**White House tours had been previously closed to the public, but resumed November 5, 2013.**
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We can arrange various tours in and around Washington, D.C., for you and your family, school group, or church group. To request a tour please click here.
Tours that we are able to book for you include:
- The U.S. Capitol
- The White House
- The Supreme Court
- The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- The Library of Congress
- The Kennedy Center
Helpful Links:
Washington, D.C., Chamber of Commerce Visitor Guide
Washington D.C. Metro
Accomodations
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Tips for Touring Washington:
House and Senate Galleries
Passes to the House and Senate galleries to observe debate on the floor of Congress can be obtained from my Washington office in 1710 Longworth House Office Building . Children must be at least six years of age to be admitted to the Senate gallery. In the House, children under 10 are allowed in the gallery if accompanied by an adult. Both galleries are open between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, but may open earlier, depending on when the House and Senate are in session.
Meals
Cafeterias are located in the Capitol Visitors Center, the Dirksen Senate Building directly north of the Capitol, the Rayburn and Longworth House Office Building directly south of the Capitol, and the James Madison Memorial Annex to the Library of Congress. The Madison Cafeteria is open to the public during all hours of business, while the other cafeterias are open to the public from 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM and from 1:15 to 2:30 PM
Transportation
For those unfamiliar with the city, driving can be confusing and parking very difficult to find. However, public transportation is easily accessible to those visiting the D.C. area. Taxis, buses, and the Metrorail subway are available every day for transportation to and from Capitol Hill. Visitors are encouraged to use the Metro system. The closest Metro stops for Capitol Hill are Capitol South (Orange line) and Union Station (Red line).
The Metro
All of Washington’s major sightseeing attractions are easily accessible by the Metro. Trains operate every five minutes during rush hours (between 6 - 9 am and 3 - 6:30 pm) and every ten minutes during off peak hours. They begin running at 5:30 am during the week and stop running at midnight. Call for weekend schedules. For route, schedule and fare information call 202-637-7000. For suggestions and inquiries call 202-637-1328. For additional information, please contact Metro information at 202-637-7000.
Taxis
Taxicabs are usually easy to find, even during non-rush hour periods. Fares are based on metered mileage. While some cabs do accept credit cards, most are cash-only.
Airports
Baltimore/Washington International: Maryland Telephone: 301-261-1000 for general information, 301-261-1091 for ground transportation, 301-674-1167 for Amtrak BWI Station.
Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport: 703-685-8000 for general information, 703-685-8034 for lost and found, 703-684-3472 for travelers aid and paging.
Dulles International Airport: 703-471-7838 for general information, 703-471-4114 for lost and found, 703-528-4440 for taxi service and 703-661-8636 for travelers aid.
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Visitor Attractions:
United States Capitol
202-224-3121
Location: East Capitol St. and 1st Street, SE
Metro stops: Capitol South or Union Station
The Capitol Guide Service offers a forty-minute guided tour from 8:50 am to 3:20 pm Monday through Saturday, departing from the Capitol Visitors Center. The tour runs every 20 minutes. They are closed Christmas, New Year’s and Thanksgiving. Visitors are welcome to view the floor debates from the galleries by obtaining passes from your Congressman or Senator.
Library of Congress
202-707-5458
Location: Jefferson Building, 1st Street and Independence Ave, SE
Metro stops: Capitol South
The world’s largest and most open research library, millions of scholars, readers and tourists visit the Library of Congress annually. Our country’s national library contains over 75 million volumes. Tours are conducted every hour on the hour from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Library asks that groups over 10 people make a reservation for a specific tour.
The White House
202-456-7041
Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Metro stops: Metro Center or Federal Triangle
Tour the home of the President of the United States. The White House has been home to every president except George Washington. Open Tuesday through Saturday, visitors are welcome from 10 am to Noon. Tickets must be obtained at the Visitors Waiting Area on the Ellipse the day of the tour from 8:00 am to Noon. Visitors are requested to go to the East Gate on East Executive Ave to wait in line. Since the White House is occasionally closed for official events, it is recommended that visitors call in advance. NOTE: Requests for White House tours must be submitted at least six (6) months in advance.
Washington Monument
202-426-6840
Location: On the Mall at 15th Street NW
Metro stops: Smithsonian
The Washington Monument is the city’s tallest structure, standing at 555’ 5”, a tribute to our nation’s first president. There are 897 steps the public may walk down, however, to reach the top, elevators must be used. The lines tend to be long, but they generally move quickly. Your wait will be rewarded by a panoramic view of the nation’s capitol from the top of the Monument. Open daily the day after Easter to Labor Day from 8:00 am to Midnight and from Labor Day through March from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Jefferson Memorial
202-426-6822
Location: South end of the Tidal Basin at 14th Street
Metro stops: Smithsonian
This monument is in honor of Thomas Jefferson, third president, author of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. You may rent paddleboats at the Swan Boathouse and cruise the Basin. Open 8:00 am to Midnight every day but Christmas.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
Location: Between the Potomac River and the Cherry Tree Walk of the Tidal Basin
Metro stop: Smithsonian
This memorial is a tribute to both President Roosevelt and the time in which he lived. There is a sequence of four outdoor rooms, each representing on of FDR’s four terms in office. Park ranger talks and tours daily; available upon request.
Lincoln Memorial
202-426-6895
Location: West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street
Metro stops: Foggy Bottom
This monument is in honor of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president, overlooking the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. Open 24 hours daily.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
202-634-1568
Location: Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Ave NW, on the Mall
Metro stops: Foggy Bottom
Constructed of black granite to honor all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. In chronological order are over 58,000 names inscribed in the marble wall. Open 24 hours daily.
The U.S. Supreme Court
202-479-3030
Location: 1st and East Capitol Streets
Metro stops: Capitol South
This impressive building of white marble houses the highest court in the land. Guided tours are available, when the Court is not convening, Mondays through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, except Federal holidays. No tours are given during August.
Botanic Gardens
202-225-8333
Location: Independence and First St, SW
Metro stops: Federal Center SW or Capitol South
At the foot of the Capitol, under 29,000 square feet of glass, surrounded by ornamental pools this conservatory has more than 8,000 different types of exotic fruits, flowers and plants.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
202-488-0400
Location: just south of Independence Ave SW between 14th St and Raoul Wallenborg Place
Metro stops: Smithsonian
The Holocaust Museum serves as a national repository for Holocaust related artifacts and materials. Permanent exhibition is recommend for those over the age of 11. Open 7 days a week except on Christmas and Yom Kippur.
Smithsonian Museums
202-357-2700
Location: National Mall
Metro stops: Smithsonian
As the world’s largest museum complex, it holds over 139 million artifacts of American history; including the Air and Space Museum, Arts and Industries, Museum of Natural History, and Museum of American History. Open year round from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
National Gallery of Art
202-737-4215
Location: National Mall between 3rd and 7th Sts, NW
Metro stops: Smithsonian or Archives
The National Gallery of Art is one of the world’s largest marble structures, measuring 780 feet in length and containing more than 500,000 square feet. Open year round Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Ford's Theater and Lincoln Museum
202-426-6924
Location: 10th Street between E & F Sts
Metro stops: Metro Center or Gallery Place or Archives
The building is open every day between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm with the exception of Christmas. The Peterson house, where President Lincoln died, is across the street and free tours are available.
Arlington National Cemetery
703-607-8052
Location: Memorial Drive and Hwy 110
Metro stops: Arlington Cemetery
Open daily October through March from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and April through September from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. View the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. See the Amphitheater, the Custis-Lee Mansion, and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft.
Washington National Cathedral
202-537-6200
Location: Massachusetts & Wisconsin Ave NW
Metro stops: Tenleytown Station to “30” series Metro bus
The National Cathedral is the second-largest Gothic cathedral in the United States. From the Cathedral, you may view the nation’s capitol or simply enjoy the peaceful gardens and the beauty of the Cathedral. Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:15 pm, except during services and special events. Tours are from 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm.
Smithsonian National Zoo
202-673-4717
Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW
Metro stops: Woodley Park Zoo or Cleveland Park
Visit the new panda exhibit, see the orangutans swing or tour the heritage gardens and wetlands. This visit takes a minimum of three hours; parking charges are per hour. The grounds are open daily from May 1 to Sept 15 from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (Buildings are open from 10 am to 6 pm) and September 16 to April 30 from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (Buildings are open from 10 am to 4:30 pm).
The Department of Treasury
202-622-0896
Location: Next to the White House on 15th Street, between F & G Sts, NW
Metro stops: Metro Center
This tour includes the history of the Treasury Department and the building’s architecture history, including a tour of the Andrew Johnson suite. It was in this suite, in 1865, that President Johnson conducted official business for six weeks after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It also includes the beautiful Salmon P. Chase suite, the Cash room (site of Grant’s inaugural reception) and the 1864 burglarproof vault. Tours are conducted Saturday mornings and last about 90 minutes.
The Bureau of Engraving & Printing
202-283-2646
Location: 14th & C Sts, SW
Metro stops: Smithsonian
See how United States currency is printed. Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Closed weekends, Federal holidays and December 24 through January 3rd.
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