Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital, offers many historical and cultural resources for visitors. The countless museums and galleries, memorials, parks and gardens provide something for everyone. If you are planning a trip to Washington, DC, my office can provide helpful information about all the great places the city has to offer.
Most museums, monuments, and buildings are free to visit. Some attractions may charge a modest fee. Consult listings, internet links, and phone numbers for specific information.
As the Metro (or subway) is often the easiest method of transportation in the city, we've associated each of these major attractions with their nearest Metro line/stop. To view a full map of the Metro system, click here.
Meet Your Senator
Every Thursday morning at 8:00 am when the Senate is in session, Minnesotans are invited to join Senator Klobuchar for coffee and potica during our "Minnesota Morning.”
To RSVP, use this online form. Visit our Minnesota Morning page for more information. You can also call the office at 202-224-3244 or email: MN_Mornings@klobuchar.senate.gov.
Tours Offered by Your Senator
To request any of the four tours listed below, please fill out our tour request form.
1. The Capitol
2. The White House
3. Federal Bureau of Investigation
4. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
14th and C Street, S.W. See how U.S. currency is printed. Closed weekends and federal holidays. Phone: 202-447-0193. www.moneyfactory.gov/washingtondctours
Memorials
Arlington National Cemetery
Across the Memorial Bridge in Virginia. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through March, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. April through September. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheater, the Custis-Lee Mansion and the graves of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour and every half hour during the summer months. www.arlingtoncemetery.mil
FDR Memorial
West Bank of the Tidal Basin. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a landscape of four outdoor rooms with granite walls, statuary, inscriptions, waterfalls, and thousands of plants, shrubs, and trees along the famous cherry tree walk on the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. www.nps.gov/frde
Jefferson Memorial
South Bank of the Tidal Basin. Open 24 hours daily. At the Swan Boathouse, you can rent a paddle boat to cruise the Basin. www.nps.gov/thje
Korean War Veterans Memorial
West end of National Mall. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Garden memorial that includes a black granite wall with murals, a reflecting pool, and statues. www.nps.gov/kowa
Lincoln Memorial
West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, N.W. Open 24 hours daily. Phone: 202-426-6895. www.nps.gov/linc
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial
Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Constructed of black granite to recognize all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a special tribute to those who did not return, the names of the 58,000 plus who gave their lives or who remain missing are inscribed in the Memorial's walls. Open all day, all year. www.nps.gov/vive
Museums
Smithsonian Institution
Free admission. Phone: 202-357-1300. Hours: The Smithsonian Museums are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Christmas. www.si.edu
- National Gallery of Art - 4th St. between Mall and Constitution Ave. NW
- Arts and Industries Building - 900 Jefferson Drive S.W.
- Freer Gallery of Art - Jefferson Drive and 12th Street
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Independence Avenue and 7th Street, S.W.
- National Air and Space Building - Independence Avenue and 6th Street S.W.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture - 1400 Constitution Ave N.W.
- National Museum of African Art - 950 Independence Avenue, S.W.
- National Museum of American Art - 8th and G Streets, N.W.
- National Museum of American History - 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
- National Museum of Natural History - 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
- National Museum of the American Indian - 4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W.
- National Portrait Gallery - 8th and F Streets, N.W.
- Renwick Gallery - Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, N.W.
- Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) - 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W.
Ford's Theater and Lincoln Museum
10th Street between E and F Streets, N.W. Building is open every day except Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. When a matinee is scheduled or rehearsal is in progress, the theater is closed to tours. Phone: 202-426-6924. www.fords.org
National Archives
8th and Constitution Avenue, N.W. See Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer months. Phone: 202-501-5402. www.archives.gov
Library of Congress
Jefferson Building, First Street and Independence Avenue, S.E. Tours are conducted every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Library asks that groups over 10 people make reservations for a special tour. Phone: 202-287-5458. www.loc.gov
National Holocaust Museum
100 Raoul Wallenburg Place, S.W. (south of the Mall by the Washington Monument). Open every day 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets in advance are available through Ticketmaster, 1-800-551-7328. Same day tickets are available in limited quantity on a first come, first served basis. The Box Office is on the 14th Street side of the Museum and opens at 9:00 a.m. www.ushmm.org
Monuments
National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, N.W. Guided tours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Gardens are open until dusk. Phone: 202-537-6207. www.cathedral.org
Washington Monument
On the Mall at 15th Street, N.W. Open daily through Labor Day from 8 a.m. to midnight, September through March from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.nps.gov/wamo
Pentagon
Across the 14th Street Bridge in Virginia. Open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. See the flag. Corridor and Hall of Heroes. Phone: 703-695-1776. www.pentagontours.osd.mil/Tours
Miscellaneous
Mount Vernon
(not metro accessible)
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Regular tours are conducted by Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors should go to the Tour Lounge, Parking Level A. Phone: 202-426-6895.www.kennedy-center.org
National Zoo
3000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. November 1 through April 2: grounds open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., buildings open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 3 through October 31: grounds open daily 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., buildings open daily 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: 202-673-4800. www.nationalzoo.si.edu/visit