Washington, DC

FAQ'S...

Capital City Tours, Inc. has just learned that effective immediately, the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles has changed the application process for obtaining the Trip Permit that is required for buses travelling in the District.  This requirement to obtain Trip Permits still only applies to buses and coaches that do not have apportioned tags (with DC listed on the cab card).  The fee for Trip Permits remains at $50 and they remain vehicle specific and are good for six consecutive days.  For more information, visit the DC DMV website.

BEFORE YOU VISIT...

Geography

Elevation

Population

Climate

Experience the glory of all four seasons here in Washington, DC. Warm weather usually prevails from April until as late as October. Winters are short here, with more rain than snow. Monthly high and low average temperatures follow (Fahrenheit/Celsius):
 

 Parking

Parking is restricted during rush hours and some weekend hours (check posted hours on street signs). If your vehicle is towed Friday after 7 pm, or any time on weekends, you won't be able to retrieve it until Monday after 9 am For details, contact the DC Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 301 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20001; phone: (202) 727-5000.
 

Sales Tax

Washington, DC: Sales tax is 5.75%. Total hotel tax including sales tax is 14.5%. Food and beverage tax is 10%.

Maryland: Sales tax is 5%. Hotel tax varies by county with most counties averaging between 5% and 8%.

Virginia: Sales tax is 4.5%. Hotel tax varies by county with most counties averaging between 9.5% and 10%.

Answers to questions about visiting the White House, US Capitol, Museums & Monuments and more!

Which attractions require tickets?

Many of Washington, DC's major attractions are open for the public and do not require tickets, including the museums of the Smithsonsian system and the National Zoo, the National Gallery of Art and the national monuments and memorials.  Washington, DC's most popular ticketed attractions, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Washington Monument and the International Spy Museum, allow visitors to avoid waiting in line by pre-reserving their tour tickets for a small fee.

Visitor's can pre-reserve individual tickets for the Washington Monument for a fee of $1.50 per ticket by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.Recreation.gov.  For groups, call 1-877-559-6888.  If you do not pre-reserve your tickets to the Washington Monument, plan to arrive early in the morning for ticket distribution.  Tickets are distributed at the 15th Street kiosk (east of the Monument) beginning at 8:30 am.  Lines may form much earlier in the morning.

Timed passes are needed for the permanent exhibition at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.  Passes are free and are distributed daily beginning at 10am on a first-come, first-served basis.  You can pre-reserve tickets for a small service charge of $1.75 per ticket through Tickets.com (for groups of 21 or smaller).  Groups of 21 or more qualify to make a scheduled visit to the museum for the Permanent Exhibition: The Holocaust or the current Special Exhibition.  Group reservations are free and must be submitted using the Museum's online reservation system.  Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and may be submitted 24 hours to 12 months in advance of the visit date.  It is highly recommended that groups who wish to visit during the spring and summer months complete their reservations well in advance of their visit date due to high demand during that period.  Visit www.ushmm.org or call (202) 488-0400 for additional information.

The Bureau of Engraving & Printing requires tickets for its tours from March through August only; these are only distributed on the day of your visit, beginning at 8am.  Lines form early and, and during peak season, tickets are often distributed by 9am.  Reservations are required for Group Tours which take place 11:00 am - 12:15 pm.  (50 people max per tour).  Complete a Group Reservation Request Form and fax it to (202) 874-6331.  The Bureau is closed on weekends, federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Tickets are also required to tour the U.S. Capitol.  They can be obtained in person on the same day of tour beginning at 9am.  You can also contact your congressional representative or senator to arrange a tour in advance of your trip.  Visit www.aoc.gov for more information.

Tours of the White House are only available by advance arrangement through your member of congress or senator.  You can contact your representative or senator's office up to six months in advance to request a tour.  More information is available at www.whitehouse.gov

While the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and Ford's Theatre, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museums do not require tickets, you may want to check schedules in advance to take advantage of guided interpretive tours, lectures, IMAX movies and other programs.

How can I tour the White House?

Tours of the White House are available by advance arrangement through your member of congress or senator.  Tours are arranged for groups of ten or more, but smaller groups and families should not be discouraged from requesting to join a tour.  You should submit a request through your congressperson's office at least one month and up to six months in advance.  The tours are self-guided and will run from 7:30 am until 12:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.  For more information, call the White House Visitor's Center at (202) 456-7041 or visit www.whitehouse.gov.  You can locate your congressperson's office by visiting www.house.gov.  For your senator's offices, visit www.senate.gov.

How can I tour the Capitol?  See Congress is session?

The U.S. Capitol is open to the public for tours Monday through Saturday from 9am until 4:30 pm except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas.  The tours are given free of charge, although tickets are required and can be obtained the same day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis.  Ticket distribution begins at 9am at First Street and Independence Avenue.  Guided tours last approximately thirty minutes and are organized in groups of 40 people. 

Tickets can also be arranged in advance through your Congressional representative or senator's office.  Visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov to locate your representative's contact information.

International visitors should contact their embassies in Washington, DC for guidance.

When do the Cherry Blossoms bloom?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is planned to coincide with the blooming of the trees.  Peak bloom dates usually occur in early April, though weather conditions can accelerate or delay the bloom dates.  For information about the festival, visit www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call (202) 547-1500.

What are the future dates of the National Cherry Blossom Festival?

The 2009 Festival will be March 28-April 12, 2009.  The parade will likely take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009.  The 2010 Festival will be March 27-April 11, 2010 with the parade on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

What events are planned for Memorial Day Weekend?

As you might expect, Memorial Day weekend is a popular time to pay respects to veterans at the Vietnam, Korean and World War II Memorials, along with Arlington Cemetery and the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps Memorial. 

On Sunday, the annual Rolling Thunder bike rally pays homage to the nation's veterans, particularly those still missing in action or prisoners of war, as more than 250,000 motorcyclists ride from the Pentagon to the Capitol.  On Sunday evening, you can also catch a free concert by the National Symphony Orchestra, beginning at 8pm on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.  On Monday, visitors can catch the National Memorial Day Parade, stepping off at 2 pm on Constitution Avenue.  Special wreath-laying ceremonies take place at the memorials during that day.

What happens on the Fourth of July?

The Fourth of July is a very exciting time to be in Washington.  There are festivities throughout the day, leading up to a spectacular fireworks display at night.

The National Cathedral offers a free concert of patriotic music beginning at 11am. The Fourth of July Parade travels down Constitution Avenue, beginning at 12 noon.  During the afternoon, you'll find many interesting activities taking place on and near the National Mall.  The National Archives' family-friendly programming includes a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence and special appearances by costumed historical charachters like Ben Franklin and Martha Washington.  The Smithsonian Folklife Festival will also be in full swing with music, performances, crafts and cuisine examining the cultures of North Ireland, the Mekong River and the commonwealth of Virginia.  There will be concerts by military bands taking place on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

An evening concert featuring an all-star cast begins at 8pm on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.  The National Symphony Orchestra also performs during the spectacular fireworks show, which begins just after 9pm.  No alcohol is permitted on the Mall, and guests should expect to pass through security check points.  The celebration takes place rain or shine.