Visiting Washington
I always enjoy meeting with constituents when they come to our nation’s capital. Washington, DC is a city full of historic treasures and I encourage you to come and visit when you have the opportunity. From the breathtaking national monuments, to museums full of our nation’s history, there is a lifetime’s worth of things to do and see. Whether you are a teacher scheduling a class trip, planning a family vacation, or looking to get involved and intern on Capitol Hill, I encourage you to contact our DC office and explore the visitor’s guide available on my website. And don’t forget to stop by and say hello when you are in town!
My office is happy to assist you in obtaining a tour of a number of our great national landmarks. The historic U.S. Capitol, the White House, and George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon represent only a portion of the history, symbolism, and national pride on display in and around Washington, D.C.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
It is beneficial to plan ahead as some of the most desirable landmarks are booked for tours months in advance. Tours are generally accommodated on a first come, first served basis, and tour times and availability may vary throughout the year. For example, tours of the White House should be requested at least three months in advance.
United States Capitol & House and Senate Office Buildings: The Capitol building is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with last admittance at 4:00 p.m. House and Senate office buildings are open to the public Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please click here if you would like a tour led by my staff.
Click here for updates regarding tours of the U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center.
White House: The White House is now accepting reservations for tours, through Members of Congress. If you would like to request a White House tour, please click here. The White House online system allows reservations as late as 21 days before the tour and as early as three months in advance. However, due to high demand, White House tours should be requested at least three months in advance. White House Tours fill-up quickly, so please contact my office as soon as you can to check availability. Click here for updated information about White House Tours or call 202-456-7041.
The Supreme Court: The Supreme Court Building is closed to the public on days when the Court is in session. On days when the Court is not in session, the building will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding weekends and federal holidays. Courtroom lectures are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please refer to the 30-day rolling calendar for available lectures. Visitors may view ground floor exhibits and portions of the first floor on a self-guided basis. The cafeteria and gift shop are open to the public. More information can be found here.
Arlington National Cemetery: The Arlington National Cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and tours are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From October 1 – March 31, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier happens every hour on the hour. From April 1 – September 30, the guard is changed every half hour. Please visit https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/visit for more information.
Library of Congress: The Library of Congress is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last entry at 4:30 p.m. On Thursdays, hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with last entry at 8:00 p.m. Take a moment to review the Know Before You Go page to prepare for your visit.
Washington Monument: Tickets for the Washington Monument are currently available online from recreation.gov (1-877-444-6777) ONLY; there is no onsite distribution of tickets. Tickets become available daily at 10:00 a.m. for the next day’s visits (for example, if you are planning to visit on Jan. 5, you can reserve tickets at recreation.gov beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Jan. 4). Please note that demand for tickets is extremely high and all tickets for a day are routinely distributed in a few minutes. Click here for tickets.
Lincoln Memorial: The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The early evening and morning hours are beautiful and tranquil times to visit. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily to provide interpretive programs, excluding December 25th.
Jefferson Memorial: The public may visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and to provide interpretive programs throughout the day and upon request.
Smithsonian Museums: Click here for hours and admission information and safety protocols to plan your visit. Timed-entry passes are required at several locations, so be sure to confirm what is required at the museums you plan to visit.
National Zoo: The Zoo is open! Entry passes are required for all guests, including infants. Click here to get tickets for the National Zoo.
Holocaust Museum: The Museum is open on a limited basis with new visitor requirements and safety measures in place. Free timed-entry tickets are required for entry. Click here for details.
National Archives: The National Archives is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can schedule a tour 90 days in advance. Further information is on this Frequently Asked Questions page.
John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts: The Kennedy Center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight. Masks are optional, and no proof of vaccination is required.
National Cherry Blossom Festival: The 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival is from March 20th to April 14 - Click here for details about the festival.
Museum of the Bible: The Museum of the Bible is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at (866) 430-MOTB or customerservice@mBible.org. Click here for more information about visiting the Museum of the Bible.
International Spy Museum: The International Spy Museum is open daily. Mask are optional. Limited tickets are available and advanced purchase is recommended. Click here for more information.
National Arboretum: The grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day of the year except for Christmas Day. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily from November through February except for federal holidays. Admission to the grounds and museum is free and no tickets are needed. More information can be found here- https://www.usna.usda.gov/.
FBI Building: The FBI Experience self-led tour is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can schedule as early as 4 weeks in advance. To do so please contact my office here.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is closed to the public until further notice.
Department of State: The Department of State is closed to the public until further notice.
Pentagon: The Pentagon does not currently allow tours but is expected to resume them soon. Once tours resume, they will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To go on a Pentagon tour, you must apply two weeks early.
Washington, D.C. has much to offer. Visit the Washington D.C. Guide online to learn more about the city’s attractions and to find out what you are most interested in visiting.
Contact my office at (202) 225-4601 with any questions or concerns regarding tour requests.
Accommodations and Transportation
Please visit the Washington, DC Chamber of Commerce website for information about hotels in the area.
For more information about using the Metro (Washington’s subway), please visit www.wmata.com.