pentagon tours dc

David B Gleason

Can I Tour the Pentagon?

The pentagon memorial is open to all visitors, and public tours inside the pentagon are available to us citizens with advance reservation..

Yes, but public tours inside the Pentagon are available to US citizens only with advance reservations. The Pentagon Memorial is open to all visitors.

How to tour the Pentagon

The Pentagon, located just outside Washington, DC in Arlington, Va., is the headquarters for the United States Department of Defense. It is open for official tours through the Pentagon Tours program .

Pentagon tours must be reserved at least 14 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance. Tours are conducted Tuesdays and Thursdays (excluding federal holidays) at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours fill up quickly and it is highly recommended that you book well in advance of your visit. You can make a tour request online . International visitors must request a tour through their home country’s embassy.

Individuals who have a Pentagon badge and escort privileges are permitted to give a self-guided tours to friends or family. If you are assigned to the Pentagon or if you are visiting a Pentagon staff member, contact the Pentagon Force Protection Agency at (703) 697-1001 to determine escort status.

Nighttime at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Virginia

Touring the Pentagon

Tours are 60 minutes and cover about 1.5 miles inside the Pentagon, which is one of the largest office buildings in the world. Tours include the history of the four branches of the military and the opportunity to see the indoor memorial near the Sept. 11 crash site and the Sept. 11 Memorial chapel, as well as the Hall of Heroes (featuring the names of all the Medal of Honor recipients) and a number of other military displays.

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Parking, security and accessibility

There is no public parking at The Pentagon. The Pentagon can be reached via its own dedicated Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines or you may choose to park at Pentagon City Mall and make the five-minute walk to the Pentagon via pedestrian tunnel. Once you’ve arrived, check in at the Pentagon Tours window near the Metro entrance.

Visitors must check-in at least 60 minutes prior to their scheduled tour to allow time for security. You will be asked to present your tour confirmation email and photo ID. All visitors will go through security scanners. All purses are subject to search. Large bags, including backpacks, shopping bags and camera bags are NOT permitted on the tour. Cell phone, cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices cannot be used on the tour and no photography is permitted inside the building.

Ramps are available for visitors with disabilities. Tour visitors in wheelchairs must bring someone who can assist them on the tour. A signer will be added to tours to assist hearing impaired visitors provided that two weeks' notice is given. Special tours for visually impaired visitors can also be arranged with two weeks' notice.

There are so many great tours and sightseeing opportunities in Washington, DC. Discover your next tour adventure .

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Pentagon Tours Tour Details

Tour Details

Eligibility

To reserve a Pentagon Tour, you must be an adult (18 years or older) and a United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States under 22 U.S.C. 6010

Each member of your tour group who is an adult on the day of the tour must be a United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States under 22 U.S.C. 6010.

Before the tour, all adult tour members must register as Pentagon Visitors and be cleared by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to enter the Pentagon for the tour.

OPM Operating Status

During inclement weather or other special circumstances, the Pentagon Tours Office adheres to guidance posted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Be sure to check the Pentagon Tours Operating Status the day of your tour before coming to the Pentagon. Click here to check the OPM Operating Status .

There is no public parking at the Pentagon. Public parking is available at the Pentagon City mall. The use of public transportation is highly encouraged. Click here for more information about getting here.

Checking In

Plan to arrive at the Pentagon Visitor Entrance 60 minutes before your scheduled tour to allow time for your group to process through building security. Present a copy of your tour confirmation email and identification for each group member to the Pentagon Police personnel.

Once you have cleared security, proceed into the building and turn left to find the Pentagon Tours window, which is located inside the Pentagon Visitors Center in the visitor waiting area. The check-in for all tours is at the Pentagon Tours window. Your tour may be canceled if your group has not checked in at the Pentagon Tours window prior to your scheduled tour time. Please note that guests will not be allowed back into the Visitors Center after the tour.

All guests will exit the building following the tour. Please arrive early if you would like to purchase souvenirs or take photos at the replica Press Briefing Room podium.

Visitors With Disabilities

Ramp access is available. Tour visitors using wheelchairs must be accompanied by someone who will assist them. The Pentagon Tours program does not provide wheelchairs or other personal mobility devices. With two weeks' notice, a sign language interpreter will be added to tours as needed to assist hearing impaired visitors. Special tours for visually impaired visitors may also be arranged with two weeks' notice.

Tour Length and Difficulty

The Pentagon Tour is about 60 minutes in duration, with a walking distance of about one and a half miles through Pentagon corridors and staircases. Visitors taking part in a Pentagon tour should wear comfortable clothing and shoes.