Other Capitol Events

Botanic Garden

Season's Greenings: Pollination Station

Conservatory East Gallery
Nov. 26, 2015 - Jan. 3, 2016
Daily
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Library of Congress

Chamber Music: The Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge

Performing Arts Reading Room Gallery, First Floor, James Madison Building
August 13, 2015 - January 23, 2016
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Pointing Their Pens: Herblock and Fellow Cartoonists Confront the Issues

Graphic Arts Galleries, Ground Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building
March 21, 2015 – March 19, 2016
Monday – Saturday
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Out of the Ashes: A New Library for Congress and the Nation

Thomas Jefferson's Library exhibition, Second Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building
May 8, 2015 – May 2016
Monday – Saturday
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Exploring the Early Americas

Northwest Gallery, 2nd Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building
Ongoing exhibition
Monday – Saturday
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Hope for America: Performers, Politics and Pop Culture

NBob Hope Gallery of American Entertainment, Ground Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building
Ongoing exhibition
Monday – Saturday
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Visitors

memorials in the evening

Welcome to Washington, DC, the nation’s capital. You will find an abundance of cultural, educational, and just plain fun attractions and events here. Start your trip planning with the useful resources below.

Resources for Visitors:

United States Congress

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Book a tour, look at a Capitol map and find other useful information.
The mission of the Visitor Center at the U.S. Capitol is to provide a welcoming and educational environment for visitors to learn about the unique characteristics of the House and the Senate and the legislative process as well as the history and development of the architecture and art of the U.S. Capitol.

Map of Capitol Grounds
The Capitol, House and Senate office buildings.

Map of Accessible Transportation at the Capitol
Accessible entrances and transportation servicing the Capitol and surrounding buildings.

Virtual Tour of Capitol
Explore the nation's Capitol, including the old and current House chambers.

Library of Congress

Each of “America’s Library buildings”, named for a U.S. President (Adams, Jefferson, and Madison), contains millions of cataloged books and other print materials on 530 miles of shelving is a world-renowned research center for scholars easily accessible to both Congress and the public. Special exhibitions —including a permanent display of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed with movable type—make the Library a favorite tourist attraction. First Street and Independence Avenue, SE.

Supreme Court of the United States

“Equal Justice Under Law” is the promise on the portals of the Supreme Court building.Court sessions begin the first Monday in October and continue two weeks per month through April. Courtroom seats are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis when the Court is in session. Twenty-minute courtroom lectures are available every hour on the half-hour when the court is not in session. Group tours are available and must be made in advance. First and East Capitol Streets, NE.

United States Botanic Garden

Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the conservatory features more than 20,000 plants, including exotic flowers and fruit species. First Street and Maryland Avenue, SW.

The National Mall

National Mall and Memorial Parks
The sprawling lands of the National Mall & Memorial Parks include the Mall, the public promenade extending from 3rd Street near the Capitol to 14th Street, including the:

National Mall Walking Tour
Explore the National Mall with this walking tour provided by National Geographic.

Smithsonian

More Museums

White House

Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one's member of Congress.  These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM Fridays, and 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge.  (Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.)

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Metro: McPherson Square

For the most up-to-date information about touring and visiting the White House, call the 24-hour Visitors Office Information Line at 202-456-7041.

Historic Homes

Theaters

Major League Sports

  • Capitals (NHL)
    Verizon Center, 7th and F Streets NW
  • Mystics (WNBA)
    Verizon Center, 7th and F Streets NW
  • Nationals (MLB)
    Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE
  • Redskins (NFL)
    FedEx Field, 1600 Raljon Road, Raljon, MD
  • DC United (MLS)
    RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street, SE
  • Wizards (NBA)
    Verizon Center, 7th and F Streets NW

Other Points of Interest