The PILD Guide to Visiting Washington, D.C.
Whether you are visiting Washington DC for the first time or making a return trip, you quickly learn to appreciate the history, beauty and excitement of our Nation’s Capital. This printable guide is intended to assist you in making your PILD Conference experience an enjoyable one. All of these sites, plus others, can be viewed on line at:
http://nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc32.htm
Please note that the information listed for each site is offered only as an introduction. You are advised to check the corresponding web site or phone for the most up-to-date information, times, admission fees, etc. This is especially important since many sites in Washington are on varying schedules or access due to increased security.
The most important means of travel is the Metro, the area’s rapid transit system. For information and maps, click on the Metro’s website at http://www.wmata.com
Arlington National Cemetery
www.arlingtoncemetery.org
(703) 692-0931
Arlington, VA, Arlington Cemetery Metro Stop
Arlington National Cemetery is open to the public at 8 AM 365 days a year. From April 1 to Sept. 30 the cemetery closes at 7 PM, The other 6 months it closes at 5:00 PM. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amphitheatre, the Custis-Lee Mansion and the graves of Presidents John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour on the hour during the winter months and every half-hour during the summer months.
Botanic Gardens
www.usbg.gov
(202) 225-8333
Maryland Avenue SW, Federal Center SW Metro Stop
The grounds of the U.S. Botanic Garden are located on the National Mall across from the U.S. Capitol along First Street, SW, between Maryland Avenue and C Street. Admission to all public areas of the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) is free. The Conservatory is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM and Bartholdi Park daily from dawn to dusk. The new National Garden
located immediately west of the Conservatory, will be open 10 AM – 5 PM.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
www.bep.treas.gov
(202) 874-8888 or Toll Free (877) 874-4114
14th and C Street SW, Smithsonian Metro Stop
As the U.S. Government's security printer, the BEP is responsible for the design, engraving and printing of all U.S. paper currency. A world leader in printing technology, the Bureau also produces postage stamps, White House invitations, Treasury obligations and other U.S. securities. You'll see millions of dollars being printed during a tour of the BEP. The tour features the various steps of currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper, and ending with wallet-ready bills! Closed weekends. Various tours are offered please check the Web Site for information on tours and tickets.
Corcoran Gallery of Art
www.corcoran.org
(202) 639-1700
17th Street and New York Avenue NW, Farragut West Metro Stop
The largest non-federal art museum in the nation's capital, the Corcoran was founded in 1869 as an institution to be "dedicated to art, and used solely for the purpose of encouraging the American genius." It was Washington's first art museum and ranks with Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art as one of the three oldest museums in the United States. Only a block from the White House and just a short walk from the nation's historic Mall, the Corcoran stands as a major center of American art. The Corcoran is open from 10 AM to 5 PM everyday except Thursday their hours are 10 AM to 9 PM. Closed on Tuesdays. General admission to the Corcoran is $6. Members and Children under 6 are free. There is sometimes an additional fee charged for Special Exhibitions.
Department of State
www.state.gov
(202) 647-3241
2201 C Street NW, Foggy Bottom Metro Stop
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the Department of State, which are used for official
functions hosted by the Secretary of State and other high level government officials, are open for pre-arranged tours at no charge. These rooms hold a premier collection of 18th Century American Furniture, paintings and decorative arts. Guided tours are conducted Monday through Friday at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 2:45 PM Tours are 45 minutes in duration. Reservations are required and should be made approximately 90 days in advance, due to the large volume of requests. Reservations for tours may be requested by calling: (202)-647-3241
Dumbarton Oaks
www.georgetowndc.com
(202) 339-6401
1703 32nd Street NW, Georgetown Metro Connection serves all Metrobus stops in Georgetown, and operates express service between Georgetown and Foggy Bottom-GWU, Rosslyn and Dupont Circle Metro stations.
Dumbarton Oaks is a 19th-century mansion, built on the crest of a wooded valley in
Georgetown. Dumbarton Oaks has important research resources in the areas of Byzantine
studies, the history of landscape architecture, and Pre-Columbian studies. The grounds of
Dumbarton Oaks include ten acres of gardens, known as Dumbarton Oaks Park. Especially
notable here are magnolias, forsythias, cherries, herbaceous borders, and plantings of bulbs in the spring and chrysanthemums in autumn. Gardens open from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM March 15 to October 31 and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM from November 1 – March 14. Closed on Mondays. The Museum is closed for renovations check website for updates. `
Federal Bureau of Investigation
www.fbi.gov
At this time, public tours of the FBI are closed.
Ford’s Theater and Lincoln Museum
www.fordstheatre.org
(202) 426-6924
10th Street between E and F Streets NW, Metro Center Metro Stop
Ford’s Theatre and the Museum on the lower level are currently closed for renovations. Will reopen in Winter 2009. The Petersen House where Lincoln died is open for tours. For additional information, please contact NPS @ 202-426-6924.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
www.nps.gov/thje
(202) 426-6841
South Bank of the Tidal Basin, East Basin Drive, SW, Smithsonian Metro Stop
Monument honoring Thomas Jefferson-political philosopher, architect, musician, book collector, scientist, horticulturist, diplomat, inventor, and third President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson struck a chord for human liberty 200 years ago that resounds through the decades. But in the end, Jefferson's own appraisal of his life, and the one that he wrote for use on his own tombstone, suffices: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia. Hours: Open Daily, 8 AM to midnight. At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddleboat to cruise the basin.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
www.kennedy-center.org
(202) 416-8340
Located on the banks of the Potomac River at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue NW, and the Rock Creek Parkway, Foggy Bottom Metro Stop.
Free tours of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center from 10 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday and 10 AM to 1 PM, Saturday and Sunday. They depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center's main theaters, and dozens of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks given to the Center by foreign countries. Seven minute walk via New Hampshire Ave. or use the FREE Kennedy Center Show Shuttle.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
www.nps.gov/kwvm
(202) 426-6841
French Drive SW, Foggy Bottom Metro Stop
From 1950 to 1953, the United States joined with United Nations forces in Korea to take a stand against what was deemed a threat to democratic nations worldwide. The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors those Americans who answered the call, those who worked and fought under the trying of circumstances, and those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. Open daily, 8 AM to midnight.
The Library of Congress Jefferson Building
lcweb.loc.gov/visit
(202) 707-8000
1st Street and Independence Avenue SE, Capitol South Metro Stop
Public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 AM and 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 PM Monday - Friday in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Saturday public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 AM and 1:30 and 2:30 PM. Free tours are open to individuals and small groups with no more than 10 participants, No reservations or tickets are required.
Lincoln Memorial
www.nps.gov/linc
(202) 426-6841
West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street NW, Foggy Bottom Metro Stop
The Lincoln Memorial is a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln and the nation he fought to
preserve during the Civil War (1861-1865). The Lincoln Memorial was built to resemble a Greek temple. It has 36 Doric columns, one for each state at the time of Lincoln’s death. A sculpture by Daniel Chester French of a seated Lincoln is in the center of the memorial chamber. Inscribed on the south wall of the monument is the Gettysburg Address. Above it is a mural painted by Jules Guerin depicting the angel of truth freeing a slave. Guerin also painted the unity of North and South mural on the north wall. Etched into the north wall below the mural is Lincoln’s second inaugural speech. The public can visit 24 hours a day, However Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily.
Mount Vernon
www.mountvernon.org
(703) 780-2000
Mount Vernon is located eight miles south of Alexandria, VA. There is no Metro Service.
Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is open April through August from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. March, September, and October, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. November through February, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. General Admission: Adults $13.00, Senior Citizens $11.50, Children 6 through 11 $6.00, and Children age 5 and under FREE.
National Aquarium
www.nationalaquarium.com
(202) 482-2825
14th Street, between Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Federal Triangle
Metro Stop
Tanks of fish, frogs, alligators, and sharks. Open seven days a week, from 9-5pm, last
admission at 4:30 PM. Fees: General (ages 11 and up) $5.00, Children (ages 2-10) $2.50,
Seniors and Military Personnel $4.00, Children under 2 years of age are free.
National Mall
www.nps.gov/nama
The National Mall's origins are as old as the capital city itself. The open space and parklands envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant's plan, which was commissioned by George Washington, created an ideal stage for national expressions of remembrance, observance and protest. The National Mall resources include the 2,000 American elms that line the Mall and the 3,000 internationally renowned Japanese cherry trees that grace the Tidal Basin. Gardens that are botanical showplaces display thousands of tulips, pansies and annuals in over 170 flower beds, and 35 ornamental pools and fountains range from the simple to the sublime. This impressive mingling of natural and cultural resources has made our Nation's Capital one of the most heavily visited and photographed places in the world. Sites on the National Mall include the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 AM – 11:30 PM daily.
National Zoological Park
www.natzoo.si.edu
(202) 673-4800
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Woodley Park Metro Stop
Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoological Park is located on 163 naturally
picturesque acres along Washington's Rock Creek. Grounds open daily. The National Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas, April 1 to October 31: Grounds are open: 6:00am - 8:00pm, Buildings are open: 10:00am - 6:00pm. November 1 to March 31: Grounds are open: 6:00am – 6:00pm, Buildings are open: 10:00am – 4:30pm. Free admission.
Octagon House
www.archfoundation.org/octagon
(202) 638-3221
18th Street and New York Avenue NW, Farragut West or Farragut North Metro Stops
Architectural exhibits. Served as James Madison’s White House following the destruction of the real White House by the British in 1814. The Treaty of Ghent was signed here, ending the War of 1812. Pre-arranged by appointment only group tours of no less than 10 and up tp 25 people. No walk-ins will be accepted. Tour fees are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and senior citizens. Arrangements must be made in advance.
Old Executive Office Building
www.whitehouse.gov
(202) 395-5895
17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Farragut North or Farragut West Metro Stop
The Old Executive Office Building, a National Historic Landmark, was built between 1871 and 1888. Designed by Alfred B. Mullet in the Second Empire Style, the building housed the
Departments of State, War, and Navy. Much of the interior was designed by Richard Von Ezdorf using fireproof cast-iron structural and decorative elements. The building continues to house various agencies that comprise the Executive Office of the President, such as the Office of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council. Public tours are available on Saturday mornings by advance reservation only. To make a reservation, please call the Preservation Office between the hours of 9:00 am and noon, Tuesdays or Wednesdays at (202) 395-5895, and have available legal name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and Social Security number for each visitor.
The Old Stone House
www.nps.gov/olst/index.htm
(202) 426-6851
3051 M Street in Georgetown, Foggy Bottom Metro Stop.
This house was built in 1765, making it the oldest standing building in Washington, DC. Located in Rock Creek Park and near shopping, boutiques and restaurants in the old colonial section of Georgetown. A Park Ranger is on duty Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 5:00PM . When a Ranger is on duty you can view most of the house. Come and learn how the people of Georgetown lived when it was a major tobacco seaport. Admission is free.
Old Town Alexandria
ci.alexandria.va.us
Take 1-395 South to U.S. Route 1 in Alexandria and follow signs to Old Town. King Street Metro Stop (then a 20+ minute walk to Old Town)
Alexandria, which is almost 50 years older than the City of Washington, is one of America's
most historic communities. It has many authentic eighteenth-century buildings, and the charm of the "Old and Historic District" is carefully preserved by strict architectural and demolition control. You will find the old Presbyterian meeting house, Gadsby’s Tavern and the Torpedo Factory. In addition, there are boutiques, restaurants, café and nightclubs.
The Pentagon
www.pentagon.afis.osd.mil
Located across the 14th Street Bridge in Arlington, VA, Pentagon Metro Stop
Tours can be arranged through your State’s Representative Office.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
www.nps.gov/fdrm
(202) 426-6841
West Basin Drive, Smithsonian Metro Stop
Located along the famous Cherry Tree Walk on the Tidal Basin near the national mall, this is a memorial not only to FDR, but also to the era he represents. The monument traces twelve years of American History through a sequence of four outdoor rooms-each one devoted to one of FDR's terms of office. Sculptures inspired by photographs depict the 32nd President: A 10-foot statue shows him in a wheeled chair; a bas-relief depicts him riding in a car during his first inaugural. At the very beginning of the memorial there is a statue with FDR seated in a wheelchair much like the one he actually used. Open 24 hours a day, However Rangers are only there from 9:30AM to 11:30PM.
Smithsonian Institutions
www.si.edu
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Composed of sixteen museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo, the Smithsonian's exhibitions offer visitors a glimpse into its vast collection numbering over 142 million objects. Admission is free for all Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Most museums are open daily, 10 am-5:30 PM, except December 25. Consider making the Smithsonian Information Center your first stop. Located in the Castle at 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW; open daily 8:30 AM-5:30 PM, 1 ˝ hour earlier than museums.
The Smithsonian Institutions facilities include the African Art Museum, Air and Space Museum, American Art Museum (closed for renovation), American History Museum, Anacostia Museum (African American History and Culture), Arts and Industries Building (changing exhibitions), Freer and Sackler Galleries (Asian art), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (modern and contemporary art), National Zoo, Natural History Museum, Portrait Gallery (closed for renovation), Postal Museum, Renwick Gallery (American crafts), and the Smithsonian Institution Building.
The Supreme Court
www.supremecourtus.gov
(202) 479-3030
1st Street and Maryland Avenue NE, Capitol South Metro Stop
The Supreme Court offers a variety of educational programs. Exhibits, which are changed
periodically, and a theater, where a film on the Supreme Court is shown, are located on the
ground floor. The building is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Lectures in the Courtroom are typically given every hour on the half-hour, on days that the Court is not sitting, beginning at 9:30 AM and concluding at 3:30 PM.
United States Capitol
www.aoc.gov
(202) 225-6827
Capitol Hill at the east end of the Mall, Capitol South Metro Stop
The United States Capitol is among the most symbolically important and architecturally
impressive buildings in the nation. It has housed the meeting chambers of the House of
Representatives and the Senate for two centuries. The Capitol, which was started in 1793, has been through many construction phases. It stands today as a monument to the American people and their government.
For recorded information regarding tours of the Capitol, call (202) 426-6827. The following visitation policy is in effect: The Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. Tours will be conducted from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Visitors must obtain free tickets for tours on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol (near the intersection of First Street, SW, and Independence Avenue). Ticket distribution begins at 9:00 AM daily. Ticket holders will be directed to the South Visitor Receiving Facility, which is located south of the Capitol; from there they will proceed to the Capitol to begin their tour.
United States Holocaust Museum
www.ushmm.org
(202) 488-0400
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW (old 15th street between Maine Avenue and Independence
Avenue), Smithsonian Metro Shop
NO PASSES are necessary for entering the Museum building, special exhibitions, the
Interactive Wexner Learning Center, and other Museum resources. Even if you cannot get
Permanent Exhibition passes for the day you want to come, visit and take advantage of the
Museum's many other learning opportunities. TIMED PASSES are necessary for visiting the
Permanent Exhibition — The Holocaust — and can be obtained at the Museum on the day of your visit or in advance by calling tickets.com at (800) 400-9373. Each day, the Museum
distributes on a first-come first-served basis a large but limited number of timed entry passes for use that same day. Allow extra time when you first arrive at the Museum to pass though the building entry line that can form during spring and summer. Open 10 am-5:30pm every day, Closed only on Yom Kippur (October 9, 2008) and Christmas Day.
United States Naval Observatory
www.usno.navy.mil
(202) 762-1438
34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW, Accessible via MetroBus from Metro's Red line
Friendship Heights, Tenleytown-AU, Dupont Circle, and Farragut North stations and the
Farragut West station which is on the Orange and Blue lines. The N2, N4, and N6 MetroBus
connects at these stations and travel past the Naval Observatory along Massachusetts Avenue.
The U.S. Naval Observatory is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the country. Established in 1830 as the Depot of Charts and Instruments, its primary mission was to care for the U.S. Navy's chronometers, charts and other navigational equipment. Today, the U.S. Naval Observatory is the preeminent authority in the areas of Precise Time and Astrometry, and distributes Earth Orientation parameters and other Astronomical Data required for accurate navigation and fundamental astronomy. Public tours of the USNO are now offered on selected Monday evenings from 8:30 PM until 10:00 PM. Individual tour passes must be reserved in advance for every Monday night tour. You may send a fax to the Public Affairs Office at 202-762-1489 to secure a reservation. Requests for reservations should be submitted at least 4-6 weeks before a scheduled tour.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
www.nps.gov/vive
(202) 426-6841
Near the Lincoln Memorial. Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue. Foggy Bottom Metro Stop
Construction of black granite to honor all Americans who served in the Vietnam War. As a
special tribute to those who did not return, the names of more than 58,000 who gave their lives or who remain missing are inscribed in the Memorial’s walls in chronological order. The purpose of this memorial is to separate the issue of the sacrifices of the veterans from the U.S. policy in the war, thereby creating a venue for reconciliation. Open daily, 8 AM to midnight.
Washington Monument
www.nps.gov/wash
(202) 426-6839
On the Mall at 15th Street NW, Smithsonian Metro Stop
Alone among the Founders of the United States George Washington earned the title "Father of his Country" in recognition of his leadership in the cause of American independence. With this monument the citizens of the United States show their enduring gratitude and respect. Hours of operation are from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM, seven days a week. In order to enter the Washington Monument, tickets are required. The ticket system is administered through the National Park Reservation Service (NPRS). Reservations for the Washington Monument may be between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM EST by calling 1-800-967-2283 or over the Internet at http://reservations.nps.gov. Those making advance reservations will be charged $1.50 per ticket, plus a $.50 service charge per order. Ticket Kiosk-free tickets are distributed for that day's visit from the kiosk on the Washington Monument grounds at 15th Street and Madison Drive on a first-come first-served basis. Hours for the ticket kiosk are 8:30am until all tickets for that day are gone.
The White House
www.whitehouse.gov
(202) 456-7041.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, McPherson Square Metro Stop
The White House was originally constructed 1792-1800, the work of James Hoban. It was
reconstructed in 1815 after being burned by British soldiers during the War of 1812. It has been the home of every president of the United States since John Adams. The exterior of the main structure, despite some additions and minor changes, remains much as it was in 1800. The interior has been completely renovated using the historic floor plan. It is significant for its Federal architecture, as a symbol of the presidency, and for the important decisions made within its walls over the years. Public tours are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through your member of Congress, and are accepted up to six months in advance. For the most current tour information call the 24 hour Visitors Info line at (202) 456-7041.
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