Before you travel to Washington DC, it’s important to plan your visit by making advance reservations at many popular attractions. Be sure to check the website for the latest on the hours of operation. (updated January 15, 2025). Please note that several attractions will be closed temporarily for Inauguration and changing of Presidential Administration.
1. National Archives
Where to get information: Check the website for information about hours and exhibits.
Cost: Free
Notes: Reservations and tickets are not required but waiting time can stretch up until one hour during busy times. Set aside 90 minutes to explore the museum galleries. The highlight is often the excellent exhibits, so check here to see what’s on.
2. The White House
Note: White House Tours are temporarily closed. When they restart, you can get tickets: whitehouse.gov Must go through your Member of Congress. Check the website for updates.
Tour times: Public tours are typically available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays.
Max days ahead: 180
Min days ahead: 21
Notes: In the meantime, you can visit the White House Visitor Center or The People’s House to learn about the famous home of American Presidents.
3. US Holocaust Museum
Where to get tickets: ushmm.org
Tour times: 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Max days ahead: Free timed entry tickets are required. Same day (beginning at 7 am release time) and all advance tickets available online.
Cost: $1 processing fee
4. The Historic Treasury Building
Where to get tickets: Must go through Member of Congress. Limited to legal American citizens at this time. It is unclear whether you can arrange these tours at the moment, so do contact your Congressional representative to inquire.
Tour times: Every other Saturday morning (first and third Saturdays), 9 am and 10:30 am. TOUR INFORMATION 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Do not be late for your tour time.
Max days ahead: 180
Min days ahead: 21
What to see: This is a tour of the Historic Treasury Building. Some highlights are the Salmon Chase, Andrew Johnson Suites, and the Cash Room. (This is not where the government prints cash)
Notes: Background check is required. Visitors must enter through the West building entrance (Bell entrance) on 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. This entrance is located in between the Treasury Building and the White House. A docent will meet you to escort the group into the building.
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, but best to reserve a ticket in advance.
6. The Pentagon
Where to get tickets: To reserve a Pentagon Tour, you must be an adult (18 years or older) and a United States citizen or permanent resident in the United States under 22 U.S.C. 6010
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) Public tours have resumed. Plan to arrive at the Pentagon Visitor Entrance 60 minutes before your scheduled tour to allow time for your group to process through building security. Present a copy of your tour confirmation email and identification for each group member to the Pentagon Police personnel.You will not be allowed to bring any electronics on your tour.
7. U.S. Capitol
Where to get tickets: visitthecapitol.gov for tickets
Tour times: 9 am –3 pm weekdays only (closed during Inauguration Week)
Max days ahead: 90
Min days ahead: 1
Notes: Some same day passes available, Gallery Passes obtained through Congressional representative. But all tours, programs and activities in the visitor-approved areas like the Rotunda, Statuary and the Crypt are free of charge. Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol.
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: Advance reservations strongly encouraged. Limited number of Same Day passes are available for timed-entry every half hour from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday – Sunday. The Theatre is not included in every ticket.
9. Department of State Diplomatic Reception Rooms
Where to get tickets: diplomaticrooms.state.gov For information call 202-647-3241
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. Visitors may make advance arrangements to tour the Eighth-floor Diplomatic Reception Rooms, among the most beautiful rooms in the world used for official entertaining. The Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms site offers a preview of the tour.
Background The State Department building is a secure facility, and visitors will need to check in at the information desk inside the C Street entrance. Be sure to bring photo identification. You must be pre-cleared or cleared in by an employee for a tour.
10. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Where to get tickets: nps.gov/frdo
Tour times: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 am – 5 pm
Standard Tours (1 to 10 people)
Space is limited to ten people on the standard tour. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, visit recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. There is a $1.00 fee for each reserved ticket. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. If available, unreserved tickets are otherwise free to the public and may be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Adult cost: Free
Max days ahead: 90
Notes: Same day passes available.
11. President Lincoln’s Cottage
Where to get tickets: lincolncottage.org
Open Daily for guided tours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Adult cost: $15, Kids $5 (should be 6 or older)
Max days ahead: 90
Min days ahead: 0
Notes: Advanced tickets suggested. On site tickets are sometimes available.
12. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Where to get tickets: Starting at 8 a.m., tour tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket booth located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (15th Street, SW.) You can also reserve a ticket online here. (BEP. gov)
Tour times: Tours run Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., every 15 minutes. The last tour starts at 2 p.m.
May 28 through August 30, 2024 – Extended Tour Hours. The last tour starts at 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Min days ahead: 0
Notes: Tours last 40 minutes
13. Folger Shakespeare Library
Where to get tickets: folger.edu
Tour times: Timed entry recommended for Exhibitions, but not for cafe, and gift shop
Hours: Sundays: 11am – 6pm*
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am – 6pm*
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Cost: Free, but suggested donation is $15 per person
Notes: This is for READING ROOM TOURS; regular tours do not require tickets. Recently reopened with an expansive new museum, cafe and a collection of rare books.
14. FBI Experience
Where to get tickets: Security approval required. Must go through member of Congress. Reservations for The FBI Experience must be submitted through your Congressional Representative’s Office
- Contact your congressional representative’s office and ask to schedule a tour of The FBI Experience. You will then receive two emails regarding your tour request:
- Submission: Confirms your congressional representative scheduled the correct tour date and time.
- Security approval: Verifies your tour time and approval to enter FBI space and provides tour logistics you need to know prior to your visit.
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: All entries require a timed ticket. Advanced timed-entry passes are released daily beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST. Same-day timed-entry passes are released online only at 8:15 a.m. EST daily.
Please be aware that touring the History Galleries in their entirety will take approximately 2 hours, and will require about 1 mile of walking.
Adult cost: free
Max days ahead: 90 days
Notes: Touring the History Galleries in their entirety will take approximately 2 hours, and will require about 1 mile of walking.
16. International Spy Museum
Where to get tickets: Advance timed tickets recommended. Save up to 30% by buying in advance. Prices will never fall below what is listed today but will increase until the visit date. Tickets are opened 45 days before sale date tickets.spymuseum.org
Cost:
Adult (13-64) – $33.87
Youth (7-12) – $22.81
Seniors (65 plus), Military and law enforcement, or with college ID $30.69
Child (6 and under) – FREE (ticket required)
Hours: Thursday through Wednesday 9 am – 7 pm
Location: L’Enfant Plaza Station. Rooftop viewing. Spies under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
17. Planet Word
Where to get tickets You don’t need tickets in advance but for more information visit the website. https://planetwordmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/
HOURS
Monday, Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
LOCATION
925 13th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
Entrance on K Street
Cost: General admission is free, with a suggested $15 donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach.
18. Museum of the Bible
Reserve Online for discount tickets: https://www.museumofthebible.org/plan-your-visit
Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10 am – 5 pm
Cost: Adults $29.99, Seniors, Military, First Responders, and Students $24.99, Youth (Ages 5–17) $19.99; Children (Ages 4 and under) Free. The museum offers FREE admission on the last Tuesday of each month. You will still need to secure a ticket online or at the Ticketing counter at the museum, but there will be no admission charge.
Discount: The museum is now offering 50% off general admission tickets every day beginning at 3:00 p.m. Come spend an afternoon with us. This is available for walk-up only.
19. Old Post Office Tower
Where: Located at the intersection of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave N.W. (part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel) Information
Cost: Tickets are Free, No reservations needed, just walk up to the entrance to take the elevator up to the Tower.
Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, tours commence every five minutes
Self-Guided Tours begin from the elevator lobby on the stage level of the Old Post Office Pavilion. Visitors board the glass elevator to the exhibit area, then the elevator rises 270 feet viewing area.
20. National Air and Space Museum
Where to get tickets: archives.gov/museum
Timed tickets are currently required
Cost: free
Currently under renovation, but eight new exhibits have been added in 2023. Fully open in 2026.
https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc
21. The People’s House; A White House Experience
Can’t get a tour of the White House for your upcoming visit? Then, take a free tour of The People’s House, a new immersive museum that has recreations of the Oval Office and Portico. You’ll also learn the history of this iconic home and hear from people who’ve served the American Presidents’ families over the years. Check website for timed tickets, though walk-ins are welcome too.
http://www.thepeopleshouse.org
1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
22. The Supreme Court
Where to get tickets: None are needed to enter the Supreme Court building
Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays. Visitors enter the building from the doors located to the left (Northwest Door) and right (Southwest Door) of the main steps on the plaza level. No reservations needed but there may be a line to enter.
Cost: Free
What to see: The Office of the Curator creates exhibitions on the history of the Supreme Court, the Justices, and the work of the Court. Exhibitions are ground floor and are self-guided. Visitors can attend educational programs, including Courtroom Lectures and court-related Exhibitions. Highlights include the John Marshall statue, portraits and busts of former Justices, and two self-supporting marble staircases. The Courtroom is located on the first floor, and court sessions are also open to the public. Courtroom seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
23. Library of Congress
Tickets: Advance timed entry required. Link here. Timed-entry tickets will be scanned underneath the grand staircase at the visitor entrance on First Street SE between Independence Ave and East Capitol Street.
Cost: Free
Hours: Visitor Hours Monday: closed, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m; Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday closed, last entry for visitors is 30 minutes prior to closing. lease do not arrive before the entry time on your timed-entry ticket. Last entry is at 4:30 p.m.
Recommended: Lunch at the Madison Building is a great option when touring the National Mall and Capitol Hill neighborhood.
What to see: Visitors are currently allowed to enter the Main Reading Room (previously closed to the public). Exhibits rotate, so for the latest information, check exhibitions page to learn about the collections that will be on display for your visit.
24. The National Zoo
Tickets: Tickets are required to enter the Zoo. To reserve a free ticket, or buy a parking pass, check this link.
Cost: Free, Parking is $30 per car
Hours: The Zoo is open every day, except Dec. 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m and until 6 pm in the summer.; last admittance is at 3 p.m.
What to see: For information about all the animals at the Zoo, check here. The Giant Pandas will enjoy their public debut on January 4, 2025. After that time, the Zoo will relaunch the Giant Panda Cam to ensure visitors can see and welcome Bao Li and Qing Bao to Washington.
25. The National Gallery of Art
Tickets: none needed except for special exhibitions and tours. For information, visit the website.
Cost: Free
Hours: Open 10 am until 5 pm, daily. Some entrances may be closed for renovations. Address: 6th and Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20565
26. National Building Museum
Tickets: $10 per adult, $7 for youth and seniors
Hours: Thursday through Monday 10 am until 4 pm
What it’s about: The National Building Museum educates the public about the impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design. The Museum resides in the historic Pension Building, which contains one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in the nation’s capital: a soaring, expansive Great Hall featuring eight colossal Corinthian columns. There are rotating exhibits, many are excellent for children. It’s also a great place to rest and take a break from exploring DC.
Travel and Dish 
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