Which sites are open or closed for tours?

You will find most major attractions opened for public tours, such as the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the newly renovated Botanical Gardens. Presently, the White House, and the Pentagon are open only for pre-arranged student groups. Please refer to the Travel Update page for full details.

There are a few attractions presently closed for renovations.the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Archives' Exhibit Hall are closed, although its Research Room, Records and Federal Register offices remain open.

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 How do I get a tour of the White House?

Tours of the White House have been expanded from school, youth, military and veterans' groups to include any groups of ten.  Groups of ten should submit a request through their member of Congress  at least one month and up to six months in advance.  The tours are self-guided and will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Visit www.whitehouse.gov . or call us at (800) 241-1728 for information

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How do I get a tour of the Capitol?

The U.S Capitol is open to the public for tours Monday - Saturday from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The tours are given free of charge, although tickets are required and can be obtained the same day of the tour on a first come first served basis. Ticket distribution begins at 8:15 AM on the East Front Drive of the Capitol (facing the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court). Guided tours last approximately thirty minutes and are organized in groups of 40 people.
Call us at (800) 241-1728 for information

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How do I get a tour of the FBI?

At this time the FBI Tours at the J. E. Hoover Building is open for pre-arranged public tours. Visit their web site at www.fbi.gov . or call us at (800) 241-1728 for information

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How do I get a tour of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing?

Bureau of Engraving & Printing public tours must be reserved in advance.
Public tour reservations may only be made up to one week in advance of the desired tour date.
Call us at (800) 241-1728 for information

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What is the address of the FDR Memorial?

The FDR Memorial, a 7.5-acre site near the Jefferson Memorial, is located at 1850 West Basin Drive, SW, near the Jefferson Memorial. For more information, call (800) 241-1728.

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How much does it cost to visit the museums?

Most museums in Washington, DC, including all Smithsonian Institution museums, are free. Some private museums charge admission or encourage donations.

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What is the name of a good restaurant?

Washington, DC offers a diverse array of restaurants. You may search for restaurants by location, price, or type of cuisine by visiting our Where to Eat .

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What is the name of a good, moderately priced hotel?

You can find and even book a hotel room that fits your budget at our website, Hotel Search or call us at (800) 241-1728 for information.

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Can you give me directions from _____ to DC?

We can offer you general directions to downtown Washington, DC. For more extensive directions, you can also visit one of the on-line map sites such as www.mapquest.com
From New York and Philadelphia, take I-95 South through Baltimore past the tunnels. After the Baltimore Harbor tunnel, take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Exit at New York Avenue (Route 50 West). New York Avenue leads to the White House and downtown Washington, D.C.

From the west, take Route 66 East. Cross the Potomac River using the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge. Stay to the right and exit at Constitution Avenue, which passes along the National Mall.

From the south, take I-95 North to I-395 North. Take the 14th Street Bridge into Washington, D.C. Follow 14th Street to the National Mall and to downtown.

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Do they make the money at the Federal Reserve?

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), located in Washington, DC, is responsible for designing and printing paper currency for the United States. There is also a satellite production facility located in Fort Worth, Texas, which began operations in January 1991.

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When are the Cherry Blossoms?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is planned to coincide as close as possible with the blooming of the trees. This year the festival began March 23 and ended April 8 and peak blossoms were March 31 - April 2. The National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place March 23 - April 6 in 2003. For the most recent predictions, see the National Park Service's web site at www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry . For information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival, see www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call us at (800) 241-1728 for information.

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Is camping allowed on the National Mall?

For decades, the National Mall has served as a national open space for celebrations, demonstrations, protests, festivals, and numerous recreational activities- except for camping. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, camping is not allowed on the National Mall. The regulation is enforced by the National Park Police. So if you want to spend your nights in Washington, DC, under the stars, why not stay at one of the region's designated campsites? Several of these sites provide shuttle buses to Washington, DC's Metrorail system.