Please Note: Due to high demand and limited space, you are encouraged to make tour reservations far in advance, particularly during times when students are out of school. Otherwise some tours may not be available.
THE U.S. CAPITOL:
Constituents planning a trip to Washington D.C. may schedule a tour of the U.S. Capitol building. Our office is able to escort your group of 15 people or less on a personal tour through the building. Please submit your tour request at least three (3) weeks in advance because tour space fills up quickly, particularly during holiday seasons and school vacations.
THE WHITE HOUSE:
Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for groups of 10 or more. All attendees aged 14 and above will be required to submit their name, date of birth, social security number and country of origin to their congressional office. Individuals 15 or older must also have a valid photo ID. Attendees under the age of 14 will need to submit their name, date of birth and country of origin to their congressional office. Attendees not U.S. citizens guests of our constituents are able to tour the White House as well. All must have a valid passport and submit their name, date of birth, country of citizenship and passport number. Additions to the number in the group cannot be made after submission to the White House Visitors Office.
Tour requests require at least four (4) months of advance notice, but may be made up to six months in advance. The White House Visitors Office coordinates all congressional tours and informs our office approximately one month prior to the requested date(s) whether a tour request is granted or denied. Due to the overwhelming amount of requests, there is a possibility requests will be denied, even if submitted in a timely fashion.
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING:
This is not the U.S. Mint where our coins and medals are minted. This is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing - the U.S. Government's security printer. The BEP is responsible for the design, engraving and printing of all U.S. paper currency and stamps. A world leader in printing technology, the Bureau also produces White House invitations, Treasury obligations and other U.S. securities. Constituent tours of the BEP run 40 minutes in length and depart at 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. (and between May and August, additional times of 4:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 4:45 p.m.). Due to the overwhelming amount of requests, there is a possibility requests will be denied, even if submitted in a timely fashion. Contact our office 2 months in advance to arrange for this tour.
THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS:
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors on September 8, 1971 as a tribute to the former U.S. President. The Center fulfills President Kennedy's commitment to the arts by producing and presenting an variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, and multi-media performances for all ages. Constituent tours of the Kennedy Center building depart at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitor’s attending the 4:30 p.m. tour will be able to enjoy the free performance given nightly on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage after their tour. Please contact our office at least 3 weeks in advance to arrange for this tour.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS:
The LOC is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with nearly 128 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 29 million books and other printed materials, 2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 57 million manuscripts. Constituent tours of the LOC include a special greeting by a member of the Visitor Services Office Staff, a tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building led by an LOC docent and an introduction to the "American Treasures" exhibition. Constituent tours of the LOC depart at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please contact our office 3 weeks in advance to arrange for this tour.
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL:
The National Cathedral dates back to 1907, when President Theodore Roosevelt laid the corner stone. A tour of the National Cathedral is steeped in history and architecture. Constituent tours depart at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday mornings, except for Federal holidays and during the month of January. Please contact our office 3 weeks in advance to arrange for this tour.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR MONUMENTS WALKING TOUR:
This is an all day tour of several monuments, including the Washington Monument (with entrance tickets), Jefferson Memorial, Ford's Theater (with entrance tickets), FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and Union Station. Contact my office to reserve this tour at lest 3 weeks in advance.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE:
The State Department is the oldest executive department of the U.S. federal government. Established in 1781, it is located on 2201 C Street, NW. The Secretary of State and other high level government officials use the Diplomatic Reception Rooms for official functions, including the arrivals of Heads of States and foreign dignitaries. Tours of the State Department are 45 minutes in duration and occur at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m., Monday-Friday by reservation only. Tours are not available on weekends or holidays. Reservations are encouraged 6 weeks in advance by contacting our office.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY:
This building was built in 1836 and since then has served as the headquarters for the Treasury Department. The tour includes the history of the Treasury Department and the building's architecture history. This includes a tour of the Andrew Johnson suite, where, in 1865, President Johnson conducted official business for 6 weeks after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It also includes the beautiful Salmon P. Chase suite, the Cash room (the site for Grant's inaugural reception), and the 1864 burglar proof vault. Entrance through Appointment Center doors located next to the White House on 15th street between F and G streets, NW. Hours: Saturday morning, lasting 90 minutes. To make a reservation contact our office 3 weeks in advance.
VOICE OF AMERICA:
During the constituent guided tours, visitors learn the history and how VOA has expanded from the shortwave broadcasts of the 1940s to today's AM, FM, television, and Internet. Our central newsroom, radio, and television studios feature prominently in the tours, which are approximately 45 minutes long. Tours are Monday through Friday (except holidays) 11:45 a.m. Reservations are required, but the tours are free. Tours are limited to no more than 25 people. To schedule a tour, please contact our office 3 weeks in advance.
SUPREME COURT:
The Supreme Court is the highest tribunal in the nation and stands as the final arbiter of the law and guardian of constitutional liberties. Constituent tours of the Supreme Court run 30 minutes in length and depart at 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (tours only when the court is NOT in session). Also, tours of the Supreme Court are limited to four guests. Please contact our office 3 weeks in advance to arrange this tour.
THE PENTAGON:
The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and the nerve center for command and control, is virtually a city within itself. The Pentagon presently houses approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees and about 3,000 non-defense support personnel dedicated to protecting our national interests. Tours of the Pentagon are given Monday through Friday and take at least a month of pre-planning due to security procedures. The tours are led by a uniformed service member and include a visit to the Pentagon September 11th Memorial. Please contact our office at least 6 weeks in advance.
MOUNT VERNON:
Congressional Tours of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens are offered daily at 8:45 a.m. from April 1st - October 31st. They are walking tours that provide an in-depth introduction to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Regular admission is required ($9.00 adults, $8.50 seniors, $4.50 children ages 6-11, children 5 and under are free). The tour departs from the main entrance at 8:45, so tickets need to be purchased prior to that time. Mt. Vernon is located at the South end of George Washington Memorial Parkway. Mount Vernon is open seven days a week, every day of the year, including holidays and Christmas. Mount Vernon welcomes visitors on the following schedule: April through August from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., March, September, October from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., November through February from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION:
Congressional Tours of the recently renovated National Archives Building can be obtained through the Congressman’s office. The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence have returned to public display. Congressional Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 9:45 a.m. Tickets will be mailed directly to the constituent prior to their arrival. Please call our office 6 weeks in advance.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:
Congressional, executive, and judicial branch documents are printed by the Government Printing Office and made available to the general public through the Depository Library Program, the internet and through sales. The GPO’s main plant is here in Washington, D.C. It is a 1.5 million square-foot complex that is the largest information processing, printing, and distribution facility in the world located just five blocks from the Capitol. Tours are available only April through September. Please contact our office 3 weeks in advance to arrange for this tour.
