Visiting Washington

Visiting Washington, DC

 Welcome to Washington D.C.! I have compiled a list of highlights to share with you as you plan your way around our Nation's Capital. I hope you find this information helpful.

 Maps

Other helpful Information

Washington D.C. and Adjacent State Home Pages

Weather Forecast for Washington, DC


Tours and Other Places of Interest

  • Arlington National Cemetery - Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour & every half hour during the summer months. Narrated bus tour run one half hour after opening to one half hour before closing. Phone: (703) 692-0931 Metro: Arlington Cemetery
  • The Botanic Gardens - Maryland Avenue, SW. Group tours are available by request except Saturday & Sunday or during any shows. Telephone: (202) 225-8333 Metro: Federal Center South West.
  • Bureau of Engraving and Printing - 14th & C Streets, SW. See how US currency is printed.  Provides public tours Monday through Friday continually from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, leaving every 15 minutes. 
    You should enter at the Visitor Entrance on 14th Street. Group tours not available. Telephone: (202) 874-3188.  Metro: Smithsonian.
  • The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - New Hampshire Avenue at Rock Creek Parkway, NW.  Free tours of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.  Tours leave every 15 minutes.  They depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center's main theaters, and dozens of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks given to the Center by foreign countries.  For more information, call (202) 416-8340 (TTY 416-8524).  Foggy Bottom Metro Station.  (There is a free shuttle bus which takes visitors from the station to the center).
  • The Library of Congress - Located on First Street SE between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street, the Library of Congress houses more than 119 million items, including the papers of 23 presidents of the United States, Thomas Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and the earliest motion picture print.
    The Thomas Jefferson Building was completed in 1897 and restored to its original splendor in 1997. Visitors can view the Main Reading Room with its magnificent domed ceiling from the Visitors' Gallery.
    Adults over the age of 18 can utilize the Library's collections once they register as readers in room LM 140 of the Madison Building. Please note that the stacks are closed and books are requested for use in the appropriate reading rooms.
    There are guided tours daily, Monday through Saturday, at 11:30 am, 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00 pm. Spanish language tours are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 pm. All tours start in the Visitors' Center in the Jefferson Building.
    Researcher hours are not the same for all reading rooms. Be sure to call 707-6400 or visit our web site at www.loc.gov for complete information.
  • The National Aquarium - 14th Street between Constitution Avenue & D Street, NW. Tanks filled with fish, frogs, alligators, sharks, etc. Telephone: (202) 377-2825.
  • The National Archives - 7th & Constitution Avenue, NW. Metro stop: Archives.
  • Washington National Cathedral - It is located on Mount Saint Alban in Washington, D.C., which is one of the highest points in the city. 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW – The Cathedral is on the East side of Wisconsin Avenue. Wheelchair access is currently available via a temporary ramp at the west (main) entrance, or via the Clagett elevator in the Museum Shop entrance on South Road. Phone: (202) 537-6200  Email: tours@cathedral.org  Metrostop: Dupont Circle. Take the N2, N3, N4 or N6 bus until you reach the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues. Walk north on Wisconsin one-half block to the Cathedral.
  • The Pentagon - Across the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia (I-395). Sights to see: the Flag Corridor & Hall of Heroes. Telephone: (703) 697-1776 Metro: Pentagon.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip.
  • The Supreme Court - First Street & Maryland Avenue, NE. Open Monday through Friday except on Federal holidays. Tours & public lectures are conducted in the courtroom from 9:00am to 4:30pm every hour on the half hour, except when court is in session.  No tours are given during August.  Reservations can be made through you Senators' or Representatives' office.  When the Court is in session tours are only given on Thursdays and Fridays.  To see the Court in session, wait in two lines outside the building.  The lines start forming around 8:30 a.m. so get there early!  Public lectures are conducted in the courtroom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when the Court is not in session. Telephone: (202) 479-3000.  Metro: Capitol South or Union Station.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. Please call the institution in question to verify posted tour information before planning your trip. .
  • The White House - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays), and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. Metro: McPherson Square.
    Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. For the most up-to-date information about touring and visiting the White House, call the 24-hour Visitors Office Info Line at 202-456-7041
  • Zoological Park - 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW.15: 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., animal rooms open 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; September 16 to April 30: 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., animal rooms open 10:00 - 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted.  Phone (202)673-4800 or 673-4717. Metro stop: Woodley Park


Memorials, Monuments, Museums, and Points of Interest

  • The Corcoran Gallery of Art Museum - 17th Street and New York Avenue, NW - one block west and south of the White House. The main entrance is on 17th Street. Special needs access is at 1701 E Street, around the corner from the 17th Street entrance. Phone: (202) 639-1700 Metro Stop: Four blocks from the Farragut West station or Farragut North station.
  • Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum - 511 10th Street, NW - 10th Street Between E & F Streets. Telephone: (202) 426-6924. Metro Stop: the closest station to the theatre is Metro Center
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial - 900 Ohio Drive, S.W., near the Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River.  There are park rangers available from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except Christmas Day. There are no fees to visit any of the monuments or memorials in the park. Telphone: (202) 426-6841 Information. Metro stop:  Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial - The memorial is staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except December 25 by park rangers who are available to answer questions and present interpretive themes. A bookstore in the nearby Lincoln Memorial sells informational items relating to both the memorial and the Korean War. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is part of the National Park System, one of more than 360 parks representing our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Address inquiries to: Superintendent, National Capital Parks-Central, 900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242.
  • The Lincoln Memorial - West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, NW. Telephone: (202) 426-6895. Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or the Smithsonian Metro stop which comes out on the National Mall.]
  • The National Building Museum - 401 F Street, NW, between 4th and 5th streets. Wheelchair access at 4th and G streets. Metro Stop: Judiciary Square - Red line. Telephone: (202) 272-2448.'
  • National Mall Walking Tour - Explore the National Mall with this walking tour provided by National Geographic.
  • National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall - 1145 17th & M Street.  Exhibits of famous scientific expeditions. Phone: 800 NGS LINE (800 647 5463); 800 548 9797 (TDD).
  • The National Postal Museum - 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE in the Washington City Post Office Building on Capitol Hill (next to Union Station). Metro: Take Metro's Red Line to Union Station. Leave through the Massachusetts Avenue exit. As you get off the escalator, the National Postal Museum will be to your left.
  • Smithsonian Museums - The entrances to the West Building are located on Constitution Avenue at 6th Street, NW, on Madison Drive at 6th Street, NW, and on 4th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, NW. The entrance for the East Building is located on 4th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, NW.
  • The Thomas Jefferson Memorial - South bank of the Tidal Basin - At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddle boat to cruise on the Basin. The Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall. Phone: (202) 426-6841
  • The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - The Museum is located just south of Independence Ave., SW. between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th St.). There is an entrance also on 14th street, next to the Bureau of Printing & Engraving. Permanent exhibition is recommended for ages 11 and up. Daniel's Story is recommended for ages 8 and up. The visit will take from an 1 1/2 to 3 hours. ONLY the Permanent Exhibition requires a timed entry pass to begin the self-guided tour of the Museum's primary exhibition. Passes are FREE and are NOT required for the Museum's other exhibitions, memorials, resources and facilities. Metro Stop: Smithsonian on the blue or orange lines exit at 12th and Independence Avenue. Telephone: (202) 488-0400.
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Henry Bacon Drive & Constitution Avenue, NW. Metro Stop:  Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall. Telephone: (202) 426-6841.
  • The Washington Monument - On the Mall at 15th Street, SW.  Tickets are required.  They are free and available at the booth located on the west side of 15th Street, NW, on the Mall. Advance Tickets (small fee charged):  Ticketmaster:  (DC Metro) 202-432-7328 (Outside DC) 1-800-551-7328. Facilities:  Bookstore, Restrooms, Museum.  Information: 202-426-6841. Metro stop: Smithsonian

Outdoor Theaters

  • Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts - 1645 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182. The nation's first National Park for the performing arts offers opera, symphonic music, pop concerts, jazz and ballet. Only open during warm weather. Price of admission varies depending on program. Telephone: 703-255-1800.

The Smithsonian Institution

  • The Smithsonian Institution - The museums are open daily, except Christmas, from 10:00am to 5:30pm (Air & Space 10:00am to 7:30pm and Anacostia Museum which closes at 5 p.m.).  Extended Summer hours are determined annually.  Smithsonian Information Center:  202/357-2700 (voice) 202/357-2729 (TTY).  Metro: Smithsonian or L'Enfant Plaza.

Transportation

  • Baltimore/Washington International Airport
    General Information (301) 261-1000
    Ground Transportation (301) 261-1091
    Amtrak BWI Station (301) 674-1167
  • Dulles International Airport
    General Information (703) 471-7838
    Lost and Found (703) 471-4114
    Taxi Service (703) 528-4440
    Travelers Aid (703) 661-8636
  • Reagan National Airport
    General Information (703) 685-8000
    Lost and Found (703) 685-8034
    Metro Information (703) 637-7000
    Travelers Aid and Paging (703) 684-3472
  • Amtrak
    (800) USA-RAIL
  • Metro (Public Transportation)
    6:00am to 11:30pm (days & times vary by route)
    Transit Information, Timetable Requests & Parking Information (202) 637-7000
    Handicapped Assistance (202) 962-1245
    Lost & Found (202) 962-1196
  • Tourmobile Service:
    The National Park Service has concessionaire-operated guided tourmobiles that travel from Capitol Hill to Arlington Cemetery and points in between with unlimited reboarding privileges the day of ticket purchase; call for rates.  Tourmobile opearates daily 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Phone (202) 554-7950 or 628-4844.
  • Traffic Report


My Services