Visit DC
Visit Washington, DC
Washington, DC Visitor Information
Click here to download an Adobe Acrobat version of the list of Washington, DC attractions.
Congressional and public tours are available for those who would like to visit the city's many landmarks, monuments and historical attractions. We hope you enjoy your visit and be sure to stop by the office to say hello when you're here!
To help plan your trip you may wish to visit the following Internet sites:
Congressional Tours
Guided congressional tours are very, very popular. So submit your request early to increase the likelihood of obtaining tickets for the date and time you prefer.
If you would like additional information, please call Johnny's Washington office at (202) 224-3643. Betsy Dietz, the Tour Coordinator will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about planning your visit.
U.S. Capitol
Congressional staff guided tours of the U.S. Capitol building are scheduled for Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please be there 40 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Contact Betsy Dietz at (202) 224-3643 to set up a tour of the United States Capitol or go directly to the Capitol Visitor Center website, http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/, and click on Book a Tour.
This tour includes a visit to the Capitol Rotunda, Statuary Hall, and the Crypt.
White House
Due to current security restraints, White House tours must be organized through your Congressional offices. We urge you to submit your request six (6) months in advance.
Congressional tickets for guided-tours of the White House are available Tuesday through Saturday. The tour lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The number of tickets available to each Senate office is limited. Tickets are valid for date and time of issue only. These tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Note: On September 4, 2009, President Obama announced that visitor access records to the White House Complex will be made publicly available 90-120 days after the date of visit. This policy includes all guests touring the White House. Please be aware that your full name and the date of your visit will be part of the record.
Library of Congress
Congressional guided tours are given Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Please call Johnny's Tour Coordinator for more information.
Public Tours
In addition to the guided Congressional tours, there are a number of public tours available. Following is information and links to some of these sites.
Arlington National Cemetery
Located in Arlington, Virginia
The National Cemetery attracts a variety of visitors year round. Some come to see the rich history and tradition that surrounds the landscape. Others come to remember the 260,000 veterans from all of our nation's wars who are buried here. This is also the resting place of the tomb of the unknown soldiers who are guarded by sentinels 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.
Nearest Metro station: Arlington Cemetery
Phone: 703-607-8052
Open daily October - March, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April - September, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Every half-hour, April - October
Every hour, November - March.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
14th and C Streets SW
The Bureau is located south of the mall and is convenient to visiting other tourist sites. It is the largest producer of security documents in the United States as well as the largest single supplier of postage to the U.S. postal service. Here you can see where billions of dollars are made each year (44 million dollars a day).
Tickets are required for all tours beginning the first Monday in March, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street). Same day tickets only are available. The Ticket Booth opens at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and closes when all tickets have been distributed. Lines form early and tickets go quickly. Most days’ tickets are gone by 9:00 a.m. Please plan accordingly.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
Phone: 202-874-3019
Open: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.; and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (October - February)
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.
Tickets are required from March - September.
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
E Street between 9th and 10th Streets, NW
The FBI Education Center is CLOSED for renovations. They are not currently conducting any tours or accepting any reservations. Tours are not expected to resume until February at the earliest.
The FBI Building is named after former director J. Edgar Hoover. This tour is very popular tour, and the wait can be excessive during the summer.
Nearest Metro station: Metro Center
Phone: 202-FBI-3447
Public tours Monday - Friday, 8:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.
One-hour tours begin approximately every 20 minutes.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial
Ohio Drive, SW, near the Tidal Basin
The FDR memorial was erected to honor the famous President who was known for creating fireside chats and enacting "The New Deal," designed to lift the nation out of the Great Depression. This memorial is divided into four outdoor galleries. It is also surrounded by water cascades and quiet pools. There are a number of famous quotations carved into the memorial.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
Phone: 202-426-6841
Open daily except Christmas 8 a.m. to Midnight.
Ford's Theater and Lincoln Museum
10th Street between E and F Streets, NW
Ford's Theatre is the site of the infamous assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The house where he died is on the same grounds. The tours are self-guided and "talks" are given daily at 15 minutes past the hour/every hour starting at 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Nearest Metro station: Metro Center
Phone: 202-426-6924
Performance Information: 202-347-4833
Open daily except Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (When a matinee is scheduled or rehearsal is in progress, the theater is also closed to tours.)
Jefferson Memorial
South Bank of the Potomac Tidal Basin in Southwest Washington, DC
This memorial was designated April 13, 1943 to honor the 3rd president of the United States. Famous inscriptions are described throughout.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
Phone: 202-426-6841
Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Paddle boats available for rent at the boathouse from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street, NW
The center is a leader in arts education and provides thousands of performances a year. It sits on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River. A tour of the facility features the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the center's main theaters, and dozens famous paintings and sculptures.
Nearest Metro Station: Foggy Bottom/GWU (George Washington University)
Free Shuttle from Metro to theatre every 15 minutes
Phone: 202-416-8340
Tours are conducted Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking Level A.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
West end of National Mall
This memorial honors the sacrifice of 54,246 persons who lost their lives in the Korean War. Life-size depictions of battle and a large granite mural with over 2,000 sandblasted photographs are on the grounds.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian or Foggy Bottom
Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight
Library of Congress
First Street and Independence Avenue, SE
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. It contains approximately 530 miles of bookshelves containing over 18 million books and 12 million photographs. Founded in 1800, it is the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation.
Nearest Metro station: Capitol South
Phone: 202-707-5000
Tours are limited to 50 people
One-hour tours begin Monday - Friday: 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30
One-hour tours begin on Saturday: 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30
Lincoln Memorial
West end of the National Mall near 23rd Street, NW and Memorial Bridge
One of the most popular memorials in the world, The Lincoln Memorial honors the principles of freedom and democracy the President idealized. The statue of Abraham Lincoln is made of white Georgia marble and the columns on the front of the memorial are 44 feet high.
Nearest Metro Station: Smithsonian or Foggy Bottom
Phone: 202-426-6895
Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Home of George Washington, Mount Vernon welcomes more than one million visitors a year. One can see our first President's mansion, the grounds upon which he lived, and the tomb where he rests today.
No Metro service nearby
Phone: 703-780-2000
Open Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April - August.
Open Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March, September, October
Open Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through February
General Admission - $15
Senior Citizens' Admission - $14
Children's admission (6-11 years) - $12
Age 6 and under free.
National Archives
8th and Constitution Avenue, NW
The National Archives house legislative documents and historical records of Congress and the Federal Government. The Rotunda includes the original Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights.
Nearest Metro station: Archives-Navy Memorial
Phone: 202-501-5402
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the spring months.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer months.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. all other times.
National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW
Located atop one of the highest points in the city, National Cathedral has been visited by every president since Theodore Roosevelt.
No Metro service nearby
202-537-6207
Open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
National Gallery of Art
4th Street between the Mall and Constitution Avenue, NW
Highlights include Renaissance paintings, Dutch masterworks, French Impressionists, and 20th-Century paintings/sculptures. World masterpieces include the works of da Vinci, Raphael, and Renoir.
Nearest Metro station: Archives-Navy Memorial
Phone: 202-737-4215
Open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
National Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenburg Place, SW. (south of the Mall by the Washington Monument)
Visiting the museum can be an emotionally evocative experience. The displays and exhibits are built upon the principles of education and remembrance. In addition to the museum, there is a library, a learning center, and a cafe.
Timed passes are necessary for visiting the Permanent Exhibition and can be obtained at the Museum on the day of your visit or in advance by visiting tickets.com or calling (800) 400–9373. Each day, the Museum distributes on a first–come first–serve basis a large but limited number of timed entry passes for use that same day. The Box Office opens at 9 a.m. It is located on the 14th Street side of the museum.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
Open daily except Yom Kippur and Christmas from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
E Street, NW, between 4th and 5th Streets, NW
The memorial honors fallen law enforcement officers from all over the nation. It contains striking photographs of the memorial and dedication ceremony. Here you will find stories of such famous lawmen as Wyatt Earp and his friend "Doc" Holiday.
Nearest Metro station: Judiciary Square
Phone: 202-737-3400
Open 24 hours daily.
National World War II Memorial
On the National Mall, near 17th and 18th Streets, NW
The National World War II Memorial commemorates the sacrifice and celebrates the victory of the WWII generation. The World War II Memorial creates a distinct, evocative and serene tribute yet remains respectful and sensitive to its historic surroundings. It is the city's newest memorial and was dedicated on May 29, 2004.
Nearest Metro Station: Smithsonian
Phone: 202-426-6841
Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight.
National Zoo
3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW
The zoo was created in 1889. It has been transformed into a new kind of zoo called a "Biopark." It combines wildlife with natural history museums, botanic gardens, aquaria and art galleries. It boasts a variety of animals from all over the world.
Nearest Metro station: Woodley Park-Zoo
Phone: 202-673-4800
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November through April.
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May through October.
Buildings are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the winter months, and
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months.
Naval Observatory
Massachusetts Avenue at 34th Street, NW
Grounds include the home of the Vice President of the United States. It is one of the oldest scientific agencies, established in 1830. It is now the preeminent authority in areas of time keeping and celestial observing. Tours include a presentation of the Mission and History of the Naval Observatory, a view of the development of USNO's timekeeping responsibilities with a member of the Observatory's Time Service Department staff, and (weather permitting) viewing of celestial objects with the 12-inch Alvan Clark refractor with an Astronomer.
Individual tour passes must be reserved in advance. You may use the online request form link available on the Naval Observatory website, or send a fax to the Public Affairs Office at 202-762-1489 to secure a reservation. Requests for reservations should be submitted at least 4 - 6 weeks before a scheduled tour. You must provide the names and dates-of-birth of all individuals in your party.
No Metro service nearby
202-762-1467
Tours are 90 minutes long and are conducted on alternating Mondays from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Arrive before 8 p.m.
Old Post Office Pavilion
Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street, NW (next to Union Station)
Once described as the "Old Tooth" and slated for demolition, the Old Post Office Pavilion now houses federal offices, shops, restaurants, boutiques and an open courtyard. It also has a great view of the Capitol from the top of its' 315 foot clock tower.
Nearest Metro station: Federal Triangle
Phone: 202-289-4224
Open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Open Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Pentagon
Arlington, Virginia off I-395 (1 mile from Washington DC)
True to its name, this five-sided building houses the Department of Defense.
Nearest Metro station: Pentagon
Phone: 703-695-1776
Tours of the Pentagon are available to schools, educational organizations and other select groups by reservation only. Groups interested in touring the Pentagon should contact the Pentagon Tour Office at 703-697-1776.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Composed of 12 museums and the National Zoo in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and 2 museums in New York City, the Smithsonian's exhibitions offer visitors a glimpse into its vast collection numbering over 142 million objects.
Admission to all museums is free. Visitors to the American Indian Museum on the Mall may need a free, timed pass for entry.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
Phone: 202-357-1300
Hours: The Washington Museums are open daily except Christmas from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) - 1000 Jefferson Drive SW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- Arts and Industries Building - 900 Jefferson Drive SW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- African Art Museum - 950 Independence Ave. SW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- Air and Space Museum - Independence Ave. and 7th St. SW (L'Enfant Plaza, Maryland Ave. exit)
- Air and Space Museum - Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA
- American Art Museum - Renwick Gallery - 17th St. at Pennsylvania Ave. NW (Farragut West, 17th St. exit)
- American Art Museum - Reynolds Center - 8th and F Sts. NW (Gallery Place-Chinatown, 9th St. exit)
- American History Museum - 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW. (Federal Triangle)
- American Indian Museum - 4th St. & Independence Ave. SW (L'Enfant Plaza, Maryland Ave. or 7th St. exit)
- Anacostia Community Museum - 1901 Fort Place SE
- Asian Art Museum - Freer Gallery - Jefferson Dr. and 12th St. SW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- Asian Art Museum - Sackler Gallery - 1050 Independence Ave. SW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Independence Ave. and 7th St. SW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- National Zoological Park - 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW (Woodley Park-Adams Morgan/Zoo)
- Natural History Museum - 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
- Portrait Gallery - Reynolds Center - 8th and F Sts. NW (Gallery Place-Chinatown, 9th St. exit)
- Postal Museum - Massachusetts Ave. and 1st St. NE (Union Station)
State Department
2201 C Street, NW
The State Department is the hub of United States foreign policy. Eighteenth-century American furniture, paintings and decorative arts are displayed in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms.
No Metro service nearby
Phone: 202-647-3241
Tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Tours are by reservation only. Tours are 45 minutes in duration.
Supreme Court
First Street and Maryland Avenue, NE
The highest court in the land is in session October through August, two weeks a month. The inscription on the top of the building reads "Equal Justice Under Law."
Nearest Metro station: Capitol South or Union Station
Phone: 202-479-3211
Open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.
Public lectures in the Courtroom every hour on the half-hour, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., except when court is in session
Treasury Department
15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
The Treasury Department contains memorabilia of past Secretaries of Treasury including Alexander Hamilton and Salmon P. Chase. The tours are conducted on Saturday mornings at 9:00, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Each tour lasts approximately one hour and include displays of real and counterfeit money.
Nearest Metro station: McPherson Square
Phone: 202-622-0896
Tours on Saturday only. Reservations and valid photo identification required.
U.S. Capitol
Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
The Capitol houses both chambers of Congress and is the center of Washington D.C. The Old Supreme Court Chamber, Statuary Hall and the Rotunda can also be seen on a tour of the building.
The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Admission to the Capitol Visitor Center is free and does not require a ticket.
Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tours of the U.S. Capitol need to be scheduled in advance through the Advance Reservation System or through the office of one of your Senators or your Representative.
Nearest Metro station: Capitol South or Union Station
Phone: 202-225-6827
Tours Monday - Saturday except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Beautifully restored Amtrak train station, shopping, and large food court. It is close to the Capitol and Senate office buildings.
Nearest Metro station: Union Station
Phone: 202-371-9441
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
On the National Mall, near Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, NW
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a testament to the sacrifice of American military personnel during one of the nation's least popular wars. The memorial consists of three distinct sections. "the wall", the three service men statue and flagpole and the women in service to the vietnam war statue.
Nearest Metro station: Foggy Bottom-GWU
Phone: 202-426-6841
Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight.
Washington Monument
On the National Mall at 15th Street, NW
Built in honor of our first President, the monument sits in the middle of the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. By law, the Washington Monument will always be the tallest structure in the city. It stands at 555 feet.
Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
Phone: 202-426-6841
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
The White House is currently closed to public walk-in tours. Tour reservations can be made through your Congressional offices.
The White House has hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. John and Abigail Adams were the first couple to live there upon its completion in 1800. The structure weathered fires in 1814 and 1829 and was renovated during the Truman years.
The White House Visitor’s Center is located at E Street at 15th Street and is open seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. It features many exhibits on architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders. It also includes a sales area that is sponsored by the White House Historical Association, a thirty-minute video, and rest rooms.
Nearest Metro station: McPherson Square
Phone: 202-456-7041 for recording, 202-456-1414 for information.
