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ABOVE: Each year many school groups on their class trips receive tours of the Capitol and meet with Tammy in Washington.
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Popular Tour Sites | |
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Monuments and Memorials | |
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Museums and Galleries | |
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Landmarks and Parks | |
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Off the Beaten Path | |
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Transportation | |
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Tour Request Form | |
Washington, DC is a beautiful city. I still remember the feeling I had when I first landed in our nation's capital before becoming a Member of Congress. There are so many awe-inspiring sites and such a rich history. If you are thinking about visiting Washington, I would be delighted to help set up some tours for you. I would advise you to contact my Washington office in advance, and if you are planning a trip for the summer months, I recommend that you call 2-3 months ahead of time. Space is limited for all tours, but my staff and I will do our best to make your trip to Washington enjoyable.
To submit a request for a tour, please fill out my Tour Request Form. If you need assistance, please call the tour coordinator in my Washington office at 202-225-2906.
The following is a list of many of the tour sites in town. Due to the events of the past few years, security measures have been elevated at many Washington, D.C. attractions. Although specific procedures vary by location,you will likely encounter numerous security checkpoints during your stay.
For additional security, the following items are prohibited at many locations: aerosol and non-aerosol sprays and liquids; cans and bottles, full or empty; oversized suitcases, duffle bags, and backpacks; knives of any length; razors and box cutters; and mace and pepper spray.
Popular Tour Sites
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
http://www.whitehouse.gov
The White House was recently reopened for self-guided, public tours Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can only be made through the office of a Member of Congress. In order to obtain reservations, you must choose the exact dates you plan to visit Washington, D.C. Requests may be submitted to congressional offices up to six months in advance of your visit. The reservation will be confirmed approximately twenty days before the date of your visit. All visitors aged 14 and above will be required to submit their name, date of birth, social security number and country of origin to the congressional office with which you schedule the tour.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: all bags, including purses; food and beverages of any kind; strollers; cameras and video recorders of any type; tobacco products; personal grooming items; pointed objects, including pens and knives of any size; guns and ammunition; fireworks; electric stun guns; mace and pepper spray. The United States Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. No coat or package check facilities are provided. Individuals who arrive with any of the prohibited items will be denied access to the White House. All necessary medications must be identified and remain in the custody of an adult chaperone for the entirety of the tour.
All visitors should call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 to determine if any last minute changes have been made in the tour schedule.
The United States Capitol Building
Center of City
http://www.aoc.gov
In December of 2008 the brand new Capitol Visitor Center opened. The Visitor Center has several gift shops, a restaurant and an excellent exhibit about the history of the building and the city. Free public tours are conducted Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Summer hours, May 1st-September 15th, are extended until 8:00 p.m. Reservations can be made in advance through my Washington office. For information, call 202-225-6827. Gallery passes are also available from my Washington office. Metro: Capitol South.
The Bureau of Engraving & Printing
14th St. & C St., SW
http://www.moneyfactory.com
See currency being printed at the rate of 7,000 sheets per hour on a 40-minute guided tour. Tours are free, but space is limited and given every fifteen minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are required March-September. Open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For information, call 202-874-3019. Metro: Smithsonian.
The Pentagon
1400 Defense Pentagon
http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil
The Pentagon, the world's largest office building, and the center for our nation's defense, offers ninety-minute free public tours Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Advanced reservations are required. Visitors will have to provide their full name, birthday, place of birth and two forms of photo ID. Reservations can be made through my Washington office. Metro: Pentagon.
The Kennedy Center
2700 F St., NW
http://www.kennedy-center.org
The Kennedy Center offers free guided tours Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The Kennedy Center also features gift shops, restaurants and private reception areas. Tour reservations can be made through my Washington office. For performance reservations and ticket prices call 202-467-4600. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
The Library of Congress
10 1st St., SE
http://www.loc.gov
The Visitor's Center, located on the west ground level of the Jefferson Building, is open to the public Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and a twelve minute film showcasing the library is shown continuously. Free public tours are conducted at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and additionally at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call 202-707-8000. Metro: Capitol South.
Other popular tour sites:
The Supreme Court
1st St. & Maryland Ave., NE
http://www.supremecourtus.gov
Open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, no weekends or national holidays. Lectures on the first floor of the courtroom are taking place every hour on the half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (when the Court is not sitting). Tickets are not required for groups less than 50. Tickets are required for groups over 50 and should be ordered a month ahead of time. For information, please call 202-479-3211. Metro: Union Station.
The Department of State
2201 C St., NW
http://www.state.gov
The headquarters for American foreign policy offers free public tours by reservation only Monday - Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Strollers are not permitted and the tour is recommended for children age twelve and older. For more information, please call 202-647-3241. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
9th & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
http://www.fbi.gov/aboutus/tour/tour.htm
THE FBI WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The J. Edgar Hoover Building, the headquarters of our nation's premiere law enforcement agency, offers free public tours every fifteen minutes Monday - Friday from 8:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. The 1-hour tour includes crime laboratories, history exhibits and a live firearms demonstration. For information, call 202-324-3447. Metro: Metro Center or Gallery Place-Chinatown.
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Monument and Memorials
Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org
Arlington National Cemetery is America's largest national burial ground with more than 600 acres of landscaped hills. See 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 Solider is every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. Arlington National Cemetery is open daily October through March from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and April through September from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call 703-692-0931. Metro: Arlington National Cemetery.
The Korean War Memorial
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/kwvm/home.htm
The Memorial is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. year-round. Metro: Smithsonian.
The Lincoln Memorial
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/linc
The memorial is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. year-round. For more information, please call 202-426-6822. Metro: Smithsonian.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/thje
The memorial is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. year-round. For more information, please call 202-426-6822. Metro: Smithsonian.
FDR Memorial
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/fdrm
The memorial is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. year-round. For more information, please call 202-426-6822. Metro: Smithsonian.
The World War II Memorial
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/nwwm
The memorial is open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. year-round. For more information, please call 202-426-6841. Metro: Smithsonian.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/vive
The memorial is open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. year-round. For more information, please call 202-634-1568. Metro: Smithsonian.
The Washington Monument
National Mall
http://www.nps.gov/wamo
The monument is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. seven days a week, and hours are extended from 8:30 a.m. to midnight Memorial Day through Labor Day. You may obtain tickets to the monument ahead of time by calling 1-800-967-2283. Tickets are $1.50 each plus a fifty cent transaction, and can be picked up at will call by the Monument. For more information, please call 202-426-6841. Metro: Smithsonian.
The U.S. Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
http://www.navymemorial.org
The memorial is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and also on Mondays from April 1st until November. For more information, please call 202-737-2300. Metro: Archives.
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Museums and Galleries
The Smithsonian Institution
http://www.si.edu
The museums are open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The locations are as follows:
- Anacostia Museum
2405 Martin Luther King Ave., SW - Arts and Industries Building
900 Jefferson Dr., SW - Freer Gallery of Art
Jefferson Dr. and 12th St., SW - Hirschhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Independence Ave. & 7th St., SW - National Air & Space Museum
Independence St. and 7th St., SW - National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA - National Museum of African Art
8th and G Streets, NW - National Museum of American History
14th St. & Constitution Ave., SW - National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW - National Portrait Gallery
8th & F Streets, NW - Renwick Gallery
Pennsylvania Ave. & 17th St., NW - Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)
1000 Jefferson Drive, SW
Folger Shakespeare Library
201 E. Capitol St., SE
http://www.folger.edu
The Folger Library is open to the public Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and public tours are available at 11 a.m. Monday - Friday, and 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, please call 202-544-7077. Metro: South Capitol or Union Station.
Ford's Theater
511 10th St., NW
http://www.fordstheatre.org
The theater where President Lincoln was assassinated and the museum on the lower level are currently closed for rennovations. They will re-open in February 2009. The Petersen House where Lincoln died is open for tours. For more information, please call 202-426-6924. Metro: Metro Center.
The National Gallery of Art
6th St. & Constitution Ave., NW
http://www.nga.gov
The gallery is open to the public Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call 202-737-4215. Metro: Archives.
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
http://www.ushmm.org/visit
The museum is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. You may obtain tickets ahead of time by calling 1-800-400-9373 or logging on to www.tickets.com. For more information, please call 202-488-0400. Metro: Smithsonian.
Capitol Children's Museum
800 3rd Street, NE
http://www.ccm.org/
This is a hands-on museum where children and adults can learn, explore and have fun. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer and Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. For more information, please call 202-675-4125. Metro: Union Station.
Corcoran Gallery of Art
17th Street and New York Avenue, NW
http://www.corcoran.org
The Corcoran is open every day except Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday evenings until 9:00 p.m. Tickets are needed for some exhibits. For more information, please call 202-639-1700. Metro: Farragut West.
The Newseum
http://www.newseum.org
The Newseum has recently relocated and is currently open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Tickets are required and cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students, and $13 for Children (ages 7-18). For more information please visit the Newseum website or call 888-639-7386. Metro:Archives-Navy.
Phillips Collection
1600 21st St., NW
http://www.phillipscollection.org
The Phillips Collections is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Weekend admission is $7.50 for adults and there is no charge for people under 18. For special exhibitions, the admission charge is $10 for adults, nothing for those under 18. Walk-in tours are available on Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m., at no charge. Metro: Dupont Circle
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, NW
http://www.nmwa.org
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; on Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admissions charges are as follows: Adults: $5.00; Seniors (60 and over): $3.00; Students with ID: $3.00; NMWA members and youth 18 and under are admitted free. For more information, call 202-783-5000. Metro: Metro Center.
Spy Museum
800 F Street, NW
http://www.spymuseum.org
The Spy Museum is home to the world's largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. The museum is open 10 am to 8 pm April through October and 10 am to 6 pm November through March. The last tickets are sold one hour prior to closing. Tickets are $11 for Adults, $9 for Seniors (age 65+) / Military & Intelligence (U.S. or International with valid I.D.), $8 for Children (grades K-12 or ages 5-18), and Children under 5 are free. For advance tickets, log on to ticketmaster.com or call 800-551-SEAT. For more information on the museum, please call 202-EYE-SPY-U. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown
Museum of Crime and Punishment
575 7th St., NW
http://www.crimemuseum.org
The Museum of Crime and Punishment is a new museum which opened in 2008. The interactive exhibits allow visitors to explore the world and history of criminals and those who seek to bring them to justice. The museum is open March-August: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and September-February: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $17.95 for adults and $14.95 for children(5-11), seniors, military and law enforcement. For more information please visit the museum website or call (202) 621-5567. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown.
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Landmarks and Parks
Mount Vernon
At the south end of the George Washington Parkway, eight miles south of Alexandria.
http://www.mountvernon.org
The 30-acre estate is the home and burial place of George Washington. Mt. Vernon is open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. March, September, and October. November through February hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. April through August hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission charges are: Adults $9.00, Senior Citizens $8.50, Children 6-11 years $4.50.For more information, please call 703-780-2000. Metro: Not within walking distance. One nice way to arrive is by tour boat leaving from Old Town Alexandria.
United States Botanic Garden
245 1st St., SW
http://www.usbg.gov
The gardens are free and open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and from June - August until 9:00 p.m. Group tours are available with advance reservations. For more information, please call 202-225-8333. Metro: Federal Center SW.
Octagon House
18th and New York Avenue, NW
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc22.htm
The Octagon House contains architectural exhibits. It served as James Madison's White House following the destruction of the real White House by the British in 1814. The Treaty of Ghent was signed here, ending the War of 1812. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Octagon House is closed Monday. For more information, please call 202-638-3105. Metro: Farragut North or Farragut West.
Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts & Wisconsin Aves., NW
http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/
The observation gallery offers a magnificent view of Washington. The Cathedral is open Sunday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free guided tours are conducted from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tours are not offered during services. Donations are accepted. For more information, please call 202-537-6200. Metro: Not within walking distance.
The National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
http://natzoo.si.edu
The zoo's grounds are open to the public daily from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and the animal buildings are open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. from May 1 until September 15. From September 16 until April 30, the zoo's grounds are open from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and the animal buildings are open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call 202-673-4800. Metro: Cleveland Park Station
Old Post Office Building and Pavilion
1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
The building is open to the public daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. September through April and 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. April through September. For more information, please call 202-606-8691. Metro: Federal Triangle
Union Station
15 Massachusetts Ave., NE
http://www.unionstationdc.com
The mall is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., with separate hours for individual restaurants. For more information, please call 202-289-1908. Metro: Union Station.
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Off the Beaten Path
Theodore Roosevelt Island Memorial Park
http://www.nps.gov/this
This park is on an island in the Potomac and a great tribute to the 26th President.
Marjorie Merriweather Post/ Hillwood
http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heir to the Post cereal fortune, turned her 25 acre estate into a beautiful museum and garden, open to the public for walkthroughs and exploration. The Estate is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 for students, and $5 for children(6-18). For more information please visit the Estate’s website or call 202.686.5807. Metro: Van Ness/UDC Metro station.
Textile Museum
http://www.textilemuseum.org
The Textile Museum is a dedication to the exploration and understanding of Man’s achievement in the textile arts. The Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. For more information please visit the museum website or call (202) 667-0441. Metro: Dupont Circle.
National Museum of Health and Medicine
http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum
The National Museum of Health and Medicine was established during the Civil War as the Army Medical Museum, a center for the collection of specimens for research in military medicine and surgery. The museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:30pm. Admission is free. The public transportation access is available here: http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/planning/index.html#trans For more information please visit the museum website or call 202-782-2200.
President Lincoln’s Cottage
http://www.lincolncottage.org
President Lincoln’s seasonal home during the Civil War is the most significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln's presidency aside from the White House. Tours cols $12 for adults and $5 for children(6-12). Advanced reservations are recommended. Please visit the website or call 202-829-0436 for more information.
Walking Tours
http://www.washingtonwalks.com
Explore Washington D.C. on foot with a wide assortment of walking tours including ghost tours, a “little known facts” tour and a seasonal cherry blossom tour. All walks last approximately 2 hours and cost $10 a person. For more information please visit the tour website or call 800-979-3370.
Other Sightseeing tours
http://dc.about.com/od/walkingtours/a/5BestTours.htm
This website includes links to some of Washington D.C.’s best sightseeing tours including the segway tours, duck tours and trolley tours.
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Transportation
Metro
The Washington, DC metropolitan area boasts a top notch subway system known as the Metro. It provides a quick, inexpensive way for visitors to get around the capital city and its environs.
Tourmobile Services
http://www.tourmobile.com
Guided tourmobiles run from Capitol Hill to Arlington National Cemetery daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $16 for adults and $7.50 for children. For information, please call 202-554-5100.
Amtrak
http://www.amtrak.com
For more information regarding train schedules and ticket prices, please call 202-484-7540.
Metrorail
http://www.wmata.com or the WMATA Trip Planner
For information regarding train schedules and ticket prices, please call 202-637-7000.
Maps
Metro Map http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
Map of Capitol Hill
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/cc_map.cfm
Helpful Links:
Visitor information for U.S. Capitol http://www.house.gov/house/Visitor.html
Washington, DC homepage http://www.dchomepage.net
More information about Washington, DC
http://www.allaboutwashingtondc.com/
http://www.dcbestbets.com
http://www.etraveldc.com/
Washington, DC hotels http://www.wdcahotels.com/
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