I am traveling to DC for the first time in mid-April. In my research, I am seeing references to free tickets for some of the monuments/attractions and having to wait in line at 8:00 a.m. to get the same. I would appreciate some advice and clarification on this topic.
Thanks in advance!

Graybear, are you aware that there are no admission charges for the national Smithsonian museums? I also believe that all of the memorials are free with perhaps the exception of the Washington Monument? There is also no charge to enter Arlington National Cemetery if you plan to walk, but there is a fee imposed for taking the bus tour through the cemetery. (Unfortunately you can no longer drive your own vehicle through the cemetery grounds since 9/11.) Sorry that I can't be of more assistance regarding tickets to the Capitol, etc. but I didn't include that in my itinerary this past summer.

Timed tickets are given out at a special booth at the base of the Washington Monument, for free, as a crowd-control system. There used to be a similar system for the White House, but right how they're only doing advance-booking groups.

When we went to Washington we contacted our state congressional and senate representatives and ask them for "tickets" to places that the public either didn't see or where there were long lines. We had "tickets" for the FBI tour for a specific day and hour and we just bypassed the line and took a tour. We had "tickets" and bypassed the line to tour the capital. We were escorted to one of our senator's office for a private tour by a senate staff member - and we didn't even vote for him! We had a behind the scenes tour of the supreme court. These are perks that our representatives like to give to the voters. The hard to get tickets are for the Whitehouse - probably too late for this April. Our trip was before Sept. 11th, so the tours may be changed or impossible to get. But it never hurts to ask - write to all of them, we really enjoyed the special treatment.

Aha, after I posted it occurred to me that the Bureau of Printing and Engraving might be doing the same thing and indeed they are.

My advice is to skip these places, relax, have a good time and focus on the other monuments and the Smithsonians. The P&E tour, especially, gets very mixed reviews.

The 8:00 ticket pick-up probably refers only to the Washington Monument. I don't think there's another major site that requires tickets. Monument tickets are free, but time-specific because that viewing room at the top is tiny. Having the ticket frees you from standing in an hours-long line. After you get the tickets, go to the Smitsonian museums until time for your ride up in the Monument.

If your visit is not during the Easter holidays, you probably don't need to be there at 8:00. During peak tourist times (Cherry blossom,Easter week, mid-June through August) the Monument tickets are all distributed soon after the kiosk opens.

You may also need tickets for a White House or Capitol tour; ask your congressional rep about those.

Timed tickets are also required at the Holocaust museum but you can get them in advance. Details here :
http://www.ushmm.org/

You can also reserve tickets online in advance for the Washington Monument, which may be a good idea for a trip to DC in mid-April (especially if you're wanting to ascend at a popular mid-morning time). They charge $1.50 per ticket for this advance reservation service, and if you order enough in advance (more than 10 days I think) they mail them right to you, otherwise you pick them up at the kiosk. Here's the link:

http://reservations.nps.gov/index.cf...TOKEN=65938088

When I went to DC it was one of the cheapest places to go as far as museums. Almost everything is free. The Washington Monument was closed when I went, so no one was allowed in. The only tickets I remember people having to get early were for the White House, but I got mine through my congressman.

If you go to the monuments, Arlington, and any of the Smithsonian museums they will all be free. Also, the public buildings such as the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Not sure if people are allowed into the Supreme Court building since 9/11, but it is also free. If you can visit there, I would highly recommend it. I found it very interesting!

Agree with above recommendations for contacting US Senator/Reps' offices - do it now. Mid-April is school break time in many places, Easter, people do the cherry tree thing - same would apply to hotel reservations.

We had bettter luck contacting the local office of our Congressman than the DC office.

One other thing you will need timed or reserved tix for is the Holocaust museum. Remember -- your tax dollars are paying for all of those other things, so enjoy!

I too received tickets thru my elected officials.

One place I really enjoyed while in Washington in addition to the monuments, museums, white house, capital and other big attractions is one not often mentioned - the Ford Theatre - it was one of our highlights.

Also not mentioned here - the National Zoo if free and is a beautiful zoo. I love going there in the springtime.

Karen

Ford's Theatre fell of many people's radar during some recent major renovations. It's a real, working theater, so check in advance before you visit -- you can't see the theater if they're performaing a matinee!

The National Zoo is indeed beautiful in the Spring; technically, it's part of the Smithsonian. The buildings open at 10, but the grounds are open much earlier -- get there early to avoid crowds and heat, and watch the animals when they're more active.

The Washington Monument has been closed each time I've been to DC and would have had time to visit. A good "second best" alternative is the free clock tower tour of the Old Postal Pavilion building, located adjacent to the Federal Triangle Metro stop & the Reagan Building. It's not far from the Ford Theater either. Nice views of DC, and an interesting history of the building itself. There's a food court in both the Pavilion & the Reagan Building, altho I like Union Stations food court better (as food courts go).