As the seat of the federal Government, Washington
D.C. has many governmental buildings that are
open to tours or may be of interest to its citizenry.
Here are some of the most interesting and important
buildings and sites that may appeal to visitors
in the area. Please note buildings are usually
opened Monday through Fridays unless otherwise
specified. Government and national holiday closures
may vary, call specific sites for scheduling
information. Please be advised that due
to the September 11th events, some government
buildings may not be open or may require picture
IDs, reservations and other screening for admission.
Click here
to see government sites in the surrounding
areas of Maryland and Virginia.
Bureau of Engraving
and Printing - No flash photography
here, this is where the country's money is printed,
as well as bonds, postage stamps and other miscellaneous
items. The visitor center displays uncut sheetsofmoney
and they may even let you take some home for
a price! / 14th andC Sts. S.W. / 202-874-3019
/ Admission Free
Department of Agriculture
- The visitor center is open Monday through Friday
in Room 103 A of the Administration Building
and exhibits are displayed in the Whitten Patio
area. / 12th to 14th Sts. at C St. and Jefferson
Ave. S.W. / 202-720-2791 / Admission Free
Department of Commerce
Building / National Aquarium - The
country's oldest aquarium, there are more than
1,200 fish and creatures from freshwater environs
to the oceans salty depths. Look for the touchtank
where one can pick up a crab, pet and urchin
and so forth. Shark feedings are on alternate
days with Piranha feedings. / 13th St. and Constitution
Ave. N.W. / 202-428-2825 / Modest Fee
Department of State
- Tours of the state department must be made
by reservation at least four weeks in advance
and are not recommended for children. A 45 minute
tour of the 8 diplomatic reception rooms and
a 15 minute Public Affairs Tour are offered.
(Adults must have photo ID to gain admittance.)
/ 2201 C St. N.W. / 202-647-3241 for tours /
202-647-6575 for Public Information Service /
Reservations Required (4 weeks in advance)
Admission Free
Department of the Interior
Museum - The structure of the building
is quite interesting as well as the exhibits
that range from Native-American artifacts to
an overview of all the Interior Department's
far-reaching responsibilities. (Adults must have
photo ID to gain admittance.) / 1849 C St. N.W.
/ 202-208-4743 / Reservations Required
(3 weeks in advance) Admission Free
J. Edgar Hoover F.B.I.
Building - A guided hour-long tour
includes a firearms demonstration, as well as
displays about the work of the F.B.I. Laboratory
in crime detection.There are also exhibits explaining
the history and jurisdiction for the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. / E St. Between 9th
and 10th Sts. N.W. / 202-324-3447 / Free Admission
Library of Congress
- Housed in three buildings, the library was
founded in 1800 to serve the congress and was
burned in 1812. Thomas Jefferson gave his own
personal library of 6,000 books to form the basis
of the new library. The library now holds over
17 million volumes and pamphlets and more than
45 million manuscripts and maps, plus the papers
of 23 presidents. The Visitor Center offers a
film and informational materials pertaining to
the library. Research and reading rooms are are
open to the public. / First St. and Independence
Ave. S.E. / 202-707-8000 / Admission Free
/ Modest Fee for audio tape tour rental
National Archives
- Federal government records are preserved and
kept for research, the Archives Exhibition Hall
contains and displays the Constitution, The Bill
of Rights, Declaration of Independence and a
copy of the Magna Carta. Reservations are required
for guided tours. / Constitution Ave. between
7th & 9th Sts. / 202-501-5205 for tour information
and reservations / Admission Free
Senate and House Office
Buildings - Several office buildings
adjacent to the Capitol serve the Senate and
House, the House buildings on the south side
of the Capitol are Rayburn, Longworth, Ford,
O'Neill and Cannon. The Senate buildings on the
north side of the Capitol are the Russell, Dirksen
and Hart Buildings. The buildings are tied together
with the Capitol via a subway system that is
also open to visitors. Offices for both the Senate
and House are open Monday through Friday from
8 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays the Senate offices
open at 9 am, the House at 8 am, both office
buildings close at 1 pm on Saturdays. Capitol
Plaza / 202-224-3121 for information
Supreme Court Building
- The country's highest judicial body holds its
sessions in this imposing marble and columned
structure. A film and exhibits are presented
on the ground floor and hourly lectures given
in the courtroom when court is not in session.
Cases are heard on specific weeks between October
and April with orders and opinions rendered on
select Mondays at 10 a.m. from October through
June. Seating during court sessions is open to
the public and granted on a first come basis.
/ Behind the Mall, facing the Capitol Building.
/ 202-479-3000 / Free Admission
United States Capitol Building
- Majestically situated atop Capitol Hill, the
Capitol Building is the center of the nation's
representative governmental body, the House and
Senate. Constructed of marble, the building was
originally designed by Dr. William Thornton in
1790 and has gone through a series of changes
and revisions during its construction. Housing
both the Senate and House chambers, the building
has over 550 additional rooms including the impressive
rotunda. / Free / Passes for the House and Senate
galleries are required and may be obtained by
phoning your senator or representative. / On
the eastern end of The Mall / 202-225-6827
United States Postal Service
Headquarters - Visitors may tour The
Hall of Stamps on the ground floor, which displays
rare and interesting postal items and original
stamp artwork. / 475 L'Enfant Plaza S.W. / 202-268-2000
/ Admission Free
The White House
- 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N. W. / 202-456-7041
for 24 hour recorded information.
(See Historic Sites listing for more specific
information.) White House Tours are Free
Reserve
Early...while your preferred accommodations
are still available.
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