THINGS TO DO WHEN VISITING WASHINGTON, DC.
If you are coming to visit Washington, DC., I’m happy to hear it! If the 117th Congress is in legislative session, meaning that I am here on duty in Washington, I would value the opportunity to meet with you. Please send me an email so I can check my availability around the voting, committee hearing, and bill mark-up schedules that are my responsibilities in my service to you. With that said, I’m really looking forward to the day when my staff and I are able to host our constituents for tours of the U.S. Capitol, which have sadly been labeled as unofficial business by House Speaker Pelosi at this time.
Please let me know if you would like to be placed on our ‘interest list’ to receive an email the very moment we receive information that U.S. Capitol tours may resume. This ‘interest list’ will also receive updates on complimentary events and opportunities as they resume or become available. These opportunities may include gallery passes to see the work of the 117th Congress while in legislative session, U.S. Capitol Dome tours, White House tours of the West or East wings, Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies, White House Spring & Fall Garden tours, the annual White House Christmas Tree Lighting, the annual White House Trick or Treat festival, and White House holiday tours while the decorations are on full display throughout December.
The Smithsonian is home to 19 world-class museums, galleries, gardens, and a zoo.As the Smithsonian gradually reopens our nation’s museums, free timed-entry passes are requiredat most locations. All outdoor gardenand exhibitions are open.See the Smithsonian’s reopening schedulewhen planning your visit.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo sitting on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, DC.’s Rock Creek Park, is open 364 days a year at no charge. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is currently home to more than 2,700 animals representing more than 390 species. Giant pandas, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, Aldabra tortoises, Panamanian golden frogs, sea lions, orangutans, meet-a-small-mammal demonstrations, and Asian elephant trainings are just a few amongst the many that you can see there. Get timed entry passes hereand additional timed entry passes for the Asia Trail/Giant Panda viewing.
Visit Ford’s Theatre and step back in time at the historic site to learn about the events of
April 14, 1865, and the lasting impact of Lincoln’s assassination on our nation. As of July 10, 2021, both Ford’s Theater andtheLincoln Museum are open Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am-1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Advance tickets are required ($3.00 fee) and limited to 6 tickets per order.
The Kennedy Center is the Nation’s Cultural Center with an objective to invite art into the lives of all Americans and ensure it represents the cultural diversity of America. It’s the nation's busiest performing arts center, typically hosting upwards of 2,000 events annually. Much more than a collection of theaters, see what is open and view select calendar events when as you play your trip accordingly.
The Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., also known as "8th & I," is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps and supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s capital. It was founded by President Thomas Jefferson and Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in 1801.The Barracks is home to many nationally recognized units and is also the site of the Home of the Commandants, which, along with the Barracks, is a registered national historic landmark. The 2021 Marine Barracks Washington summer parade season is upon us. You can find information on their parade schedule and get advance required tickets on their website.
National Archives Museum, the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, is open for viewing of the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights with limited capacity from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Reserve required timed entry tickets here.
The Jefferson Memorialis open 24 hours a day, no reservation required. Visit the Memorial’s ‘Things to Do’ and Calendar of Events to discover a wide of array of activities from paddle boats and bike tours to nighttime walks with a park ranger. General information to help plan your visit is available here.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is an outdoor memorial open 24 hours a day with no reservation required. Rangers are on duty to answer questions and provide interpretive programs from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. upon request. The first part of the memorial is a triangular field with stainless steel statues and a reflective wall engraved with images of uniformed servicemen to represent all who served. The second half of the memorial is a circular pool with a ring of benches and linden trees provided as a quiet, contemplative space to honor the sacrifices made during the war. Visitors to the memorial can access the Korean War Registry from the info kiosk.
The Lincoln Memorial is open to guests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays with no reservations required. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 am to 10 pm daily to provide interpretive programs, excluding December 25th.Architect Henry Bacon modeled the Lincoln Memorial after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Bacon felt that a memorial dedicated to a man who defended democracy should echo the birthplace of democracy. The towering memorial is 190 feet long, 120 feet wide, 99 feet tall and constructed with Colorado Yule marble.
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial is ALWAYS open with no reservation required. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and provide interpretive programs upon request. This presidential memorial is located along the western shore of the Tidal Basin, taking visitors through time as FDR's four terms in office are chronicled through quotes carved in stone and fascinating bronze artwork. Dedicated in 1997, using elements of stone, water, and unique landscaping, it consists of five outdoor rooms that represent a prologue to the presidency and the unprecedented four terms won by President Roosevelt. Over four and a half tons of South Dakota red granite and 100,000 gallons of flowing water are used.
TheVietnam Veterans Memorialis free and open 24 hours a day with no reservation required. The memorial is located north of the Lincoln Memorial near the intersection of 22nd St. and Constitution Ave. NW."These names, seemingly infinite in number..." Honoring the men and women who served, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country in the Vietnam Conflict. The display includes the Memorial "Wall," the "Three Servicemen Statue" and the "Vietnam Women's Memorial."
The Washington Monument has an outdoor viewing area open 24 hours a day with no reservation required. As of July 14, 2021, the monument is open for visitors 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Visitors need tickets to the monument, and they can only be had online at recreation.gov. There’s a $1 reservation fee per ticket, and the tickets for each day become available at 10 a.m. the day before. After years of extensive renovations, the Washington Monument reopened in 2019 with a modernized elevator and increased long-term reliability and safety.Built to honor George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States, it was once the tallest building in the world at just over 555 feet. It still holds the title of world’s tallest stone structure and obelisk.
The World War II (WWII) Memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day with no reservations required. “Service, Sacrifice, Unity, and Victory.” Through stone architecture and bronze sculptures, the WWII memorial honors the service of 16 million members of our Armed Forces, the support of countless millions on the home front, and the ultimate sacrifice of 405,399 Americans. Twenty-four bronze bas-relief panels flank the ceremonial entrance. To many, these panels stir memories as they tell the story of America's experience in the war. Granite columns representing each state and territory at the time ring an impressive pool with water shooting high into the air. Quotes, references to theaters, campaigns, and battles, and two massive victory pavilions chronicle the efforts undertook to win the war. A wall of 4,048 gold stars reminds the supreme sacrifice made to make that victory possible. Visitors can also search the World War II Registry, a database honoring Americans who helped win the war, either overseas or on the home front.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is open six days a week. Spanning three floors, The Holocaust, a self-guided Permanent Exhibition, offers a chronological narrative of the Holocaust through historical artifacts, photographs, and film footage. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will also encounter personal objects and the eyewitness testimonies of individual survivors. Learn about the collections, plan your visit, and get free required timed entry tickets.
The United States Navy Memorial Visitor Centertells the story of the American Sailor -- past, present and future -- and honors, recognizes and celebrates the men and women of the Sea Services. Through interactive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and over700,000 stories of serviceit shares the rich history and heritage of our Navy. Open daily with no reservation required. Find upcoming eventsand programs.