We are taking our 3 boys, ages 15, 13, and 9 to DC for a week, early this June. I am trying to get as much info as I can, to help me plan. None of us have ever been there before and I have written to my congressman to find out about advance tickets to different sites. I see that in most of the information he sent on the White House and Capitol tours, there is a minimum of 10 people. Does that really mean that a family cannot get the special tours and advance tickets to these places?

They will group you with others to make 10. Our family of four did these tours two years and really enjoyed them, especially the Capitol. You should call/email your Congressman ASAP to reserve your dates.

Thank you richbutnot. Do we need to determine the specific date and time now, or are these passes good for a few days?

It's my understanding that you have to reserve the specific date and time (or at least the time of day) when you request the tickets.

You need to reserve a specific date and time as all tours of the Capitol must be conducted by Congressional staff since 9/11. The passes for the White House from your congressman or senator are also date and time specific. My suggestion would be to give your congressman/senator a call and give the dates you'll be in Washington and see what dates they have available for White House tours (those are actually the hardest dates to get) and then once you've got that secured see what dates/time your congressman/senator has available for Capitol tours. I personally find that I get better service from my senators' offices than my congressman's office so I'd start there.

Here's the link to my trip report from an October visit to DC: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34701654

Enjoy your visit to our nation's capital...it truly is a grand place!

Thanks Travelgirl_67. I am thrilled that I have found this site - too bad it wasn't years ago. I will get right on the reservations for the White House, and let you know how we come out.

I would call local (not DC) office of your US Rep. They get these sorts of requests all the time. (My daughter spent half of her intern time this summer while working in local office of our Congressman fielding these calls!)