Visiting Washington DC

Legislative Resources

Visiting DC

Flags

Internships

Academy Appointments

General Information

Congressional Tours

Other Popular Attractions

Click Here to Request Tours

Congressional tours for the White House, U.S. Capital, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, and the National Cathedral can be scheduled through Congressman Lewis' Washington office.  Due to the high level of demand, it is advised that constituents contact the Washington D.C. office at least two or three months in advance of their desired tour date.  Because of the large volume of visitors to our Nation's Capital, it is often difficult and in some cases impossible to provide all the tours requested.  

Interested constituents should complete a tour request form or contact Tamara Carrera at 202-225-5861 to inquire about specific dates.  In any event, many attractions offer public tours which are similar to those arranged through my office and we can always supply you with passes to the Senate and House Visitor's Galleries if you will stop by my Washington, D.C. office to pick them up.

Policies and Availability of Congressional Tours

White House –   Tours of the White House are available on a first come, first serve basis.  Appointments can be made through Congressman Lewis’ office by contacting Vanessa Colburn at (202) 225-5861.  Tours operate Tuesday through Saturday only.  The White House accepts requests up to six months in advance and no later than ten days in advance.  Due to White House policy, tour groups must consist of at least ten people, but every effort will be made to combine constituent groups visiting during the same time.  School groups are welcome to submit requests. 

If a White House Tour is granted, visitors must provide their social security number and date of birth.  Please remember, White House Tours are in high demands and every effort will be made to accommodate a request.

U.S. Capitol – Constituents may call Congressman Lewis’ office to set up an appointment to tour the Capital.  School and other large groups are also encouraged to contact our office for tours.  The maximum tour group size is 40 people.

Public tours are also available Monday through Saturday (9am-4:30pm) on a first come, first serve basis.  Free tickets are available starting at 9am, at the intersection of 1^st Street and Independence (SE).  The Capital is closed to the public on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

For additional security, new procedures have been implemented regarding items visitors will not be permitted to bring into the Capital.  These prohibited items include: aerosol and non-aerosol sprays; cans and bottles; oversized suitcases, duffle bags, and backpacks; knives of any length, razors, or box cutters; mace and pepper spray.  Because of increased security and the construction phase of the Capital Visitor Center, please contact the U.S. Capital Guide Service if you have any questions before your visit.  Recorded information is available at (202) 225-6827.

*Gallery passes are always available for both the House and Senate through the Congressman’s office.  Please stop by our office anytime to obtain these passes.

**Disabled tour information can be obtained by calling (202) 224-4048 (voice) or (202) 224-4049 (TDD)

National Archives – Congressional Tours of the recently renovated National Archives Building can be obtained through the Congressman’s office.  The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence have returned to public display.  Congressional Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:15 and 1:15.  Tickets will be mailed directly to the constituent prior to their arrival. Please call for further details.

The Department of State – Tours of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms are given at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Reservations are required and should be made at least four weeks in advance. Tours may be arranged by contacting the Department of State Tour Office at 202-647-3241 between the hours of 8:15 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

Bureau of Engraving – Tours are available from 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday.  Same day tickets are available at the ticket booth located on 15th Street.  For more information, call (202) 874-3188.  Reserved tours are available through my Congressional office.

Supreme Court –  Public lectures are given every hour on the half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The lectures are twenty-five minutes in length and are given each day when the court is not in session.  Reserved tours are available through my Congressional office.

Library of Congress – Tours are available Monday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Same day tickets are available in the Thomas Jefferson Building at the West Front entrance on First Street, starting at 11:00 a.m. For more information, call (202) 707-5458.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – Free tours of the Kennedy Center are given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Tours leave every 15 minutes.  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. For more information, call (202) 416-8340.

National Cathedral– Located at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., in northwest Washington at one of the highest points in the city. Guided tours are given Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. except during special events and services.  There is a suggested donation of $2.00 per adult and $1.00 per child for tours. The grounds tour, given on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., April through October, takes you through the Bishop’s Lawn and Gardens.

Mount Vernon- Congressional Tours of Mt. Vernon are offered daily at 8:45 a.m. from April 1st - October 31st.  They are walking tours that provide an in-depth introduction to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens.  Regular admission is required ($9.00 adults, $8.50 seniors, $4.50 children ages 6-11, children 5 and under are free).  The tour departs from the main entrance at 8:45, so tickets need to be purchased prior to that time.  Mt. Vernon is located at the South end of George Washington Memorial Parkway.  Mount Vernon is open seven days a week, every day of the year, including holidays and Christmas. Mount Vernon welcomes visitors on the following schedule: April through August from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., March, September, October from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., November through February from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.