2010 Winter
Congress
Guide to touring
Washington, DC
The metro lines are titled based on color and what direction trains are traveling. These names appear at the end or
near the end of a given Metro line. If you wanted to go to Capitol Hill take a Blue line train in the direction of Largo
and get off at the Capitol South stop. If you wanted to go to Penn Quarter to visit the Archives, take a Yellow line
train in the direction of Mt. Vernon or Fort Totten and get off at the Archives/Navy Memorial stop. In order to get
back to the hotel take a Yellow or Blue line train in the direction of Franconia-Springfield or Huntington.
This guide is grouped by neighborhoods with close proximity to Metro stations. Each item listed within a
neighborhood is walk-able. Plan your trip to Washington, DC before arriving because some tickets need to be
obtained in advance of tour date.
Capitol Hill
US Capitol Building, The Library of Congress, & The Supreme Court.
Metro Station: Capitol South (Blue/Orange) or Union Station (Red)
US Capitol Visitors’ Center
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See government in action and where history gets made! This notable building, easily one of the most prominent in
the entire country, is where bills are passed, amendments are proposed, and congressmen get fired up. Its
architecture, sculptures, and murals are breathtaking and not to be missed.
Free Admission
Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tickets Required
Address: Main entrance at the East front at First Street and East Capitol Street, NE (Between Independence and
Constitution Ave.)
To book a group tour, visit https://groups.visitthecapitol.gov/login.aspx
Note: There will be security screenings so try not to bring valuables, electronics, or a large purse/backpack. If you
wish a galleries pass (to see the House of Representatives and Senate chambers; 9am-4pm), you must contact
your Senator or Representative.
Phone Numbers: 202-226-8000
Website: http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/Visit/
Library of Congress
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The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. It is the nation’s oldest institution and is the research
arm of congress.
Free Admissions
Hours: Organization and student group tours are at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM,
subject to availability. Must call the library in advance.
Open to Public, but reservations must be made for a group tour.
Address: Independence Avenue and 1st Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
Phone Number: 202-707-5000 (general information) or 202.707.0919 (group tours) up to 60 ppl
Website: http://www.loc.gov
Supreme Court
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The Supreme Court is the highest tribunal in the nation, the final arbiter
of the laws, and the guardian of Constitutional liberties.
Free Admission
Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm
There are exhibits, films, and lectures (see note) open to the public.
Address: One First Street, NE, Washington, D.C. Across from the
Capitol Building and next to the Library of Congress.
Note: On days the court is meeting, trials are open to the public (check in
advance!). On other days, lectures are open to the public in the courtroom
every hour on the half-hour from 9:30 am-3:30 pm. An exhibit and film
are always open on the ground floor.
Phone Number: 202-479-3030
Website: www.supremecourtus.gov
The National Mall
The American History Museum, Natural History Museum, Washington Monument, The
Holocaust Museum and The Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Metro Station: Smithsonian (Blue/Orange)
American History Museum
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The museum’s exhibits are dedicated to various
parts of American history, including the
presidents, first ladies, technological
improvements, and more.
Free Admission
Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Address: 14th Street and Constitution Avenue,
NW Washington, DC. Located on the National
Mall.
Phone Number: 202-633-1000
Website: www.americanhistory.si.edu
Natural History Museum
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Exhibitions and programs explore what is
known about the natural and cultural worlds.
Has an IMAX theater.
Free Admission
Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Address: 10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC. Located on the National Mall.
Phone Number: 202-633-1000
Schools can “register” their field trips online, so
the museum can accommodate the visit. Visit
the “education” tab of the website.
Website: www.mnh.si.edu
Additional Smithsonian Museums:
African Art Museum 950 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
Air and Space Museum Independence Ave. and 7th St., SW, Washington, DC (L'Enfant Plaza, Maryland Ave. exit)
American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery 17th St. at Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC (Farragut West, 17th St. exit)
American Indian Museum 4th St. & Independence Ave., Washington, DC (L'Enfant Plaza, Maryland Ave. or 7th St. exit)
Asian Art Museum - Freer Gallery Jefferson Dr. and 12th St., SW, Washington, DC (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
Asian Art Museum - Sackler Gallery 1050 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Independence Ave. and 7th St., SW, Washington, DC (Smithsonian, Mall exit)
Washington Monument
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Visit the monument erected in honor of our first president, George Washington.
Free Admission
For advanced tickets there is a $1.50 service charge per ticket – pick up tickets on the day of the tour
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm
Phone Number: 202-426-6841
We suggest you reserve tickets. Visit http://recreation.gov.
Group Reservations: 1-877-559-6777
Address: 15th Street & Constitution Ave. Located on the National Mall
Website: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm
Holocaust Museum
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The Holocaust Museum is America’s national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of
Holocaust history, and serves as this country’s memorial to the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust.
Free Admission
Hours: 10 am – 5:20 pm
Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place and 14th Street, SW. Located south of the Washington Monument.
Phone Number: (202) 488-0400
Groups of 40 or more people are required to schedule their visit. Go to
http://online.ushmm.org/groupreservation/entrance_time_search.php to schedule a tour.
Website: www. ushmm.org
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
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At the Bureau learn about currency and see millions of
dollars being printed as you walk along the gallery
overlooking the production floor.
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Free Admission
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Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
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Address: 301 14th Street and C Street, SW. Located near the Holocaust Museum.
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Tours run every 15 minutes from 9 am - 2 pm with advance reservations held for large groups between 11 am
and 12:15 pm. Group tours with over 10 visitors MUST schedule tours in advance with the tour office. Please call
the Tour Scheduler at (202) 874-2330.
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Website: www.moneyfactory.gov
Penn Quarter
US Navy Memorial, National Archives, The Newseum, Ford’s Theater, International
Spy Museum, the National Museum of Crime and Punishment, and the National
Portrait Gallery.
Metro Station: Archives/Navy Memorial (Yellow/Green) or Gallery Place/Chinatown
(Yellow/Green and Red)
US Navy Memorial
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The United States Navy Memorial honors the men and women of the United States Navy – past, present and
future. The outdoor Plaza features a “Granite Sea” map of the world, towering masts with signal flags, fountain
pools and waterfalls and The Lone Sailor statue.
Free and open all hours.
Located at the entrance/exit of the Archives/Navy Memorial Metro Station.
National Archives
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This research and records building is home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Magna
Carta, and the Bill of Rights.
Free Admission
Hours: 10am – 5:30pm
Address: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (in front of the Archives/Navy Memorial Metro Station). Building
entrance is on Constitution Ave. facing the National Mall.
Advanced reservations are recommended (to avoid wait) - $1.50 per person
Phone Number: 202-357-5000
Website: http://www.archives.gov/nae/visit/
Newseum
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Newseum is D.C.’s most interactive museum covering 5 centuries of journalistic history.
Youth admission is $12.95 plus tax/ Adults $19.95 plus tax
Open 9 am - 5pm daily
Address: 555 Pennsylvania Ave at Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W.
Top exhibits: The Berlin Wall, 9/11 newspapers & wreckage, historic newspaper headlines/ front pages, door
from Watergate, Pulitzer Prize Photo Gallery, great view from roof.
Phone Number: 888/NEWSEUM (888/639-7386)
Website: www.newseum.org
Ford’s Theater
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The historic location of Lincoln’s assassination.
Free tour admission—Tickets required
Museum hours of Operation: 9 am – 5 pm. Final entry is 4 pm.
The theater is open for tours from 9 am to 5 pm. Final entry into the theater is 4:30 pm. The Box Office is open
from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Address: 511 Tenth Street, NW, Washington, DC
Phone Numbers: Group Sales Office: (202) 638-2367, Administrative Office: (202) 638-2941
Note: The show “The Rivalry” focusing on the debates between Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas is being
performed. Prices vary.
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For information on group reservations for performances or timed entry visits, please contact the Group Sales
office by email at groups@fords.org or by phone at (202) 638-2367. The Group Sales office is open Monday –
Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for timed entry to visit Ford's Theatre may be reserved through
Ticketmaster by clicking here or by calling (202) 397-SEAT.
Website: www.fordstheatre.org
International Spy Museum
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The International Spy Museum is the first and only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to
espionage and the only one in the world to provide a global perspective on this all-but-invisible profession. It
features the largest collection of international spy-related artifacts ever placed on public display.
Admission: $20
Hours: 10 am-6 pm
Address: 800 F Street, NW and 8th Street
For group reservations call: 202-654-0942 or 202-654-0964. Group tickets are slightly discounted.
Website: www.spymuseum.org
National Museum of Crime and Punishment
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From medieval knights and greed-driven pirates to today’s white collar criminals, discover the cast of characters
in America’s history of crime. Test your Wild West shooting skills, crack a safe, visit a CSI lab, and try to hack
into a computer.
Admission: $17.95 online ticket, $19.95 walk-up ticket.
Hours: 10 am-8 pm
Address: 575 7th Street and F Street, NW
Group reservations must be made in advance for parties of 20 or more. Reservations can be made either by
emailing sales@crimemuseum.org or by calling (202) 621-5563.
Website: www.crimemuseum.org
National Portrait Gallery
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The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery tells the stories of America through the individuals who have shaped
U.S. culture. The building is the third oldest Federal building in Washington, DC. It has housed the US Patent
Office, Civil War troops, and Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball.
Free Admission
Hours: 11:30 am - 7 pm
Address: 8th and F Streets, NW, D.C.
To schedule an educator-led school program contact the School and
Teacher Program Coordinator at whitebz@si.edu.
Website: www.npg.si.edu
Downtown
The White House, and The National Geographic Society
Metro Station: Farragut North (Red) or Farragut West (Blue/Orange)
The White House
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For PHOTOS ONLY. Tours of the White House are only available through your US Representatives office in
advance.
Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and 17th Street NW. Located by historic Lafayette Square
Website: www.whitehouse.gov
The National Geographic Society
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Special Exhibit: Terra Cotta Warriors. Nearly 2,000 years ago, thousands of life-size clay figures were buried in
massive underground pits to accompany China's first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, into the afterlife. Their discovery
outside the city of Xi'an in 1974 is one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
$12 for individuals online, $8 for groups.
Hours: 10 am-6 pm
To book group tickets call 202-857-7281 between 10 am-6 pm.
Address: 1145 17th Street and M Street NW
Website: www.nationalgeographic.com
Tours Available through your US Representative’s office
House Gallery Passes—these will allow you to view the Chamber of the House of Representatives. You can request these
passes to be mailed to you. Senate Gallery Passes are available through your Senator’s office. However, they can
only be utilized when the Senate is in session.
The White House—you must have the full name and social security number of every member of your group
before your rep’s office can schedule a tour. A White House tour should be scheduled over a month in advance
of trip.
The Pentagon
The State Department
Private Capitol Tour—for groups of 15 or less.
Seen it all?
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Schedule a campus visit for George Washington University of Georgetown University
Embassy Row—take the Metro to Dupont Circle and walk north on Massachusetts Ave to view
embassies and Ambassadors’ residences.
National Cathedral—is located at the edge of Embassy row in upper Northwest. Take a red line train to
the Tenleytown Metro stop.
Kennedy Center—located in Georgetown offers free tours and on occasion free performances. Take the
blue line train to Foggy Bottom Station. There is a free shuttle to the Kennedy Center.
George Washington’s Masonic Memorial—is located in Alexandria, VA and offers free tours. Take a
yellow line train to the King Street station.
Historic Alexandria-- Take a yellow line train to the King Street station. Walk south on King Street.
Mount Vernon—George Washington’s home and grave located in Mount Vernon, VA. Need car or bus
transportation.