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The office of Rep. Chet Edwards is here to serve you when you visit our Nation's Capital. If you are a 17th District resident, you can request tickets to certain attractions through the office of Rep. Chet Edwards. Please fill out and submit the online tour request form or if you prefer, you can fax this printable form. You may also call our DC office at 202-225-6105 for more information.
When submitting a tour please be aware of the following:
- Please be aware that Congressional VIP tour requests have very limited number of persons. Therefore you should request a tour at least 3 months before the requested tour dates. Tour requests submitted less than six weeks before the requested tour dates may honored due to the high demand of these tours.
- Do not include your travel dates on your tour request
- If you change your tour dates after submitting your original tour request please notify Scott M.R. Baker, my Director of Constituent Services ASAP. Please be aware that changing your tour dates may affect your ability to secure your requested tours.
Some tours require additional security screening information. Please fill out and submit the Tour Security Form with your tour request.
Here's some information that you may find helpful:
TOURS
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center - 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. Tours are free, but tour passes are required.
Tour hours: 8:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Saturday
Advance Passes: Tours may be booked in advance online, through the office of your Senators or Representative, or through the Office of Visitor Services by calling (202) 226-8000.
Same-Day Passes: A limited number of passes are available each day at the tour kiosks on the East and West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.
Arlington National Cemetery - Open daily October through March from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and April through September from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sites include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Custis-Lee Mansion and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour during all months except summer, when it occurs every half hour. Phone: 703-607-8052.
Botanic Gardens - 1st street, S.W. between Maryland Avenue and C Street. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round, including Christmas. Group tours are available with advance reservations. Phone: 202-225-8333.
Bureau Of Engraving And Printing - 14th and C Streets, S.W. See how U.S. currency is printed. Tours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed weekends and Federal holidays. Phone: 202-874-3019. Location and Tours.
Capital Children's Museum - 800 3rd Street, N.E. A hands-on museum where children and adults can learn, explore and have fun with interactive exhibits. Open seven days a week: Easter through Labor Day 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Labor Day through Easter 10 a.m. 10 5 p.m. Admission is $6, ages 2 and under are free. Phone: 202-675-4120.
Corcoran Gallery Of Art - 17th Street and New York Avenue, N.W. Open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday evenings until 9 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Admission is free. Phone: 202-638-3211.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation - Entrance is on E Street between 9th and 10th Streets, N.W. Closed for next two years - Phone: 202-FBI-3447.
Ford's Theatre And Lincoln Museum - 511 10th Street between E and F Streets, N.W. It is open when show running: Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 12 noon-8 p.m., Sunday 12 noon to 7:30 p.m. When there is not a show running it is open: Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 12 noon to 4 p.m. Closed on Christmas. When a matinee, scheduled performance, or rehearsal is in progress, the theatre is closed. Tickets: tickets.com or 703-218-6500 or 800-955-5566. Information only 202-347-4833. Ford's Theatre National Historic Site.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - On the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. Open daily 8 a.m. to midnight except Christmas Day. Telephone: 202-426-6841
Georgetown Area - M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. West of Rock Creek Park. Shopping, boutiques, restaurants and night clubs.
Hall Of States Building - 444 North Capitol - Street, NW. This building houses 32 state offices. For information call the Council of State Governments at 202-624-5386.
Holocaust Memorial Museum - 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, S.W. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. including weekends. Advanced tickets may be obtained by contacting Protixs at 1-800-400-9373. There is a $1.75 per ticket cost with a $1.00 handling fee per order. Free same day tickets are available at 10 a.m. at the door. Availability is limited.
Jefferson Memorial - South bank of the Tidal Basin. Open daily from 8 a.m. to Midnight. At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a pedal boat to ride through the Basin. For information call 202-426-6841.
John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts - Regular tours are conducted by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking Level A. Phone: 202-416-8340. Performances are given at the following theaters: the Concert Hall, Terrace Theater, Eisenhower Theater, Theater Lab and the Opera House, please call for a current list of performances.
Korean War Veterans Memorial - Ash Woods, near the Lincoln Memorial in West Potomac Park. Rangers available 8 a.m. to midnight every day except Christmas Day.
Library Of Congress - Jefferson Building, 1st Street and Independence Avenue, S.E. Tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Saturday public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Tours are limited to 50 people. For more information on guided tours, ask at either of the information desks in the Visitors' Center of the Jefferson Building, call the Visitor Services Office at 202-707-9779.
Lincoln Memorial - Located on 23rd Street, the Lincoln Memorial is open from 8 a.m. to Midnight, every day except December 25. For more information call 202-426-6841.
Mount Vernon - Home of George Washington. Open to the public April through August from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. September through March from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open November through February 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open daily including Christmas. Admission: Adults: $8.00 - Senior Citizens (62 and older with i.d.): $7.50 Children (ages 6-11): $4.00, children 5 and under are free. Group rates available. Phone: 703-780-2000.
National Aquarium - 14th Street between Constitution Avenue and Penn Avenue, N.W. Located in the U.S. Department of Commerce Building. Tanks of fish, frogs, alligators, sharks, and other sea life. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas. Phone: 202-482-2825. Adults $2.00, Senior Citizens and Children 2 to 10 - 75 cents.
National Archives - 8th and Constitution Avenue, N.W. See the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Phone: 202-501-5000. Currently, it is being renovated. The research rooms will remain open during the renovation. Researchers will be able to conduct their work and the normal research hours will continue. However, renovation activity may sometimes require minor adjustment to the research hours. Before planning a visit, please check the web page for the latest information about hours. The Rotunda will temporarily close during the renovation on July 5, 2001 and reopen in the Fall of 2003. The Rotunda is where the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are on display.
National Building Museum- Located: 401 F Street, NW, between 4th and 5th streets. Wheelchair access at 4th and G streets. Museum Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 4pm,Sunday noon - 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Pension Building hours: Monday through Friday (12:30pm), Saturday and Sunday (12:30pm and 1:30pm). Metro: Judiciary Square - Red line. Telephone: 202-272-2448.
National Gallery Of Art - 6th & Constitution Avenue, NW. Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday noon to 9:00pm. Sunday concerts are held at 7:00pm in the East Garden Court from October through June. Telephone: 202-737-4215.
National Geographic Society - 17TH and M Street, N.W. Exhibits of famous scientific expeditions. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5p.m. Sunday. Closed Christmas Day. Free admission. Telephone: 202-857-7588.
National Postal Museum - Located: 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. in the Washington City Post Office Building on Capitol Hill (next to Union Station). Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on Christmas. Free admission. Telephone: general number is 202-357-1729.
Octagon House - 1799 New York Avenue, N.W. Architectural exhibits. Served as James Madison's White House following the destruction of the real White House by the British Army in 1814. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on this premises, ending the War of 1812. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Monday. Admission: Adults - $3.00, Students and Senior Citizens - $1.50, children under 5 - free. Phone: 202-638-3105.
Old Post Office-Pavilion - 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Open daily Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. National Parks Service offers a tour of the bell tower with a splendid view of the city. The lines for this tour are normally much shorter than for the Washington Memorial. Telephone: 202-289-4224 Metro:Federal Triangle or Navy Memorial.
Pentagon - Across the 14th Street Bridge in Arlington Virginia. Open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. See the Flag Corridor and Hall of Heroes. The Pentagon conducts two kinds of tours for the general public, walk-in tours and group tours. Both tours are free and are conducted Monday through Friday. Tours are not conducted on weekends or federal holidays. Walk-in tours begin at 9 a.m. and are conducted once an hour on the hour. The last tour begins at 3:00 p.m. All walk-in tours are open to the public on a first come, first served basis, and always begin and end at the Metro entrance. Walk-in tour length is approximately 90 minutes, is about one mile long, and includes several staircases. All times are subject to change. During the summer months there may be a waiting period. Group tours are conducted for parties of 10 or more visitors and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. When making a reservation, the following information is needed:
the name of the group and the number of persons in the group; the date and time the tour is wanted, with possible alternate date and times; and the name and phone number of the person requesting the tour.
Group tours can be tailored to meet the time requirements of the party, but normally last for 30 to 90 minutes. They begin and end at the Pentagon Metro entrance unless special arrangements for pickup and drop-off at another building location are requested. Requests for group tours can be sent via the Internet (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
); faxed 703-614-1642; or can be mailed to:
Director, Pentagon Tours
Room 1E776, 1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400.
Phone: 703-695-1776.
Phillips Collections - 1600-1612 21st Street, N.W., corner of 21st and Q Street. The nation's first museum of modern art with free Sunday concerts.Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday, 12 noon-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays. Telephone: 202-387-2151.
Smithsonian Institution - Admission to 14 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is free. Admission to the National Museum of the American Indian in New York is free. An admission fee is required at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York (National Design Museum and Smithsonian Institution members and children under age 12 are admitted free. Free public admission is offered on Tuesdays.). The Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., are open every day of the year except December 25. Extended summer hours, including Art Night on the Mall, are determined annually. The museums are open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture
Arts and Industries Building - 900 Jefferson Drive, S.W. Open 10 AM to 5:30 PM Daily
Closed December 25
Freer Gallery of Art - Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, S.W.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Independence Avenue at 7th Street, S.W.
National Air and Space Building - Independence and 6th Street, S.W.
For more information on all tour descriptions and special tours, programs, science demonstrations, or to make reservations, call the Tours and Reservations Office at 202-357-1400.
National Gallery of Art - 4th Street between the Mall and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
National Museum of American Art - 8th and G Streets, N.W.
A major renovation of the Old Patent Office Building in Washington, D.C., historic home of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and centerpiece of the revitalized downtown district, began in January 2000 and will proceed for approximately three years.
A number of programs are continuing during the renovation. The museum's Renwick Gallery for American craft remains open as usual, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., seven days a week (except December 25). It is located at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., one block west of the White House.
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.
Renwick Gallery - Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street, N.W.
Smithsonian Institution Building "The Castle" - 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
National Museum of African Art - 950 Independence Avenue S.W.
Sackler Gallery - 1050 Independence Avenue S.W.
International Center - 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
State Department - 2201 C Street, N.W. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Tours are by reservation only. No strollers allowed, children 12 and over welcome. Closed weekends and Federal holidays. Phone: 202-647-3241.
Supreme Court - 1st Street and Maryland Avenue, N.E. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Federal holidays. Public tours given each weekday at 2:00 p.m. promptly. No tickets are necessary. Decisions on court cases are given every Monday. No tours are given during August. Phone: 202-479-3499.
Textile Museum - 2320 S Street, N.W. 11,000 textiles and 1,000 rugs. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Federal holidays. Free Admission. Telephone: 202-667-0441.
Tourmobile Service - The National Park Service has concessionaire-operated guided tour mobiles that travel from Capitol Hill to Arlington Cemetery and points in-between with unlimited 5100.
Treasury Department - 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Commerce Building. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours are conducted on Saturdays at 10 a.m, 10:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., and 11 a.m. Reservations required. Phone: 202-622-0896.
United States National Arboretum- 444 acres of trees, shrubs and assorted plants in the northeast section of the District of Columbia. Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. 10:00am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday. Guide services for organized groups area available. Please make reservations for groups. Entrance: New York Avenue, NE. Metro: Stadium Armory on the blue or orange lines, then Bus number B-2, B-4, or B-5 to the intersection of Bladensburg Road and R Street, Walk east of R street 300 yards to the R street gate. Telephone: 202-637-7000.
United States Navy Memorial And Visitors Center - Located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Metro: Navy Memorial. Hours for Visitors Center are Monday through Saturday,9:30am to 5:00pm, and Sunday, noon to 5:00pm. Telephone: 202-737-2300.
U.S. Naval Observatory - 34th and Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Evening tours are available Mondays at 8:30 p.m. All other times, it is closed to the general public. Closed on holidays. Phone: 202-762-1467.
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial - Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Constructed to honor and recognize all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a tribute to those who did not return, the names of 58,000 + who gave their lives, or who remain missing, are inscribed in the Memorial's walls. The names are in chronological order. Open all day, year round.
Washington Ballet - 3515 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Telephone: 202-362-3606.
Washington Dolls House And Toy Museum - 5236 44th Street, N.W. (Friendship Heights). Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday, 12 noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children under 12. Antique dolls' houses, dolls, toys and games. Telephone: 202-244-0024.
Washington Monument - 14th & Independence N.W. Advanced tickets may be obtained by contacting Ticketmaster at 1-800-551-SEAT or 202-432-SEAT. There is $1.50 per ticket cost with a $.50 handling fee per order for the advanced tickets. Free same day tickets are available at 8:30 am at the Kiosk located just east of the monument. UPDATE: The Washington Monument opening is postponed from July 15, 2001 until later this summer.
Washington Navy Yard - at 9th & M Streets, SE, on the banks of the Anacostia River. The original buildings date back to the 1800's & contain the Navy Memorial Museum & Marine Corps Museum. The Navy Museum is free & opened from 10:00am to 4:00pm weekdays. Docked near the Navy Museum is a real Vietnam-era destroyer, the USS Barry. The USS Barry is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Washington Visitor Information Service - (Tourist Center) 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays. Phone: 202-789-7038.
The White House - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Open Tuesday through Saturday year round. Tours can only be arranged through Congressman Edwards' office. Due to the popularity of this tour, we recommend you request tickets from us at least several months in advance to have the best possible chance of touring the White House.
If you contact the Congressman’s office in less time we can place you on the White House tour stand by list in case there are any last minute openings or cancellations. Also the White House requires that parties be no smaller than 10 persons. Any group smaller than 10 will be merged when possible to accommodate as many requests as possible.
Also note all persons who are assigned to a White House tour must undergo a background check by the White House Detail Secret Service Office.
White House tours are conducted Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Since the White House is occasionally closed for official events, it is recommended that visitors call in advance if you have secured a tour. White House tour hotline: 202-456-7041 and White House Visitor's Center.
Wolf Trap Farm Park For The Performing Arts - Virginia Route 7 near Vienna, Virginia. The nation's first National Park for the performing arts offers opera, symphonic music, pop concerts, jazz and ballet in an outdoor setting. Concerts are given all winter in The Barns which has 350 indoor seats. The Filene Center has approximately 7,000 indoor/outdoor seats. Phone: 703-255-1916.
Zoological Park - 3000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Grounds open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October 16 through April 14 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 15 through October 15. Buildings are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the winter months and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months. Phone: 202-673-4800.
OUTDOOR THEATERS
MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILLION - performing arts offers symphonic music, and pop concerts. Only open during warm weather. Telephone: 800-551-7328 (Columbia, Maryland) and 301-596-0660(in D.C.)
THEATERS
ARENA STAGE
6th and Maine Avenue, SW. 202-488-3300
800-777-2238
D.C. SPACE
7th and E Street, NW. 202-347-4960
DISCOVERY THEATER
performances for young audiences Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building 900 Jefferson Drive, SW. 202-357-1500
FORD'S THEATER
511 10th Street, NW. 202-347-4833
JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
New Hampshire Avenue at Rock Creek Parkway, NW. 202-254-3600
NATIONAL THEATER
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. 202-628-6161
SHAKESPEARE THEATRE AT THE FOLGER
301 E. Capitol Street, SE. 202-547-3230
SOURCE THEATRE
1809 14th Street, NE Mainstage 202-462-1073
STUDIO THEATER
1401 Church Street, NW. 202-332-3300
WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW. 202-393-3600
TRANSPORTATION
AIRPORTS:
WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT
Telephone: 703-685-8000 for general information, 703-685-8034 for lost and found, 703-637-7000 for metro information, and 703-684-3472 for travelers aid and paging.
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Maryland Telephone: 301-261-1000 (general information), 301-261-1091 (ground transportation), and 301-674-1167 (Amtrak BWI Station)
DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Chantilly, Virginia Telephone numbers general information 703-471-7838, lost and found - 703-471-4114, taxi service - 703-528-4440 and 703-661-8636 (travelers aid).
METRO:
Metrorail (Subway) - Open 5:30am to 12:00pm, Monday - Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00pm on Saturday, 10:00am to 12:00pm Sunday, & special schedules on holidays. Metrobus: 6:00am to 11:30pm (days & times vary by route) Telephone: 202-637-7000 (transit information, timetable requests & parking information), 202-962-1245 (handicapped assistance), & 202-962-1196 (lost & found)
A map of the Washington, DC transit system, showing subway lines and stations. Note, the Blue Subway Line, Capitol South station will take you the closest to House of Representatives office buildings.
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