Visit Washington D.C.

Are you planning to visit Washington DC? If so, my office is happy to help you and your group gain access to many attractions in our nation’s capitol. While there is helpful information below about Washington’s attractions and historical landmarks, it is important to note that White House tours are the only tours which require a congressional request. Many of these venues and attractions book up far in advance, especially the White House. My office takes all tour requests on a first come, first served basis, so planning early is the best way to gain access to your requested attractions. Below you will find a list of many popular sites in Washington, as well as their tour hours and approximately how far in advance they should be requested.

Click here for a tour request form.

 
White House Tours

White House tour requests are made exclusively by congressional offices. These tours are self guided and occur Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 11 am, Friday from 7:30 am to 12 pm, and Saturday from 7:30 am to 1 pm. My office is happy to handle these requests, which require a minimum of one month’s advance notice due to security protocol. White House tours are given on a first come, first served basis, and my office strongly recommends submitting your request at least 5 to 6 months in advance to increase the likelihood of approval. Please note that the White House Tour Office approves requests on a strictly first come, first served basis and may not process your confirmation until just a few weeks prior to your requested tour date. Additionally, tours are subject to last minute cancellation by the White House.

Another way to enhance your visit to Washington, DC is to make a trip to the White House Visitors Center. The White House Visitor’s center does not require reservations and is open to the public daily from 7:30 am to 4 pm. The Visitor’s Center features many aspects of the White House and a thirty-minute video. The Visitor’s Center is located at the Southeast corner of 15th and E Streets. Additional information on White House Tours and the White House Visitor’s center can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours_and_events.

Capitol Tours

My office is happy to submit your request for tours of the Capitol, which are offered Monday through Saturday from 8:40 am to 3:30 pm. With advance notice, these tours can easily be made to accommodate your schedule. Capitol tours are guided and begin with a 13 minute video entitled "Out of Many, One." These tours take approximately one hour and you should plan to arrive at the Capitol Visitor’s Center 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. The main entrance of the Capitol Visitors Center is located below the East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues.

Additionally, my office can provide you with passes to view the floor of the House of Representatives from the House Gallery. To obtain these passes you may stop by my office in Room 128 of the Cannon House Office Building (on Independence Avenue just across the street from the Capitol building) during business hours Monday through Friday.

Additional information about Capitol Tours, including information on security, prohibited items, and accessibility can be accessed at http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/index.html.

Pentagon Tours

The Pentagon provides tours, which can be scheduled through my office. These tours take one hour and the route is approximately a mile and a half long. Pentagon tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. These guided tours are given by active duty personnel from military ceremonial units. The Pentagon requires a minimum of two weeks notice prior to the proposed tour date. Our office recommends requesting your tour approximately three months in advance.

Additional information about Pentagon tours can be found at http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/tours.html.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tours

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is the largest producer of security documents in the United States. The BEP prints US currency, US passports, materials for Homeland Security, military identification cards, and Immigration and Naturalization Certificates.

Tours of the BEP’s Washington, DC facility can be requested through my office. Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 8:15 am and 8:45 am year round. During the summer months tour times are extended and are also offered at 4:00 pm, 4:15 pm, and 4:45 pm. My office recommends requesting your tour approximately two months in advance.

Additional information on the Bureau of Engraving and Printing tours can be accessed at http://moneyfactory.gov/tours.html.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Another way to enhance your trip is to visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is located 16 miles south of Washington, DC on the Potomac River. Their guided tour, which can be requested through my office, is offered Monday through Friday at 8:45 am and lasts approximately one hour. These tours are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $7 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. Following your guided tour you will be able to experience the rest of the grounds yourself. The grounds include numerous outbuildings, four gardens, and the Forest Trail as well as several other attractions.

Additional information on Mount Vernon including directions and accessibility can be accessed at http://www.mountvernon.org/visit-his-estate

Library of Congress Tours

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and America’s oldest federal cultural institution. The three buildings that make up the library are home to over 32 million books.

The Library of Congress tour is offered to constituents through congressional offices. My office is happy to submit your request for a tour of the Library of Congress. These tours last approximately one hour and are offered Monday through Friday at 8:30 am, 1:45 pm and 3:45 pm.

Additional information on the Library of Congress tour including the building’s featured art and architecture, as well as directions can be accessed at http://www.loc.gov/visit/tours/

National Archives Tours

The National Archives has several attractions to offer. First, the National Archive’s Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. Visitors to the National Archives may also enjoy a twenty minute informational film at their William G. McGowan Theater in addition to the public vaults and various exhibits.

Guided tours of the National Archives are offered Monday through Friday at 9:45 am and last approximately ninety minutes. The maximum group for these tours is twenty and my office recommends submitting your request as early as possible.

Without a reservation the National Archives can be accessed through the general public entrance. This entrance is located at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 9th Street and is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm March 15 through Labor Day and 10:00 through 5:30pm the rest of the year. The National Archives is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and December 25th.

Additional information on the National Archives can be accessed at http://www.archives.gov/nae/visit/

Supreme Court Tours

The Supreme Court is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The Court is located at One First Street NE, across the street from the U. S. Capitol. Located on the ground floor of the building are exhibits, portraits of justices, and a twenty-four minute film on the Supreme Court. These attractions are open to the public and do not require reservations.

In addition to the attractions on the ground floor, constituents may request tickets to the Supreme Court lecture. The lecture is thirty minutes long and there is a maximum group number of six. My office recommends submitting your request three months in advance.

Additional information on visiting the Supreme Court can be accessed at http://www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visiting.html.

Kennedy Center Tours

Congressional tours of the Kennedy Center require reservations and are offered daily at 9:30 am and Monday through Friday at 4:30 pm. The tour is approximately ninety minutes long. Following the weekday tours visitors can enjoy the free performance at the Millennium Stage. My office recommends submitting your request as soon as possible.

Additional information about the Kennedy Center, their performance schedule, and ticket sales can be accessed at http://www.kennedy-center.org.

The National Cathedral Tour

The National Cathedral offers tours on Monday and Wednesday at 9:00 am. These tours last forty-five minutes and require reservations. Tours are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students, and military, and $15 for families. My office recommends submitting your request as soon as possible.

In addition to guided tours, the National Cathedral has public hours which are 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday, and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Admission rates apply to both congressional tours and public visiting hours.

Additional information on the National Cathedral including worship services, their calendar of events, and parking can be accessed at http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit.

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of many free attractions in DC. Tickets for the Washington Monument can either be reserved in advance or obtained the day of admission at the Washington Monument Lodge, which is located along 15th Street.

Tickets obtained on the day of your visit are free and are assigned a time, which can be requested. There is a limit of six tickets per person. Tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis and tend to run out quickly during the summer months. The Washington Monument Lodge begins distributing free tickets at 8:30 am and often a line forms as early as 7:00 am.

To reserve tickets for the Washington Monument in advance visit the National Park Service ticket website at http://www.recreation.gov, or call 1.877.444.6777 for individual tickets or 1.877.559.6777 for group reservations. There is a $1.50 fee for reserved tickets.

Click here for a tour request form.