Tour Summary: The house of the nation's two legislative chambers. Features include the Capitol Rotunda, the Old Supreme Court Chamber, Statuary Hall, and the Crypt.
Address: Between Constitution and Independence Avenues.
Closest Metro Stop: South Capitol (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: Open Monday - Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Restrictions: Congressional Staff led tours are limited to 15 people per tour. To request a tour for more than 15 people, contact Johnathan at least 2 months before the date of the tour request. View a list of prohibited items here https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit/prohibited-items
How to Request a Tour: Contact Sarah at (202) 225-6411 to set up a tour of the United States Capitol.
Website: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
Tour Summary: A self-guided tour through the Presidential Residence.
Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines), Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver Lines), and McPherson Square (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: Scheduled self-guided tours are offered Tuesday - Saturday 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Excluding Federal Holidays). These tours must be arranged through a Congressional office. It is highly recommended that constituents submit their tour requests as far in advance as possible. (at least 30 days prior to the requested date).
How to request a tour: Contact Sarah at (202) 225-6411. Please be prepared to give the following information for each member of your party: First, Middle, and Last Name, Gender, Date and Country of Birth, City and State of Current Residence, and Social Security Number or Passport Number (if not a US citizen).
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/
Tour Summary: A tour of the nation's highest court.
Address: First and East Capitol Streets NE
Closest Metro Stop: Union Station (Red Line)
Availability: The Supreme Court Building is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays and on federal holidays. When the Court is not sitting, Courtroom Lectures are generally scheduled every-hour on the half-hour, beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a final lecture beginning at 3:30 p.m. On days that the Court is sitting, lectures begin after the Court adjourns. Admission to the tour is given on a first come, first serve basis.
Website: www.supremecourtus.gov
Notes: Enter the Supreme Court from the West entrance (the entrance facing the Capitol).
Tour Summary: A tour of the Jefferson Building includes the great hall,
Address: Jefferson Building, 101 Independence Ave SE
Closest Metro Stop: Capitol South Metro (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: Public Tours are available Monday - Friday at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 p.m 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM and Saturday 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM. Closed Holidays and Sundays.
Website: http://www.loc.gov/visit/
Tour Summary: Features the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and other national treasures.
Address: 700 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Archives-Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines)
Availability: Open daily from 10 AM - 5:30 PM. During the summer months extended hours until 9 PM. Costs: Free.
Restrictions: All food and beverages are prohibited.
How to request a tour: Tours are self-guided. Contact (202) 357-5000 to schedule a visit. For a guided tour of "The National Archives Experience," reservations must be made at least 6 weeks in advance. Contact visitorservices@nara.gov to schedule a tour.
Website: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/index.html
Notes: The Rotunda entrance which includes the Exhibit Hall is on Constitution Avenue.
Tour Summary: Highlights include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Curtis-Lee Mansion, and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft.
Address: Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA
Closest Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line)
Availability: Opens at 8 AM every day of the year. From April 1-Sept 30 the cemetery closes at 7PM, the other six months it closes at 5 PM. 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.
Costs: Free, but narrated bus tours start from the visitors' center for a cost: Adults $6.00, Children $3.00, Seniors $5.00. The cost of parking is $1.25/hour for the first three hours, and $2.00/hour thereafter.
How to Request a Tour: Phone: (703) 607-8000. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org
Notes: The cemetery does not provide wheelchairs or strollers.
Summary: The National Mall's newest memorial was dedicated to the men and women of World War II - America's Greatest Generation - on May 29, 2004. The memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II and the more than 400,000 who died.
Address: 17th St, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines).
Availability: Open 24 hours daily.
Notes: Includes a World War II Registry of the men and women who served. For more information call 202-426-6841 or visit http://www.nps.gov/nwwm.
Summary: Honors the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam War. The V-shaped memorial is made of black granite and is inscribed with the names of the 58,209 Americans missing or killed in the Vietnam War.
Address: North of the Lincoln Memorial.
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: Open 8 AM - 12 midnight. Closed on Christmas.
Notes: For more information call 202-426-6841 or visit www.nps.gov/vive.
Tour Summary: 30 exhibits with mementos left at the memorial, photos from ceremonies, and murals.
Address: E Street NW, between 4th and 5th Streets. The visitor center is located 2 blocks away at 605 E St NW.
Closest Metro Stop: Judiciary Square (Red Line). Take the F Street exit.
Availability: Open 24 hours a day. Visitors Center Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM, Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM, Sunday: 12 Noon - 5 PM. Tours must be scheduled at least a week in advance. Costs: Free.
How to request a tour: A tour request form can be obtained at http://www.nleomf.org/memorial/tours/?referrer=http://nleomf.com/.
Summary: The 78-foot memorial commemorates all marines who have died in battle since 1775. The statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II symbolizes this nation's esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Address: Route 50 near Arlington National Cemetery.
Closest Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line).
Availability: The memorial grounds are open year-round from 6 am until midnight.
Notes: For more information call (703) 285-2601 or visit http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/usmc_memorial.htm
Summary: Features 19 soldiers arrayed for combat, with the American flag as their symbolic objective. A 164-foot wall is etched with 2,500 photographic images of the support personnel whose efforts sustained the military operation.
Address: Adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: The Memorial is open 24 hours a day.
Notes: Facilities include a book store, touch screen registry, restrooms and concessions. For more information call 202-426-6841 or visit www.nps.gov/kwvm.
Summary: The memorial traces twelve years of American history through a series of four outdoor areas; each focusing on one of FDR's terms in office.
Address: Cherry Tree Walk along Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial.
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Blue, Orange and Silver Lines).
Availability: Open 24 hours daily.
Notes: Includes a World War II Registry of the men and women who served. For more information call 202-426-6841 or visit http://www.nps.gov/frde/.
The Smithsonian is a collection of 14 museums and sites in the Washington, DC area. Admission to all museums is free. For information on museum hours, please visit http://www.si.edu/museums/
Summary: Features a 19-foot marble statue of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial also exhibits inscriptions of Lincoln's second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address.
Address: West Potomac Park and 23rd ST, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom/GWU (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: The public may visit the Lincoln Memorial 24 hours a day. However Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. daily and to provide interpretive programs every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Notes: The Lincoln Memorial chamber is wheelchair accessible via an elevator in the lower lobby. Wheelchairs are available for loan on a first come first serve basis at the Korean War Veterans memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Kiosks. Restrooms are available at the Lincoln Memorial. For more information call (202) 426-6841 or visit www.nps.gov/linc.
Tour Summary: Honors the men and women of the US Navy. Features a 100 foot granite map of the world surrounded by depictions of historic Navy events.
Address: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th streets.
Closest Metro Stop: Archives-Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines).
Availability: Memorial Open Daily. Heritage Center Open: March-October 9:30 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Saturday; November-February 9:30 AM - 5 PM, Tuesday-Friday.
Costs: Free. Movie screenings at the Heritage Center cost $3.75.
Notes: Special events run throughout the year. Call visit http://www.navymemorial.org/heritage-center for more information.
Summary: Honors America's third president. Memorial features a 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson and inscriptions of passage of the Declaration of Independence and other famous Jefferson writings.
Address: 14th St, SW on the tidal basin.
Tour Length: Park rangers give 15-minute talks several times an hour.
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: The public may visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial 24 hours a day. However Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. daily and to provide interpretive programs every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Notes: The lower lobby holds an elevator to provide access to the Memorial Chamber, Restrooms, Museum and Bookstore/Gift shop. For more information call (202) 426-6841 or visit www.nps.gov/thje.
Summary: The tallest masonry structures in the world, standing 555 feet tall. The monument is dedicated to the memory of our nation's first president, George Washington.
Address: Located on Constitution Avenue, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: Open daily from 9 AM - 5 PM. Advanced tickets are available through the National Park Service Reservation System. Timed tickets are required to enter the monument. All visitors 2 years of age or older must have a ticket to enter the Monument. More information can be found on their site here: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/fees.htm. The number to the Reservation System is (800) 967-2283. Reservations may be made between the hours of 10 AM and 10 PM.
Costs: Visiting the Monument is free, but there is a service charge to reserve tickets to enter the monument.
Notes: Facilities include exhibits, a book store, restrooms and concessions. For more information: www.nps.gov/wamo
Summary: Exhibits change yearly and range from Shakespeare for the 21st Century to years of Domestic Architecture to America's World's Fairs.
Tour Length: 45 minutes.
Address: 401 F St, NW, between 4th and 5th Streets.
Closest Metro Stop: Judiciary Square (Red Line).
Availability: The National Building Museum is open to the public Monday - Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. On rare occasions, the Museum may close for a special event.
Costs: Current ticket prices can be found on their site here: http://www.nbm.org/plan-visit/.
Summary: The DAR Museum is comprised of 31 period rooms and 2 galleries.
The collection consists of over 30,000 decorative and fine arts objects spanning the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tour Length: 45 minutes.
Address: 1776 D Street, NW. Two blocks from the White House.
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut West (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Tour Information: Please visit http://www.dar.org/national-society/visitor-information/plan-your-visit.
Notes: For more information call (202) 628-1776 or visit http://www.dar.org/museum/.
TourSummary: Three floors of history covering from the Nazi's rise to power to the liberation of the troops.
Address: 14th St and Raoul Wallenberg Place in Washington, DC
Directions: Public transportation is advised as parking is very limited. The nearest Metro stop is Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines).
Availability: Open daily from 10 AM -5:30 PM except Christmas and Yom Kippur (October 2). Tuesdays and Thursdays April through Mid-June there are extended hours until 7:50 PM. No passes are necessary for entering the Museum building. Special exhibitions require passes obtained by visiting http://www.ushmm.org/information/plan-a-visit
Costs: Free.
Restrictions: Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted. Video/audio recording are not permitted. Photography is not permitted in the exhibitions. Flash photography is not permitted in the Hall of Remembrance.
How to Request a Tour: Timed passes are necessary for visiting the Permanent Exhibition. These can be obtained the morning of you visit outside the museum on the day of your visit, or in advance by calling (800) 400-9373. Each day, the Museum distributes on a first-come first-served basis a large but limited number of timed entry passes for use that same day.
Notes: For more information call (202) 488-0400 or visit www.ushmm.org.
Tour Summary: Encompasses all aspects of the visual arts.
Address: National Mall between 3rd and 7th streets at Constitution Ave.
Closest Metro Stop: Archives-Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines).
Availability: Open Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM and Sundays 11 AM - 6 PM.
Costs: Free.
How to request a tour: Audio Tours: Reservations are needed for groups larger than 10 and can be made at (202) 842-6592. Introductory Tours: Times for the tours range by exhibit from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Notes: For more information visit http://www.nga.gov/
Summary: The Hall features permanent interactive geography and science exhibits, as well as changing displays to give visitors opportunities to share in recent archaeological finds, the latest in photography, and expositions of exotic cultures.
Address: 17th and M Streets NW
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut North (Red Line).
Availability: Open Monday - Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM; Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM
Costs: See their website at: http://events.nationalgeographic.com/national-geographic-museum/ for ticket prices and availability
Tour Summary: The only public museum in the world solely dedicated to the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage. The Museum's permanent exhibition presents the tradecraft of espionage through the stories of individuals and their missions, tools and techniques. Exhibits feature the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever on public display - many for the first time.
Address: The entire city block between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Green, Yellow, & Red Lines)
Costs and Ticket Availability: Please visit http://www.spymuseum.org/tickets/ for more information.
How to Request a Tour: Groups of 20 or more qualify for Group Admission and require advance reservations which can be made by calling Bill Adams, Group Sales Manager at (202) 654-0944.
Notes: The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. On occasion the Museum closes earlier than regular visiting hours. Such early closings will be posted at www.spymuseum.org.
Tour Summary: Tribute to President Lincoln's love of the arts. Museum includes the clothes Abraham Lincoln wore on the night of his assassination.
Tour Length: Fifteen minute historical talks.
Address: Located on 10th St between E and F streets.
Closest Metro Stop: Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver Lines) or Gallery Place (Green, Yellow, & Red Lines).
Costs and Availability: Please visit http://www.fordstheatre.org/home/plan-your-visit for more information.
Notes: Because Ford's Theatre also functions as an active stage with live performances there are times when the theatre will be closed to the public. Matinees usually take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, although rehearsals can take place at any time of day. For performance information please visit the Ford Homepage at www.fordstheatre.org.
Tours of the FBI building are available Monday through Thursday at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., with firearm demonstrations held at 10:30. Requests must be made through the Congressman’s office. Please contact Emily Rauch at (202) 225-6411 for more information.
Summary: Tanks of fish, frogs, alligators and sharks.
Tour Length: 45 minutes.
Address: 14th St, between Constitution Ave and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Directions: Located in the U.S. Department of Commerce Building at the
Closet Metro Stop: Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange Lines).
Availability: Open daily 9 AM - 5 PM. Last admission is at 4:30 PM. Animal keeper hosted talks and animal feedings occur daily at 2 PM. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Costs: General $5, Senior and Military Personnel $4, Children (2-10) $2, Children under 2 are free. Credit cards can not be used for admission. Notes: For more information call (202) 482-2825 or visit www.nationalaquarium.com.
Tour Summary: Highlights include the Conservatory and two acres of surrounding exterior grounds, the outdoor display gardens in Frederic Auguste Bartholdi Park, and the Administration Building. Free 45-minute highlight tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Please check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival.
Address: 100 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington D.C. 20024
Closest Metro Stop: Blue Federal Center SW (Blue Line) or Capital South (Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines).
Availability: Admission to the U.S. Botanic Garden is free. The Conservatory and National Garden are open every day of the year from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
Costs: Free.
For more information visit www.usbg.gov
Tour Summary: One can see the dramatic art and Gothic architecture of the Cathedral.
Address: 3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016
Directions: Metro directions: Exit on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue. Take any 30 series bus going south. Ride approximately one and one-half miles south on Wisconsin Avenue to the Cathedral. Driving directions: From Downtown DC take Massachusetts Avenue north to Wisconsin Avenue. Turn right onto Wisconsin Avenue. The Cathedral is on your immediate right.
Closest Metro Stop: Tenleytown/AU (Red Line).
Availability and Cost: For detailed information about operating hours and admission costs, please visit http://www.cathedral.org/visit/.
Tour Summary: Tours begin with a history and mission of the Observatory. In continues with the viewing of development of USNO's timekeeping responsibilities with a member of the Observatory's Time Services Department staff and a viewing of celestial objects with an Astronomer if the weather permits.
Address: 34th St and Massachusetts Ave, NW
Availability: Public tours are offered on alternating Monday evenings from 8:30 AM - 10 PM and are available by reservation only.
Costs: Free.
Restrictions: Backpacks, bags and bulky items are not permitted on the grounds. Photo ID is required for all adults.
How to request a tour: Fax a request to the Public Affairs Office at (202) 762-1489. You must submit your tour reservation 4 to 6 weeks in advance. You must provide the names and dates-of-birth of all individuals in your party. As a Requestor you must also provide an email address or daytime telephone number so that the USNO may contact you with the status of your request. You will receive an email or telephone confirmation when your order has been processed no later than the Friday before your First Choice tour date.
Tour Summary: Visitors can wander though sixteen acres of beautiful landscape, through small formal gardens, a Roman-style amphitheater, and down Lovers' Lane. Collections of pre-Columbian art.
Address: 1703 32nd St., NW (One block east of Wisconsin Ave. between R and S Streets in Georgetown).
Closest Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom (Blue, Orange and Silver Lines).
For tickets, cost, and availability, pelase visit http://www.doaks.org.
Tour Summary: Home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection.
Address: 201 East Capitol Street, SE
Closest Metro Stops: Union Station (Red Line) or Capitol South (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
Availability: The Folger's building and exhibitions are open to the public every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00am through 5:00pm and Sundays from noon to 5:00pm; the building, including the exhibition, also opens one hour before ticketed performances and programs. Free docent-led tours are offered daily, Monday through Friday at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, Saturday at 11 am and 1 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm
Costs: Free.
How to Request a Tour: Group tours are available for both school groups and adult groups, and must be arranged in advance. Please call the Education department at (202) 675-0395. More information can be found at http://www.folger.edu/tours.
Tour Summary: A privately owned estate and garden, once the home of George and Martha Washington. In the 18thcentury the estate, gardens, and farm totaled 8,000 acres. Today, 500 acres have been preserved. Visitors can see 20 structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. In addition, one can see the tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington's greenhouse, a memorial to the accomplishments of 18th century slaves and a museum.
Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. About 16 miles south of Washington, DC.
Closest Metro Stop: Huntington Station (Yellow Line) to Fairfax Connector Bus (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/).
Availability: Open every day of the year. April - August 8 AM - 5 PM; March - October 9 AM - 5 PM; November - February 9 AM - 4 PM.
Costs: For information about ticket costs and availability, please visit: http://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/buy-tickets/.
Restrictions: 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.
How to Request a Tour: Contact (703) 780-2000 or www.mountvernon.org.
Tour Summary: Tours begin with a thirty minute training session. Stops along the tour include the National Mall, Smithsonian, US Capitol, and J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building.
Tour Length: 4 hours.
Address: Willard Hotel, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Directions: Tours depart from the lobby.
Closest Metro Stop: Metro Center (Blue, Orange, and Red Lines).
Availability: Reservations are needed. Tours available April 1-November 30. Day Tours (10AM-2PM) and Night Tours (6PM-10PM).
Costs: $70 per person.
Restrictions: Segway tours are only available for people 16 or older.
How to request a tour: Tours can be made via their website, www.citysegwaytours.com/washington.
Summary: Rail station newly refurbished in turn-of-the-century motif. DC's home to Amtrak, buses, taxis, public parking, and many DC tours such as: Tourmobile, Gray Line and Old Town Trolley Tours. In addition, there are restaurants, a food court, movie theaters, post office, a book store, a flower shop, retail stores, public restrooms, pay phones and an ATM machine.
Address: 50 Massachusetts Ave, NE, on the Senate side of
Closest Metro Stop: Union Station (Red Line).
Availability: Open 24 hours. Shops are open Monday-Saturday from 10AM-9PM, and Sunday from 12 noon-6PM.
Washington Metro (DC Subway System): From Capitol Hill to Downtown, the Metro is fast, easy, and cheap. Fares start at $1.75 each way. All-day passes are also available. Tickets can be purchased at any Metro station or online at www.wmata.com.
Washington Metro Buses: Please visit www.wmata.com for fare information.
D.C. Circulator Buses: Please visit www.dccirculator.com for more information. The Circulator includes a bus route that traverses the National Mall.
Old Town Trolley: Trolley tours travel to points of interest throughout the area. They allow unlimited boarding privileges the day of ticket purchase. For tour and ticket information, call (202) 832-9800 or visit http://www.historictours.com/.