Going to DC in October and was thinking of taking a tour of the Pentagon. Is the tour interesting to see? How long does it take approximately? Do I need tickets in advance? Any help would be appreciated, thankyou!

Allegra-We found the Pentagon tour very interesting. One of the most unusual aspects of the tour are the 'guides'-one in front of the group, so he's literally walking backwards during the tour, and a guide at the back of the tour-guess they're keeping everyone in check! As I recall, you were able to take pics inside the building, but not of any office where the door was open. You'll be told in no uncertain terms that your film will be conviscated if you do. All tours are free-just show up before the tour begins (follow signs inside building for tours). Security checks will exist, but that's not uncommon anymore. Think you'll enjoy the tour-to say the building is big is an understatement.

If you're interested in military and war history, it's probably interesting enough--the Pentagon is just a big office building, kind of decrepit, actually, although they've been doing some renovation for what seems like years now. I do consulting to DoD and visit there periodically and don't find it that interesting myself, since to me it's just an office building. I've been in General's offices and they're just big offices, a heck of a lot nicer than the peons' offices, though; I wonder why they won't let you take pictures of offices, maybe just to make things seem exciting and clandestine, although people are working in there so that could be annoying, I suppose. In any case, it takes about 90 minutes, is on a walkin basis, you don't need tickets. Be aware that anyone age 16 or over (I think, around that) must have some kind of picture ID. I don't think I've ever taken the tourist group tour as I've been around there enough and seen most of it, but I believe aside from just showing you that it's a big building, they probably mainly tour the various "ceremonial halls" which have exhibits along the side relating to various military issues or themes; sort of like a museum would have, I suppose. There is information on the logistics of the tour (and a virtual tour to show you what the kind of stuff you see is) on www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pentagon/tour.html

They only take you to the parts of the Pentagon they have specially prepared just for tours. In other words, you don't see the "real" Pentagon - the old, nothing special building I worked in - you see the pretty sections they've decorated just for visitors. If you have extra time, or if you've always been curious about what the courtyard in the middle looks like (nothing special), maybe it's worth a visit, but remember you won't be seeing the real place.