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Visiting the Nation's Capital City
I am glad to provide information on touring Washington, D.C., our
Nation's Capital.I believe it is every American's responsibility to understand the history of our great country, to see where Congress meets to write the laws of our Nation, to witness the workings of the federal government, to stand
where presidents have been inaugurated, to view your representatives at work in Congress, and to learn about your national heritage. West Virginians who are visiting Washington are welcome to come by to see my office at 311 Hart Building
and pick up a gallery pass to view the U.S. Senate when it is in session. Washington, D.C., is a magnificent city filled with hundreds of historical sites, museums, art galleries, monuments, and memorials. I hope that you will find the
following information to be helpful about a few of the interesting places you can visit. For general information about Washington, D.C., including the weather, visit the District of Columbia's Visitors Resource Center.The U.S. Capitol
The U.S. Capitol, designed by Dr. William Thornton, has
housed Congress since 1800 and is the most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world. The cornerstone of the original Capitol was laid by President George Washington on September 18, 1793. Visitors are encouraged
to tour the Capitol. The online Visitors Center
is designed to provide the latest information on planning a trip to the Capitol and accessibility found within. Also provided are the most current maps for visitors and information on events and attractions of Washington, D.C. The general visiting hours of the Senate and Capitol are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
Because visitation guidelines will change due to security concerns as well as Capitol Visitor Center construction progress, visitors are encouraged to call the Capitol Guide Service Recorded Information Line for the latest
tour information before your visit. That number is 202-225-6827, and the information on that line is updated as frequently as necessary. The White House
For the most up-to-date information, call the 24-hour Visitors Office Info Line at 202-456-7041.
Tours of the White House are currently being scheduled for school and youth groups grades one through 12 and organized U.S. military and veteran groups. These self-guided tours are scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday
through Saturday.White House Visitor Center
All tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center before or after their tour. The center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and
features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to 1 1/2 hours to
explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association also sponsors a sales area. Please note that restrooms are available, but food service is not.
The Washington Monument
Located at 14th and Independence Avenue, N.W. This famous 555-foot marble obelisk
honoring America's first President is the tallest structure in our Nation's Capital and will remain so by law. From Labor Day through March, tours run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closing Christmas Day. Tours run from 8 a.m. to
midnight, daily, from April through Labor Day. Information about advance tickets is available at 202-426-6841. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Located at 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. The FBI is currently closed to
tours because of renovations.Bureau of Printing and Engraving
Located at 14th and C Streets, S.W. For updated tour information, please call the tour operations office at (202) 874-2330 or toll-free at 1-866-874-2330.Peak Season (Tickets are required March-September).
Tickets are required for all tours beginning March 3, 2003, on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th
Street). We offer same day tickets only. The Ticket Booth opens at 8:00 a.m. and lines form early and tickets go quickly. Most mornings, daytime tickets are gone by 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Non-Peak Season (No tickets required October-February)
You may line up at the Visitors' Entrance on 14th Street. (Bus drop off for groups is still on 15th Street during this time). Please allow 45 - 50 minutes from the time you enter
the building to the end of your tour. Individuals that would like to visit the Visitors' Center ONLY must enter on the 14th Street side of the building at the visitor's entrance. The Visitor's Center will open from 8:30 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. The Visitors' Center contains exhibits and shops where items such as uncut currency, shredded currency, collectors' editions, and novelty items can be purchased. The United States Botanic Garden
Admission to
all public areas of the U.S. Botanic Garden is free. The Conservatory is open 10 AM - 5 PM daily. The Conservatory main entrance is located at 100 Maryland Avenue, SW. Visitors are welcome in Bartholdi Park from dawn until dusk and can
access it from any of the three bordering streets - Independence Avenue, Washington Avenue or First Street.Free 45-minute highlight tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for walk-in
visitors on a first-come basis. During August, the tours for walk-in visitors may be less frequent due to volunteer absences. Please check at the front desk when you arrive for the latest tour schedules. Groups of 10 - 35 visitors
may reserve a free 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory. These tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please make tour reservations at least three weeks in advance by calling (202) 226-4082.
Smithsonian Institution
Admission is free
for all Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., and the American Indian Museum in New York. A fee is required at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York (Members and children under age 12 are admitted free. Free
public admission is offered on Fridays, 5-9 p.m.). Most museums are open daily, 10am-5:30pm, except December 25. 202-357-1300.Vietnam Veterans War Memorial
Located at Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, N.W. The Memorial is a tribute to
all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. Constructed of black granite, the names of 58,000 plus who gave their lives, or who remain missing, are inscribed in the Memorial's walls. Open every day, 8 a.m. until midnight, year
round, except for Christmas Day.Arlington National Cemetery
For the almost four million people who visit annually, Arlington National Cemetery represents many different things. For some, it is a chance to walk among headstones that chronicle
American history; for many, it is an opportunity to remember and honor the nation's war heroes; and for others, it is a place to say a last farewell during funeral services for a family member or friend. The changing of the Guard at
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour during all months, except summer, when it occurs every half hour. Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public at 8 a.m., 365 days a year. From April 1 to
September 30, the cemetery closes at 7 p.m.; the other six months it closes at 5 p.m. 703-607-8052.
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln and the nation he fought to preserve during the Civil War (1861 - 1865). Located
at West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, N.W. The Lincoln Memorial, like all of the memorials and monuments on the National Mall, are open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 11:45 p.m., every day except Christmas Day.
202-426-6841.Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson -- political philosopher, architect, musician, book collector, scientist, horticulturist, diplomat, inventor, and third President of the United States -- looms large in any discussion of what Americans are as a
people. Jefferson left to the future not only ideas but also a great body of practical achievements. The memorial is open from 8:00 a.m. to midnight daily; it is closed on Christmas Day. 202-426-6841National Archives
Located at 8th Street and
Constitution Avenue, N.W., the Archives building is home to the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The facility is currently under renovation, and is expected to open later in 2003.During the renovation of the Rotunda,
the Charters of Freedom (the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights) are being removed from their current encasements for the first time in 50 years, examined and treated by conservators, and re-encased in new
accessible encasements. Digital images
of the Charters are available for online viewing.In the meantime, while the building is closed to general tours, the research rooms are still open. "Behind the Scenes" tours are also being offered during the renovation. 1-86-NARA-NARA (1-866-272-6272).National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art
and its Sculpture Garden, located on the National Mall between Third and Ninth Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW, are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is
closed on December 25 and January 1. Displayed are American and European paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, selected works on paper, and temporary special exhibits.
202-737-4215. Of special interest to children... The National Air and Space Museum
Located at 6th Street and Independence
Avenue, S.W. This museum traces the history of American aviation. The original Wright Brothers' plane and Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis" are on display. Special films are shown on a five-story-high movie screen and
planetarium presentations are scheduled regularly. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.The National Aquarium
Located in the U.S. Department of Commerce building on 14th Street, between Constitution and
Pennsylvania Avenues, N.W. More than 1,200 specimens, including sea turtles, alligators, and tropical clownfish are displayed. The "Touch Tank" exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to hold harmless sea creatures. Open daily
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Christmas. 202-482-2825.The National Zoological Park
Located at 3000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. The 168-acre National Zoo is home to Chinese pandas, rare white tigers, and hundreds of other creatures. The National Zoo is open every day of the year except December 25. Admission is free. From April 6 to October 25: Grounds are
open from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.; buildings are open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. From October 26 to April 5: Grounds are open from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.; buildings are open from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Capital Childrens Museum
Located at 800 3rd
Street, N.E. Interactive exhibits offer visitors the opportunity to learn from personal experience. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 202-675-4120.Mount Vernon
Historic home of President George Washington. 703-780-2000.The Library of Congress
Located on First Street and Independence Avenue, S.E. Public tours are conducted at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. 202-707-5458.Ford's Theatre and Lincoln Museum
Located on 10th Street, between E and F Streets, N.W. The building is open daily, except Christmas, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The theatre is closed when a performance is scheduled. 202-426-6924. |
