|
Public Tours of the U.S. Naval Observatory are available, but on a limited basis. They may be cancelled at any time with little notice. Please read the new tour policy and admission proceedure below before you request Tour Passes. Individual tour passes must be reserved in advance for every Monday night tour. You may use the online request form link at the bottom of this page, 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. As a Requestor, you must also provide a daytime telephone number and/or an e-mail address so that we may contact you with the status of your request. Your request will be processed in the order in which it was received. You will receive an e-mail or telephone confirmation when your order has been processed no later than the Friday before your First Choice tour date. If you have not received a confirmation notice by this time, you may assume that you are NOT on the name list(s) for your requested date(s). We will make every effort to try to contact you to schedule a subsequent date. There are spaces available on all subsequent dates. All adult visitors will be required to present a photo ID that matches their name and date-of birth before they are admitted to the grounds. Visitors who do not have a reservation will not be admitted under any circumstances. All visitors must enter the grounds via the Observatory's South Gate, located at the end of Observatory Circle near the Embassy of New Zealand. No vehicles will be permitted on the base. There is ample on-street parking available outside the gate. Please leave backpacks, bags, and any bulky items in your vehicle, as they will not be permitted on the grounds. Please line up at the sign placed outside the gate and obey all instructions from the security personnel. Cameras are permitted on the grounds. All visitors must be prepared to submit to a security screening. This may involve passing through a magnetometer and the hand-searching of personal belongings. Security screening will begin at 8:00 pm; please be present at the gate by this time. Refusal to accept these terms will result in denial of admission. Once on the grounds, all visitors will be issued a Visitor's Badge. This badge must be worn at all times, and must be surrendered at the conclusion of the tour. There is considerable walking on hilly ground in darkness during the tour. Please take this into consideration before you request passes. Once on the grounds visitors will be placed into escorted groups. You must stay with your assigned group throughout the tour. Please be aware that USNO is a military installation, and that tours may be suspended at any time by military security considerations. Tours may be suspended at any time with little or no prior notice. Please check this page for the most current tour status.
Send comments on this page to webmaster@usno.navy.mil
|
