![]() |
---|
![]() |
Our nation's capital is one of the most popular places to visit in the world. The city's attractions are rich in history, and they also provide modern day excitement. It is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year. 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:
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. The Tour Coordinator will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about planning your visit. White House U. S. Capitol Library of Congress Bureau of Engraving and Printing 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 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 Open daily October - March, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Bureau of Engraving and Printing 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 Tickets are required from March - September. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) The FBI has been closed for tours until further notice (Jan. 2004). Nearest Metro station: Metro Center Public tours Monday - Friday, 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. One-hour tours begin approximately every 20 minutes.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial 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 Open daily except Christmas 8 a.m. to Midnight. Ford's Theater and Lincoln Museum Nearest Metro station: Metro Center 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 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 Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Nearest Metro Station: Foggy Bottom/GWU (George Washington University) Tours are conducted Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Korean War Veterans Memorial 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 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 Tours are limited to 50 people Groups of ten or more must call 202-707-0919 to reserve a group tour.
Lincoln Memorial 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 Mount Vernon No Metro service nearby Open Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April - August. General Admission - $11
National Aquarium The National Aquarium is the oldest of its kind in the nation. Located in the basement of the Department of Commerce, it houses more than 1,200 specimens including sea turtles, alligators, and tropical clownfish. There is also a "Touch Tank" for people of all ages to touch harmless sea creatures. Nearest Metro station: Federal Triangle Open daily except Christmas and Thankgiving from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General Admission - $5.00 National Archives The National Archives house legislative documents and historical records of Congress and the Federal Government. The Exhibit Hall is currently closed. However, the Rotunda re-opened on September 18, 2003 and includes the original Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. Nearest Metro station: Archives-Navy Memorial Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the spring months.
National Cathedral 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 Open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
National Gallery of Art Highlights include Renaissance paintings, Dutch masterworks, French Impressionists, 20th-Century paintings/sculptures. World masterpieces include the works of da Vinci, Raphael, and Renoir. Nearest Metro station: Archives-Navy Memorial Open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. National Holocaust Museum 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 café. Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial 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 Open 24 hours daily. National World War II Memorial National Zoo 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. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November through April. Buildings are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the winter months, and
Naval Observatory 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. 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 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 Open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Pentagon True to its name, this five-sided building houses the Department of Defense. Nearest Metro station: Pentagon 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. The National Museum of American History is currently closed for renovation. Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian 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.
State Department 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 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 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 Open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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 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 10:00 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and include displays of real and counterfeit money. Nearest Metro station: McPherson Square Tours on Saturday only. Reservations and valid photo identification required. U.S. Capitol 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 is open to the public for guided tours only. Visitors must obtain free tickets for tours on a first-come, first-serve basis, at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol (near the intersection of First Street, SW, and Independence Avenue). Ticket distribution begins at 9:00 a.m. daily. Ticketholders will be directed to the South Visitor Receiving Facility, which is located south of the Capitol; from there they will proceed to the Capitol to begin their tour. Maximum tour size is 40 people. Nearest Metro station: Capitol South or Union Station Tours Monday - Saturday except Christmas and Thanksgiving from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Union Station 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
Vietnam Veterans Memorial 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 Open daily except Christmas from 8 a.m. to midnight. Washington Monument The Washington Monument closed on September 7, 2004 to complete the final phase of the security enhancement project on the grounds of the Monument. The Washington Monument will reopen to the public in the Spring of 2005. Nearest Metro station: Smithsonian Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The White House The White House is currently closed to public walk-in tours. Tour reservations can be made through your Congressional offices. |