Visiting Washington, D.C.

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

Tour the U.S. Capitol grounds with an official Capitol Visitor Center guide. During the tour, you will see the Crypt, the Capitol Rotunda, the National Statuary Hall, visit the Senate in session (dates vary), and hear the history of Washington D.C. in relation to the U.S. Capitol. Tours are available on weekdays only at 8:50 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. Please contact our office through the "tour request" form found on our website. https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/.

2. The White House

The home and office for the President of the United States, touring the White House includes the historic first and second floors. In order to request these tours, please allow our office three months notice. Given the volume of tour requests for the White House, these tours are not guaranteed upon request. Upon your request, you may be contacted by a staff member from Senator Klobuchar’s office for security information, including full names, dates of birth, social security numbers and/or passport information. Please have this information available when requesting a White House tour.  www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house

3. Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI tour became the public face of the FBI in 1937, when FBI Headquarters was located in the Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. After the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building opened in 1975, the tour quickly became a highlight for visitors to the nation’s capital.

Visits to The FBI Experience must be scheduled no later than four weeks in advance of your desired visit date. All tours must now be scheduled through their congressional offices (not just groups of 15 or more). 
www.fbi.gov/contact-us/fbi-headquarters/the-fbi-experience

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

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)

Home of George Washington. Open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March through October. Open November through February 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. admission - $7; Senior Citizens - $6; Children 6-11 years - $3; 6 and under free. Phone: 703-780-2000. www.mountvernon.org

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