D.C. Tour Requests

• Air and Space Museum

  The world's most popular museum, displaying the Wright brothers' plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo II command module, now also includes the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport. The two buildings contain the largest collection of air and space memorabilia in the world. A shuttle bus is provided between the two centers for visitors, however space is limited, and visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. The trip takes about 45 minutes, and tickets prices vary depending on the time of day. Located at 6th and Independence Ave., S.W. 

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (closed December 25th)

  Telephone: (202) 633-2214

  
  Metro: L'Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian
   
  For Shuttle Tickets: 202-633-IMAX (4629) or toll free at 1-877-WDC-IMAX (1-877-932-4629) 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, EST, except December 25th. There is a $2.00 per ticket fee (non-refundable) for tickets ordered by telephone.

• American Art Museum

  This museum is dedicated to the preservation of American art from across the country. The collections, which span over 300 years of artistic development in the United States and feature over 7,000 artists, include works by Georgia O'Keeffe and Winslow Homer. The American Art Museum's historic building is at the heart of the revitalized historic arts district in D.C. 
  Location: 750 9^th Street, N.W.
  Metro: Gallery Pl-Chinatown
  Telephone: (202) 633-7970

• American History Museum

  This museum features artifacts that tell the history of our nation. Highlights include the original "Star-Spangled Banner," the First Ladies' gowns, an old fashioned ice cream parlor, Kermit the Frog, and milestones of American invention: Bell's telephone, Ford's Model T, and Whitney's model of the original cotton gin. Due to the size of the museum's collection, exhibits are rotated.                                                                                                                                                                      Location: 14th and Constitution Ave., N.W. 

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

  Telephone: (202) 633-1000

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle
   

• American Indian Museum

  Opened on September 21, 2004, the American Indian Museum's mission is to preserve and study the life, language, literature, history, and art of Native Americans. The Washington, D.C. museum is one of three Smithsonian centers devoted to preserving Native American culture.

  Location: 4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W.

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

  Telephone: (202) 633-1000

  
  Metro Stop: L'Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian.

• Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture

  The Anacostia Museum tells the history and culture of African Americans in the United States. The center is devoted to preserving and unearthing the history of Anacostia, one of D.C.'s first suburbs, and home to Frederick Douglass' house, “Cedar Hill.”                                                                                                          

  Location: 1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, D.C.

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed December 25th)                                                 

  Telephone: (202)-633-4820

  Metro: Not directly accessible by Metrorail. Bus transfers are available at the Anacostia stop on the green line.      

• Arlington National Cemetery

  Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the graves of President John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft, and Former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Curtis-Lee Mansion. 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. A narrated bus tour is available for a small fee. 

  Location: Arlington, VA 22211
  Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (April 1- September 30) and 8AM to 5 PM (October 1- March 31).

  Telephone: 1-877-907-8585

  Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery. 

• Bureau of Engraving and Printing

  You'll see millions of dollars being printed during a tour of the BEP. The tour features the various steps of currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper and ending with wallet-ready bills! Tour availability is VERY limited; For assistance in getting tickets, three months advance notice is needed. The Ticket Booth opens at 8:00 a.m., but lines form early and tickets go quickly. 

  Location: 14th and C Street, SW.
  Hours: Ticket booth opens at 8:00 a.m.
  Tel: (202) 874-2330 
  Metro Stop: Smithsonian. 

• Embassy Row

  Some of the most impressive and varied residential architecture can be found along this stately avenue. The official residence of the Vice President of the United States can also be found along this avenue. 
  Location: Massachusetts Avenue, NW from Sheridan Circle north to Wisconsin Avenue.
  Metro: No Metro Stop convenient, take an even numbered 30 bus on Wisconsin Avenue to get there.

• Ford's Theater, The Lincoln Museum, and the House Where Lincoln Died (Petersen House)

  Visit the location where President Lincoln was assassinated. Tours at Ford's Theater are free and self-guided.

  Location: 516 10th Street, NW, between E and F Streets, NW. 
  Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except during matinees and rehearsals
   
  Telephone: (202) 488-0400 

  Metro Stop: Metro Center. 

• Freer & Sackler Gallery of Asian Art

  Featuring art from across Asia, the Freer Gallery opened in 1923 and was the first Smithsonian museum for fine arts. In 1987 the Sackler Gallery opened to feature gifts from Dr. Arthur M. Sackler's Asian art collection. The two museums are connected by an underground exhibition space. 
  Location: Jefferson Dr. at 12th St., S.W.

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed December 25)
   
  Telephone: (202) 633-4880

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian.

• Georgetown

  The oldest section of Washington is home to many stores, restaurants, and attractions such as the Old Stone House, the only remaining pre-Revolutionary War structure remaining in the area. The C&O Canal National Historic Park is located here, and from April to September the National Park Service operates mule-pulled canal boats that depart from between 30th and Thomas Jefferson Streets, 1 block below M Street. 
  Not directly accessible by Metrorail, Georgetown Metro Connection shuttle available at Foggy Bottom, Rosslyn, and Dupont Circle stops. Buses depart every 10 minutes.
  Telephone: (202) 426-6851

• History of the Marine Corps War Memorial

  Also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, it is located across the Potomac in Northern Virginia. This statue was erected in memory of the marines who lost their lives in WWII. 
  Hours: daily 8:00 a.m. to midnight. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Telephone: (703) 289-2500

  Metro Stop: Arlington Cemetery.        

• Holocaust Memorial Museum

  No passes are necessary for entering the museum building, the special exhibits, the interactive Wexner Learning Center, and other Museum resources. Timed Passes are necessary for the permanent exhibition- The Holocaust - and can be obtained at the Museum on the day of your visit or in advance by calling www.tickets.com at 800-400-9373. Each day, the Museum distributes on a first-come, first-serve basis a large, but limited number, of timed entry passes for use that same day. Even if you cannot get permanent exhibition passes, feel free to visit and take advantage of the Museum's many other learning opportunities. Allow at least two hours to visit the museum. There are no Congressional tours available for this site. 
   
  Location: The Museum is located near the National Mall, just south of Independence Ave., SW, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place 

  Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except September 16 and December 25
  Telephone: (202) 488-0400

  Metro: Smithsonian

• Jefferson Memorial

  This tribute to the Nation's third President is situated on the south bank of the Tidal Basin. At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddle boat for a cruise on the Basin from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 
  Location: 15th St., SW, Tidal Basin, South End

  
  Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to midnight
   
  Telephone: (202) 426-6841

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian (this is a several block walk).

• John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

  In commemoration of President Kennedy's devotion to the performing arts, the center opened in 1971 and is home to the National Sympathy Orchestra. Performances appear routinely on stage in the Eisenhower Theatre, including musicals, plays, and ballets. Regular tours are conducted by the Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers, and visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking level A. Tours leave every 15 minutes and last 45 minutes. Visitors can purchase tickets for shows directly from the Kennedy Center. Congressional tours are available.
  Location: On the banks of the Potomac River at the intersection of New Hampshire Ave., N.W., and the Rock Creek Parkway. 
  Hours: daily, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., show times vary 
  Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom, follow signs for free shuttle to center 
  Telephone: (202) 416-8340

• Library of Congress American Folklife Center Alaska Collection

  The American Folklife Center Alaska Collection has among its holdings ethnographic collections featuring the traditional music and folklore of Alaska. The earliest material included in these collections, Tlingit Indian music recorded on cylinders, dates from 1903. Other Alaska groups represented in the collections are the Aleut, Atna Athabaskan, Haida, Inuit, and Ingalik. The Archive also holds recordings of stories, songs, recitations, and oral histories of more recent settlers, recorded in the 1940s and later.

  101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, D.C. 20540
  Metro: Union Station or Capitol South

  Please contact our office approximately one week in advance to schedule a visit to the center. 

• Lincoln Memorial

  The Lincoln Memorial is an American national monument built to honor the 16^th President of the United States. It is located on the western end of the National Mall.
  Location: West end of the Mall
  Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to midnight 
   
  Telephone: (202) 426-6841

  Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom.

• Museum of the Bible

  A remarkable experience awaits you in Washington, D.C. They invite guests to explore the narrative and history of the Bible, and its impact on the world. With three permanent galleries and a rotating slate of temporary exhibitions, there will always be something new to explore.

  Hours: Open daily 10 am – 5pm

  Location: 400 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

  Phone: (866) 430-MOTB

  Nearest Metro Stop: Federal Center

  Website: https://www.museumofthebible.org/tickets

• National Archives

  Home to the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, the National Archives houses over 3 billion records. In addition, the building now features the Public Vaults and the National Archive Experience. Admission is free. Congressional tours are available and must be requested at least three months in advance. 
   
  Location: 7th and Constitution Ave, NW 

  Hours: Labor Day through March 31, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., closed December 25. 

  
  Telephone: (202) 357-5000

  Metro Stop: National Archives/Navy Memorial.

• National Law Enforcement Museum

  The National Law Enforcement Museum is dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience. The Museum’s core mission is to introduce visitors to the proud history and many facets of American law enforcement in an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Our “walk in the shoes” experience lets visitors learn what it’s like to be a law enforcement officer through innovative and engaging exhibits, artifacts and programs. We also seek to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve with thought-provoking programs that promote dialogue on topics of current interest.

  Hours: 10am – 6pm, Wednesdays 10am – 9pm

  Location: 444 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001

  Phone: 202.737.3400

  Nearest Metro Stop: Union Station

  Website: https://lawenforcementmuseum.org

• National Museum of African American History and Culture

  A museum that seeks to understand American history through the lens of the African American experience. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The Museum opened to the public in 2016 as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. There are no congressional tours available for this site. 

  Location: 1400 Constitution Avenue, N.W. 
  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed December 25th)
  Telephone: (202) 633-1000

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian and Federal Triangle

• National Museum of Women in the Arts

  The National Museum of Women in the Arts, located in Washington, D.C., is "the only major museum in the world solely dedicated" to celebrating women’s achievements in the visual, performing, and literary arts. NMWA was incorporated in 1981 by Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay. With its collections, exhibitions, programs, and online content, the museum seeks to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. NMWA advocates for better representation of women artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement, and social change. NMWA addresses the gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past while promoting great women artists working today.

  Hours: 10am – 5pm

  Location: 1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC

  Phone: (202) 783-5000

  Nearest Metro Stop: Union Station

  Website: https://nmwa.org/

• National Portrait Gallery

  Adjacent to the National Collection of Fine Arts, the Portrait Gallery features paintings of prominent Americans by American artists. 
  Location: Patent Office Building between 8th and F St., N.W.
  Hours: 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed December 25th) 
  Telephone: (202) 275-1738

  Metro Stop: Gallery Place/Chinatown.

• Natural History Museum

  Visitors can learn about glaciers and Ice Age mammals. Exhibits range in size from the mounted African Bush elephant, dinosaur skeletons, and the 92 foot model of a blue whale, to the Hope Diamond and the bones of a tiny pocket mouse. The museum also has an IMAX theater.

  Location: 10th and Constitution Ave., N.W.

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed December 25th)
   
  Telephone: (202) 633-1000

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle. 

• Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

  Located just minutes from downtown Washington, the city of George Washington looks very much the way it did in the latter part of the 18th century; attractions include Old Town's Christ Church. You will also find an assortment of shops and restaurants. 
  Metro Stop: King Street.

• Renwick Gallery

  While the American Art Museum's historic building is currently closed for renovations, the gallery will still hold programs and exhibits during construction. See Website for details. This Smithsonian museum emphasizes American crafts and decorative art. Make sure to see the opulent upstairs rooms that were modeled after the Louvre. The gallery is open from 10:00AM – 5:00PM daily.
  Location: 17th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
   
  Telephone: (202) 633-8550

  Metro Stop: Farragut West or Farragut North.

• The FBI Experience

  This site will re-open after a remodel in July 2017.  You must be a U.S. citizen to attend this tour where famous bank robberies and crime scenes will be highlighted. Visitors will be treated to extensive exhibits including SWAT and HRT equipment and much more. This tour highlights the important partnerships between the federal bureau and city and state organizations. Tours are scheduled at 9:00am; 10:30am; 12:00pm; 1:30pm and 3:00pm. Each Congressional tour lasts 90 minutes and are conducted MONDAY – FRIDAY only. 

  https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/fbi-headquarters/the-fbi-experience

• The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

  The Hirshhorn features modern and contemporary art, with a particular focus on the last 30 years. The collection includes works by Picasso, Giacometti, de Kooning and Warhol, as well as a sculpture garden with over 60 pieces.
  Location: Independence Ave. at 7th St., S.W.

  Hours: Museum: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Plaza: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Garden: 7:30 AM - Dusk, (Closed December 25)    

  Telephone: (202) 633-1000

  Metro Stop: L'Enfant Plaza.

• The Library of Congress

  The Library of Congress 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 more than 130 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 58 million manuscripts. Docent-led scheduled public tours are offered Mondays through Saturdays in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. 
  Public Tour Schedule: Monday-Friday: 10:30 and 11:30am, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30pm; Saturdays: 10:30 and 11:30am, 1:30 and 2:30pm.
  101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, D.C. 20540
  Tel: Visitors' Information (202) 707-9779
  Metro: Union Station or Capitol South

  Congressional tours of the Library of Congress are available 9:45AM, 11:45AM, and 1:45PM, Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays). Space is limited. Please contact our office approximately 3 months in advance. 

• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

  This memorial is part of National Mall and Memorial parks. The memorial is located at the intersection of Independence Ave and West Basin Drive SW in Washington, D.C. Parking is extremely limited near the memorial. The nearest metro stop is Smithsonian. Parking throughout the District of Columbia is restricted generally (see individual area signs for site specific closures/restrictions) from 12:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

  Washington, D.C. is a very busy metropolitan area. Parking is at a premium throughout the entire city. It is highly recommended that you make use of the efficient public transit system (Metro rail and Metro bus). Information and schedules for Metro can be found at www.wmata.com.  Private paid parking garages and lots can be found downtown north of the National Mall. Free on street parking is generally restricted to two hours (ticketing/towing enforced). Limited free day long parking is available along Ohio Drive SW which is along the Potomac River south of the Lincoln Memorial or in Lots A, B & C south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

  Location: 1964 Independence Ave. SW

  Hours: daily, 24 hours

  Telephone: (202) 426-6841

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian (10-15 minute walk)

• The National Gallery of Art

  The main building and I.M. Pei's magnificent East building house the Nation's art treasures and are connected by an underground concourse. The National Gallery encompasses all aspects of the visual arts. 
   
  Location: Constitution Avenue between 3rd and 9th Streets 

  Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  Telephone: (202) 737-4215

  Metro Stop: Archives or Judiciary Square.

• The National Museum of African Art

  This museum has the finest American collection of African art as well as American art influenced by African styles. 
  Location: 950 Independence Ave., S.W.

  Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed December 25th)

  Telephone: (202) 633-4600

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian.

• The National Zoo

  Visit the home of hundreds of animals, birds and reptiles. Be sure to visit the Amazon exhibit, which is a recreation of an actual tropical rain forest. 
  Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave.
  Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daylight permitting
  Metro Stop: Woodley Park. 
  Telephone: (202) 633-4888

• The Pentagon

  This massive building is the headquarters of the Department of Defense and as such has served as the location for planning and executing the defense of the nation. Tours of the Pentagon are available to the public by reservation only, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors must be a U.S. Citizen. 

  https://pentagontours.osd.mil/tours/tour-guidlines.jsp

• The Smithsonian Institution

  The Smithsonian Institution is comprised of 16 individual museums and the National Zoo. 13 of the museums are located on the National Mall and many offer free highlight tours. The museums are open daily, except for December 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during the summer. Visitors should check with each museum for special hours or closings. The Smithsonian information center is housed in the Castle and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free for all visitors. 
  Tel: (202) 633-1000
  Metro Stop: Smithsonian.

• The Spy Museum

  Gain access to the world's largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Over 600 pieces are on exhibit, including a collection of G-Man toys from the 1930s and 1940s when interest in G-Men ("G" stands for "Government," in this case FBI agents) was at a high and children searched for worthy role models. There are no Congressional tours available for this site.
   
  Location: Located at 800 F Street, NW - between 8th and 9th Streets.
  Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (April through October), 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (November through March), except Thanksgiving, December 25, and New Year's Day.
  General Admission Tickets: $18--Adults, $17--Seniors (age 60+) / Military & Intelligence, $15--Children (grades K-12 or ages 5-11), Free--Children under 5.
  Telephone: (202) 393-7798

  Metro Stop: Gallery Place Chinatown 

• The Supreme Court

  The Supreme Court offers a variety of educational programs. Exhibits, which are changed periodically, and a theater where a film on the Supreme Court is shown are located on the
  ground floor. Lectures in the Courtroom are typically given every hour on the half-hour on days that the Court is not sitting beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 3:30 p.m. The building is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.
  
  Congressional tours are available Monday through Friday at 12:30PM when the Court is not sitting. Seating is extremely limited and three month’s notice is required.  

  https://www.supremecourt.gov/

• The U.S. Department of State

  The U.S. Department of State uses the Diplomatic Reception Rooms to host official functions hosted by the Secretary of State and other key government officials. These reception rooms house a vast collection of 18th century American furniture, paintings and decorative arts. Congressional guided tours of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms are offered by reservation only Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Please submit your request for this tour 90 days prior to your visit due to the high volume of requests.

  https://www.state.gov

• The U.S. Department of the Treasury

  The U.S. Treasury Building offers guided Congressional tours on Saturday mornings ONLY at 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.  Please have the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of all guests when contacting our office to make the reservation.

  https://www.treasury.gov/about/history/pages/tours.aspx

• The United States Capitol

  The United States Capitol is a monument, a working legislative building, and one of the most recognizable symbols of Democracy in the world. The online Visitor's Center is designed to provide you with the latest information on planning your trip to the Senate and accessibility found within. Also provided for your convenience are the most current maps for visitors and information on events and attractions of Washington, D.C. My office can help arrange Congressional tours of the Capitol Monday through Friday. Please allow a minimum of two weeks notice. The Capitol Visitor Center, the main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located beneath the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol at First Street and East Capitol Street.

  The general visiting hours of the Capitol are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. 

  Telephone: 202-224-9302

  Metro Stop: Union Station, Capitol South, or Federal Center SW

• The White House

  Public tours of the White House must to be requested at least three months in advance. These requests must be submitted through one’s Member of Congress. The White House Visitor Center is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. President's Park boundaries are between 17th and 15th Streets NW on the west and east and between H Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW on the north and south. If you are taking a White House tour, please line up at 15th and Hamilton Streets NW. White House tours are entirely self-guided and are available from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays). Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. All White House tours are free of charge. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

  https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/directions.htm

  All White House tour requests must include:
  Full name of everyone in the party 
  Home Address 
  Contact Numbers 
  Email Address 
  Date of Birth for everyone in the party 
  Social Security Number for everyone in the party 
  The White House will contact you directly for this information once the request is submitted. 

• United States Botanic Garden

  Steeped in history, rich with tradition, the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is a living plant museum that informs visitors about the importance, and often irreplaceable value, of plants to the well-being of humans and to earth's fragile ecosystems. More than 200 years ago, George Washington had a vision for the capital city of the United States that included a botanic garden that would demonstrate and promote the importance of plants to the young nation. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1820, the U.S. Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. Since 1934, it has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol. The Garden has been recognized as a museum and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This accreditation is a widely recognized seal of approval that recognizes a museum's commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.

  Guided tours are free and take 45 minutes. Please check at the Visitor information desk upon your arrival. For groups of 10-15, group tours are also available.

  • Location: 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC 20001 

  Hours: The Conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including all weekends and holidays. There are extended hours for some programs, please check the Programs and Events page for details. The Conservatory is located at 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001.

   

  The National Garden is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including all weekends and holidays. It is adjacent to the Conservatory, with entrances from Independence Avenue, from Maryland Avenue (at 3rd Street) and from the Conservatory Terrace. The National Garden has extended evening hours staying open until 7 p.m. from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

  Bartholdi Park is open from dawn to dusk, daily, including all weekends and holidays. It is located across Independence Avenue from the Conservatory, with access from any of the three bordering streets - Independence Avenue, Washington Avenue or First Street.

  
  Telephone: (202) 225-8333

• United States National Arboretum

  The Arboretum's beautiful 446-acre campus contains an array of display gardens, collections, and historical monuments set among native stands of eastern deciduous trees. The Arboretum is located 2.2 miles from the Capitol. It is bordered on the west by Bladensburg Road, on the north by New York Avenue, and on the south by M Street. 

  Location: 3501 New York Avenue, NE. Visitor entrances are located on New York Avenue and on R Street.
  Hours: Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except December 25
   
   
  Telephone: (202) 245-2726. 

  Not accessible by metro.

• Smithsonian Building

  To many visitors this building, popularly known as the castle, symbolizes the entire Smithsonian. It was the institution's first building and today houses the Visitor Information Center. A carousel for children of all ages is located outside the museum. 
  Location: 1000 and Jefferson Dr., S.W.

  Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed December 25th)
   
  Telephone: (202) 633-1000 

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial

  This long solemn wall has become one of the nations most cherished and beloved memorials. It bears the names of all those killed or missing in the Vietnam War. 
  Location: Off of Independence Ave. near the Lincoln Memorial
  Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to midnight

  Telephone: (202) 426-6841
  Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom.

• Washington Monument

  This Washington landmark provides a breathtaking view of the city, which is accessed by elevator. It only takes 70 seconds to reach the top! Those desiring to see the view must obtain a ticket. Tickets are limited and run out quickly. Tickets may be purchased in advanced by phone or Internet for a small fee, same day tickets are free. 
  Location: On the Mall at 15th St., N.W.
  Hours: daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., except December 25
   
  Telephone: (202) 426-4676

  Metro Stop: Smithsonian.

• World War II Memorial

  The only memorial on the Mall's central axis to commemorate a twentieth century event, the World War II Memorial was unveiled April 29, 2004. It commemorates the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces and over 400,000 who died while supporting U.S. war efforts. 
  Location: 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, and is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west
  Hours: daily, 24 hours
   
  Telephone: (202) 426-6841

  Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom.