The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government The Capitol Visitor Center was designed to provide constituents the ability to tour the building with a knowledgeable staff. The Capitol Visitor Center is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tickets are available online.

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.

The Library of Congress offers hour-long, fully accessible docent-led tours of the historic Thomas Jefferson Building. During your tour you will learn about the Building’s symbolic art and architecture and view the grandeur of the Main Reading Room.

Schedule: Monday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.* *no 3:30 p.m. tour on Saturdays and first tour is at 9:30 a.m. on Federal Holidays

For Groups Larger than 12, please visit: http://www.loc.gov/visit/tours/ to book a tour.

While in the nation’s capitol, stop by one of the largest office buildings, the Pentagon. This massive building is the headquarters of the Department of Defense and as such has served as the location for planning and executing the defense of the nation. Tours of the Pentagon are available to the public by reservation only, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To book a tour of the Pentagon go to www.pentagon.afis.osd.mil/tours?action=viewRequestTimes

In September 1971, the Kennedy Center opened its doors to the public. Since then, the Kennedy Center has served as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy and home to some of the most spectacular performing arts. Tours of the Kennedy Center showcase some of the historic events leading up to the establishment of a national cultural center as well as an exhibit on the life and presidency of JFK. Walk-in tours are welcome and start every ten minutes. Stop by the Tour Desk and a tour guide will be waiting to help you embark on your tour. Group tours are also available at the Kennedy Center. These tours are for groups of 20 to 60 people and run every half hour until 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 12:30 p.m. weekends. To book your group tour of the Kennedy Center please go to http://www.kennedy-center.org/visitor/tours.html

Home to the permanent exhibit, The Holocaust, and numerous other special exhibitions. The most popular exhibit is The Holocaust which provides a three floor historical narrative of the horrible events that took place during the Holocaust. This exhibit is only recommended for guest eleven years and older. Tours of the Holocaust exhibit are self guided and require passes for admission March through August. Passes are distributed on a first-come first-served basis on the day of your visit and have specific time for that day, denoting your tour time. Groups of 40 or more people need to schedule their tour visit. Please visit http://www.ushmm.org/visit/ to book your group tour today.

The United States Botanic Garden is one of the oldest and most beautiful botanic gardens in North America. Tours of the Botanic Garden are open to the public and highlight the diversity of plants as well as their aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological significance. Groups of 10 to 25 adults may reserve a free 45-minute guided tour. These tours are available Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please call (202)225-1116 four weeks prior to your ideal tour date to schedule your group tour.

The National Archives houses some of the most important documents in United States history such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Self guided tours of The Nation Archives are permitted daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., March 15th through Labor Day, and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the day after Labor Day through March 14th. Reserved guided tours are available, Monday through Friday at 9:45 a.m. Reserved Time Visit Entry tours are also offered every 15 minutes, from 10:15 a.m. to 90 minutes before closing, daily. To book a reserved tour please visit: http://www.archives.gov/nae/visit/

Established during the Civil War, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many of our nations bravest and greatest Americans. Veterans and military casualties from each of the nation’s wars are interred in the cemetery, ranging from the American Civil War through to the military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public at 8 a.m. 365 days a year. From April 1st to September 30th, the cemetery closes at 7 p.m.; the other six months it closes at 5 p.m. The cemetery is located in Arlington, Virginia and is walking distance from the Lincoln Memorial.

The National Cathedral is where American history, biblical stories, art and architecture culminate in Washington D.C. Guided Tours of the National Cathedral are offered weekdays, 10 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. through 3:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. through 3 p.m., and Sundays, 1 p.m. through 2:30 p.m. Self guided tours are permitted weekdays, 10 a.m. through 5:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Audio tour rentals are also available weekdays, 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., and Sundays 12:30 p.m. through 3 p.m. For more information please visit the Washington National Cathedral website:http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/index.shtml

The National Cathedral is where American history, biblical stories, art and architecture culminate in Washington D.C. Guided Tours of the National Cathedral are offered weekdays, 10 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. through 3:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. through 3 p.m., and Sundays, 1 p.m. through 2:30 p.m. Self guided tours are permitted weekdays, 10 a.m. through 5:30 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Audio tour rentals are also available weekdays, 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., and Sundays 12:30 p.m. through 3 p.m. For more information please visit the Washington National Cathedral website: http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/index.shtml

The Department of State uses the Diplomatic Reception Rooms to host official functions hosted by the Secretary of State and other key government officials. These reception rooms house a vast collection of 18th century American furniture, paintings and decorative arts. Guided tours of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms are offered by reservation only Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Reservations can be made online at www.receptiontours.state.gov. Please you’re your reservations for this tour 90 days prior to your visit due to the high volume of requests.

The United States Treasury Building offers guided tours on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. These tours can be arranged through our Washington D.C. office at 202-224-6542. Please have the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of all guests when making the reservation.

The United States National Arboretum was established in 1927 to serve the public need for scientific research, education and gardens that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment. Tours are available of this beautiful environment. Public tram tours are available daily at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Private tram tours can be scheduled for weekdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays between mid April and mid October at 10:30 a.m. Guided private tours are also offered at the National Arboretum everyday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. To book a private tour please call (202)245-4543 at least 3 weeks before your ideal tour date.

While in Washington D.C., visit the estate of one of our founding fathers and first United States President, George Washington. Visitors are welcome to tour the Mount Vernon Estate which includes the historic Mansion house, slave quarters, kitchen, stables, greenhouse, gardens, trails and pioneer farm site. Mount Vernon is open every day for visitors. April through August the estate is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., November through February it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and in March, September and October it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about these tours and to purchase tickets please visit http://www.mountvernon.org/visit/plan/index.cfm/pid/27/

The African Art Museum fosters the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa, the cradle of humanity. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and like all Smithsonian Museums, admission is free.

The Air and Space Museum is an exciting place for the whole family. The museum houses numerous artifacts such as the Wright 1903 flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis and a lunar rock sample. In addition, the Air and Space Museum has 22 exhibition galleries, an IMAX theater, a flight simulator and the Albert Einstein Planetarium. The museum is open for visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Extended summer hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., March 25th through September 4th.

Feeling artsy? Come check out the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The collection captures the aspirations, character and imagination of the American people throughout three centuries. The American Art Museum is the home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. Its artworks reveal key aspects of America's rich artistic and cultural history from the colonial period to today. Both the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery are located on the national mall and are free to the public.

The American History Museum explores themes in American history and culture by collecting and preserving over three million artifacts. Admission to the museum is free and guests are welcome daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The American Indian Museum is dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history and arts of Native American peoples. The collections in this national museum are from all major cultural areas and time periods of the Americas. The museum welcomes guests for free everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The National Zoo is home to some of the world’s most spectacular wild life. Over 2,000 animals reside at the National Zoo making it an exciting experience for the whole family. From April to October, the National Zoo is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from November to March it is open from10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Interested in discovering the origins of humans? The National Museum of Natural History offers a journey through time showcasing the development of world cultures. In addition, the museum offers a look into the progression of ancient and modern mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and sea creatures. This Smithsonian is conveniently located in the heart of DC at 10th Street and Constitution Ave, NW. Admission is available everyday for free from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The National Museum of Natural History offers additional hours from March 25th through September, opening at 10:00 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. For more information about this museum, please visit: www.mnh.si.edu

Poets, presidents, visionaries, villains, actors and activists all call the National Portrait Gallery home. This amazing museum takes you on a journey throughout the history of our nation, from pre-colonial times to the present day, through the people who influenced it the most. The National Portrait Gallery is located neat Chinatown at Eighth and F Streets, NW. Admission is available for free daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information about this Smithsonian, please visit: www.npg.si.edu

Located at 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE is the National Postal Museum. This Smithsonian is devoted to not only the history of America’s mail service but also the hobby of stamp collecting. Guests are invited to visit the museum at no cost everyday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. For more information regarding the National Postal Museum, please visit: www.postalmuseum.si.edu

The Washington Monument was built in honor of George Washington. May 31st to September 6th, the monument is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. while during the rest of the year the monument will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are needed for tours of the Washington Monument and can be picked up at the Washington Monument Lodge which. These free, same day, timed tickets are distributed on a first come first serve basis starting at 8:30 a.m. every morning. For more information regarding the Washington Monument, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is national symbol of liberty and endures today as a site for reflection and inspiration. The monument stands along the southern edge of the Tidal Basin. Tours are available to the public every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information about the Jefferson Memorial, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/thje/index.htm

“In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.” The Lincoln Memorial immortalizes one of the United States greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, in marble as symbol of freedom, perseverance, hope and inspiration. The Lincoln Memorial staff offers tours every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. In addition, there is a special “I Have A Dream” program offered everyday at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The memorial is located on Lincoln Memorial Circle, Washington D.C. For more information regarding the Lincoln Memorial please visit: http://www.nps.gov/linc/planyourvisit/directions.htm

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." These are the words of our 32nd President, a man who embodied the meaning of the word courage. Despite being stricken with polio at age 39 and paralyzed from the waist down, he emerged as a true leader, guiding our country through some dark times: the Great Depression and World War II. The memorial honors this man, his story, and his era.

The public may visit the memorial 24 hours a day. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30am to 11:30pm daily and to provide interpretive programs every hour on the hour from 10:00am until 11:00pm.

Located at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool along 17th Street, NW/SW, rests the World War II Memorial. The memorial stands to honor the service of sixteen million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the support of the millions on the home front, and the ultimate sacrifice of 405,399 Americans throughout World War II. There are interpretive tours offered daily, every hour on the hour, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated on July 27, 1995 on the 42nd anniversary of the armistice that ended the war. Located to the south of the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial features walls of granite with more than 2,500 photographic images representing land, air and sea troops who supported those who fought in the war. Within the walls are 19 stainless steel statues representing soldiers from all the branches of service on a patrol. The public may visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial 24 hours a day. However, park Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.

The Vietnam War Veterans Memorial sits just north of the Lincoln Memorial along the reflecting pool. Completed in 1982, the memorial is maintained by the U.S. National Park Service and receives around 3 million visitors each year. The wall is made of black granite from India and stretches across 500 feet, displaying the names of 58,627 service members which includes nearly 1,200 who are listed as MIA, POW or other. The public may visit the memorial 24 hours a day. However, Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30am to 11:30pm daily.