Tuesday November 24, 2009
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Budget Savers
Any vacation can end up costing thousands of dollars, but one of the terrific things about Washington, DC, is that many of the sites are open to the public at no charge. The listings below are divided by those attractions with:
- no admission charge and no tour reservations required;
- required reservations, but no admission charge;
- no admission change, but reservations recommended; and
- no set admission charge, but donations requested .
Click here to fill out and submit a Tour Request Form through my office.
| NO ADMISSION CHARGED; NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED | ||
African American Civil War Museum (202) 667-2667 1200 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm weekdays; 10am-2pm Saturday; closed Sundays |
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The only memorial in the country dedicated to “the Colored Troops in the Civil War”. The museum contains photographs, newspaper articles, and replicas of period clothing, uniforms and weaponry to help understand the role of African Americans throughout the Civil War. | |
American Art Museum (Smithsonian) (202) 633-7970 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC 11:30am-7pm daily; closed December 25 |
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America's first federal art collection is dedicated to American art. It includes sculpture, photographs, folk art, contemporary craft, paintings and decorative arts. You will find works by Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper and many others. |
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Arlington House (Custis-Lee Mansion) (703) 235-1530 Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 9:30am-4:30pm daily; closed January 1 and December 25 |
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This was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family for 30 years, it was originally built by George Washington Parke Custis as a memorial to his step-grandfather George Washington. It was in this house that Robert E. Lee wrote his resignation letter from the U.S. Army on April 20, 1861. The home is currently empty of furnishings in preparation for a major restoration and rehabilitation project, which began in the summer of 2007. The restoration is scheduled to be completed in 2010. |
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(703) 607-8000 Arlington, VA 8am-7pm April 1-September 30; 8am-5pm October 1-March 31 |
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The somber sight of hundreds and hundreds of white crosses lined up across a green lawn is a striking visual and brings into sharper focus the debt of gratitude owed to our nation's military heroes. It’s no surprise that it’s called "our nation’s most hallowed ground." Final resting place of President John Kennedy and thousands of American servicemen and women. The Changing of the Guard occurs on the hour each hour October through March, then occurs every half-hour April through September. Tour bus services operate throughout the day; tickets can be purchased at the cemetery. |
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Awakening, The (sculpture) |
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This 100-foot statue of a giant embedded in the earth, struggling to free himself, was created in 1980. It was part of the International Sculpture Conference Exhibition. | |
B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum (202) 857-6583 7th floor, 2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 12-3pm Monday-Thursday |
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This small museum features Jewish folk and ceremonial art. | |
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (202) 526-8300 400 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC |
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This important Catholic shrine dedicated to the patron saint of the United States, located on land donated by Catholic University, was consecrated in 1959. It has an architecture mix of Romanesque and Byzantine. |
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(202) 543-0539 1801 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 10am-2pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 9am-1pm Sunday |
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Celebrating its centennial in 2007, this cemetery is the final resting place for 19 Senators and 71 Representations with monuments honoring 120 other Members who died in office. The website lists a number of self-guided tours that can be taken at the cemetery, including Civil War, Native Americans and noteworthy women. | |
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Museum (202) 628-1776 1776 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 9:30am-4pm weekdays; 9am-5pm Saturday; closed Sundays |
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Self-guided and guided tours available in this 1910 beaux arts building, which emphasizes the role of women throughout American history. Exhibits include everyday items out of America's past (generally up to 1840), including a four-sided mousetrap that guillotines its captures. A Touch Area is available for children. You can also tour period rooms. The DAR also has searchable databases in its library, including records of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. |
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Ebenezer United Methodist Church 400 D Street, SW, Washington, DC |
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| The Ebenezer United Methodist Church is Capitol Hill's oldest independent black congregation. It was founded in 1827. The current church was completed in 1897. This church sponsored the first public school for Washington African Americans, and the school's archives are housed at the church. | ||
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2102 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC |
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This memorial to Albert Einstein gives children an invitation to climb into his lap. It is located in an elm and holly grove in the southwest corner of the National Academy of Sciences grounds. The sculpture depicts Einstein holding a paper with mathematical equations that summarize his three most important scientific contributions: photoelectric effect, theory of general relativity and the equivalence of energy and matter. | |
Emancipation Statue at Lincoln Park East Capitol and 11th Street, NE, Washington, DC 5am-12midnight daily |
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Dedicated in 1876, the statue was paid for solely with funds donated by freed slaves. It is located in Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill. Lincoln Park was the first site to bear the name of the martyred President. The statue was unveiled on April 14, 1876, the 11th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination. It depicts Lincoln holding the Emancipation Proclamation before a kneeling black man, who is modeled after Archer Alexander, the last person captured under the Fugitive Slave Act. | |
Federal Reserve Garden 20th and C Street, NW, Washington, DC |
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| Located at 20th and C Streets, NW in Washington, DC, these gardens feature a fountain and native grasses. | ||
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(202) 544-4600 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays, federal holidays |
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Located on Capitol Hill, this world-class research center on Shakespeare is also home to an extensive collection of Shakespeare materials and other rare Renaissance books, manuscripts and art. | |
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(202) 426-6924 511 10th Street, NW, Washington, DC Ford's Theatre and museum: 9am-5pm daily; closed December 25 |
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The site of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in April of 1865 has been open to the public since 1968. The building itself has a colorful history, having started as a Baptist church. After Lincoln’s assassination, the theatre was closed, but served intermittently as a museum, office space and storage facility. A restoration effort started in 1954 brought the theatre back, and theatrical events still performed on its stage. At the museum located in the theatre, you will find artifacts related to the assassination, including the gun and knife used by John Wilkes Booth in the attack. The Petersen House, where the mortally-wounded Lincoln was taken after the attack and later died, is located directly across the street from the Theatre. |
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (202) 426-6842 automated information line West End, National Mall, Washington, DC Open 24 hours a day, year-round; park rangers available 8am-11:45pm; closed December 25 |
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This monument to our 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, is located along the Cherry Tree Walk at the western edge of the Tidal Basin. It is a sequence of four outdoor rooms—one devoted to each of FDR’s four terms in office. The sculptures and artwork throughout the rooms strive to provide an accurate depiction of FDR, including a 10-foot statue of him seated in a wheeled chair. | |
Freedom Plaza Corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC |
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Freedom Plaza is named to honor the memory of Martin Luther King and his contribution to civil rights in the U.S. On January 15, 1988, a time capsule containing objects belonging to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was buried here. It will be opened on January 15, 2008, twenty years after the burial. Objects include Dr. King's robe, his Bible and other memorabilia. | |
Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Smithsonian) (202) 633-4880 12th and Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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These two Smithsonian Museums are connected by an underground exhibition space. They feature wide-ranging collections of American, Egyptian and Asian art works. Objects include paintings, manuscripts, ceramics and lacquerwork, precious metals, calligraphy, glass and earthenware. | |
George Washington Masonic Memorial (703) 683-2007 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA 10am-4pm daily; closed most federal holidays |
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The Memorial is located in Alexandria, just a few miles form Mount Vernon. It stands atop Shuters Hill on King Street. This memorial was built to honor George Washington, who is the pre-eminent member of the Masonic fraternity. | |
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Smithsonian) (202) 633-4674 7th St & Independence, SW, Washington, DC Museum: 10am-5:20pm; Garden: 7:30am-dusk; closed December 25 |
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This Smithsonian museum features international modern and contemporary art. Daily tours conducted by docents. The Sculpture Garden is located on the National Mall and contains more than 60 large-scale works of art from Auguste Rodin, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore and others. |
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House of the Temple (Masonic) (202) 232-3579 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 8am-4pm Monday-Friday |
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The House of the Temple, a Masonic temple modeled after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is located in the Adams-Morgan section of Washington, DC. This is considered the first public library in the city. Displays include artifacts from Burl Ives, Robert Burns and J. Edgar Hoover. |
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Islamic Center of Washington 2551 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday; 10am-2pm Sunday |
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When it opened in 1957, the Islamic Center of Washington was the largest Muslim place of worship in the Western Hemisphere. Many high-profile dignitaries, including several presidents, have visited the mosque. | |
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(202 426-6841 automated information line West Potomac Park, Washington, DC Open 24 hours a day, year-round |
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The monument to our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, resembles the Roman Parthenon with marble steps, a portico and a high dome. The walls are inscribed with Jefferson's ideas and philosophies. The memorial and the nearby Tidal Basin are surrounded by Japanese cherry trees donated by the city of Tokyo in 1912. |
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(202) 426-6841 automated information line West End, National Mall, Washington, DC Open 24 hours a day, year-round; park rangers available 9:30am-11:30pm |
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The design of this memorial gives visitors a feel for what was faced by soldiers serving in Korea from 1950 to 1953. With 19 larger than life-size statues representing a squad on patrol, a long black granite wall with photographic images, and a Pool of Remembrance, the memorial provides a stirring tribute to one million and a half veterans who served in the Korean War. | |
LDS Washington DC Temple and Visitors Center (301) 588-0650 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD Visitors' Center: 10am-9pm daily |
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This landmark, which features regularly in traffic reports in local news, is a six-spire building of Alabama white marble. It was completed in 1974. The temple is only open to credentialed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but an on-site Visitors' Center features interactive exhibits and videos along with a reproduction of the Christus statue. The Visitors' Center also hosts frequent concerts and lectures throughout the year. | |
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(202) 426-6841 automated information line West End, National Mall, Washington, DC Open 24 hours a day, year-round; park rangers available 9:30am-11:30pm |
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A solemn remembrance of the legacy of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, this is a must for Civil War buffs. It is located at the west end of the National Mall, and resembles a Greek Doric temple. Its 36 columns represent the states of the Union at the time of Lincoln's death. It has been the site of many historic gatherings and speeches, including 1963's "I Have A Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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Mary McLeod Bethune Council House (202) 673-2402 1318 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays, January 1, Thanksgiving, December 25 |
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The home of Bethune, a tireless educator who was the 15th of 17 children of former slaves, is a National Historic Site. An advisor and close friend of President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, she was the only woman present at the founding of the United Nations. She was dedicated to educating all about the accomplishments and needs of African Americans. | |
Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial at Lincoln Park East Capitol and 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 5am-12midnight daily |
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This is the first memorial in Washington, DC, to honor a black American. The 17-foot-high bronze statue depicts Bethune handing off her legacy to two children, who represent the next generation of African Americans. | |
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(202) 331-1426 1518 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday; services held Sunday 8am and 11am |
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| The red-brick Gothic-style church, built by black artisans in 1886, is the oldest continuously black-owned property in downtown Washington, DC. Notable parshioners have included Frederick Douglass and educator Francis Cardoza. | ||
National Air and Space Museum on the Mall (Smithsonian) (202) 633-1000 6th and Independence Avenue, Sw, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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With hundreds of historic aviation and space artifacts on display, including space capsules from America's first astronauts, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, and the Wright Brothers aircraft, Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit, this museum is among the most popular in the country. You can explore the history of flight, how things fly, learn about the effort to land a human on the moon, experience a flight simulator and many other interesting subjects. The museum also has a five-story IMAX theater. |
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National Air and Space Museum-Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian) (202) 633-1000 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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One of the most recent additions to the Smithsonian museum system, this is a companion facility to the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. With the space provided in the Boeing Aviation Hanger in Chantilly, Virginia, thousands of aviation and space artifacts that could not be exhibited in the D.C. building are on display. It features three levels with aircraft hanging from an arched ceiling. Exhibits include the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Boeing Dash 80, the Enola Gay, the Mobile Quarantine Unit used by the Apollo 11 crew, the Gemini VII space capsule and other aircraft. The space shuttle Enterprise is the centerpiece of the museum. | |
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(866) 272-6272 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily from day after Labor Day (September) through March 14 10am-7pm daily March 15 through Labor Day (September) |
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Millions of documents are created in the course of government business, but less than three percent are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept forever. It is in the National Archives that you will find some of those documents, including the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution, which are in display in the Exhibit Hall. You can also make arrangements to visit the Research Room to conduct your own research in the textual and microfilm records kept at the National Archives. You can view what documents are available here (http://archives.gov/genealogy). The Archives were collected starting in 1926. While no tickets are needed, the lines form early during spring and summer months. |
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(301) 688-5849 NE corner, MD 32/Baltimore-Washington Pkwy, Ft George G. Meade, MD 9am-4pm Monday-Friday; 10am-2pm 1st and 3rd Saturdays; closed Sundays and federal holidays |
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The only public museum in the intelligence community, the National Cryptologic Museum gives the public a peek into codemarking and codebreaking. Exhibits feature devices used in the Civil War, the Cold War and both World Wars. The museum is located at NSA Headquarters in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. | |
National Gallery of Art (Smithsonian) (202) 737-4215 4th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday; 11am-6pm Sunday; closed January 1, December 25 |
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One of the nation's premier art galleries with two halls--one devoted to classic painters, and the other with more modern works. The collection began in 1937 with a gift collection from financier Andrew W. Mellon. That collection formed the nucleus of one of the world’s most outstanding galleries. In the West Building, you can find works from European masters like van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet and Rembrandt along with the only da Vinci on public display in the U.S. The East Building focuses more on modern and contemporary works. |
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National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial & Visitors Center (202) 737-3400 605 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 9am-5pm weekdays; 10am-5pm Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday |
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Somber memorial that honors all of our country’s law enforcement personnel. Wall contains the names of the more than 17,500 officers who have killed in the line of duty beginning in 1792. At an annual candlelight vigil held each year during National Police Week in May, the names of officers who have fallen in the last year are added. Visitors Center highlights the Memorial and contains more than 30 exhibits and an interactive video kiosk. Also display cases with mementos left at the Memorial. |
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National Museum of African Art (Smithsonian) (202) 633-4600 950 Independence Avenue, Sw, Washington, DC 9am-5pm weekdays; 10am-5pm Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday |
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The collection at this museum features artistic expressions from ancient to contemporary Africa, including ceramics, textiles, furniture, tools, masks, figures and musical instruments as well as traditional art forms of painting and sculpture. | |
National Museum of American History (Smithsonian) (202) 633-1000 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC Closed for renovation until summer 2008 |
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Among the displays: The Star Spangled Banner that served as inspiration for Francis Scott Key, Mister Rogers' sweater, Kermit the Frog and First Ladies Exhibit. "Treasures of American History," a collection of more than 150 objects from the museum, are on display at the National Air and Space Museum during construction at the American History Museum. |
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National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian) (202) 633-1000 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily |
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One of the first Smithsonian Museums opened on the National Mall, it houses exhibits focused on the natural world. That includes geology, dinosaurs, animal life, plants and insects. Among the displays you will find the Hope Diamond, a T-rex dinosaur display, an Egyptian mummy and Mammal Hall. There is also an IMAX Theater, which shows some of the films in 3-D. | |
National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) (202) 633-1000 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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One of the Smithsonian's newest museums on the Mall, this one specializes in exhibits that celebrate and commemorate the ideas and experiences in Native life and history. Its mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of the Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere. The exhibits include materials from North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean, and include clothing, baskets, textiles, precious metals, featherwork, ceramics and other objects that are associated with Native life. | |
National Museum of the Marine Corps (877) 635-1775 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, VA 9am-5pm daily; closed December 25 |
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Opened in November 2006 in Quantico, Virginia, this museum provides interactive exhibits and innovative technology to provide a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines. Its design evokes the image of the flag-raisers at Iwo Jima, and celebrates more than 230 years of Marine Corps history. The museum is divided into sections that focus on various wars and events: World War II, Vietnam, Korean and the Global War on Terrorism are just a few of the galleries. | |
National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian) (202) 633-1000 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC 11:30am-7pm daily |
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Specializes in American art, history and biography , including works by Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper. It contains visual arts, performing arts and new media to portray individuals who have shaped our country's culture. Collections include American presidents, George Washington, Colonial America and the American Revolution. The America's Presidents exhibit is the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House. | |
National Postal Museum (Smithsonian) (202) 633-5555 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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You will find one of the world’s largest collections of stamps and philatelic materials. The museum has postal history material that pre-dates stamps, vehicles that were used to transport the mail, mailboxes and mailbags, postal uniforms and equipment. One item of interest is the Jackie Robinson stamp. Visitors learn how the process of mail delivery has evolved and the importance of letters in our history. | |
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(301) 688-5849 NE corner of MD 32 & Baltimore-Washington Pkwy, Fort George G. Meade, MD |
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Located next to the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, this park showcases two reconnaissance aircraft that were used for secret missions for the United States. | |
National Zoological Park (National Zoo) (Smithsonian) (202) 633-4800 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC Grounds: 6am-8pm daily April-October; 6am-6pm November-March Buildings: 10am-6pm daily April-October; 10am-4:30pm November-March |
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The National Zoo is more than just a place to see wild animals. In the heart of the nation's capital, you can see giant pandas, cheetahs, zebra, bears, monkeys and gorillas. More than 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 species are on display, including giant pandas: Tian Tian, Mei Ziang and their cub, Tai Shan. If you visit the Zoo in early morning hours before the buildings open, the animals are more active, and you can watch zookeepers feed and care for the animals. | |
Old Post Office Tower and Pavilion (202) 606-8691 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 1st weekend in June-Labor Day: 9am-7:45pm Monday-Friday; 10am-5:45pm Weekends, holidays Labor Day-Memorial Day: 9am-4:45pm Monday-Friday; 10am-5:45pm Weekends, holidays |
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The Old Post Office Pavilion offers a 360-degree view of Washington, from the observation desk of the 315-foot granite Clock Tower. That's the second highest vantage point in D.C.; the Washington Monument is taller. The Clock Tower also houses the Congressional Bells, which were a gif from Great Britain to the U.S. Congress for the country's bicentennial. The bells are rungs on special occasions as well as Thursday evenings. The Old Post Office Building is the first federal building erected on Pennsylvania Avenue. Tickets can sometimes go quickly for a trip up the Washington Monument. You can take a tour of the Bell Tower for a wonderful view of the city without a ticket or the wait. |
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3051 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 12-5pm Wednesday-Sunday |
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| This English garden in Georgetown, on the site of the oldest surviving building in the Washington area, is managed by the National Park Service and features fruit trees and flowers. | ||
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(202) 633-2850 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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This National Historic Landmark is part of the Smithsonian Museum collection. It features American crafts and decorative arts from the 19th to the 21st century. | |
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(202) 347-8766 1525 H Street, NW, Washington, DC Tours available following 11am service on Sunday |
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This small yellow building on 16th and H Streets, NW, just across Lafayette Park from the White House, is known as "The Church of Presidents." From 1816 to the present, every person who has served as President of the United States has attended a regular or occasional service. Pew 54 is the President's Pew. | |
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George Washington Memorial Pkwy, north of Roosevelt Bridge Rosslyn, VA Dawn to dusk daily |
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This wooded 88.5 acre sanctuary in the Potomac River is dedicated to our conservation-minded 26th President. Nature trails run throughout the island; hidden deep inside the island is a large memorial statue of Roosevelt. One of Roosevelt’s greatest legacies was his dedication to conservation. The island is only accessible over a footbridge from the Virginia bank of the Potomac River. No bicycles are permitted, but there are plenty of walking opportunities. |
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(202) 225-8333 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm daily |
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The U.S. Botanic Garden is located on the National Mall across from the U.S. Capitol along First Street, SW. It features Bartholdi Park, the National Garden and the newly-restored Conservatory. Approximately 4,000 plants are on display. | |
U.S. Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) (703) 289-2500 Arlington, VA Open 24 hours a day, year-round |
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The bronze replica of the iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning photo taken shortly by news photographer Joe Rosenthal after the Battle of Iwo Jima commemorates the soldiers of the U.S. Marine Corps who paid the ultimate price for their country. The base of the memorial contains the names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps. It offers lots of open ground around the memorial for picnicking and play. You can also enjoy the nearby Netherlands Carillon. |
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U.S. National Arboretum, including National Bonsai and Penjing Museum (202) 245-2726 3601 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC Grounds: 8am-5pm daily; Museum: 10am-3:30pm daily; Closed December 25 |
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Over 14,000 different species, varieties and cultivars are displayed on this campus in northeast Washington, D.C. You will find Asian plant collections, dogwoods, holly, magnolia, bonsai, azaleas and many other varieties. | |
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(202) 426-6842 automated information line West End, National Mall, Washington, DC Open 24 hours a day, year-round; rangers available 9:30am-11:30pm |
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"The Wall" is a somber tribute to those men and women who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. It honors those who died by listing their names on the Memorial Wall, a sleek expanse of black granite that sinks into the ground in a V-shape. The award-winning design by Maya Lin was selected from nearly 1,500 entries. Items are frequently left at The Wall by family members, friends and comrades of those who served in the war. You can locate specific names on The Wall through a directory placed at the west end of the memorial. Nearby are two additional statues: The Three Soldiers and the Women’s Memorial that honor contributions made by those who fought in the Vietnam War. |
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(202) 527-6200 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 8am-6:30pm Sunday; 10am-5:30pm Monday-Friday; 10am-4:30pm Saturday |
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The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul took 83 years to build. It has been the site of a number of Presidential funerals, with more than 150 people interred (including Helen Keller and Woodrow Wilson). |
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(202) 426-6841 automated information line National Mall, Washington, DC Open 24 hours a day, year-round |
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The National World War II Memorial commemorates the sacrifice and celebrates the victory of the of the WWII generation. It honors the 16 million who served, those at home who supported the war, and the more than 400,000 who died in the conflict. The Freedom Wall contains 4,448 stars, one for every 100 Americans who died in WWII. | |
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Bureau of Engraving and Printing (202) 224-6142 Crapo Washington DC Office 14th and C Streets, SW, Washington, DC 9am-2pm weekdays; closed federal holidays; extended hours in summer |
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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for the design, engraving and printing the money that we use every day. During a tour of the facility, you will see millions of dollars being printed—from the blank sheets of paper right through to bills ready for your wallet. The Bureau was first established in 1862; although printing, producing and examination technologies are up-to-date, engravers still use some of the same traditional tools that have been used for over 125 years. |
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John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts New Hampshire Avenue, NW and Rock Creek Parkway, Washington, DC 10am-5pm weekdays; 10am-1pm weekends |
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Ballet, jazz, symphony, opera and theatre combine in this center, established by an Act of Congress in 1958. Its artistic mandate is to present a wide variety of classical and contemporary performances. | |
Naval Historical Center/U.S. Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yard (202) 433-4882 Building 76, 805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington, DC 9am-4pm weekdays; closed weekends, federal holidays |
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Located at the Washington Navy Yard, this is the official history program of the U.S. Navy and is a great research resource about Naval history. It contains displays on Navy ships, submarines, and various wars in which the Navy has played a role. Artifacts from Admiral Richard Byrd’s Polar Expedition, uniforms and weapons. For safety reasons, please do not use public transportation to get to the Museum; plenty of parking is available inside the Navy Yard. | |
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(202) 224-6142 Crapo's Washington DC Office Arlington, VA |
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The headquarters of the Department of Defense, the Pentagon is one of the largest office buildings in the world and houses approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees. Its unique five-sided construction makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the country. The Pentagon conducts limited one-hour public tours, which must be arranged through my office. |
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U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (202) 488-0400 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl, SW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed Yom Kippur and December 25 |
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During World War II, approximately six million Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. The Holocaust Museum is America's memorial to those who were killed. Its goal is to stimulate visitors to confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity and strengthen democracy. Carefully-crafted exhibits carry stark reminders of what happened during the Holocaust. While this is a somber museum, it is an educational and personal experience that is unforgettable. | |
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(202) 479-3211 1 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 9am-4pm weekdays; closed weekends, federal holidays |
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The cornerstone of the U.S. Supreme Court building was laid in 1932, with the building completed in 1935. It was the first time in our country’s history that the nation’s highest court had its own building, and worth noting that it was done for less than what Congress funded and money was returned to the Treasury. Initially the court met in the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City; later in Chambers provided in the U.S. Capitol. The court is in session October through April. Courtroom seats are available on a first come first served basis (every hour on the half-hour). |
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(202) 426-6841 automated information line National Mall, Washington, DC 9am-4:45pm daily |
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No building in Washington, DC, is allowed to be taller than this 555-foot monument to our 1st President, George Washington. It is shaped like an Egyptian obelisk and took 40 years to build. The 50 flags that surround the base of the monument represent the 50 states. | |
| The White House 7:30-11:30am Tuesday - Saturday Special restrictions apply regarding a White House tour visit; contact my office about reservation, which can be made up to six (6) months in advance. |
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Every President since John Adams has lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, one of the most famous addresses in the world. It is also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public. President George Washington oversaw construction of the building, but never lived in it. The White House survived a fire set by British troops in 1814 and another fire in the West Wing in 1929. There are 132 rooms, 35 bathroom and six levels, with 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, eight staircases and three elevators. While it’s now known as The White House (officially given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1901), it has also been known as the President’s Palace, the President’s House, and the Executive Mansion. Self-guided tours include the East Room and the Blue Room. A visit to the White House Visitors Center, located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, is also a great stop and will greatly enhance your tour experience. |
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| NO ADMISSION CHARGED; TOUR RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED | ||
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(202) 707-8000 10 1st Street, SE, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays and federal holidays |
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Home of the Congressional Archives, the Library of Congress consists of three buildings: the Adams, the Thomas Jefferson and the James Madison. The Jefferson Building is named for 3rd President Thomas Jefferson, who, in 1814, sold his personal library of 6,487 books to the library to rebuild the library’s collection which was destroyed when the British burned the Capitol during the War of 1812. It is the most ornate of the buildings and is home to the spectacular Reading Room; public and congressional tours are conducted daily. The other buildings are open to the public and researchers. The lobby of the first floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is ornate and remarkable. The Great Hall is constructed of white Italian marble with a stucco ceiling accented with 23 karat gold leaf. A tour of this building won't leave you disappointed! |
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| U.S. Capitol (202) 224-1642 to schedule a tour through my congressional office (202) 225-6827 Automated visitors' information line 9am-4:30pm Monday-Saturday (including federal holidays) |
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I am happy to provide Idahoans who come to our nation's Capitol with a tour of the building. Staff members are available by reservation for tours starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. The last tour begins at 2:30 p.m. Please make arrangements at least seven days in advance of your visit. The U.S. Capitol Guide Service also offers tours. You must pick up free timed tickets (one per person present) at a kiosk located in the southwest corner of the Capitol Grounds, at 1st and Independence, SW, across from the U.S. Botanic Gardens. Tickets are handed out daily and cannot be reserved. Tours operate Monday through Saturday. |
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| NO ADMISSION CHARGED; DONATIONS ACCEPTED | ||
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (703) 838-4848 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday; closed Mondays |
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Fort Ward is the best-preserved of the Union forts and batteries used to protect Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. It provides interpretive programs, tours, videos and living history activities. | |
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(202) 526-6800 1400 Quincy Street, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm daily |
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The Franciscan Monstery, located near the Brookland Metro stop (Red Line), is open daily for those wishing to visit the site, tour the catacombs or simply sit or walk in its gardens. |
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(202) 272-2448 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm Sunday; closed January 1, Thanksgiving, December 25 |
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The National Building Museum opened in 1985 with a mission to celebrate architecture, design, engineering, construction and urban planning. It is housed in the Pension Building, built in the mid-1880s. The Great Hall is one of the building’s most spectacular features with two rows of Corinthian columns. The Great Hall has been the site of more than a dozen Presidential inaugural balls, starting with Grover Cleveland. |
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National Museum of Health & Medicine (Walter Reed Army Hospital) (202) 782-2200 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5:30pm daily; closed December 25 |
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This museum, which dates back to Civil War, serves is a center for collection of specimens for research in military medicine and surgery. You will find curious medical instruments and unusual anatomical artifacts as well as an exhibit on the development and progression of the microscope. There is a Civil War exhibit, "To Bind Up The Nation's Wounds: Medicine During the Civil War." |
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(202) 546-3500 144 Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 11am-3pm Thursday-Saturday; 12-4pm Saturday; closed Sundays, Mondays |
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The Washington home, a National Historic Landmark, of Equal Rights Amendment author Alice Paul serves as the headquarters for the historic National Woman's Party and is the only museum in DC dedicated to exhibits that show the fight for the American woman's right to vote. It is located on Capitol Hill next to the Senate Hart Office Building. | |
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(202) 667-0441 2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday; 1-5pm Sunday |
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Housed in two historic buildings in the Kalorama neighborhood; one of the world’s foremost specialized art museums. Visitors are encouraged to touch, look and participate to learn about textile production and its role in cultural traditions, environment and the economy. Large gardens behind the building open to the public during museum hours. | |
