Tours of the Capitol & Washington, D.C.
U.S. Capitol »
We can accommodate staff-led U.S Capitol tour requests Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Please Note: There is a 15 person limit per staff-led U.S Capitol Tour. If we can accommodate large groups, they will have to divide into smaller groups). Staff-led U.S. Capitol Tours are not guaranteed as passes go quickly. An advance notice will increase your chances of securing a tour.
Public tours of the U.S. Capitol Building can be arranged through the Capitol Visitors Center Monday through Saturday, 8:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Tour passes are required. Please call 202-226-8000 for more information. The Capitol Visitor Center is fully accessible to people with disabilities. Listening devices with audio description of the films and exhibition are available at the information desks. All films have open captioning. In addition, there are a variety of other services for visitors with disabilities, including adaptive tours of the Capitol, wheelchairs, and sign-language interpreting services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. All tours of the U.S. Capitol begin with a 13-minute orientation film and last approximately one hour (Please note: All tours are free). Submit a Tour Request.
White House »
Group tours of the White House are scheduled on a first come basis in the order in which the request was received by the White House Visitors Office. All White House tours are self-guided and tour officers are positioned throughout the White House to help answer questions and share interesting information.
If you would like to go to the White House you will be required to submit the legal name, date of birth, social security number, country of birth and country of citizenship of everyone in your group, along with a cell phone number you can be reached on in Washington, DC and the dates you will be available. The White House will not accept any request less then one month from the day of the request, so please plan accordingly. There is no guarantee on the White House, as it is the most sought after sight in the entire city and by far the most restrictive. Please contact Katie Smith at 202-224-5852 or by email at tours@bennet.senate.gov.
With the new Administration and First Family comes a renewed interest in White House Tours. The White House has received an incredible amount of requests and is constantly coordinating the schedule of the First Family and official functions in the White House along with the tour schedule. Tours are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday: 7:30 am to 11:00 am, Friday: 7:30 am to 12:00 pm, and Saturday: 7:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Air Force Memorial »
One Air Force Memorial Drive, off of the Columbia Pike in Arlington Virginia. Open daily 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. April 1st – September 30th and 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. October 1st – March 31st. Dial 800-217-7740 Ext. 11 to listen to a historical narration about the Air Force Memorial through your cell phone, free of charge.
Botanic Garden »
First Street and Maryland Avenue, S.W. Open daily including all holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Group tours are available daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Phone: 202-226-8333. Note: guided tours are from walk in a first come basis.
Bureau of Printing and Engraving »
14th and C Street, S.W. See how U.S. currency is printed. Tours available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., every 15 minutes. Free tickets are required from March through August and can be obtained at the booth on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th St.). Tickets are first come first serve. Reservations are required for school groups. Closed weekends and federal holidays. Phone: 202-874-3019. Metro: Smithsonian.
Crime and Punishment Museum »
Across from the Verizon Center at 575 7th St. N.W. between E and F Streets in downtown D.C. Open to the public daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. New Year’s Day,12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. March 20th through August 31st: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. September 1st through March 19th: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Adults (age 12-59): $17.95 (plus tax), Seniors (age 60+) Military and Law Enforcement: $14.95 (plus tax), Children (age 5 – 11): $14.95 (plus), children (under 5): Free Admission. Advance tickets are recommended, and are available online or at the box office in the museum. Groups of 20 or more require advance reservations. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown (Arena exit).
Dumbarton Oaks »
1703 32nd Street, N.W. Gardens open daily except Mondays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Museum open Tuesday through Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. both are closed on federal holidays. Admission is free. Phone: 202-39-6410. Gardens $8.00 adults and $5.00 for children and senior citizens from March 15th – October 31st and free from November 1st – March 14th.
FDR Memorial »
Ohio Drive and West Basin Drive, in between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. Open 24 hours daily.
Federal Bureau of Investigation »
Phone: 202-FBI-3447. Metro: Gallery Place. Closed until further notice.
Ford’s Theatre and Lincoln Museum »
10th Street between E and F Streets, N.W. For tickets, visit: www.fordstheater.org, or call 202-347-4833
Frederick Douglass Memorial Home »
1411 W. Street S.E. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. October 18 to April 15, April 16 to October 15 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. The home of abolitionist Frederick Douglas, an escaped slave who became one of the most eloquent spokesmen for the abolition of slavery. Phone: 202-426-5961. Tours must be reserved online.
International Spy Museum »
Between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, N.W. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New year’s Day. On occasion, the Museum closes for private events earlier than regular visiting hours. Such early closings are always posted on the museum’s web site. Hours vary by season. Usual hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and until 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Adult (ages 12-64) $18, Seniors (65+) Active Duty Military & Intel Community $17, Child* (ages 5-11) $15, Children under 5 years: FREE. The Permanent Exhibition is most appropriate for ages 12+. Phone:866-779-6873.
Jefferson Memorial »
South bank of the Tidal Basin. Open 24 hours daily, rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. At the Swan Boathouse, you can rent a paddle boat to cruise the Basin.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts »
New Hampshire N.W. & Rock Creek Pkwy. Regular tours are conducted by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tours begin every 10 minutes. Phone: 202-416-8340. Call 800-444-1324 for performance tickets. Metro: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University Station.
Korean War Memorial »
Independence Avenue and 23rd Street, S.W. The memorial stands on the south side of the Lincoln Memorial as a tribute to those who served in the Korean War. Open 24 hours daily.
Library of Congress »
Jefferson Building, First Street and Independence Avenue, S.E. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30. Saturday at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30. The Library asks that groups over 10 people make a reservation for a special tour. Phone: 202-707-8000. Metro: Capitol South.
Lincoln Memorial »
West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, N.W. Open 24 hours daily, Rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Phone: 202-426-6895.
Mount Vernon »
Home of George Washington. November through February; open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November through February tours end at 4:00 p.m.; April through August the tours begin at 8:00 a.m. Admission: Adults: $15.00, Senior Citizens $14.00 (with ID), Children 6-11 years $7.00, Children 5 and under are free. Annual Pass: $25.00. Phone: 703-780-2000.
National Aquarium »
14th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenue. Located in the U.S. Department of commerce Building. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Adults: $7.00, Senior Citizens and military $6.00, Children 2-10 $3.00 and 2 years and younger: free. Phone: 202-482-2825. Metro: Federal Triangle.
National Archives »
8th and Constitution Avenue, N.W. See the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Open Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Phone: 202-501-5402. Metro: Archives.
National Cathedral »
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with guided tours 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday open 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., tours 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The gardens are open until dusk. Phone: 202-537-6200. Metro: Tenley Town.
National Gallery of Art »
4th Street between the Mall and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Affiliated with the Smithsonian. Highlights: Renaissance paintings, Dutch masterworks, French impressions, 20th-century paintings and sculptures. Metro: Archives. Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Phone: 202-737-4215.
National Holocaust Museum »
100 Raoul Wallenburg Place, S.W. (south of the Mall by the Washington Monument). Open every day 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free timed passes for visiting the Permanent Exhibition — The Holocaust — are required March through August and can be obtained at the Museum on the day of your visit or in advance by contacting tickets.com. Same day tickets are available in limited quantity on the first-come first-served basis. Metro: Smithsonian.
Newseum »
555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Adults (13 to 64): $20, Senior (65 and older): $18, Youth (7 to 12): $13, Children (6 and younger): Free. Metro: archives/Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Station.
Old Post Office Pavilion »
Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street, N.W. open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Federal offices, shops, restaurants, boutiques, and an open courtyard. Phone: 202-289-4224.
Pentagon »
Across the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia. Tours available by reservation only, schools, educational organizations and select groups should call. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. See the Flag Corridor and Hall of Heroes. Phone: 703-695-1776. Age 16 and above need a photo I.D. Metro: Pentagon.
Smithsonian Institution »
Free admission. Phone: 202-633-1000. Arts and Industries Building – 900 Jefferson Drive, S.W.; Freer Gallery of Art – Jefferson Drive and 12th Street; Hirshhorn museum and Sculpture Garden Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.; National Air and Space Building – Independence Avenue, and 6th Street, S.W.; National Museum of African Art – 950 Independence Avenue, S.W.; National Museum of American Art – 8th and G Streets, N.W.; National Museum of American History – 14th Street and constitution Avenue, N.W.; National Museum of Natural History – 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.; National Portrait Gallery – 8th and F Streets, N.W.; Renwick Gallery – Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, N.W.; Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) – 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.; Hours: The Washington museums are open daily, except Christmas, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Metro: Smithsonian or Archives.
State Department »
2201 Street, N.W. tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m., except federal holidays. Tours are by reservation only. Phone: 202-647-3241. Metro: Foggy Bottom.
Supreme Court »
First Street and Maryland Avenue, N.E. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except federal holidays. Public lectures are conducted in the courtroom from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every hour on the half hour, except when court is in session. When the Supreme Court is in session, hearings are open to the public on a first come first serve basis in public lines. Phone: 202-479-3211. Metro: Union Station or Capitol South.
Tourmobile Service »
Tourmobiles that travel between Capitol Hill to Arlington Cemetery and points in between with unlimited reboarding privileges the day of ticket purchase. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com. Call for more information and rates. Phone: 202-554-5100. Metro: Union Station, Smithsonian, and Arlington Cemetery.
Treasury Department »
15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Tours are conducted on Saturday by reservation only at 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. Phone: 202-622-2000. Metro: McPherson Square. Tour entrance: 15th & Hamilton Place.
U.S. Naval Observatory »
34th and Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Tours on alternating Monday evenings 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., except federal holidays. Tours are 90 minutes. Tours must be reserved in advance. Phone: 202-762-1617.
Union Station »
1 Columbus Circle (3 blocks from the Capitol). Train station, shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. Phone: 202-225-6832. Metro: Union Station.
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial »
Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Constructed of black granite to honor and recognize all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a special tribute to those who did not return, the names of the 58,000 plus who gave their lives or who remain missing are inscribed in the Memorial’s walls. Open all day, all year.
Washington Monument »
On the Mall at 15th Street, N.W. Open daily April through Labor Day from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, September through March from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tickets available on a first come first come first serve basis at the booth next to the monument beginning at 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (7:30 a.m. during the summer). Reservations between 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 1-877-444-6777 charged $1.50 a ticket plus $.50 service charge. Phone: 202-426-6839. Metro: Federal Triangle or Smithsonian.
Women’s War Memorial »
On Memorial Drive at the entrance to the Arlington National Cemetery. This memorial honors women who served in World War II. Metro: Arlington Cemetery.
Zoological Park »
3000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. From September 16th through April 30th 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. buildings open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From May 1st through September 15the, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Metro: Woodley Park.
