United States Senator Lisa Murkowski

Washington, D.C. is bursting with history, culture and fun. We encourage you to visit our nation's capital and take part in one of the many activities the city has to offer. Attractions are easily accessible by foot, metro, and bus. Below is a list of the most popular attractions to help you start planning your trip. We also encourage you to visit the following Web Sites to assist with your travel plans.

Official Washington, D.C. Tourism Web Site
Official Metro Web Site

The United States Capitol is a monument, a working legislative building, and one of the most recognizable symbols of Democracy in the world. The online Visitor's Center is designed to provide you with the latest information on planning your trip to the Senate and accessibility found within. Also provided for your convenience are the most current maps for visitors and information on events and attractions of Washington, D.C. The general visiting hours of the Senate and Capitol are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

My office can help arrange Congressional tours of the Capitol Monday through Friday. Please allow a minimum of two weeks notice.

The White House Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one’s Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. White House tours are entirely self-guided and are available from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays). Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. We encourage you to submit your request at least 2 – 3 months in advance since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

All White House tour requests must include:
Full name of everyone in the party
Home Address
Contact Numbers
Email Address
Date of Birth for everyone in the party
Social Security Number for everyone in the party
All dates available for a tour

The Supreme Court The Supreme Court offers a variety of educational programs. Exhibits, which are changed periodically, and a theater, where a film on the Supreme Court is shown, are located on the
ground floor. Lectures in the Courtroom are typically given every hour on the half-hour, on days that the Court is not sitting, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 3:30 p.m. The building is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.

Congressional tours are available, Monday through Friday at 2:00 PM, when the Court is not sitting. Seating is extremely limited and 2 month’s notice is required.

The Library of Congress The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with more than 130 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 29 million books and other printed materials, 2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 58 million manuscripts. Docent-led scheduled public tours are offered Mondays through Saturdays in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
Public Tour Schedule: Monday-Friday: 10:30 and 11:30am, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30pm; Saturdays: 10:30 and 11:30am, 1:30 and 2:30pm.
101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, D.C. 20540
Tel: Visitors' Information (202) 707-8000
Metro: Union Station or Capitol South

Congressional tours of the Library of Congress are available 8:30 AM or 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays). Space is limited. Please contact our office approximately 1 month in advance.

Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution is comprised of 16 individual museums and the National Zoo. 13 of the museums are located on the National Mall and many offer free highlight tours. The museums are open daily, except for December 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during the summer. Visitors should check with each museum for special hours or closings. The Smithsonian information center is housed in the Castle and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free for all visitors.
Tel: (202) 357-2700.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian.

Air and Space Museum* The world's most popular museum, displaying the Wright brothers' plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo II command module, now also includes the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport. The two buildings contain the largest collection of air and space memorabilia in the world. A shuttle bus is provided between the two centers for visitors, however space is limited, and visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. The trip takes about 45 minutes, and tickets prices vary depending on the time of day. Location: 6th and Independence Ave., S.W.
Metro: L'Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian
Telephone: (202) 633-1000
For Shuttle Tickets: 202-633-IMAX (4629) or toll free at 1-877-WDC-IMAX (1-877-932-4629) 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, EST, except December 25th. There is a $2.00 per ticket fee (non-refundable) for tickets ordered by telephone.

American Art Museum This museum is dedicated to the preservation of American art from across the country. The collections, which span over 300 years of artistic development in the United States and feature over 7,000 artists, include works by Georgia O'Keeffe and Winslow Homer. The American Art Museum's historic building is at the heart of the revitalized historic arts district in D.C.
Location: 9th and F Street
Metro: Gallery Pl-Chinatown
Telephone: (202) 275-1500

American History Museum* This museum features artifacts that tell the history of our nation. Highlights include the original "Star-Spangled Banner," the First Ladies' gowns, an old fashioned ice cream parlor, Kermit the Frog, and milestones of American invention: Bell's telephone, Ford's Model T, and Whitney's model of the original cotton gin. Due to the size of the museum's collection, exhibits are rotated. Location: 14th and Constitution Ave., N.W.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle
Telephone: (202) 633-1000

American Indian Museum* Opened on September 21, 2004, the American Indian Museum's mission is to preserve and study the life, language, literature, history, and art of Native Americans. The Washington, D.C. museum is one of three Smithsonian centers devoted to preserving Native American culture. Location: 4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W.
Metro Stop: L'Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian.
Telephone: (202) 633-1000

Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture The Anacostia Museum tells the history and culture of African Americans in the United States. The center is devoted to preserving and unearthing the history of Anacostia, one of D.C.'s first suburbs, and home to Frederick Douglass' house, “Cedar Hill.” Location: 1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, D.C.
Metro: Not directly accessible by Metrorail. Bus transfers are available at the Anacostia stop on the green line. Telephone: 202-287-3306

Arts and Industries Building This museum is currently closed for renovations.
The dynamic spirit of America 100 years ago is recaptured in this, the second oldest Smithsonian building on the Mall. It was used for President James Garfield's inaugural ball in 1881 and today houses "1876: A Centennial Exhibition."
Location: 9th and Jefferson Dr., S.W.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian.
Telephone: (202) 633-1000

Natural History Museum* Visitors can learn about glaciers and Ice Age mammals. Exhibits range in size from the mounted African Bush elephant, dinosaur skeletons, and the 92 foot model of a blue whale, to the Hope Diamond and the bones of a tiny pocket mouse. The museum also has an IMAX theater. Location: 10th and Constitution Ave., N.W.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle.
Telephone: 202-633-1000

Smithsonian Building* To many visitors, this building, popularly known as the castle, symbolizes the entire Smithsonian. It was the institution's first building and today houses the Visitor Information Center. A carousel for children of all ages is located outside the museum.
Location: 10th and Jefferson Dr., S.W.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian
Telephone: (202) 633-1000

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden The Hirshhorn features modern and contemporary art, with a particular focus on the last 30 years. The collection includes works by Picasso, Giacometti, de Kooning and Warhol, as well as a sculpture garden with over 60 pieces.
Location: Independence Ave. at 7th St., S.W.
Metro Stop: L'Enfant Plaza.
Telephone: (202) 633-1000

Freer & Sackler Gallery of Asian Art Featuring art from across Asia, the Freer Gallery opened in 1923 and was the first Smithsonian museum for fine arts. In 1987 the Sackler Gallery opened to feature gifts from Dr. Arthur M. Sackler's Asian art collection. The two museums are connected by an underground exhibition space.
Location: Jefferson Dr. at 12th St., S.W.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian.
Telephone: (202) 633-4880

National Portrait Gallery Adjacent to the National Collection of Fine Arts, the Portrait Gallery features paintings of prominent Americans by American artists.
Location: Patent Office Building between 8th and F St., N.W.
Metro Stop: Gallery Place/Chinatown.
Telephone: (202) 275-1738

The National Museum of African Art This museum has the finest American collection of African art, as well as American art influenced by African styles.
Location: 950 Independence Ave., S.W.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian.
Telephone: (202) 633-4600

Renwick Gallery While the American Art Museum's historic building is currently closed for renovations, the gallery will still hold programs and exhibits during construction. See Website for details. This Smithsonian museum emphasizes American crafts and decorative art. Make sure to see the opulent upstairs rooms that were modeled after the Louvre.
Location: 17th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Metro Stop: Farragut West or Farragut North.
Telephone: (202) 633-2850

The National Gallery of Art The main building and I.M. Pei's magnificent East building house the Nation's art treasures and are connected by an underground concourse. The National Gallery encompasses all aspects of the visual arts.
Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Location: Constitution Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets
Metro Stop: Archives or Judiciary Square.
Telephone: (202) 737-421

United States National Arboretum The Arboretum's beautiful 446-acre campus contains an array of display gardens, collections, and historical monuments set among native stands of eastern deciduous trees. The Arboretum is located 2.2 miles from the Capitol. It is bordered on the west by Bladensburg Road, on the north by New York Avenue, and on the south by M Street.
Hours: Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except December 25
Location: 3501 New York Avenue, NE. Visitor entrances are located on New York Avenue and on R Street.
Not accessible by metro.
Telephone: (202) 245-2726.

National Archives Home to the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, the National Archives houses over 3 billion records. The National Archive Rotunda, where the charters of freedom are displayed, reopened on September 18, 2003 after being closed for renovations. In addition, the building now features the Public Vaults and the National Archive Experience. Admission is free.
Hours: Labor Day through March 31, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., closed December 25.
Location: 7th and Constitution Ave, NW
Metro Stop: National Archives/Navy Memorial.
Telephone: (202) 501-5000

Bureau of Engraving and Printing* You'll see millions of dollars being printed during a tour of the BEP. The tour features the various steps of currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper and ending with wallet-ready bills! Tour availability is VERY limited; For our assistance in getting tickets, 8 weeks notice is needed. The Ticket Booth opens at 8:00 a.m., but lines form early and tickets go quickly.
Hours: Ticket booth opens at 8:00 a.m.
Location: 14th and C Street, SW.
Metro Stop: Smithsonian.
Tel: (202) 874-3187

The National Aquarium* Situated in the basement of the U.S. Department of Commerce Building, it is the nation's oldest aquarium, established in 1873 and at its present location since 1932. There are 50 tanks containing over 200 species of salt and fresh water fish, including piranha, shark, eel, and Japanese carp; also some endangered species.
Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except December 25
Location: 14th Street between Constitution and D Streets, NW.
Metro Stop: Federal Triangle.
Telephone: (202) 377-2825

Ford's Theater, The Lincoln Museum, and the House Where Lincoln Died (Petersen House)* Visit the location where President Lincoln was assassinated. Tours at Ford's Theater are free and self-guided. Location: 516 10th Street, NW, between E and F Streets, NW.
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except during matinees and rehearsals
Metro Stop: Metro Center.
Telephone: (202) 488-0400

Holocaust Memorial Museum No passes are necessary for entering the museum building, the special exhibits, the interactive Wexner Learning Center, and other Museum resources. Timed Passes are necessary for the permanent exhibition- The Holocaust - and can be obtained at the Museum on the day of your visit or in advance by calling www.tickets.com at 800-400-9373. Each day, the Museum distributes on a first-come, first-serve basis a large, but limited number, of timed entry passes for use that same day. Even if you cannot get permanent exhibition passes, feel free to visit and take advantage of the Museum's many other learning opportunities. Allow at least two hours to visit the museum.
Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except September 16 and December 25
Location: The Museum is located near the National Mall, just south of Independence Ave., SW, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place
Metro: Smithsonian
Telephone: (202) 488-0400

The Spy Museum* Gain access to the world's largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Over 600 pieces are on exhibit, including a collection of G-Man toys from the 1930s and 1940s when interest in G-Men ("G" stands for "Government," in this case FBI agents) was at a high and children searched for worthy role models.
Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (April through October), 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (November through March), except Thanksgiving, December 25, and New Year's Day.
Location: Located at 800 F Street, NW - between 8th and 9th Streets.
Metro Stop: Gallery Place Chinatown
General Admission Tickets: $18--Adults, $17--Seniors (age 60+) / Military & Intelligence, $15--Children (grades K-12 or ages 5-11), Free--Children under 5.
Telephone: (202) 654-0960

Georgetown The oldest section of Washington is home to many stores, restaurants, and attractions such as the Old Stone House, the only remaining pre-Revolutionary War structure remaining in the area. The C&O Canal National Historic Park is located here, and from April to September the National Park Service operates mule-pulled canal boats that depart from between 30th and Thomas Jefferson Streets, ? block below M Street.
Not directly accessible by Metrorail, Georgetown Metro Connection shuttle available at Foggy Bottom, Rosslyn, and Dupont Circle stops. Buses depart every 10 minutes and fare is $0.35 with Metrorail transfer.
Telephone: (202) 426-6851

Arlington National Cemetery Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the graves of President John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft, and Former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Curtis-Lee Mansion. Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. A narrated bus tour is available for a small fee.
Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (April 1- September 30) and 8AM to 5 PM (October 1- March 31).
Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery.
Telephone: (703) 607-8052

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia Located just minutes from downtown Washington, the city of George Washington looks very much the way it did in the latter part of the 18th century; attractions include Old Town's Christ Church. You will also find an assortment of shops and restaurants.
Metro Stop: King Street.

Monuments & Memorials

Jefferson Memorial This tribute to the Nation's third President is situated on the south bank of the Tidal Basin. At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddle boat for a cruise on the Basin from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Location: 15th St., SW, Tidal Basin, South End
Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to midnight
Metro Stop: Smithsonian (this is a several block walk).
Telephone: (202) 426-6841

Iwo Jima Memorial Located across the Potomac in Northern Virginia, this statue was erected in memory of the marines who lost their lives in WWII.
Hours: daily 8:00 a.m. to midnight.
Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery.

Lincoln Memorial Take a trip underneath the memorial for a look at Lincoln artifacts and to see the memorial's support structure.
Location: West end of the Mall
Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to midnight
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom.
Telephone: (202) 426-6841

World War II Memorial The only memorial on the Mall's central axis to commemorate a twentieth century event, The World War II Memorial was unveiled April 29, 2004. It commemorates the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces and over 400,000 who died while supporting U.S. war efforts.
Location: 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, and is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west
Hours: daily, 24 hours
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom.
Telephone: (202) 619-7222

Vietnam Veterans Memorial This long solemn wall has become one of the nations most cherished and beloved memorials. It bears the names of all those killed or missing in the Vietnam War.
Location: Off of Independence Ave. near the Lincoln Memorial
Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to midnight
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom.

Washington Monument* This Washington landmark provides a breathtaking view of the city, which is accessed by elevator. It only takes 70 seconds to reach the top! Those desiring to see the view must obtain a ticket. Tickets are limited and run out quickly. Tickets may be purchased in advanced by phone or Internet for a small fee, same day tickets are free.
Location: On the Mall at 15th St., N.W.
Hours: daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., except December 25
Metro Stop: Smithsonian.
Telephone: 1-800-967-2283

John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts In commemoration of President Kennedy's devotion to the performing arts, the center opened in 1971 and is home to the National Sympathy Orchestra. Performances appear routinely on stage in the Eisenhower Theatre, including musicals, plays, and ballets. Regular tours are conducted by the Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers, and visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking level A. Tours leave every 15 minutes and last 45 minutes. Visitors can purchase tickets for shows directly from the Kennedy Center.
Location: On the banks of the Potomac River at the intersection of New Hampshire Ave., N.W., and the Rock Creek Parkway.
Hours: daily, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., show times vary
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom, follow signs for free shuttle to center
Telephone: (202) 416-8340

The National Zoo* Visit the home of hundreds of animals, birds and reptiles. Be sure to visit the Amazon exhibit, which is a recreation of an actual tropical rain forest.
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave.
Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daylight permitting
Metro Stop: Woodley Park.
Telephone: (202) 673-4800

Embassy Row Some of the most impressive and varied residential architecture can be found along this stately avenue. The official residence of the Vice President of the United States can also be found along this avenue.
Location: Massachusetts Avenue, NW from Sheridan Circle north to Wisconsin Avenue.
Metro: No Metro Stop convenient, take an even numbered 30 bus on Wisconsin Avenue to get there.

*Of special interest to children