Dear friend,
I hope you are enjoying the beginning of summer! I know many of you are interested in visiting Washington D.C. and seeing the amazing attractions at our nation’s capital. There’s so much to see and so much history in D.C. With the ongoing pandemic, there may be questions about how and when you can schedule a tour at these historical sites. Well, that’s why I have compiled information for you all! Below you will find important logistical tour details for the White House, U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, and more.
Washington D.C. Attraction Tour Information
On a typical basis, the White House is accepting tours from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM ET on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. These tours are operating on a limited basis and are first come, first serve, and are typically reserved about three months in advance.
For the best chance at securing a White House tour, please submit these requests are far in advance as possible. These requests must be submitted through your member of Congress, so please visit my website and fill out the form to submit an official tour request.
The Capitol Building is accepting tours Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and are available on a limited capacity first come, first serve basis. Additionally, due to current COVID protocols, our office is only allowed a specific number of tours per week, so please request these tours as far in advance as possible. Please visit my website and fill out the form to submit an official tour request to my office, or visit the Capitol Visitor Center website where you can reserve a public tour without needing to contact my office.
The Library of Congress requires a timed entry pass. Passes are released 30 days in advance and provide visitors with passes in fifteen-minute increments. Each visitor may claim upwards of ten passes. The Thomas Jefferson Building is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am- 5 pm, with hours on Thursday to 8:30 pm.
The Museum of African American History is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (except for December 25th). Tickets can be claimed up to 30 days in advance and are released at 8:00 am each morning. Same-day tickets are also available and made accessible each morning at 8:15 am.
The Kennedy Center is open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 am to Midnight. The Box Office is open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and on Sundays from 12:00 pm- 9:00 pm. Ticket information is accessible at here or by calling (202) 467-4600. Victura Park at the River Pavilion is open Wednesday- Sunday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
The National Zoo is open daily from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm. Passes are available 30 days in advance, with additional passes released one week and one day in advance. Same-day passes can be claimed depending on availability. Each visitor can claim 6 passes per reservation and may enter the property between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Parking passes are $30 per car. It’s advised to purchase passes before your visit, but same-day passes are available as space permits and can be purchased on Etix starting at 7:00 am.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. is temporarily closed through fall 2022.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is temporarily closed for public tours.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court is temporarily closed for public tours.
As of June 16th, the Pentagon will now offer scheduled tours on a limited basis. Tours must be requested at least two weeks in advance and occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. Each time can accommodate twenty guests and is scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each prospective visitor must be a U.S. citizen and acquire clearance from the Pentagon Forces Protection Agency.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FBI Experience is temporarily closed for public tours.
My Office is Here to Help
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at 414-297-1140. Take care!
Your friend,
Gwen
