Government Buildings in Washington DC

Government Buildings in Washington DC, DC

Government Buildings in Washington DC

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Sights & Landmarks
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19 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travelers are saying

  • Jose R
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    You need free, timed tickets to get in. It’s a beautiful library with plenty of history. The reading room is only open to researchers and can only see it from the second floor. We were able to use the Children’s library and spent there about an hour.
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LesleyDublin
    Dublin, Ireland217 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked this in advance. There is no charge. You get a tour of the building, it's very interesting. If you want to go into the Gallery of the Senate or House of Representatives you need to contact your Public Representatives in advance to get passes. I don't know the details of this as I'm not American. There is a gift shop in the Capitol building and also a large cafeteria downstairs. This building is the heart of the American politics system and well worth a visit.
    Written March 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andres
    Houston, TX22 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were around 9 am and it was nice. Few people were around and we could take pictures without people passing through. It was worth it to see.
    Written December 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jose R
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We just went on the outside, but how beautiful the architecture of this building is! And beautiful gardens, great for photo ops! We went during cherry blossom and magnolia bloom and it was gorgeous!
    Written March 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jack V
    Brisbane, Australia2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Watched the Supreme Court in session and I was awestruck! Would recommend if you have enough time (court will go for a few hours). Must arrive well before the stated start time as well
    Written January 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • blackeldo
    Kiama, Australia2,204 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    THEY SAY MORE IS MORE….

    ….which is something I finally began to understand after viewing this; the biggest office building in the world.
    I mean the place has its own SUBWAY STOP and BUS STATION (and I noticed many bus departures were for places not close to the DC area).
    Lack of time and uncertainty of visiting date meant I didn’t book a tour, but simply walking around the outside of this place gave me a good idea of how awesome it is. Particularly when it seemed to be shift-change time with thousands of employees heading for the transport facilities.

    Is it worth the visit if you have no internal tour arranged? Well to me it was – just an oversight of the awesome size was enough, but I was given an extra moving bonus of being able to access the 9-11 MEMORIAL** outside. A definite plus.

    TIPS – access to the area for non-drivers is a breeze. DC’s good metro can get you from central city to the PENTAGON stop in 12 mins.
    But public parking is not available – nearest is PENTAGON CITY MALL** (10 mins walk).
    - it’s maybe not such a good idea to take pix of the building. I didn’t know, and no authorities jumped me – hence the pix with this report. But those authority people have no senses of humour. Not a good bunch to mess with.
    - one exterior area you can photograph and is worth a visit is the 9-11 MEMORIAL SITE** near the south-west corner of the building. Very moving. Note it will be closed for renevations until late May 2020.

    **TRIPADVISOR has separate user review pages.
    Written February 21, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • UKM12
    Llanfaethlu, UK154 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very friendly security teams - makes a change from a lot of venues and sets a great tone for the visit. Guides were knowledgable but not very cheery. Seemed like the visits were a chore. Fascinating visit though and well worth it. Free entry. Turn up in off season but you need to collect pre-arranged tickets beforehand in peak season (check the websites). Toilets are available and a decent gift shop. Do not use your phone at all in the facility or even have it out.
    Written February 21, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • William O
    Westfield, MA55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a must see. Many people might want to see how our country is actually ruin and this is a good opportunity. If you plan ahead, you can see a congressional session live. It may seem a bit boring but it is worth it. Don’t miss it.
    Written July 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • James R
    29 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The FBI Experience was well worth the 1.5 hours taken. This is a self guided tour but there were individuals throughout the experience that made it almost a guided tour. It starts with the history of the FBI then offered exhibits and photos of many of its high profile cases including the OKC Bombing and the Boston Marathon bombing and 9-11. Well for the time and its free. You just have to send in a request and then they will do a security search and send you confirmation
    Written May 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David H
    Bury, UK1,651 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was walking back to my hotel from the National Mall when I passed this amazing building. The architecture is certainly unusual, and is certainly worth stopping for a few minutes to take it all in.
    Written July 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MrMrsHappyR
    Liverpool, UK1,223 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful building near The White House. Although during Sep 2023 quite a large chunk of it was being renovated and covered up. Although the front part of the building and main signage was still visible
    Written September 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
    Los Angeles, CA8,310 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This tour is a treat if you like history and all its accoutrements. These reception rooms are full of historical items and a delight to behold. There are all sizes of rooms and all are opulently furnished.

    My group was small, so our guide was able to give us more in depth information. And an event set-up was in progress during the tour, so we saw first-hand how everything was set up.

    My benchmark is this: if you enjoyed Mt. Vernon, you'll love the tour.

    Best of all...it's free! But arrive early as you must go through security.
    Written January 15, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jess290718
    Mount Pleasant, MI124 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    In a city must see attractions this is easily a skip. If you happen to be walking by while on your way to other attractions look up as you walk but don't waste precious DC time trying to see this.
    Written November 3, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Yolotl
    Prior Lake, MN50 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My brother is a recent aerospace engineer grad so we stopped by the building to see the displays and visit the gift shop for some cool souvenirs. Then someone let us know about the library on the east side of the building. We went and the staff was so friendly and enthusiastic! They gave us a short tour and then had tons of FREE books, stickers, posters, notebooks, etc and told us to help ourselves. My kids LOVED the things I brought back for them. This was a fun, unexpected experience in DC and I highly recommend it!
    Written August 30, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JayVTexas
    Texas138 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is fine dining in a casual atmosphere at its very best. The service is beyond outstanding. Even the bartender left the bar to walk over to say hi. The wait staff is first rate, as is the food.
    Written August 3, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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