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Updated by Cathy Sharpe

Given the heightened security concerns of present-day Washington, it might come as a surprise to learn that most government institutions continue to welcome the general public. The Founding Fathers’ mandate of a free and open government lives on—just with metal detectors and bag searches. Though security checks are no one’s idea of fun, most people find them a small price to pay for the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the government in action. Being in the famous halls of the Capitol, the White House, or the Supreme Court is a heady experience. It’s one part celebrity sighting and one part the world’s best civics lesson.

Although the Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court get the lion’s share of the attention, other government institutions hold their own, sometimes-quirky appeal. Art enthusiasts can gaze in wonder at the works on display at the Red Cross headquarters and the Interior Department, while military buffs can retrace the footsteps of four- and five-star generals in the seemingly endless hallways of the Pentagon.

If you’re fascinated by finance, you’ll want to plan ahead for visits to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Federal Reserve, and the Department of Treasury. You need to sign up three months in advance for a tour of the Department of State, but your advance work will be rewarded with a visit to the plush Diplomatic Reception Rooms, where few sightseers tread.

When to Plan Ahead

You can visit many of Washington’s government offices, but you have to do some advance planning in many cases—not just for the White House and Congress, but for places that are less high-profile as well.

No Advance Planning Required

Two of the most impressive places in Washington don’t require advance reservations. The Library of Congress and the Washington National Cathedral are architectural and artistic treasures.

The cathedral was dubbed at its creation a “House of Prayer for All People,” and does indeed draw people from all over the world seeking comfort and reflection. Statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln make it clear that this is a place where church and state are welcome to coexist. With its murals, paintings, sculptures and statues, and, of course, millions of books and manuscripts, the Library of Congress is truly impressive. Even if you’re not a bookworm, the free docent-led tour is one of the best things going in the city.

Capitol Visitor Center

One of the most visited attractions, the Capitol Visitor Center is the starting point for tours of the Capitol and where you’ll discover a plethora of historical treasures, including a table used by Abraham Lincoln during his 1865 inaugural address. Crowds in the spring and summer can number in the thousands, so plan for at least three hours here. The five-football-fields-size underground complex is a destination in itself, with the model of the statue of Freedom, a 530-seat dining room that serves the famous Senate bean soup, and exhibits on the Capitol. Tours of the Capitol run Monday through Saturday from 8:50 to 3:20. Allow extra time to go through security.

To visit the Capitol, you’ll need to either reserve tickets online at www.visitthecapitol.gov or contact your representative or senator.

Official Washington with Kids

Before visiting the Capitol, have a discussion with your kids about Congress’s role in the government and the Capitol’s place in history. Then during the tour, encourage them to move up front to see and hear better.

Kids can email the president at president@whitehouse.gov or send a letter to the White House. The president and first lady even have their own zip code: 20500.

Kids get a kick out of seeing currency printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. At the gift shop they can buy bags of shredded bills and get a postcard-size rendering of a dollar with their face in the place of George Washington’s.

White House Events

December at the White House

The White House is decorated for Christmas during December every year. Even before you enter the State Dining Room, you can smell the gingerbread. The White House gingerbread-house tradition began during the Nixon administration, and has been continued ever since.

Since 1961 the Christmas tree in the Blue Room (another stands in the East Room) has reflected themes. In 1974 the Fords’ Christmas tree ornaments emphasized thrift and recycling. In 1991 the Bushes’ tree featured needlepoint figurines. Holiday cards created by military children, as well as ornaments with patches, medals and badges representing all branches of the military adorned the Obamas’ 2011 Christmas tree.

TIP December is far and away the most difficult time of year to secure a tour. The White House is able to accommodate fewer than 10% of the tour requests it receives.

Easter Egg Roll

Kids have been rolling Easter eggs at the White House since at least 1878. Over the years the Egg Rolls have evolved into elaborate affairs with bands and bunnies. The event is held the Monday after Easter, from 8 am to 7 pm on the South Lawn of the White House. Tickets are distributed via an online lottery system. Each group has to include at least one child 13 years old or under and no more than two adults.

For the most up-to-date information on the Easter Egg Roll, call the White House 24-hour information line at 202/456–7041.

Planning a Visit

To visit the White House, you have to make arrangements through your representative or senator. You can find their contact information on the Web at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. (You can probably also find them in your local phone book.)

Don’t be reluctant to contact your congresspeople—it’s part of their job, and they have lots of experience handling such requests. Some will even invite you to meet with them and talk about your interests and concerns.

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