United States Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
4
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Neighborhood: National Mall
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- Stadium–Armory • 8 min walk
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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.
4.0
108 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
38
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
1
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,471 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Beautiful building near The White House. Although during Sep 2023 quite a large chunk of it was being renovated and covered up. Although the front part of the building and main signage was still visible
Written September 10, 2023
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.
kanicon
Los Angeles, CA799 contributions
Fun visit of the museum and followed by a guided-tour of the various stages of money printing. We had a wonderful, knowledgable guide that showed us around. Tip: Go early to the back of the museum, there's a booth where they distribute a certain number of tickets for that day in 30 min timeframe.
Written May 6, 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.
Jim H
Forest Grove, OR63 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
On our 8 day visit to DC we had a check list of 45 things we wanted to see if possible. All but 3 got done. In my mind the tour of the Treasury was the most interesting. It must be scheduled well in advance because tours are only given on Saturdays. There were only eight people in our group so it was almost like having a personal tour. Our guide had retired from Treasury after 34 years and knew everything about it's history and the beautiful building it is located in right next door to the White House. This is a must see when in DC, so plan ahead. Not recommended for children or strollers.
Written August 31, 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.
Dave M
Sevierville TN10 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
First, before I begin sharing information about the actual Treasury building tour… Let me make crystalline clear that this is NOT The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where they print money, and where everyone and their brother stands in line for that frequently-given and common tour. There is clearly some confusion about that, so if you’re looking for BEP info... it’s better-found under that attraction’s listing and not here.
With that said – I’d like to share with you about our experience on this UNcommon tour. It is only offered two or three times a week, on Saturday mornings, and with limited group size (20 total or less IIRC). You MUST arrange this some weeks in advance, through your Congressperson‘s or Senator’s office… With FBI background check. When you contact your congressional office, the staffer who sets up tours may or may not be familiar with this one, as it is rather unusual for people to ask for it. I was told that ours was the first one our rep had set up in at least a couple years. If the first intern you reach says they don’t do these...ask them to check with someone else. ;)
If you have toured the Pentagon, the State department diplomatic reception rooms, FBI bldg, or the like…The background check process is similar. Actual tour security is pretty serious; remember, the treasury building is right next-door to the White House, and its entrance is less than 100 yards from the WH east entrance. This would explain why they ran the bomb dogs through the building after our tour, I guess!
Like many of these gov bldg tours, there are no photos inside...so you’d have to just take my word that I was leaning on the office door of then-current Secy of Treasury Jack Lew, and was sitting at the grand conference table where world financial leaders circled to stem the 2008 financial crisis. (Both true.)
All docents are either current or former Treasury employees, sharing their deep knowledge of the building and its history on their own free time. They inform you at the beginning of the tour that this is a working building, and that we will be going through actual working offices… So we shouldn’t peep or snoop at papers laying on anyone’s desk. Okey-doke!
The architecture is majestic, as you might expect. You’ll also see the grand room where Grant’s inauguration ball was held, legend Salman P Chase’s office (preserved with his furniture), and Chase’s former secretary’s office which he generously allowed President Andrew Johnson to use as a temporary Oval Office while Mary Lincoln still occupied the WH in mourning (Chase wouldn’t give up his OWN office!)...
You’ll see and go through what used to be THE US Treasury vaults. You’ll walk hallways that echo with the footsteps of legends. And you’ll be one of only a few thousand people a year to go on this tour.
You can also be one of the millions who tour BEP...AND know the difference between the two! ;) Seriously, Treasury is an outstanding and moving tour, well worth the effort to schedule. Please take the time to do so.
With that said – I’d like to share with you about our experience on this UNcommon tour. It is only offered two or three times a week, on Saturday mornings, and with limited group size (20 total or less IIRC). You MUST arrange this some weeks in advance, through your Congressperson‘s or Senator’s office… With FBI background check. When you contact your congressional office, the staffer who sets up tours may or may not be familiar with this one, as it is rather unusual for people to ask for it. I was told that ours was the first one our rep had set up in at least a couple years. If the first intern you reach says they don’t do these...ask them to check with someone else. ;)
If you have toured the Pentagon, the State department diplomatic reception rooms, FBI bldg, or the like…The background check process is similar. Actual tour security is pretty serious; remember, the treasury building is right next-door to the White House, and its entrance is less than 100 yards from the WH east entrance. This would explain why they ran the bomb dogs through the building after our tour, I guess!
Like many of these gov bldg tours, there are no photos inside...so you’d have to just take my word that I was leaning on the office door of then-current Secy of Treasury Jack Lew, and was sitting at the grand conference table where world financial leaders circled to stem the 2008 financial crisis. (Both true.)
All docents are either current or former Treasury employees, sharing their deep knowledge of the building and its history on their own free time. They inform you at the beginning of the tour that this is a working building, and that we will be going through actual working offices… So we shouldn’t peep or snoop at papers laying on anyone’s desk. Okey-doke!
The architecture is majestic, as you might expect. You’ll also see the grand room where Grant’s inauguration ball was held, legend Salman P Chase’s office (preserved with his furniture), and Chase’s former secretary’s office which he generously allowed President Andrew Johnson to use as a temporary Oval Office while Mary Lincoln still occupied the WH in mourning (Chase wouldn’t give up his OWN office!)...
You’ll see and go through what used to be THE US Treasury vaults. You’ll walk hallways that echo with the footsteps of legends. And you’ll be one of only a few thousand people a year to go on this tour.
You can also be one of the millions who tour BEP...AND know the difference between the two! ;) Seriously, Treasury is an outstanding and moving tour, well worth the effort to schedule. Please take the time to do so.
Written March 21, 2018
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.
QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC3,769 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
Several reviews of this site are intended for the US Mint, which is several blocks away, and that is the facility that can be toured to see how money is made. This is an official office building by the White House. Hamilton's statue is nice and visible from the street, but you can't tour this place without an appointment or special arrangements.
Written June 12, 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.
Jane F
Brevard, NC68 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
I got a private tour from Dale at the Curator's office. I cannot say enough about Dale. He was interesting, knew his building and has been here through several administrations. If you go to Treasury, you have to get clearance ahead of time. They run your social and do a background check. If you have outstanding warrants: word of advice, don't go. This building is stunning. Look at the artwork, the furniture and small details. They say the building holds and gives up secrets. It does. The ceilings in most offices are curved sections made of brick with plaster over it. They have painted it white throughout. In one office they have uncovered a small section (2×2) that is a painted fresco. It was amazing. They think maybe that type of painting exists under every white curved ceiling. It is mind boggling. When the British burned Treasury in the war of 1812 and we had to rebuild it, they spared NO expense. None. The gold leaf in the forgotten dome is really unbelievably intricate. Dale told me how it was applied. My goodness. The impression I got from Treasury is several fold. #1 Our founding fathers thought the Federal Government and how we represent ourselves is important. They did not skimp on expense. #2 They have hired many women to work at Treasury since the 1800's. Treasury always thought women working was valuable to the Nation. #3 Treasury is involved in so many facets of our daily life, we don't even know the half of it. #4 The Secret Service is all over the place. They don't play. I had to go through several checkpoints to get in. The Secret Service was founded in Treasury and part of it for decades. I mentioned the Wild Wild West to several 30 something employees and they had NO IDEA what I was referring to. Oh well.
Written October 19, 2016
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.
joyce b
O'Fallon, MO128 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
one of the best tours we saw during our trip to washington dc. get there early in day to get free tickets. You get to see how money is printed. We were fortunate to meet the Secretary of Treastury duing our visit. She spoke to our tour group and answered questions. highly recommend. right next door to holocaust museum.
Written November 28, 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.
citytiger98
Orange County49 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
We could not get the tickets to see the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. But our congressman's office helped us arranged the tour of the Main Treasury Building.
It is next to the White House and we could see the chandelier in the White House. Our tour guides, Mike and Jerry, are employees in the Treasury Dept. who volunteer to be the tour guide on Saturdays. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.
They took us to see the various conference rooms, offices, the Cash Room and told us the stories related to these rooms. I think that kids in middle school or up can really appreciate the tour. My 7th grade daughter did.
The Dept of Treasury website has directions for the meeting place for the public tour. It is wrong. Our group entered the building from the north side, not the south side as specified by the Dept of Treasury website. Please arrive a few minutes early in case you need to go from one side to the other of this large building for entry.
It is next to the White House and we could see the chandelier in the White House. Our tour guides, Mike and Jerry, are employees in the Treasury Dept. who volunteer to be the tour guide on Saturdays. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.
They took us to see the various conference rooms, offices, the Cash Room and told us the stories related to these rooms. I think that kids in middle school or up can really appreciate the tour. My 7th grade daughter did.
The Dept of Treasury website has directions for the meeting place for the public tour. It is wrong. Our group entered the building from the north side, not the south side as specified by the Dept of Treasury website. Please arrive a few minutes early in case you need to go from one side to the other of this large building for entry.
Written August 19, 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.
bayonnemom
Bayonne, New Jersey52 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
got there for our free tickets by 7 am...the line had formed already...the tour was mediocre, wouldn't do it again.
Written July 20, 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.
ET-retired
Omaha, NE1,719 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
This is really neat to see how they make money. You go on a tour that takes you over and around the machines as they print the currency.
Written August 16, 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.
You need to contact your Congressman or Senator to arrange the tour. As I noted in my review, it’s an uncommon tour and some Congressional offices may be unfamiliar with it...but they should be able to figure it out.
You’ll need to be a US citizen, and pass a FBI background check. Tours are Sat mornings only.
Written September 13, 2018
Can i get advanced tickets not relating to a tour? I would rather see without a tour.
Written September 27, 2017
You cannot Tour on a walk up or by yourself; actually, there are only two tours a week, both on Saturday morning. You must go through your congressman or senator in advance, and go through an FBI background check in order to tour this building… And even then, Pre-and post tour security is tight. Full metal detector and shoes off search before hand… And they ran the bomb dogs through the building after our tour. Seriously. Remember, the entrance is less than 100 yards from the east entrance of the White House.
All that said – this was one of our very favorite tours in all of DC... and it’s and uncommon one. The rep at our congressman‘s office said he hadn’t set one up for anyone in a few years, as most people don’t know to ask. Many go to BEP (engraving and printing), and somehow think they saw the treasury building.
Written March 21, 2018
Does a Austin Miller work.there got phone call from us treasury saying I've been given 9000, is it.real
Written June 29, 2017
Hello. I am interested in touring the Treasury. I saw tickets for tours of the bureau of printing being offered through representatives but not tickets to tour the Treasury. Who do I contact?
Written June 28, 2017
Hi, There is a booth in front of the Treasury Building that you pick up your tickets. There is no charge for tickets. You just need to pick the time you want to tour. If you want to tour early, you have to be in line early. Once you get your tickets, you have to walk around (or drive) to the other side of the building to enter for your tour. If is well worth a visit, (in my humble opinion) Enjoy!
Written July 7, 2017
How much time should we set aside to visit the treasury?
Written April 2, 2017
sorry just saw this. I would say 90 min tops.
Written April 28, 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Fairfax, Virginia
77 contributions
What time do the doors open during the week for me to go and get a free ticket? And if I can't get a free ticket is there somewhere on line I can reserve tickets? Thank you.
Written March 19, 2015
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