Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator for New York

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Visit Washington, D.C.

Welcome to Washington. Whether you are here for business or on a family vacation, you will find that our nation's capital is a fascinating place - full of art, music, history and culture. During your visit, please take the time to discover the breathtaking monuments, wonderful museums, charming neighborhoods, and beautiful parks. You may also want to tour one or more of the important and historical sites listed below. I hope you enjoy your stay. Request on-line »

White House »

Free self-guided tours of the White House are offered on a limited basis to members of the public, including families, school groups, veterans, members of the military, and youth. The White House is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.

These tours must be scheduled for you by your Congressman's or Senator's offices. To request a White House tour, please contact our office at least 4-5 months before your visit to Washington, D.C.

Prior to your tour of the White House, you may be interested in visiting the White House Visitors Center to learn about the history of our nation's most important home. The White House Visitors Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 14th and 15th Streets, NW. The Center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Admission is free for the general public.

Visit the White House Web Site

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U.S. Supreme Court »

1st Street, NE and East Capitol Street, NE

What? 20 to 40 minute tour

When? We can typically reserve a tour for your visit with one week or more of notice. Tours are given on the ½-hour from 9:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. when the court is not hearing a case.

Where? Enter at 1 First Street, NE, which is opposite the U.S. Capitol Building.

visit the website

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U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum »

General Information: (202) 488-0400 or (202) 488-0406, TTY


The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. through 5:20 p.m.


The main exhibit—The Holocaust—spans 3 floors of the museum. On average, the self-guided tourist would spend 3 hours visiting over nine hundred artifacts and numerous video monitors displaying historical footage. Timed passes must be acquired to enter the main exhibit; passes are free. To reserve passes in advance of your visit, please call (800) 400-9373.


The Museum Café is open daily from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. It offers a variety of sandwiches, soups and kosher meals.

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U.S. Botanic Garden »

General Information: (202) 225-8333


Program and Tour Reservations: (202) 226-4082 or (202) 225-1116


The Botanical Gardens are free and are open daily from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. The main entrance is located at 100 Maryland Avenue, S.W.


The Botanical Gardens consist of the indoor Conservatory and the outdoor Bartholdi Park. Bartholdi Park is open from dawn until dusk and has entrances on Independence Avenue, SW, Washington Avenue, SW and First Street, S.W.


All ages can appreciate this fascinating living plant museum!

visit the website

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The U.S. Capitol Building »

What? 45 to 60 minute tour

When? We can schedule you for a reserved tour of the U.S. Capitol to visit Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Advance notice is preferred as consideration for staff tour volunteers.

Where? Prior to your arrival, please call 202-226-8000 to confirm your tour. On the day of your tour, you can meet the staff assistant coordinating tours at my office.

Other? Staff-led tours can only accommodate 45 people at one time, as Capitol Police maintain a strict policy of 15 visitors per tour guide. In some cases, we may be able to provide two tour times for larger groups, particularly school groups.

As well, Capitol Guide Services can accommodate 40-person tours. Tickets are free and are available at the South West Kiosk of the Capitol beginning at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday. One ticket per person is given on the day of the tour.

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The Smithsonian »

General Information: (202) 633-1000 or (202) 633-5285, TTY

Anacostia Community Museum:
1901 Fort Place, SE

Washington, DC 20020

Arts and Industries Building:
900 Jefferson Drive, SW

Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery:
Freer; Jefferson Drive, SW at 12th Street, SW
Sackler; 1050 Independence Avenue, SW

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden:
Independence Avenue, SW and 7th Street, SW

National Air and Space Museum:
Independence Avenue, SW at 6th Street, SW

National Museum of African Art:
950 Independence Avenue, SW

National Museum of American History, Behring Center:
14th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW

National Museum of Natural History:
10th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW

National Museum of the American Indian:
4th Street, SW and Independence Avenue, SW

National Portrait Gallery:
8th Street, NW and F Street, NW

National Postal Museum:
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE

National Zoological Park:
3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery:
8th Street, NW and F Street, NW
Renwick; Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and 17th Street, NW

Smithsonian Institution Building, The Castle:
1000 Jefferson Drive, SW

visit the website

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The Pentagon »

General Information: (703) 697-1776

The Pentagon is open for tours Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Tours last approximately 60 minutes, are conducted by uniformed military personnel and entail walking roughly one and one half mile around Pentagon corridors and stairs.

Security information is required in advance and must be approved for assigned group tours. Group tour check-in is at the Pentagon Metro Station entrance off the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s subway line. The tour window is on the left—just inside the entrance in the visitor waiting area.

Visit the Pentagon's site

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The Kennedy Center »

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is open for walk in public tours from 10:00am – 5:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am- 1:00pm during the weekends. Congressional tours reserved in advance can be scheduled for 9:30 am or 4:30pm on week days and only 9:30am on the weekends. The 9:30am tour allows the unique experience to view the building before the general public arrives and tours in the afternoon will be able to stay for free concerts on the Millennium Stage beginning at 6:00 pm.  

visit the website

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National Mall »

General Information: (202) 737-4215 or (202) 842-6176, TDD

The National Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The entrances are located on the National Mall between 3rd Street, NW and 7th Street, NW on Constitution Avenue, NW.

The National Gallery is spread over two buildings known as the East and West Wings. Visit the West Wing to view mainly classical art and peruse the East Wing for more modern pieces.

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National Gallery »

General Information: (202) 737-4215 or (202) 842-6176, TDD

The National Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The entrances are located on the National Mall between 3rd Street, NW and 7th Street, NW on Constitution Avenue, NW.

The National Gallery is spread over two buildings known as the East and West Wings. Visit the West Wing to view mainly classical art and peruse the East Wing for more modern pieces.

visit the website

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National Archives »

8th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW

What? 90 minute tour

When? We can request a tour for you to visit Monday through Friday from 10:15 a.m. through 1:15 p.m.

Where? Please call for more information.

visit the website

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Library of Congress »

1st Street, SE and Independence Avenue, SE

What? 50 minute tour

When? We can request a reserved tour for you 1 to 2 weeks in advance to visit Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. If neither time suits your plans, the Library of Congress offers unreserved public tours at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. free of charge.

Where? The Jefferson Building should be entered on 1st Street, SE, which is immediately across the street from the U.S. Capitol's East Front Plaza excavation work.

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Bureau of Engraving and Printing »

14th Street, SW and C Street, SW

What? 40 minute tour

When? We can request a reserved tour for you 1 month in advance to visit Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. or 8:45 a.m. For the months of May through August, we can also request 4 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. tour times. If none of the aforementioned options suit your plans, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers unreserved public tours every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. free of charge on a daily basis. However, tickets must be obtained on the 15th Street, SW side of the building on the morning of the desired tour; lines typically form at 6:30 a.m. and doors open at 8 a.m. There is a five ticket maximum per person.

Where? The main entrance is located at the corner of 14th Street, SW and C Street, SW.

Prohibited Items? Examples include large bags such as backpacks. There is no check facility available.

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Department of State »

2201 C Street, NW

What? 45 minute tour of Diplomatic Reception Rooms

When? We can request a reserved tour for you to visit Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 2:45 p.m.

Where? Enter at 23rd Street, NW and C Street, NW.

Prohibited Items? Examples include strollers, backpacks, briefcases, and packages. There is no check facility available.

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