Tours
Washington, DC is the home of our national government and has some of the most important and historic buildings in our country. Many of these buildings are open for public tours, and some of them require booking those tours through our office. Below are some of the most popular destinations and details about their tour policies. If you need help with any of these tours, please contact my office at:
Office of Senator Kerry
Attn: Tour Director
218 Russell Bldg.
Washington D.C. 20510-2102
Phone - (202) 224-2742
Fax - (202) 224-8525
The Capitol »
Professional guides lead tours of our nation's Capitol, with tours beginning at the new Capitol Visitor's Center and including timed tickets and an orientation film. Click here to book your own Capitol Tour through the Visitor's Center. School groups or anyone with special needs should book a Capitol Tour through Senator Kerry's Office with 30 days advance notice.
The White House »
The White House currently offers Congressional tours of the East Wing to groups of 10 or more. Due to the overwhelming demand for tours of the Obama White House, we have adopted a policy that you must request a tour AT LEAST six months in advance. No request with less than a six month advance notice will be considered. All decisions on the granting of tours and the hours they are scheduled are made by the Obama White House. An alternative to a White House tour is a visit to the White House Visitors Center. The Visitors Center features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. It is located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets and is open 7 days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. For the most up-to-date information, visitors are encouraged to call the 24-hour tour information line at 202-456-7041.
The Supreme Court »
Public tours are available in the Courtroom every hour on the half-hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on days that the Court is not sitting. Seating for public lectures is available on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are not required. For information about sitting in on the Court while in session, please see the Visitor’s Guide to Oral Argument, available here.
The Pentagon »
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense, offers tours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Government employees and active-duty military personnel can book a tour online here. Otherwise, tours of the Pentagon must be reserved through a congressional office, either ours or your Member of the House of Representatives with 30 days advance notice. We recommend reserving tours 90 days in advance to guarantee your desired time and date.
The National Archives »
The National Archives is home to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, as well as housing many other documents that have shaped our country. Tours of the Archives can be reserved for a nominal fee through National Recreation Reservation Service here, or through the Call Center at (877) 444-6777 or (877) 559-6777 for group sales. A limited number of spots can also be reserved through our office with 30 days advanced notice.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing »
Tours of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where currency is printed, can be reserved through Senator Kerry's office with at least 30 days of advanced notice. Same-day tickets can also be picked up at the Bureau's ticket booth located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street) beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tickets are only required during peak season (March – August). The Bureau is closed on weekends, federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Years.