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Ford’s Theater and the Lincoln Museum
Tour Summary: Ford’s Theater continues to operate today as an active theater and a tribute to President Lincoln’s love of the arts. Museum includes the clothes Abraham Lincoln wore on the night of his assassination.
Location: On 10 St., NW, between E and F Sts.
Closest Metro Stop: Metro Center (Blue, Orange, & Red Lines) or Gallery Place (Green, Yellow, & Red Lines).
Tour Length: Fifteen minute historical talks.
Public Tour Availability: The Lincoln Museum and the house where Lincoln died are open from 8 AM - 11:45 PM every day except Christmas Day. Tours at the theatre are self-guided. Talks are presented at fifteen past the house except between 12 noon and 2 PM.
Costs: Free.
Notes: Because Ford’s Theatre also functions as an active stage with live performances there are times when the theatre will be closed to the public. Matinees usually take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, although rehearsals can take place at any time of day.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
About Ford’s Theater
Directions to Ford’s Theater
Upcoming Performances
The National Zoo
Tour Summary: 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. You can visit the Zoo 364 days a year to see 2,000 individual animals of 400 different species.
Location: 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Closest Metro Stop: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adam’s Morgan (Red Lines).
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: The National Zoo is open everyday except Christmas. Hours vary and a schedule can be found under “Additional Visitor’s Resources”
Costs: Free, but parking costs $4 for the first hour, $12 for two to three hours, and $16 for more than three hours
Notes: There are two entrances for pedestrians and vehicles at the east side of the Zoo, near Rock Creek Park. One is off Rock Creek Parkway, the other is at the intersection of Harvard Street and Adams Mill Road. During Homeland Security Orange Threat Level, these entrances are closed, except during morning rush hour. At all other times, visitors must enter at Connecticut Avenue. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Operating Schedule for the National Zoo
Directions to the National Zoo
Zoo Map
The Holocaust Museum
Tour Summary: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America's national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history.
Location: 14th St. and Raoul Wallenberg Place in Washington, DC
Closest Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Orange/Blue lines).
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: 10 AM–5:30 PM every day including weekends, except closed only on Yom Kippur (September 22, 2007) and Christmas Day (December 25, 2007). Extended hours for exhibitions and Museum Shop from 10 AM – 7:50 PM during April through Mid-June. No passes are necessary for entering the Museum building, the interactive and other Museum resources. 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 (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.
Costs: Free
Notes: Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted. Video/audio recording are not permitted. Photography is not permitted in the exhibitions. Flash photography is not permitted in the Hall of Remembrance.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
What’s Inside
Vistor’s Guide [.pdf]
Permanent Exhibition Guide [.pdf]
Teacher’s Guide to Permanent Exhibitions [.pdf]
The International Spy Museum
Tour Summary: The only public museum in the world solely dedicated to the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage. The Museum’s permanent exhibition presents the tradecraft of espionage through the stories of individuals and their missions, tools and techniques. Exhibits feature the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever on public display–-many for the first time.
Location: The entire city block between 9th and 8th Streets at 800 F Street, NW
Closest Metro Stop: Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Green, Yellow, & Red Lines).
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: All tours require tickets. All tickets are date and time specific. Advance tickets are highly recommended.
Costs: Adult (ages 12-64): $15, Seniors (65+) and Active Duty Military & Intel Community: $14, Children (ages 5-11): $12, Children age 4 and under are free.
Notes: Groups of 20 or more qualify for Group Admission and require advance reservations, which can be made by calling (202) 654-0944. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. On occasion the Museum closes earlier than regular visiting hours.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Purchase Advance Tickets
Exhibits
Map and Directions
The Corcoran Gallery
Tour Summary: Founded in 1869 by William Wilson Corcoran, the Corcoran is Washington, DC's largest non-Federal museum, the oldest art museum in Washington, D.C. and one of the first fine art museums in the country.
Location: 500 Seventeenth Street NW
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut West (Orange/Blue lines) and Farragut North (Red)
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: Open Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday from 10 am–6 pm, Thursday from 10 am–9 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10 am–5 pm.
Group Tour Availability: The Corcoran offers private tours led by experienced museum docents for groups of 15 or more. Tours last approximately 45 minutes; meet your Docent in the Atrium. Group tours must be arranged at least a month in advance by calling the Corcoran's Education Department at (202) 639-1730.
Costs: $14 adults, Senior/Military $12, Students $10 and Members and children under 6 years of age are free.
Notes: Oversized bags, backpacks and rear-facing child carriers must be left with Security upon entry to the Gallery. Please note that Membership privileges do not apply for admission to ticketed exhibitions. The Corcoran's Permanent Collection is on view free of charge for all Reciprocal Members.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Cochran for Teachers
Calendar of Events
The National Gallery of Art
Tour Summary: Tour the nation’s art gallery and see remarkable works of art.
Location: National Mall between 3rd and 7th streets at Constitution Ave.
Closest Metro Stop: Archives-Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines).
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: Open Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM and Sundays 11 AM – 6 PM.
Costs: Free
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Calendar of Events
Map and Directions
Museum Policies
What to See in an Hour – West Building [.pdf]
What to See in an Hour – East Building [.pdf]
Union Station
Tour Summary: Rail station newly refurbished in turn-of-the-century motif that is DC’s home to Amtrak and other public transportation options. In addition, there are many shops, resturants and a movie theater located within its halls.
Location: 50 Massachusetts Ave, NE.
Closest Metro Stop: Union Station (Red Line).
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: There are no guided tours of Union Station, but it is open 24-hours and the public is free to roam and tour the attraction on their own.
Costs: Free.
National Aquarium
Tour Summary: Learn about life under sea and view tanks filled with fish, sharks, alligators and other ocean life.
Location: Only one block from the Washington Monument, the National Aquarium is located in the Department of Commerce Building on 14th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue NW.
Closest Metro Stop: Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange Lines).
Tour Length: 45 Minutes
Public Tour Availability: Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, last admission is at 4:30 PM.
Costs: General admission is $5.00, seniors and military personnel is $4.00 and admission for children (Ages 2 to 10) costs $2.50. Credit cards cannot be accepted for admission. Please be prepared to pay by cash or check.
Group Tour Availability: Group tours are available for school groups and must be arranged in advance. All other school groups (except Washington DC public schools) must make a single payment to qualify for the group rates. Cost are $1.25 per student for students (Ages 2 to 10) and $2.50 per student for students (Ages 11 to 18). One free chaperone admission for every 10 students, but additional chaperones cost $5.00 per person.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Calendar of Events at the National Aquarium
Map to the National Aquarium
U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO)
Tour Summary: Tours begin with a history and mission of the Observatory. In continues with the viewing of development of USNO’s timekeeping responsibilities with a member of the Observatory’s Time Services Department staff and a viewing of celestial objects with an Astronomer if the weather permits. The official home of the Vice President of the United States is located on the historic grounds of the United States Naval Observatory.
Location: 34th St and Massachusetts Ave, NW
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: Public tours are offered on alternating Monday evenings from 8:30 AM – 10 PM and are available by reservation only. You must submit your tour reservation 4 to 6 weeks in advance. You must provide the names and dates-of-birth of all individuals in your party. As a requestor you must also provide an email address or daytime telephone number so that the USNO may contact you with the status of your request. You will receive an email or telephone confirmation when your order has been processed no later than the Friday before your first choice tour date.
Costs: Free.
Notes: Backpacks, bags and bulky items are not permitted on the grounds. Photo ID is required for all adults.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Request a Tour of the Naval Observatory
Mount Vernon
Tour Summary: A privately-owned estate and garden, once the home of George and Martha Washington. In the 18th century the estate, gardens, and farm totaled 8,000 acres. Today, 500 acres have been preserved. Visitors can see 20 structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. In addition, one can see the tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington’s greenhouse, a memorial to the accomplishments of 18th century slaves and a museum.
Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. About 16 miles south of Washington, DC.
Closest Metro Stop: Huntington Station (Yellow Line) to Fairfax Connector Bus.
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: Open every day of the year. April - August 8 AM - 5 PM; March - October 9 AM – 5 PM; November - February 9 AM – 4 PM.
Group Tour Availability: School group tours are available and must be requested through the online form found below. Adult group tours can requested by phoning (703) 799-8688.
Costs: Adults $13, Seniors $12, Children $6, Children 5 and under are free.
Notes: No food or drink except for bottled water is allowed. Gum, strollers and motorized scooters are not allowed in the mansion. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Request a Tour for a School Group
Calendar of Events at Mount Vernon
Driving Directions
Directions via Metro and Bus
The U.S. Botanical Gardens
Tour Summary: Highlights include the Conservatory and two acres of surrounding exterior grounds, the outdoor display gardens in Frederic Auguste Bartholdi Park, and the Administration Building.
Location: 100 Maryland Ave, SW.
Closest Metro Stop: Federal Center SW (Blue Line).
Tour Length: 45 Minutes
Public Tour Availability: 10 AM -5 PM everyday, including weekends and holidays. Tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival.
Group Tour Availability: Groups of 10 - 25 visitors may reserve a free 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory. These tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM and weekends when space permits. Please make tour reservations at least three weeks in advance by calling (202) 226-4082.
Costs: Free.
Notes: Visitors are welcome in Bartholdi Park from dawn until dusk and can access it from any of the three bordering streets - Independence Avenue, Washington Avenue or First Street.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Map of the U.S. Botanical Gardens and Surrounding Areas
Take a Virtual Tour of the U.S. Botanical Gardens
The National Building Museum
Tour Summary: Exhibits change yearly and range from Shakespeare for the 21st Century to years of Domestic Architecture to America’s World’s Fairs.
Location: 401 F St, NW, between 4th and 5th Streets.
Closest Metro Stop: Judiciary Square (Red Line).
Tour Length: 45 Minutes
Public Tour Availability: The National Building Museum is open to the public Monday - Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. On rare occasions, the Museum may close for a special event. Walk-in public tours are offered Monday through Wednesday at 12:30 PM, and Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 1:30 PM.
Costs: Free, but there is a $5 suggested donation.
Notes: Groups of 10 or more must make a reservation by contacting the group coordinator at grouptours@nbm.org. Fees may apply to group tours for 10 or more. Wheelchair access is available through the G Street entrance.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Map and Directions
Virtual Tour of the Great Hall
The National Geographic Society Museum at Explorer’s Hall
Tour Summary: The Hall features permanent interactive geography and science exhibits, as well as changing displays to give visitors opportunities to share in recent archaeological finds, the latest in photography, and expositions of exotic cultures.
Location: 17th and M Sts, NW.
Closest Metro Stop: Farragut North (Red Line).
Tour Length: Varies
Public Tour Availability: Self-guided tours are available Monday through Saturday and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed December 25.
Costs: Free.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Map and Directions
Folger Shakespeare Library
Tour Summary: Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection.
Location: 201 East Capitol, SE.
Closest Metro Stop: Union Station (Red Line).
Tour Length: 45 Minutes
Public Tour Availability: The library is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM, but is closed on all federal holidays. Docent tours of the building and the current exhibition are available Monday through Friday at 11 AM and on Saturday at 11 AM and 1 PM. Docent tours of the Elizabethan Garden are available every third Saturday of the month, from April through October, at 10 AM and 11 AM.
Group Tour Availability: Group tours are available for both school groups and adult groups, and must be arranged in advance. Please call the Education department at (202) 675-0395.
Costs: Free.
Notes: Visitors are welcome in Bartholdi Park from dawn until dusk and can access it from any of the three bordering streets - Independence Avenue, Washington Avenue or First Street.
Additional Visitor’s Resources:
Calendar of Events at the Library
Directions to Folger Shakespeare Library
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