Before you travel to Washington DC, it’s important to plan your visit by making advance reservations at many popular attractions. Keep in mind, some of these remain closed due to the Covid pandemic and some are limiting the number of visitors. It’s important to check out each website for the latest on when these destinations are welcoming visitors back.

1 National Archives 

Where to get tickets: archives.gov/museum 

Tour times: Guided, Every 15 minutes beginning 10:30 to 90 mins before close 

Adult cost: $1.00 

Notes: walk-ins allowed, but Fast Pass is recommended  

2. The White House 

Where to get tickets: whitehouse.gov Must go through member of Congress. 

Tour times: Mon.–Thu., 7:30–11; Fri.–Sat., 7:30–1:30  

Max days ahead: 180 

Min days ahead: 21 

Notes: Background check is required. 

3. US Holocaust Museum 

Where to get tickets: ushmm.org 

Tour times: 9:45 am – 4:45 pm  

Max days ahead: Same day and advance tickets online  

Notes: Passes required Mar-Aug, not required September – February 

4. Treasury Building 

Where to get tickets: Must go through member of Congress. 

Tour times: Sat., 9, 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 am 

Max days ahead: 180 

Min days ahead: 21 

Notes: Background check is required. 

5. Washington Monument 

Where to get tickets: www.recreation.gov 877-444-6777 

Tour times: 9 am – 5 pm 

Adult cost: $1.00 processing fee 

Notes: Some same day passes on first come/first serve available  

6. Pentagon 

Where to get tickets: pentagontours.osd.mil 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri., 9–3 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 14 

Notes: submit request, must show ID (passport, driver’s license, permanent resident card) 

7.  U.S. Capitol 

Where to get tickets: visitthecapitol.gov for tickets 

Tour times: 8:50–3:20 weekdays only 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 1 

Notes: Some same day passes available, Gallery Passes obtained through Congressional representative  

8. Ford’s Theater National Historic Site 

Where to get tickets: fords.org for Historic Site Visit 

Tour times: Daily, 9–4 

Adult cost: $3 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 1 

Notes: Also Timed Same Day passes 

9. Department of State Diplomatic Reception Rooms 

Where to get tickets: diplomaticrooms.state.gov 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri., 9:30, 10:30, 2:45 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 1 

Notes: Fine Arts tour, not appropriate for children. 

Background check may be required, tours cancelled periodically. 

10.  Frederick Douglass National Historic Site 

Where to get tickets: nps.gov/frdo 

Tour times: Daily, 9, 12:15, 1:15, 3, 3:30 (walk-ins only), 4 (Apr.±Oct.) 

Adult cost: $1.50 

Max days ahead: 90 

Notes: Same day passes available 

11. President Lincoln’s Cottage 

Where to get tickets: lincolncottage.org 

Tour times: Mon.–Sat., 10–3; Sun., 11–3 

Adult cost: $15, Kids $5 (should be 6 or older) 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 0 

Notes: Advanced tickets required. On site tickets are sometimes available. 

12. Bureau of Engraving and Printing 

Where to get tickets: Tickets required on day of visit beginning at 8:30 am.  

Tour times: Mon.–Fri, 8:15–8:45, 4–4:45 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead:  

Notes: Tickets only required Mar-Aug; can be picked up at ticket window for other times. 

13. Folger Shakespeare Library 

Where to get tickets: folger.edu 

Tour times: Saturday at noon 

Max days ahead: 60 

Min days ahead: 1 

Notes: This is for READING ROOM TOURS; regular tours do not require tickets. 

14. FBI Experience 

Where to get tickets: Security approval required. Must go through member of Congress. 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri. 9 am -4:30 pm 

Max days ahead: 35 

Min days ahead: 21 

Notes: No Federal Holidays, must be 16 or older with government issued ID 

15. National Museum of African American History and Culture 

Where to get tickets: Timed entry passes available online, required on Saturday and Sunday 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri. 10 am -5:30 pm 

Adult cost: free 

Max days ahead: 90 days 

Notes: Walk-in entry on Monday-Friday from 1 pm until close on March-August 

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