The White House
Group tours of the White House are typically offered Tuesday-Thursday from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM, and Friday and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Occasionally, it may be necessary for the White House to deviate from the regular tour schedule. Changes will be made known to constituents by Senator Flake’s tour coordinator if such changes conflict with a constituent’s requested tour date.
Availability for White House tours is extremely limited. Requests must be submitted at least one month in advance of the anticipated tour date so that necessary background checks can be performed by White House staff. However, it is recommended that constituents submit tour requests several months in advance of their requested tour date to increase the likelihood that they will be admitted.
To submit a tour request, please send the following information for the entire group (including minors) to Flaka Ismaili at flaka_ismaili@flake.senate.gov:
- Full Name (including middle name, as it appears on your driver’s license)
- Date of Birth
- Social Security number
- Country of citizenship
- Current city and state of residence
- Dates of availability
- An email and cell phone contact for one member of your group
Groups will be notified of the status of their tour 1.5-2 weeks before their requested tour date. Constituents should understand that just because their request may have been submitted several months in advance, this does not guarantee that they will be admitted to the White House. On the days when tours are available, 535 Congressional offices are submitting requests for 1500 passes. Again, as soon as our office hears back from the White House, we will reach out to you via email or cell phone.
The Pentagon
Free tour reservations are available directly through the Pentagon Web site. To make your reservation, please click here.
Should your request be approved by the Pentagon, they will send you two e-mails. One is your confirmation e-mail. You should print a copy and take it with you to access your tour.
The second e-mail will inform you of the required security procedures and ask for your background security information. The Pentagon MUST receive your security information by AT LEAST one week before your tour. The Pentagon requires this information for a security background check for everyone requesting the tour. If you do not wish to disclose this information, they will not accept your tour request.
To save and send the security information (the security “roster”) to the Pentagon:
1. Open the attachment "roster.xls" and "Save as" to your computer.
2. Save it as the "Group name" mentioned in your confirmation e-mail.
3. Fill out the contact information on the roster with the "Group name" and "Date/time" mentioned in the confirmation e-mail.
4. The contact name is your full name. It is strongly suggested that you fill in a mobile number and e-mail address in case there are any last minute changes to your tour.
5. Fill out the roster with the requested information for every guest (including yourself if you plan to attend). "Save" the roster again.
6. Now open the confirmation e-mail that the Pentagon sent you and hit "Reply.”
7. Attach the roster that you saved to your computer to this e-mail.
8. The e-mail's subject should read "Security information for (insert month you are visiting) tour" (example: “Security information for January tour”).
You should receive final confirmation from the Pentagon after this step.
Closest Metro: Pentagon
The Supreme Court
You may tour the building (but not the courtroom), located at 1st Street NE between Constitution Avenue NE and East Capitol Street NE, on your own. Guided tours of the Supreme Court are not available. The building is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday. It is closed on weekends and holidays.
A court term begins the first Monday in October and lasts through June, with breaks for summer.
In session: When the court is in session, oral arguments are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis (limited seating). To see whether oral arguments are occurring during your visit click here and refer to the calendar at the bottom of the page. The court generally hears two one-hour arguments per day, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with occasional afternoon sessions scheduled as necessary. Arguments are held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in two-week intervals through late April (with longer breaks during December and February). In mid-May, after the oral argument portion of the term has concluded, the court takes the bench Mondays at 10 a.m. for the release of orders and opinions. This practice continues until all the cases heard during the term have been decided, usually the last week in June. These sessions, which typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, are also open to the public.
For information on how to attend an oral argument, please click here.
Not in session: When the court is not in session, there are free lectures every hour on the half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No reservations are necessary. A line forms in the Great Hall on the first floor before each lecture, and visitors are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Lecture schedules may vary, and it is best to call and confirm times before your visit.
For the Supreme Court Visitor Information Line, please call (202) 478-3211 (ext. 4).
For more information, please click here.
Closest Metro: Union Station or Capitol South
The Library of Congress
Public tours are offered at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday public tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., as well as at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. These free tours are open to individuals and small groups with no more than 10 participants. No reservations or tickets are required.
Groups of 10 to 60 participants may reserve private tours with advance notice by filling out the form provided by the Visitor Services Office through its Web site, or by calling (202) 707–0919. These tours are designed for organizations and schools (fifth-grade level and above). Reserved group tour times are offered Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., subject to availability.
All tours commence in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson building.
For more information, please click here.
Closest Metro: Capitol South
The U.S. Botanic Garden
Located on the National Mall at the intersection of Maryland Avenue NW and 1st Street, NW, the Botanic Garden is open daily, including weekends and holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free 45-minute highlight tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Check at the visitor information desk upon your arrival. Admission is free.
Groups of 10 to 25 adults may reserve a free 45-minute guided tour of the conservatory Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and on weekends when space permits.
Please make tour reservations at least four-to-six weeks in advance by calling (202) 225-1116.
In general, due to the group-size limitations and the in-depth nature of the docent-led tours, the U.S. Botanic Garden does not offer tours for children or school groups.
For more information about planning a field trip to the U.S. Botanic Garden, including activities more age-appropriate and enjoyable for children and teens, click here.
For any other information about touring the garden click here.
Closest Metro: Federal Center SW or Capitol South
The Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F St., NW. Free performances take place on the Millennium Stage at 6:00 p.m., 365 days a year. The Kennedy Center also offers free, hour-long tours of the building on a walk-in basis. The tours can be given in several foreign languages upon request. The center is closed on Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
For more information, or to book your tour, call (202) 416-8340 (TDD (202) 416-8524) or click here.
Closest Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU
Arlington National Cemetery
Located on Memorial Drive in Arlington, Va., the cemetery’s daily hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (April to September); 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (October to March).
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs each hour on the hour, and every half hour in the summer months.
For more information, please call (703) 607-8000 or visit the cemetery’s Web site here.
Closest Metro: Arlington Cemetery
Mt. Vernon - Home of President George Washington
Located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway in Mount Vernon, Va., about 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., Mt. Vernon’s hours are seasonal. A shuttle to the Pioneer Farm site is available from March to November. Tours are available for a fee; admission for children five and under are free.
No food or drink except for bottled water is allowed. Gum, strollers and motorized scooters are not allowed in the mansion. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash. For more information, call (703) 780-2000 or click here.
Closest Metro: Huntington Station to Fairfax Connector Bus
Washington Nationals Ballpark
Nationals Park is located in Southeast Washington at 1500 South Capitol St., SE, south of the Capitol, along the fast-developing Capitol Riverfront adjacent to the Navy Yard.
Click here for the Washington Nationals’ schedule and ticket information.
Closest Metro: Navy Yard