Visiting Washington, D.C.

VISIT OUR NATION'S CAPITAL

Our nation’s capital is beautiful throughout the year and is a popular vacation spot for people around the world. With the museums, parks, and monuments, almost all of which are free, a trip to Washington, D.C. is an enriching historical and cultural experience. If you and your family are planning a trip to Washington, D.C please review the sections below for more information about visiting the Capitol, White House, and other popular attractions. You can contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-7772 or send an email to TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov for more information and to set up tours of the White House and Capitol.

Tours My Office Can Request on Your Behalf

White House

To request a White House Tour, please send an e-mail to TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov and include the following information:

• Name
• Number of People in the Group
• Requested Tour Dates (Maximum of three dates, Tuesday through Saturday morning)
• Home Address
• Cell Phone Number 
 
After my office submits your request, you will receive an email directly from the White House Visitors Office with a secure link to submit the remaining information required for the request. This information must be submitted directly to the White House to complete your request. Please note: All tours are subject to approval by the White House and may be denied or canceled at any time due to special events. You can contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-7772 or email TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov for more information. 


United States Capitol

The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. It has housed the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives for almost two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored. Today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders, but also to the American people and their government.

U.S. Capitol Tours also require advanced notice. To request a tour of the Capitol, please send an e-mail to TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov in my D.C. office, and include the information below.
  • Name
  • Number of people in the group
  • Requested Date for the tour (Monday-Saturday)
  • Preferred time (a.m. or p.m.)
  • Home Address
  • Cell Phone Number
The Congressional Special Services Office provides information about tours for the disabled by telephone at (202) 224-4048 (voice) or (202) 224-4049 (TDD). Additional accessibility information is available.


FBI Experience Tour

The FBI Experience is a self-guided tour at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Open to the public with advance reservations, the tour features interactive multimedia exhibits, history, and artifacts to illustrate FBI’s work in protecting the nation. The FBI Experience Tours are available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with a minimum of 4 weeks advanced notice. To learn more, visit the FBI Experience Website.

For schools and organized groups of more than 12 people, please submit your tour request online. For individuals, families, and smaller groups, please contact TX26Tours@mail.house.gov in my Washington DC office or at 202-225-7772 so that we may assist in scheduling your tour.

To request the FBI Experience Tour, please email TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov and provide the following information:

  • Name
  • Number of people in the group
  • Requested Date for the tour (Monday-Friday)
  • 2 or More Preferred Time Slots (9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.)
  • Home Address
  • Cell Phone Number

Additionally, for each person in the group planning to attend the tour, please include:

  • First, Middle, and Last Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Country of Birth and Citizenship

The Pentagon

Public tours of the Pentagon are available Monday through Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., by appointment with a minimum of 14 days advanced notice. Individuals and groups may book tours through the Pentagon directly on its website. If you have any questions or would like my office to assist with booking the tour, please contact TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov or call 202-225-7772.


Other Places of Interest

The Library of Congress
Public tours of the Library of Congress are conducted Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Walk up tours are available without reservations, or if you prefer to have an advance reservation, contact my office by email. For more information on the available tours, visit the Library of Congress Website.

The Supreme Court
Public lectures are conducted at the Supreme Court Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. During oral arguments, visitors are able to sit and observe in the court room. More information on the courtroom calendar and information for visitors can be found here

Bureau of Printing and Engraving

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers tours Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Between March and August, free admission tickets are required for tours. A limited number of timed tickets are distributed at the ticket booth at 8:00 a.m. For more information on visiting the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, please call (866) 874-2330 or visit its website

The Smithsonian Institution 
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with free admission to the Smithsonian Institute, Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History, Arthur Sackler Gallery, Arts and Industries Building, Freer Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, National Zoological Park, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Udvar Hazy Center. For more information call (202) 357-2700 or visit its website.

The Kennedy Center
Free tours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Weekend tours are given from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Reservations can be made but are not required.  For more information, call (202) 416-8340.

Arlington National Cemetery
Open daily October through March from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and April through September from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour and every half hour during summer months. For more information, call (703) 607-8000.

National Arboretum
The Arboretum grounds are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day of the year except Christmas. Admission is free. For more information call (202) 245-2726 or visit its website.

National Zoo
The National Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas.  Admission is free. The National Zoo’s website offers schedules for special interactive attractions such as fish feeding, sea lion or seal training, meet a mammal keeper, and pelican feeding. For more information call (202) 673-4800.

Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is open every day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. For more information call (703) 289-250 or visit its website.

United States Botanic Garden
Open daily (including weekends) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Groups of 10 or more can request a tour by appointment. For more information call (202) 225-8333 or visit its website.