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Can I Tour FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC?
Seeing the J. Edgar Hoover Building, or FBI HQ (as some in the know might call it), is a pretty great way to experience the increasingly important work the FBI does to protect this city – and this country. You must arrange your visit through your Congressional office. Visit this website to find out the name and contact information for your Congressional representative. The FBI requires up to a month for advance notice from Congressional offices prior to your visit; this is because the FBI will perform a security check on all visitors. The visit itself will take about two hours. The FBI Headquarters is located between 9th and 10th Streets NW. The closest Metro subway stops are Federal Triangle on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines, Gallery Place/Chinatown and Metro Center on the Red Line, and Archives/Navy Memorial on the Yellow and Green lines. More on the FBI Building and Tour The tour of the FBI is actually one of the oldest ones around. It started in 1937, when headquarters was in the Department of Justice building. In 1975, the FBI moved to its current location, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. After Sept. 11, the tour closed for security reasons. Never fear, sleuths of all ages. It’s now back open and, we’d say, better than ever. The tour was modernized and updated in 2008, as the FBI created a full-fledged Education Center to assist in teaching the public the importance and central role of the FBI in law enforcement and national security. But what does the FBI actually do? Surely, you’ll learn just a bit more about that on the tour, but we can clue you in on a couple things. The FBI’s mission is to protect the United States from internal and external threats, whether clear and imminently dangerous, or more metaphysical and long-term, all with the goal of improving the security of our nation. The FBI has grown and changed since its inception, now incorporating both intelligence and law enforcement in its mandate. That means it works to uphold local and national laws, but also investigate those hard-to-define threats. And, OK, since you probably aren’t a special agent, we can tell you some of the things these important people, stationed all over the world, look into: domestic and international terrorism, counterintelligence, cyberwarfare, corruption, civil rights, organized crime (the “mob”), white-collar crime and more. There are so many great tours and sightseeing opportunities in Washington, DC. Discover your next tour adventure.
Everything You Need to Know About The DowntownDC Holiday Market 2024
Where is the DowntownDC Holiday Market? What’s nearby? This year's edition of the DowntownDC Holiday Market will be on the street, centered on 8th and F Streets, NW. Now in its 20th year, its bright lights bring Penn Quarter and Chinatown to life, providing a holiday spark to the neighborhood. The DowntownDC BID has partnered with The Makers Show to revitalize the market. The spacious, open-air village is free and open to the public, opening just ahead of Thanksgiving on Nov. 22 (closed on Thanksgiving Day) and closing for the season on Dec. 23. After you peruse the market, you can check out the free-to-enter Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, both housed in the same building nearby. Dinner and cocktails can be enjoyed at nearby restaurants like Jaleo, Zaytinya, Clyde’s of Gallery Place and Carmine’s, or you can get your food to-go. What will I find at the DowntownDC Holiday Market? The DowntownDC Holiday Market's roster features more than 100 vendors, many of them new to the event this year. With The Makers Show now involved, this year's edition promises upgraded vendor kiosks, even more vendors in total, community and family activations, an expanded food and beverage program and more sponsor collaborations. Visitors can expect a range of family-friendly offerings including emerging artisan makers, returning favorite vendors, festive decor and lights. What else will I find there? Anticipate a fresh lineup of rock, jazz, soul, country, world and contemporary artists, and of course you’ll be able to hear your favorite holiday songs of the season. Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC and Dirty Habit are right next door; the property features fun and festive holiday décor, outdoor fire pits, blankets and specialty cocktails at Dirty Habit's Winter Chalet. What’s there to eat and drink at the DowntownDC Holiday Market? Food and drink vendors include Old Blue BBQ, The Capital Candy Jar, S'MORES N'MORE, Baked Cheese Haus and many others.
