Arlington National Cemetery
Open daily, October through March from 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. and April through September from 8:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. Attractions include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheatre, the Curtis-Lee Mansion and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy Jr. and William Howard Taft. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier happens every hour on the hour and every half hour April through September.
Metro stop: Arlington Cemetery on the blue line
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Tickets are required for public tours during the peak season (March through August) are handed out on a first come, first served basis Monday through Friday starting at 8:00 a.m. Tickets go quickly, so plan to arrive by 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. Tickets are not required during the non-peak season (September through February) unless with a large group. Public tours are given 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (every 15 minutes) and the Visitor’s Center is open from 8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Located at 14th and C Streets, SW.
Metro stop: Smithsonian on the blue/orange line
Federal Reserve Building
Public visits to the Board are limited to pre-arranged group tours of the Eccles Building. Please call the Board's Office of Visitor Services, at (202) 452-3324, for further information. The public may visit the Board to view art exhibitions Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance; please call (202) 452-3778 or fax (202) 736-5680. The visitors' entrance is on 20th Street NW, between C Street and Constitution Avenue.
Metro stop: Foggy Bottom on the Orange/Blue Line
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Grounds
Open seven days a week 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (April – August), 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (March, September and October), and 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (November – February); open every day of the year including holidays and Christmas. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for senior citizens (62+) and $7 for children ages 6-11. Group rates are available.
Metro stop: Huntington Station (in Virginia) on the green/yellow line. Exit the lower level of the station to catch a Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon
John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Free tours are given Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Free performances every night at 6:00 p.m. on the Millennium Stage.
Metro stop: Foggy Bottom on the blue/orange line. From there is a free shuttle which goes from the station to the Kennedy Center and back.
Library of Congress
Docent-led public tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Saturday tours are held at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Please call the General Visitor Information line at (202) 707-5000 for more information. Metro stop: Capitol South on the orange/blue line
The National Aquarium
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7.00 for 11 and up; $6.00 for seniors and military; $3.00 for ages 2-10; and children under 2 are free. Only one block from the Washington Monument, the National Aquarium is located in the Department of Commerce Building on 14th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue NW.
Metro stop: Federal Triangle on the blue/orange line
National Archives and Record Administration
Hours: Spring/Summer (March 15-Labor Day): 10am-7pm; Fall/Winter (Post-Labor Day-March 14): 10am-5:30pm; closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Admission is free, but last admission is thirty minutes prior to closing. Archives are located at Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW.
Metro stop: Archives on the yellow/green line
National Zoological Park
Highlights are the 3,600 animals that live at the zoo and exhibits such as rare Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragon, the Invertebrate exhibit, the American Prairie featuring bison and prairie dogs and elephant and sea lion training demonstrations. The Zoo is free of charge and open from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. November through March, and open until 8:00 p.m. from April through October.
Metro stop: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan on the red line
The Octagon House
Served as James Madison’s White House following the destruction of the real White House by the British in 1814. Located at the cross streets of 18th and New York Avenue.
Metro stop: Farragut West on the blue/orange line or Farragut North on the red line
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court building is open 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. (NO TOURS IN AUGUST) The information desk, exhibits, portraits of justices, and a 24-minute film are available whenever the building is open. The cafeteria is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is located on the ground floor. The Supreme Court is in session from October through April and generally hears oral arguments during the last two weeks of each month. When in session, court begins at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public. In order to get into the Chamber while it is in session, you may line up in one of two lines, one to hear the entire oral argument and one to sit in for 3 minutes. When the Court is not in session, a 30-minute discussion of the Court’s history and architecture is available to visitors Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Metro Stop: The Court is located across from the U.S. Capitol near Maryland Avenue and 1st Street, N.E. and is close to the Union Station or Capitol South metro stop.
Washington National Cathedral
Visit the website for tour times throughout the week and weekend.
Metro stop: Tenleytown AU on the red line. From there take Metrobus 30, 32, 34 or 36 to Wisconsin Ave.
