-2330
  • Tours can be arranged though your Congressman’s office, for no more than 10 people
  • School Groups should arrange tours though the Bureaus website: www.moneyfactory.gov
  • Reservations should be made at least 6- 8 weeks in advance
  • Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Orange and Blue Lines)

• The National Archives
  • Where: 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20408-0001
  • Phone: (301) 837-0700
  • More Information: The archive is open Mon-Fri from 10am-7pm
  • Closest Metro Station: National Archives/ Navy Memorial (Yellow and Green Lines)

• The National Zoo
  • Where: 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008
  • Phone: (202) 633-4800
  • More Information: The National Zoo is open every day of the year between 6am-6pm, except Dec 25
  • Closest Metro Station: Woodley Park Zoo/ Adams Morgan (Red Line)

• International Spy Museum
  • Where: 800 F St. NW Washington, DC 20004 Phone: (202) 393-7798
  • More Information: The Museum is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 8 pm (last admission 6pm)
  • All Tickets are date and time specific. Advance Tickets are highly recommended.
  • Groups of 20 or more qualify for Group Admission and require advance reservations
  • Please allow approx 3 hours to complete the museum
  • Prices:
    • Adult (ages 12-64) $16
    • Seniors (65+), Active Duty Military & Intel Community $15
    • Child* (ages 5-11) $13
    • Children age 4 and under FREE
  • Closest Metro Station: Gallery Place/ Chinatown (Red, Yellow, and Green Lines)

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Where: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW Washington, DC 20024-2126 Phone: (202) 488-0400
  • More Information: www.ushmm.org
  • The museum is open from 10am–5:30pm every day
  • Timed passes are necessary for visiting the museum; these can be obtained at the Museum on a first come first serve basis or in advance by calling Tickets.com at (800) 400–9373
  • Group reservations for groups larger than 21 people, using the Museum’s online reservation system. Requests are processed on a first-come, first served basis, and may be submitted from 24 hours to 12 months in advance of the visit date.
  • Please allow at least 4 hours to see the museum
  • Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Orange and Blue Lines)

• Frederick Douglass House
  • Where: 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE Washington, DC 20020
  • Phone: 877-444-6777
  • More Information: Open 9am-5pm
  • Closest Metro Station: Federal Center SW, then take P6 Metro Bus towards Anacostia Station (Orange and Blue Lines)

• Woodrow Wilson House
  • Where: 2340 S St. NW Washington, DC 20008
  • Phone: 202-387-4062
  • More Information: Tours are available on a first come first serve basis on the day of your visit, or alternatively you can arrange a tour though their website: https://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org
  • The house is open 10am-4pm Tues-Sun
  • Prices:
    • Adults $7.50
    • Seniors $6.50
    • Students $3.00 Under age 7 free
  • Closest Metro Station: Dupont Circle (Red Line)

• Textile Museum
  • Where: 2320 S St. NW Washington, DC 20008-4088
  • Phone: (202) 667-0441
  • (202) 483-0994 (fax)
  • More Information: The Museum is open Monday though Sat. 10am-5pm, and Sun. 1pm-5pm
  • Admission is free, however a $5 donation is recommended
  • Closest Metro Station: Dupont Circle (Red Line)

• National Museum of American Jewish Military History
  • Where: 1811 R St, NW Washington, DC
  • Phone: (202) 265-6280
  • More Information: Call Mary Westley at Extension 511 to arrange a tour
  • www.nmajmh.org
  • Closest Metro Station: Dupont Circle (Red Line)

• Voice of America
  • Where: 330 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC
  • Phone: (202) 203-4990
  • More Information: www.voanews.com/english/about/index.cfm#
  • Call to arrange for groups of 5 or more at: (202) 203-4990
  • Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Orange and Blue Lines)

• Washington Redskins (American football)
  • Where: FedEx Field, Raljon Rd. Landover, MD 20785
  • More information: For schedule and pricing information: www.redskins.com
  • Closest Metro Station: Landover, then transfer to shuttle bus (Orange Line)

• Washington Nationals (baseball)
  • Where: RFK Stadium, Gate F 2400 East Capitol Street, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003
  • Closest Metro Station: Stadium Armory Station (Blue and Orange Lines)

• Embassies
  
  • It is also worth checking with the various Foreign Embassies based in Washington DC, to see what special events and exhibitions they are hosting during your visit.

• The U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center
  • Where: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004-2608
  • Phone: 202-737-2300
  • More Information: www.lonesailor.org
  • Hours: 9.30am-5.00pm, Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday
  • Winter schedule: closed Sunday and Monday, November-February
  • Closest Metro Station: Archives/Naval Memorial Station (Yellow and Green Lines)

• Folger Shakespeare Library
  • Where: 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
  • Phone: 202-544-4600
  • 202-544-7077 (tickets)
  • More Information: www.folger.edu
  • Closest Metro Station: Capitol South (Orange and Blue Lines)

• Main Treasury Building
  • Where: 15th Street and Hamilton Place, SE
  • More Information: Guided tours offered on most Sunday mornings at 9.00, 9.45, 10.30, and 11.15
  • Advance reservations required, may be made through Congressional offices
  • Tours are only available for citizens and legal residents of the US
  • Name, date of birth, and Social Security Number for each visitor must be provided when making a reservation
  • Closest Metro Station: Metro Center or McPherson Square (Red, Blue, and Orange Lines; or Blue and Orange Lines;respectively

• National Postal Museum
  • Where: First Street and Massachusetts Ave., NE
  • Phone: 202-357-2991
  • 202-633-9849 (TTY)
  • More Information: www.si.edu/postal
  • Hours: open daily, 10.00am-5.30pm, closed December 25th
  • Admission is free
  • Tours: 1 hour museum tours offered weekdays at 11am, 1pm, and 2pm, weekends at 11am, and 1pm
  • Closest Metro Station: Union Station (Red Line)

• The Museums at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
  • Where: 3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC 20017
  • Phone: 202-635-5400
  • More Information: info@jp2cc.org
  • Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5om, Sunday 12am-5pm
  • Please call 202-635-5400 for holiday and winter hours
  • Admission: Donation and group fee
  • Please call 202-635-5475 for group information
  • Closest Metro Station: Brookland-CUA (Red Line)

• The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
  • Where: 10 minutes from Baltimore Inner Harbor
  • Phone: 410-366-LION
  • More Information: www.marylandzoo.org
  • Hours: March 1st - December 31st 10.00am - 4.30pm
    • (extended summer weekend hours – gates close 1hour prior to Zoo closing)
    • Closed on the 2nd Friday in June, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25th
  • Admission: Children under 2 – free
  • Groups of 15 or more receive a discount with advance reservation

• The DC Visitor Information Center
  • Where: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20004
  • Phone: 202-DCVISIT (328-4748)
  • 1-866-DCISFUN (324-7386)
  • More Information: www.dcvisit.com
    • www.dcchamber.org
  • Summer Hours (March15-Labor Day): Monday-Friday 8.30am-5.30pm
    • Saturday: 9.00am-4.00pm
    • Fall/Winter Hours: Monday-Friday 9.00am-4.00pm
  • Closest Metro Station: Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange Lines)

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  • Where: 10th St. and Constitution Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20560
  • Phone: 202-357-2700
  • 202-357-1729 (TTY)
  • More Information: Hours: Daily, 10am-5.30pm, closed Dec. 25th
  • Tours: Monday-Thursday, 10.30am, and 1.30pm, Friday at 10.30am only
  • www.nmnh.si.edu
  • Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian (Blue and Orange Lines)

• Tour Mobile Sightseeing
  • What: Daily narrated Shuttle tours with free re-boarding
  • Phone: 202-554-5100
  • Fax: 202-488-5200 (Fax)
  • 1-888-868-7707 (toll free)
  • More Information: www.tourmobile.com
  • Closest Metro Station: Union Station (Red Line)

• Boat Tours
  • What: Potomac Riverboat Company
  • Where: City Marina, Alexandria, VA
  • Phone: 703-548-9000
  • Closest Metro Station: Alexandria Waterfront Location- King Street Metro (Blue and Yellow Lines)
    
    
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
  • Where: E St., between 4th and 5th St., NW, Washington, DC
  • More Information: Open year round, 24 hours a day
  • Closest Metro Station: Judiciary Square, F St. exit (Red Line)

• Mount Vernon
  • Phone: 703-780-2000 (24 hours)
  • 703-799-8697 (TDD)
  • More Information: www.mountvernon.org
  • Hours: early 8am opening for Spring and Summer
    • April-August 8am-5pm
    • March, September, October: 9am-5pm
    • November-February: 9am-4pm
  • Easily reached by car, RV, bus or boat

• National Gallery of Art
  • Where: 6th St. and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC
  • Phone: 202-737-4215
  • More Information: www.nga.gov
  • Closest Metro Station: Judiciary Square (Red Line); Archives (Yellow and Green Lines), and Smithsonian (Blue and Orange Lines).

• The Radio & Television Museum
  • Where: 2608 Mitchellville Rd. Bowie, MD 20716
  • Phone: 301-390-1020
  • More Information: www.radiohistory.org

• The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
  • Where:1850 Dual Highway
  • Hagerstown, MD 21740
  • Phone: 301-739-4200
  • More Information: www.nps.gov/choh

• Clara Barton National Historic Site
  • Where: 5801 Oxford Rd.
  • Glen Echo, MD 20812-1201
  • Phone: 301-320-1410
  • More Information: www.nps.gov/clba
  • Park is open 7 days a week
    • Closed on Thanksgiving, 12/25 and 1/1
  • The house is shown by guided tour only.
  • Tours start on the hour between 10am and 4pm.

• Bike the Sites
  • Where: 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
  • Phone: 202-842-BIKE (2453)
  • 202-842-2441 (Fax)
  • More Information: Open 7 days/week, March through November
    • 9am-6pm, spring and fall
    • 9am-9pm, summer
    • Open 9:30am on Sundays
  • Bike tours and Rentals
  • Located at the Old Post office Pavilion
  • Closest Metro Station: Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange Lines)

• The National Postal Museum
  • Where: 2 Massachusetts Ave, NE
  • Phone: 202-633-5555
  • 202-633-9849 (TTY)
  • More Information: www.postalmuseum.si.edu
  • Open daily from 10am-5.30pm
  • Free Admission
  • Closest Metro Station: Union Station (Red Line)

• D.C. Party Shuttle Tours
  • Where: Meet at 12th St. & Pennsylvania Ave., NW (in front of Old Post Office Building) at 9.45am
  • Phone: 1-877-U-TOUR-DC
  • More Information: www.WashingtonDCPartyShuttle.com
  • Tour Pricing: Day Tours: Adults $60.00, kids $55.00
    • Night Tours: $30.00 per person
    • Private tours: call for pricing

• Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
  • Where: Freer Gallery of Art / Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
  • Phone: 202-633-0519
  • More Information: www.asia.si.edu

• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
  • Where: 641 D Street, NW
  • More Information: Schedule: Wednesday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm and 7pm
  • Tickets: $22 - $52, $10 for patrons 25 and under
    • Pay-What-You-Can: Mon 6/4 and Tues 6/5 at 8pm, tickets on sale at 6.30pm, 2 per person(cash/check only)
  • Closest Metro Station: Archives – Navy Memorial – Penn quarter (green/yellow lines; Gallery Place (red/green/yellow lines)

• Port Discovery: The Children’s Museum in Baltimore
  • Where: 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
  • More Information: Hours of Operation:
    • Memorial Day – Labor Day: Monday -Thursday 10am-5pm
      • Friday – Saturday 10am-6pm
      • Sunday: 12pm-5pm
    • September: Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm
      • Saturday: 10am – 5pm
      • Sunday: 12pm-5pm
    • October – May: Tuesday – Friday: 9.30am – 4.30pm
      • Saturday: 10am – 5pm
      • Sunday 12pm – 5pm
  • Purchase advance tickets at www.ticketmaster.com
  • www.portdiscovery.org

• The US Navy Museum
  • Where: Washington Navy Yard, 805 Kidder Breese St. SE, Washington, DC 20374
  • Phone: (202) 433-6897
  • More Information: All Navy Museum programs are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is needed for entry into Navy Yard
  • www.history.navy.mil
  • All visitors enter the 11th and O St. SE gate of the Washington Navy Yard on weekdays and the 6th and M St. SE gate for evening events, weekends, and holidays.
  • Closest Metro Station: Navy Yard (Green Line); Eastern Market (Blue and Orange lines);Union Station (Red line)

Maps of the Capitol and DC Metro Area

• Map of Capitol Grounds
• Map of the Mall
• Metro Trip Planner
• Metro Bus and Rail Maps
• Washington, D.C. Sightseeing Maps  
• White House Area Map