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Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for the design, engraving and printing of all U.S. paper currency. Come take a look at where the United States produces its worldwide trusted currency notes. As you walk along the gallery overlooking the production floor, you can see millions of dollars being printed. The free 40-minute experience includes an introductory film
and gallery tour of the production process.
Address: 14th and C Streets, SW Washington, DC 20228
Phone: (202) 874-2330
Kennedy Center
Take a break from all the monuments and museums and enjoy an evening at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts. Not only does the Kennedy Center offer a variety of music, dance, and drama, it also is a living memorial to the late President John F. Kennedy. Step out onto the terrace to have a cocktail and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Potomac River and Georgetown. The Kennedy Center also offers a complimentary musical performance every weekday at 6:00pm on their Millennium Stage. Tour reservations can be made through our office. For performance tickets, please visit their website or contact their box office directly.
Address: 2700 F St, NW Washington, DC 20566
Phone: (800) 444-1324
Pentagon (Department of Defense)
The headquarters of the Department of Defense is one of the world's largest office buildings, and their tour program hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually. The free tour lasts for approximately 60 minutes and follows a route approximately 1.5 miles in length. Each tour includes the mission of the Department of Defense and each of its branches of service, and visits numerous displays that highlight and depict significant moments in the history of the four branches of the military (Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps). The tour will all visit the memorial and Memorial Chapel on the site of September 11th crash-site, and the names of all the recipients of the Medal of Honor and an up-close look at an actual Medal of Honor in the Hall of Heroes. Tours are available by reservation only and conducted Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm, except on weekends or federal holidays. Reservations may only be booked from 8 to 90 days in advance. Reservations will not be accepted for tour dates within 7 days or more than 90 days away.
Address: 1400 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301
Phone: (703) 697-1776
U.S. Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections. You cannot leave the library without viewing the Reading Room which is truly a spectacular site to see. The library also offers public walk-up tours Monday through Friday at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm; and on Saturday at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm.
Address: Jefferson building at 101 Independence Ave, SE Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 707-5000
U.S State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the Department of State, which are used for official functions hosted by the Secretary of State and other high level government officials, are open for 45-minute, pre-arranged tours at no charge. These rooms include the Entrance Hall, Transition Room, Gallery, John Quincy Adams State Drawing Room, Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room, and the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room. The exquisitely detailed architecture of this suite of rooms serve as our country's main stage of international diplomacy, and hold a premier collection of 18th century American furniture, paintings and decorative arts. You may see a preview of the collection on their website. Guided tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 2:45 pm, except for weekends and federal holidays. Reservations are required and should be made approximately 90 days in advance. This is a fine arts tour, not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Address: 23rd St entrance between C and D St NW, Washington, DC 20520
Phone: (202) 647-3241
U.S. Supreme Court
Be sure to make a visit to the Supreme Court to see the highest judicial body in the United States. You will witness firsthand all of the traditions it has retained since it first began to convene in 1790, such as justices wearing their black robes and white quills placed on the counsel tables each day that the court sits. The Supreme Court is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm, and offers public lectures when the court is not hearing oral arguments. For more information regarding listening to public lectures, please check out their website or call the number below.
Address: One First Street, NE Washington, DC 20543
Phone: (202) 479-3211
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
If you travel to the nation’s capital, you cannot leave without seeing the beautiful U.S. Capitol building itself! 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 and the newly constructed Capitol Visitor’s Center (CVC) will be sure to make the trip more memorable. Tours last around an hour in length and you will be able to walk through the same halls that members of Congress walk through on a daily basis. If your tour is booked Monday through Friday please feel free to stop by my office, room 211 in the Cannon House Office Building.
Map of Capitol Grounds: The Capitol, House and Senate office buildings.
Virtual Tour of Capitol: Explore the nation's Capitol, including the old and current House chambers.
Address: Below the East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues
Phone: (202) 226-8000
Voice of America Studio Tour
Experience a behind-the-scenes look at live broadcasting in radio, television, and the internet in several of their 44 languages. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and are guided with audio and video features. Take the time to learn more about the history of the studio and the regions to which it broadcasts. This is one of the newest and most exciting tours in DC.
Address: 330 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20237
Phone: (202) 203-4990
White House
Although you will not be able to see all 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels during your tour, come take a glimpse of the over two hundred year old White House. It is a symbol of the American Presidency, the U.S. Government and the American people. All tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, before or after their tour.
Please note that this is the most sought after tour and often difficult to secure due to the overwhelming demand by all 535 Congressional offices. Public tours for the White House must be submitted through our office, and cannot be guaranteed. To increase your chances, tours should be submitted as close to six months in advance as possible. In compliance with White House regulations, new requests cannot be submitted without a minimum of one month notice.
Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20500
Phone: 202-456-7041
