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Townhalls

Visit Our Nation's Capital

Coming to Washington is a great way to learn and see American history first hand. Our office can assist you in scheduling tours and can provide general information for your stay. If you have any questions, please call our DC office at 202-225-4901 or email Tours.Brady@mail.house.gov.
 
If you are planning a trip to Washington, please take a moment to fill out the tour form. We can reserve tours of the U.S. Capitol for your group and submit tour requests for the Library of Congress, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Pentagon, and the White House on your behalf.
 
U.S. Capitol Tours
The Capitol Visitors Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Guided tours begin every 20 minutes, with the first tour beginning at 9:00 am and the last tour beginning at 3:20 pm. During the summer months, tours are offered every 10 minutes. Guided tours feature the old Supreme Court Chambers, the old House and Senate Chambers, and the Rotunda. The Capitol provides services to individuals with special need upon request, which are listed here. Please contact our office to schedule one of these tours by email at Tours.Brady@mail.house.gov.
 
 
 
U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Galleries
Our office can provide interested constituents with passes to the House and Senate galleries. The House Gallery is open when the House is in session or from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday when the House is not in session. The Senate Gallery is open when the Senate is in session or 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday when the Senate is in recess for at least one week.
 
White House Tours
For tours of the White House, a formal tour request must be submitted through our office. We ask that these requests be submitted 60-90 days in advance, but are accepted up to 6 months in advance. As the White House grants tours on a first-come-first-serve basis, with requests coming from all House and Senate offices, the earlier a request is submitted the better your chances of obtaining one of these very limited tours, particularly during the spring and summer seasons. Please note, the authority to grant a White House tour is at the sole discretion of the White House Visitors Office. After our office submits your request, we are unable to intervene in the decision process used by the White House to assign tours.  As such, all decisions from the White House regarding tours are final.
 
 
Pentagon
Tours of the Pentagon must be reserved ahead of time and are available from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday.
 
Library of Congress
Our office may reserve private tours of the Library of Congress on your behalf. Private tours are available Monday through Friday at 9:45 am, 12:45 pm, and 1:45 pm. These tours are reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited in quantity.
 
Public tours are available every hour from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday and at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm on Saturday. More information can be found here.
 
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Our office may reserve private tours of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on your behalf. Private tours are available Monday through Friday at 8:15 am and 8:45 am. During the summer months, private tours are also available from 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm. These tours are reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited in quantity. We recommend that these requests be submitted 90 days in advance. The Bureau is closed on Weekends, Federal Holidays, and December 25 through January 1.
 
Public tours are available every 15 minutes 9:00 am to 10:45 am and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Monday through Friday. Tickets become available at 8:00 am the day of the tour and are given out on a first-come-first-serve basis. More information can be found here.
 
 
 
Transportation
The Metro rail and bus services provide a convenient mass transit system for visitors to Washington. Pay-per-trip fare cards can be purchased at any metro station.  Additionally, visitors may purchase one day or 7 day unlimited use passes at some locations. A map of the metro rail system can be found here. A smartphone app titled "DC Metro" is available for both Android and Apple smartphones. For more bus and rail information call (202) 637-7000 or visit the official website here.
 
 
 
National Monuments
All national monuments are operated by the National Park Service. Monuments are open 24 hours a day, with a park ranger providing informational sessions every hour from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. The National Park Service maintains a "NPS National Mall" app for iPhone and Android systems, which provides operating hours and locations of all public monuments and more. The National Park Service can be reached at (202) 426-6841.
 
Jefferson Memorial
At the Swan Boathouse, you can rent a pedal boat to cruise the Basin.
Location: South Tidal Basin in East Potomac Park
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian
 
Korean War Memorial
Location: West Potomac Park
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian
 
Lincoln Memorial
Location: West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian or Foggy Bottom/GWU
 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Location: West Potomac Park.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian or Foggy Bottom/GWU
 
Vietnam War Memorial
Location: West Potomac Park
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian OR Foggy Bottom/GWU
 
Washington Monument
Officially re-opened, visitors may go to the top of the Washington Monument. Tickets can be pre-reserved for a $1.50 fee by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online here. For more information, visit here.
Location: Between 15th St and 17th St, north of Independence Ave
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian 
 
World War II Memorial
Location: 17 St and Independence Ave, SW
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian
 
Further national monuments are listed on the National Parks website.
 
 
 
Additional Places to Visit
 
Sites include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Custis-Lee Mansion and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months.
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily October through March; 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily April through September
Location: Arlington, VA
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Arlington Cemetery
Phone: 1 (877) 907-8585
 
Hours: Conservatory 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. National Garden 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Bartholdi Park 10:00 am to dusk.
Location: Maryland Avenue and First St., S.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Federal Center
Phone: (202) 225-8333
 
Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Wednesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday through Sunday, Closed Monday and Tuesday 
Location: 17th Street and New York Avenue, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: DuPont Circle
Phone: (202) 639-1700
 
Free admission passes can be reserved here for a one hour self-guided tour of the main exhibit. The earliest pass is for 10:00 am to 11:00 am entry and the latest pass is for 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm entry.
Hours: 10:00 am to 5:20 pm
Location: 14th St and Independence Ave, S.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Smithsonian
Phone: (202) 488-0406
 
Public tours are provided every 10 minutes 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking Level A.
Location: Potomac River and F St, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU
Phone: (202) 416-8340
 
George Washington’s former home now serves as a historical exhibit. Actors display colonial life for visitors including demonstrations of blacksmithing, clothes making, and more. A variety of tours are offered. Visitors must purchase a general admissions pass online here and select add-on tours of interest.
Tickets: Adults (12-61) $18.00, Youth (6-11) $9.00, Children (5 and under) free, Seniors (62 and over) $17.00
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm April through August, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm September through March
Location: Off of Richmond Highway south of Alexandria, directions
Phone: (703) 780-3600
 
See the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and other historical documents. To make a large group reservation please email visitorsservices@NARA.gov.
Hours: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily
Location: Constitution Ave and 7th St, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Navy Memorial/Archives
Phone: 1 (866) 272-6272
 
The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of museums and research centers ranging from science to history to art. General admission is free with tickets required for some special exhibits. The original U.S. flag flown over Fort McHenry which inspired the Star Spangled Banner is displayed in the National Museum of American History.
The Smithsonian Mobile smartphone app is available for Android and iPhone devices.
Hours: Varies by Museum
Phone: (202) 633-1000
 
Here are locations for some of the Smithsonian buildings. A map can be found here.
 
Anacostia Neighborhood Museum* – 1901 Fort Place, S.E.
Freer Gallery of Art – Independence Avenue and 12th Street, S.W.
Hirshorn Museum & Sculpture Garden -- Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.
National Air & Space Museum -- Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.
National Air & Space Museum: Udvar-Hazy Center* -- 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA
National Gallery of Art -- Constitution Avenue and 4th Street, N.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 the American Indian -- Independence Avenue and 3rd Street, S.W.
National Museum of Natural History -- 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, S.W.
National Portrait Gallery -- 8th and F Streets, N.W.
Postal Museum* – Massachusetts Avenue and 1st Street, N.E.
Renwick Gallery* -- Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, N.W.
Reynolds Center – F St and 9th Street, N.W.
Sackler Gallery -- 1050 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) -- 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
 
* Museums not located on the National Mall
 
 
Tours are conducted on Monday through Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 2:45 pm by reservation only.
Location: E Capitol St and First St, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU
Phone: (202) 647-3241
 
Lectures are given every 30 minutes from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm when the court is not in session, and every 30 minutes after the court adjourns on days the court is in session.
Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, Closed Holidays
Location: 14th St and Independence Ave, N.E.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Capitol South or Union Station
Phone: (202) 479-3000
 
Guided tours are available Monday through Friday at 9:00 am, 9:45 am, 10:30 am, and 11:15 am. Reservations must be made through our office.
Location: 15th St and Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Metro Center or McPherson Square
Phone: (202) 622-0896
 
Union Stations serves as the primary transportation hub for Washington, with Amtrak, MERC, and several bus services stationed here. It also boasts numerous shops and restaurants.
Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday
Location: Massachusetts Ave and N Capitol St, N.E.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Union Station
Phone: (202) 289-1908
 
Evening tours are available in very limited capacity on Monday evenings from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm, weather permitting.
Location: 34th St and Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Woodley Park/Zoo
Phone: (202) 762-1467
 
The nation's first National Park for the performing arts offers opera, symphonic music, country and pop concerts, jazz and ballet. Open during warm weather only. Price of admission varies depending on program.
Location: Virginia Route 7 near Vienna, VA.
Phone: (703) 255-1900.
 
Hours: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm September 16 through April 30, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm May 1 through September 15.
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave, N.W.
Nearest Metro Rail Stop: Woodley Park/Zoo
Phone: (202) 633-4888