Visiting D.C.

Washington, D.C. offers multiple attractions for people of all ages. Take a trip to some of our nation’s most influential landmarks and attractions, like the U.S. Capitol or the Washington Monument. Come visit D.C.’s countless museums, memorials, gardens, and more! My office will be more than happy to assist you as you plan your trip to our nation’s capital. Please contact my office at 202-224-6551 for more information or to schedule your tours.

Transportation

With limited parking and heavy traffic, I recommend taking public transportation while in Washington. The Metro is the best option for traveling, and can take you all around D.C. and the surrounding areas. You can find more information about the Metro by clicking here.

The Circulator Bus is also an option for public transportation. It runs between popular sites, such as Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Rosslyn, and other destinations. For more information and routes, visit their website at www.dccirculator.com.

Be prepared! When visiting D.C., be advised that there will be a lot of walking and traveling to different sites. For example, the distance between the Capitol steps and the Lincoln Memorial is about 1.2 miles (1.8 km). If you need any disability assistance, please visit http://dc.about.com/od/disabledresources/a/DisabledAccess.htm.

U.S. Capitol

As the meeting place of our nation’s legislature, the U.S. Capitol is a symbol of the American people and their government. Public tours led by the Capitol Visitors Center are offered throughout the day Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. My staff-led tours are also available Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Please call my office to set up a tour of this historic site.

The White House

Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House is the official dwelling of the President of the United States. Tours of this remarkable residence are offered Tuesday through Saturday mornings and can be requested through my office.

Unfortunately, a limited number of tours are available. Tours should be requested 3-6 months in advance. The White House cannot guarantee a tour, even if requested in the preferred time span. My office will be informed of your tour confirmation one to two weeks prior to your requested tour date.

When requesting a tour of the White House, all security information must be submitted at the time of the application. Your name and the date of your visit will be made public through the Secret Service. My office can only submit tours for U.S. citizens with social security numbers. If you are a citizen of another country, you can request a tour by contacting your embassy in D.C.

The White House Visitor Center is open to the public seven days a week, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. No reservations or tickets are required. They offer exhibits, an information booth, and merchandise for all ages!

If you are unable to visit the White House, you can view the interactive tour at www.whitehouse.gov/about/inside-white-house/interactive-tour

Federal Bureau of Investigation

 Want to get an inside look at one of the major intelligence agencies in the country?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation offers tours of its Education Center Monday through Thursday at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. In the FBI Education Center, you will be able to walk through two floors of exhibits detailing the FBI’s history, post-9/11 transformation, and current operations. You will get a glimpse of the special tactical training Special Agents and FBI personnel receive, as well as an array of cases the Bureau has investigated over the years.

As a bonus, the FBI Firearms Range is located within the Education Center, so you will be able to see first-hand where FBI Special Agents train and qualify with their weapons.

My office would be happy to help you secure this tour. Requests must be made at least 3 weeks prior to your tour date to process the security information.

Pentagon

As the headquarters to the Department of Defense, the Pentagon is an excellent place to visit while in D.C. Tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Please be advised that tours take approximately an hour, and you will be walking about a mile and a half.

My office would be glad to set up a tour for you. Tour requests are taken 14-90 days in advance, but try to put in a tour request early as they do fill up quickly. When your request is approved, the Pentagon requires you to fill out a security information form.

United States Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are no guided tours, so please feel free to come and visit when it suits you. Courtroom lectures are offered every hour on the half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. when Court is not sitting, with the last lecture at 3:30 p.m. When the Court is in session the lectures begin after Court adjourns for the day. The Supreme Court schedule is available on their website (www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/touringthebuilding.aspx).

While at the U.S. Supreme Court, see if you can sit in court and hear an oral argument. You can either attend the entire argument or visit just briefly. Please be aware that many cases attract large crowds. Please arrive early to ensure a seat. For more information, click here.

Library of Congress

While in D.C., make a stop to the largest library in the world! The Library of Congress is also the oldest cultural institution of the United States and the largest rare book collection in North America. Public tours of our national library are offered Monday through Friday, from 10:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., and Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. These tours usually book months in advance, so it’s a good idea to request a tour as early as possible. My office can help you reserve a spot.

National Archives

The National Archives is a popular attraction. You can view the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The museum is open daily with tours from 10:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. during the winter, or 7:00 p.m. in the summer. Reservations are not required, but recommended. To reserve a tour, please visit the National Archives website and submit a request. Tickets are free, but there is a $1.50 processing fee per person.

Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a great stop to make while in D.C. Experience some culture and a wonderful tribute to our late President John F. Kennedy. Contact my office and we will request a ticket for you. Try to schedule your tour to also catch a free 6:00 p.m. show!

Holocaust Museum

United States’ official memorial to the Holocaust is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No reservation is needed. If you wish to make a reservation, they are only accepted during the peak season (March through August). With groups smaller than 40 people, my office will submit a reservation for you. For groups over 40 people, the museum requires that you submit a reservation request through their website.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is opening on September 24, 2016. The museum is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. To date, the museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts.

The historic significance and high visibility of the museum are attracting a high volume of visitors. Due to the level of interest, the museum is implementing a Timed Pass system to welcome as many visitors as possible. Timed Passes for the general public are free of charge and can be obtained in advance of your visit. A limited number of same-day passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information and to reserve tickets please visit the museum’s website at https://nmaahc.si.edu/ or call 800-514-3849.