Visiting Washington D.C.

Planning a Visit to D.C.?

Are you planning a visit to Washington, DC? While you are in Washington, DC, I highly encourage you and your family to stop by my office. Whether you are coming on a short business trip, or an extended family vacation, my office can help you make plans to visit some of the more popular federal attractions in our nation’s capital.

White House and U.S. Capitol Tours

United States Capitol Tours

Tours of the U.S. Capitol are free and open to the general public. Tours are conducted Monday through Saturday between 8:50 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day.

Visitors are encouraged to reserve a guide-led tour for their group here. This process allows individuals to check available dates and times as well as track the status of their scheduled tour. Simply click the link and take a few minutes to create a login account with the Capitol Visitors Center. Guide-led tours may have a maximum of 50 guests.

Staff-led tours are available from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Please note that reservations can be made up to three months in advance. Our office staff can lead tours of the Capitol for small groups, no larger than 15 guests. If interested, please fill out this form indicating your available dates, the number of people in your group, and any accommodations you require. This tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and includes a tour of Congresswoman Sewell’s office, the Capitol Visitors Center, the Capitol Building, and the House Gallery or House Floor (subject to availability and applicable House Rules).

Constituents of Alabama’s 7th district can pick up House Gallery passes from Congresswoman Sewell’s office at 1035 Longworth House Office Building. A House Gallery pass is needed if you would like to see the House in session.

Capitol Visitors Center

The CVC gift shops, and the CVC Capitol Cafeteria are open to tour guests. Please visit the CVC website for more information.

The White House

The Trump Administration has announced that as of September 1, 2025, the White House will be unavailable for tours due to construction of the White House Ballroom near the tour route in the East Wing of the White House. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please visit the White House website for more information about the ballroom and related tour disruptions.

Already in Washington or coming soon?

Please reach out to my office at 202-225-2665 for immediate assistance as we work to accommodate your request. 

Other Memorials, Monuments, Museums, and Points of Interest

Smithsonian Museums

The Smithsonian Institute is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Many of the Smithsonian museums are located on the National Mall. Admission is free and tickets are not required for most Washington, D.C. museums. However, free time entry passes are required to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The museum is open 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Tuesday-Friday. On Mondays, the museum opens at 12:00 PM and closes at 5:30pm. Free timed-entry passes are required for visitors of all ages. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance and are released daily beginning at 8:00 AM EST. Passes can be reserved here.

For groups of 10 or more, group passes can be reserved here.

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is now open to visitors. Visitors will need to request free time entry passes for every member of the group, regardless of age. Passes may be reserved up to 30 days in advance. Masks are optional but recommended for visitors.

More information about the Library of Congress can be found at: https://www.loc.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/

Metro Stop: Two blocks from the Capitol South Station.

National Mall and Memorial Parks

The sprawling lands of the National Mall & Memorial Parks make “America’s Front Yard” a must-see on any visit to Washington, D.C. Home to some of the nation’s most iconic memorials and museums, they help tell the story of the people and events that shaped America.

As part of the National Parks System, Park Rangers are available from 8:00 AM to midnight every day except Christmas day. Rangers are available to help answer questions and present interpretive themes.

There is no fee to visit any of the monuments or memorials in the park. Some of the most popular memorials include:

900 Ohio Drive, S.W., near the Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River. 
Metro stop:  Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
16 E Basin Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242. South bank of the Tidal Basin.
Metro: Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20024.
A bookstore in the nearby Lincoln Memorial sells informational items relating to both the memorial and the Korean War.
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or the Smithsonian Metro stop which comes out on the National Mall.
2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002
West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, NW.
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or the Smithsonian Metro stop which comes out on the National Mall.
5 Henry Bacon Drive NW, Washington, DC 20002
Metro Stop:  Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
2 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20024
Tickets required to ride elevator to observation deck.  Tickets must be reserved for a small fee; there are no walk-up or “day-of visit” tickets available at this time. For more information regarding Washington Monument tickets, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Metro stop: Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Metro stop: Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
National Mall and Memorial Parks Phone Number: 202-426-6841

Supreme Court

Although the Supreme Court is closed to the public for tours, oral arguments are open to the public. The Court will hear all scheduled oral arguments for the current term in the Courtroom. Seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Masking in the courtroom is optional for visitors. For more information, visit https://www.supremecourt.gov/

Other Points of Interest:

701 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20408
Entry to the National Archives is free. Reservations are not required for individuals or groups wishing to enter the National Archives Museum through the General Public Entrance, but reservations are strongly suggested between March and Labor Day to avoid potentially long lines outside. A nonrefundable $1.00 advance reservation convenience fee will be charged for each reserved ticket. Changes are allowed on a ticket order at no additional charge. If you cancel, reservation fees are nonrefundable. Same-day reservations are permitted.
Metro: Archives-Navy
National Building Museum is open from Friday – Monday, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. Masks are not required, but encouraged. Advance tickets are recommended but not required. Same-day walk-up tickets are also available to be purchased at the Visitor Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $7 for ages 3-17, individuals with a student ID, and seniors aged 60 and over.
More information can be found here: https://www.nbm.org/visit/#hours.
401 F Street, NW, between 4th and 5th streets. Wheelchair access at 4th and G streets.
Telephone: 202-272-2448.
Metro Stop: Judiciary Square
The Corcoran Gallery of Art Museum is located on 17th Street and New York Avenue, NW - one block west and south of the White House. The main entrance is on 17th Street. Special needs access is at 1701 E Street, around the corner from the 17th Street entrance.
Phone:202-639-1700
Metro Stop: Four blocks from the Farragut West station or Farragut North station
The Department of the Interior Museum is open Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and tours are free of charge. However, advanced reservations are required for guided tours of the Udall Building at 2:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More information can be found at https://www.doi.gov/interiormuseum/Plan-a-Visit 
1849 C Street, N.W.
Metro stop: Farragut West
Ford’s Theatre & Lincoln Museum is currently open and requires Timed-Entry Passes. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended as a limited number of free entry tickets are available at the box office on a first-come first-serve bais.
More information and where to reserve tickets can be found here: https://www.fords.org/visit/historic-site/.
511 10th Street, NW - 10th Street Between E & F Streets.
Telephone: 202-426-6924
Metro Stop: Metro Center
                                                                                                       
Tickets for admission can be purchased online or in-person. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and youth aged 13-21, and free for children under 12. 
1811 R St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Telephone: 202-265-6280
Metro: Take Metro's Red Line to Dupont Circle. Leave through the Q Street exit. Walk one block north on Connecticut Avenue to R Street. Turn right and walk east two blocks to 18th Street.
701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 123, Washington, D.C, 20004
Telephone: 202-737-2300
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial
The Phillips Collection is currently open from Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and requires you to reserve timed tickets beforehand. Reservations are offered four weeks in advanced. More information can be found here: https://www.phillipscollection.org/.
1600 21st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20009
Telephone: 202-387-2151
Metro Stop: DuPont Circle
The Textile Museum is located on The George Washington University’s Campus and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 AM. to 5:00 PM.
701 21st Street NW, Washington, DC, 20052
Telephone: 202-994-5200
Metro: Foggy Bottom
The museum is currently open daily from 10:00 AM ro 5:30 PM . Free timed-entry tickets are required to enter. More information can be found here: https://www.ushmm.org/information/visit-the-museum/admission-tickets
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC, 20024
Telephone: 202-488-0400
Metro: Smithsonian
Voice of America is currently closed due to COVID-19.