U.s. Department Of State
U.s. Department Of State
U.s. Department Of State
4.4
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:15 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park
Upper Northwest in Washington DC is a haven for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The neighborhood boasts the expansive Rock Creek Park, where trails for hiking and biking, picnic spots, and even a planetarium await discovery. The historic Georgetown district, known for its elegant 18th-century architecture, is just a stone's throw away and offers a myriad of dining options from upscale bistros to quaint cafes. Public transportation, including the Metro and numerous bus routes, makes navigating to other parts of the city a breeze. The serene ambiance of Upper Northwest, interspersed with cultural attractions like the National Cathedral and the Smithsonian National Zoo, makes it a delightful destination for a laid-back city escape.
How to get there
- Foggy Bottom–GWU • 10 min walk
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2,674 within 3 miles
Attractions
918 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.4
52 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
13
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA9,077 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This tour is a treat if you like history and all its accoutrements. These reception rooms are full of historical items and a delight to behold. There are all sizes of rooms and all are opulently furnished.
My group was small, so our guide was able to give us more in depth information. And an event set-up was in progress during the tour, so we saw first-hand how everything was set up.
My benchmark is this: if you enjoyed Mt. Vernon, you'll love the tour.
Best of all...it's free! But arrive early as you must go through security.
My group was small, so our guide was able to give us more in depth information. And an event set-up was in progress during the tour, so we saw first-hand how everything was set up.
My benchmark is this: if you enjoyed Mt. Vernon, you'll love the tour.
Best of all...it's free! But arrive early as you must go through security.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TouristMD
Baltimore, MD2,508 contributions
Although this is not as popular as other DC attractions(The Smithsonian, The Capitol, The Monument...) it is well worth a visit!
The State Department itself is only a 2 minute walk from the Lincoln Memorial.
On the 45 minute tour you will see the Reception rooms used by the Secretary of State. They are similar to the reception rooms in the White House, formal rooms filled with early American furniture and artwork.
If you plan on going, tours must be reserved about a month in advance. And make sure to arrive 20-30 mins before your tour time, as you will have to wait in line for everyone to check in and go through security.
I would not recommend this tour for children younger than the high school level, as they may get bored. But everyone else should find the tour interesting and enjoyable.
*Sidenote, Only about a block away is a very interesting statue of Albert Einstein that you should check out!
The State Department itself is only a 2 minute walk from the Lincoln Memorial.
On the 45 minute tour you will see the Reception rooms used by the Secretary of State. They are similar to the reception rooms in the White House, formal rooms filled with early American furniture and artwork.
If you plan on going, tours must be reserved about a month in advance. And make sure to arrive 20-30 mins before your tour time, as you will have to wait in line for everyone to check in and go through security.
I would not recommend this tour for children younger than the high school level, as they may get bored. But everyone else should find the tour interesting and enjoyable.
*Sidenote, Only about a block away is a very interesting statue of Albert Einstein that you should check out!
Written July 27, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TN-Traveler38017
Collierville, TN232 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
We thought making advanced reservations and going through security were well worth the effort. Our tour guide was very informative and you get a chance to really see these rooms and their content. Things aren't cordoned/roped off and your get a chance to look closely at the items that may interest you. Schedule 2+ hours for this considering you must be there 1/2 hour before admission time and it takes time to get through security - the tour itself may be a little over an hour. They were setting up for an event in the Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room - so it was fun to see it set up for a formal occasion.
Getting there was easy enough - it's a few blocks south of the Foggy Bottom Metro. Other members of our party came by car and they were able to park right across the street at a metered space (I think it was a 2 hour meter).
I would strongly advise not bringing children or even teenagers unless they are really into history. Get tickets at: https://receptiontours.state.gov/
Getting there was easy enough - it's a few blocks south of the Foggy Bottom Metro. Other members of our party came by car and they were able to park right across the street at a metered space (I think it was a 2 hour meter).
I would strongly advise not bringing children or even teenagers unless they are really into history. Get tickets at: https://receptiontours.state.gov/
Written May 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
larrybanal
pdx26 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
this was my substitute for not getting a white house tour and I think I enjoyed this more. the rooms are very nice and look like the 18th or 19th century (like the white house ) but in an ugly 1960s building. tour was excellent and very informative AND you are allowed to take photographs plus you can walk all around the rooms...my tour was fantastic because it was just the guide, myself and two employees of the state dept so I was able to get great shoots of the rooms and furniture...go early for less people
Written December 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KGustafson
Washington DC9 contributions
DC is a place with a lot of unique sites, but few are so special that they are reserved for the leaders of the world. The Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the Department of State are dedicated to hosting high-level official functions, so even though this is just a series of fancy rooms, they will definitely impress if you keep in mind where you are. It doesn't hurt that the stately chambers display a fabulous variety of historically important objects, including the desk on which the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. You can't see that kind of thing just anywhere. Visit https://receptiontours.state.gov/ to set up a free tour. It's great to see a side of DC few visitors think to check out. The under-the-radar coolness of visiting here inspired me to give it a place in my DC Insider's Guide for iPhone and iPad: http://bit.ly/dngbLG
Written October 18, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sullivus
Boston, MA17 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
A fantastic look into the diplomatic reception rooms of the State House. If you have any interest in antique furniture, paintings, American History, or diplomacy you will enjoy this tour.
All of the artifacts were donated but they came together to produce a fabulous portrait of the history of our nation. At one point we were standing in a room and the tour guide pointed out that the furniture and paintings in that room alone were worth at least $95 million (again, not paid for with tax payer money).
The only downside to this tour is that the tour itself will only take about an hour but it will take a lot of time away from your day - walking to the State House, going through security, and then actually taking the tour. Nonetheless, I'm glad we made the effort to see this!
All of the artifacts were donated but they came together to produce a fabulous portrait of the history of our nation. At one point we were standing in a room and the tour guide pointed out that the furniture and paintings in that room alone were worth at least $95 million (again, not paid for with tax payer money).
The only downside to this tour is that the tour itself will only take about an hour but it will take a lot of time away from your day - walking to the State House, going through security, and then actually taking the tour. Nonetheless, I'm glad we made the effort to see this!
Written June 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eer1
Springfield, VA272 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
We have lived here forever and never knew State had tours of the diplomatic reception rooms. Terrific docent, amazing antiques, paintings, architecture.
Written November 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nicolas s
Milan, Italy2,267 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
very difficult to book from abroad, but worth the effort , really interesting with an amazing guide . a lovely collection of historical pieces and americana art
Written October 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joan
Washington DC, DC82 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
The rooms are elegant. History happens here. Furniture, decor, ambiance is all what you would expect. It's a good place to visit, if you have an appreciation for diplomacy, you will enjoy it. That being said, DC has a lot of competition. If you're not into furniture and rooms, you might have more fun walking the monuments or visiting one of the museums. If diplomacy is you, you'll love it.
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SOBO101
D.C.42 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
If you have an interest in where the Diplomats meet at the Department of State, this is a 45 minute tour for you.
Apply to visit, online, in advance.
You will learn about and see period furniture and art. The rooms are beautiful. And you will learn a little history as well.
Apply to visit, online, in advance.
You will learn about and see period furniture and art. The rooms are beautiful. And you will learn a little history as well.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which hotels are close to this office
Written July 11, 2019
We rented a historic home in the Eastern Market neighborhood through VRBO and used Uber for our trip to the Department of State. The cost was comparable to a hotel and the home had a private back patio we used in the morning; we would eat breakfast as the sun came up.
Written July 12, 2019
If It is just my wife and I , do I still have to arrange a tour through my Congress rep.?
Written September 27, 2017
Yes, these tours only allow a certain number of people per tour per day. Please take the time to arrange the tour, they are well worth the scheduling hurdles!
Written October 11, 2017
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