We got lucky and were able to make reservations for a tour. From what I've read in all the DC travel books, this is one of the best kept secrets in DC. It's free, and reportedly, an amazing one hour tour.

Anyone have any comments?

Thanks.

Hi, We are going in 4 weeks. How did you get those reservations? Any other tips for me? We don't know where to start touring. We will be there for a full week. Thanks!

Deb-

Actually read up on it in most DC tour guidebooks (i.e. Fodors) and it was given a msut-see rating for adults. I don't have the phone # with me at present, but I'll try to get it for you by tomorrow. It sounds as though they accept limited numbers of people in the 3 daily tours, and you need to usually call early to RSVP. Fortunately for us, I called last week, left my name and #, and they called saying they had a cancellation.

Good luck.

My wife and I got tickets three years ago for this tour from Senator Ashcroft's office, here in Missouri. We requested them from both our Senator and our Representative. We lucked out!! We requested tickets for congressional tours at least six months in advance. Believe me, this will be a real treat for you. I'm glad to hear they still give this tour because right after he went on the tour they had all those security problems at the State Department. If you love antique furniture and history, you'll love this tour. My wife will post more on this tour later, but make sure you get there a little before the tour time because you have to go through security and once they start the tour I don't think you will be admitted. The State Department is not close to the Mall but next to the campus of George Washington University. There's a Metro stop fairly close. By looking at the building you would not expect the top floor to be that beautiful!! Enjoy!!

I want to add to the previous posting. This was an outstanding tour! The upper floor of the State Department has one of the largest collections of American colonial furniture in the country. It also has a page from the Treaty of Paris (which gave us our independence) on display, as well as a great deal of information on past secretaries of state. Be advised that you may only take pictures where the tour guides allow you. Present two forms of identification, including a drivers license to gain entrance. To get information on the tour, we contacted Senator Ashcroft's office, but I'm sure nearly all senators have tickets. By the way, Sen. Ashcroft did not know us from Adam and Eve, so there were no political favors. We also obtained from him a guided tour of the Senate and House chambers, with some of his interns giving the tour. Very interesting!!

To contact your senators or representative, simply do a search of U.S. Senate or House of Representatives, select the appropriate website, and there are e-mail links.

Some of the Congressional websites even have request forms for tours, and some Congressmen/women do not reply! Make sure you request well in advance (4-6) months, and from YOUR representative or senators! It is also FREE (well, our tax dollars pay for it, but it's the best return I've ever received from any federal program).