Visiting Washington, D.C.
Our nation's capitol is filled with historic landmarks and cultural institutions that people of all ages can enjoy. Below you'll find information to help you plan your trip to Washington, including a list of many of the area's monuments, museums, and other tourist attractions.My office is happy to help arrange tours at some of D.C.'s most iconic sites. Some tours require no reservations; others require reservations well in advance of your tour date. For example, you will need to contact my office to arrange a White House tour three weeks to three months in advance. My office can assist in scheduling these tours for you. If you are interested in a tour, please follow the link below to fill out the online request form or please call (202) 224-5842.
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African Art Museum
The National Museum of African Art, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located on the National Mall at 950 Independence Avenue, SW. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Christmas, and admission is free. Metro: Smithsonian
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American Art Museum
The American Art Museum is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. It is open from 11:30AM to 7:00PM daily (except for Christmas). Metro - Gallery Place/Chinatown.
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American History Museum
The American History Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located on the National Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. Normal operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday except Christmas. Metro: Smithsonian
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American Indian Museum
The American Indian Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol Building on 4th Street and Independence Avenue. It is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except Christmas. Metro: L’Enfant Plaza
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Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. Please call Arlington National Cemetery at (703) 692-0931 for more information. Metro: Arlington Cemetery.
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Botanic Gardens
Located on Maryland Avenue, SW, the Gardens are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. including holidays. Group tours are available by request except on weekends. Call the Gardens for more information at (202) 225-8333. Metro: Federal Center South West.
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Freer Gallery
The Freer Gallery, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located at Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW. and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday except Christmas. Metro: Smithsonian
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Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Center
The Smithsonian's museum of international modern and contemporary art, Hirshhorn is located on the National Mall on the corner of 7th and Independence. The Hirshhorn is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday except Christmas. Metro: L'Enfant Plaza
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Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center is located on New Hampshire Avenue and the Rock Creek Parkway, NW. Free tours of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center on a walk-in basis only. Tours start at the Tour Desk on Level A, and last around 1.5 hours. Tours are offered:
Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.For more information, call (202) 416-8340. Metro: Foggy Bottom or Metro Station.
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Metrorail
Parking is very limited in Washington, and traffic is always very heavy. While you are visiting Washington, you should consider using public transportation. The Metrorail offers convenient access to all of Washington's attractions.
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Mount Vernon
President George Washington's home located near Alexandria, VA, Mount Vernon has been owned and operated by a private non-profit organization, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, since 1858. Mount Vernon welcomes visitors April through August from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday. In March, September and October, visitors are welcome from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November through February, visitors are welcome 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors may purchase tickets to tour Mount Vernon at the mansion.
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National Air & Space Museum
The National Air & Space Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located on the National Mall on Independence Avenue at 4th Street, SW and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Christmas.
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National Cathedral
The National Cathedral offers tours on Monday and Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. for which you can obtain tickets from my office. Guided tours of the Cathedral, for which you do not have to go through my office, are offered Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday except during special events. Please call (202) 364-6616, extension 3, if you have questions about what special events might conflict with your trip to the National Cathedral.
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National Mall
The open space and parklands stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, including the National World War II Memorial and the Washington Monument, creates an ideal stage for national expressions of remembrance, observance and protest, according to the National Park Service. Please download this map which will help you find all of the monuments, memorials and gardens you will enjoy while visiting the National Mall.
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National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery portrays poets and Presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists, whose live's tell the American story. The museum is open from 11:30AM to 7:00PM (except Christmas Day). Metro - Gallery Place/Chinatown
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National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum is located in the old Post Office building next to Union Station and is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. except Christmas.
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Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located on the National Mall at 10th Street and Constitution, NW and is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except Christmas.
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Pentagon
The Pentagon is located across the 14th Street Bridge in Arlington, Virginia. Tours of the Pentagon are available to schools, educational organizations and other select groups by reservation only. Please call the Pentagon for more information at (703) 697-1776. Metro: Pentagon
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Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian is the the world's largest museum complex. Washington, DC, is home to 13 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. Admission is free to all of these Smithsonian attractions in Washington. The Smithsonian museums include the following: African Art Museum, the National Air & Space Museum, the American Art Museum, the American History Museum, the American Indian Museum, the Anacostia Museum of African American History & Culture, the Freer & Sackler Asian Art Galleries, the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, the Natural History Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Postal Museum and the Renwick Gallery. You can read about each of Washington's Smithsonian museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo, if you visit the links provided. Get Directions
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U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Museum is located near the National Mall, just south of Independence Avenue, SW, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place. The Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day including weekends, but it is closed on Yom Kippur and Christmas. Timed passes are necessary for visiting the Permanent Exhibition — The Holocaust — and can be obtained at the Museum on the day of your visit or in advance by ordering online at www.tickets.com or by calling (800) 400–9373. Each day, the Museum distributes on a first–come first–served basis a large but limited number of timed entry passes for use that same day. Metro: Smithsonian Get Directions
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United States Capitol Building
Senator Rounds' staff conducts Capitol tours for families visiting Washington each weekday. The Capitol Guide Service also conducts free guided tours of the Capitol Monday through Saturday throughout the year for larger groups. Please call (202) 224-5842 for assistance from Senator Rounds' office with scheduling a tour of the Capitol. Metro: Capitol South or Union Station.
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White House
The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (between 14th and 15th Streets). Senator Rounds' office can make requests for White House tours for South Dakota constituents. Security measures enacted by the White House require that tour requests be made at least 21 days to three months in advance, and due to the volume of requests, tours are not guaranteed to be available. For more information: (202) 208-1631. Metro: Metro Center or Federal Triangle.
