Plan a visit
Located in the heart of the Nation's Capital, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s (BEP) Tour and Visitor Center at the Washington, D.C. facility is a great place to learn all about U.S. paper currency. The Tour and Visitor Center is free of charge to all visitors.
Location
The Tour and Visitor Center is near the National Mall, just south of Independence Avenue, SW, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place (15th Street) in Washington, D.C. Visitors enter through the Tour and Visitor Center entrance on 14th Street.
Address
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Tour and Visitor Center, Washington, D.C. Facility
14th and C Streets, SW
Washington, D.C. 20228
Visitor Hours
Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with the last entry at 2:45 p.m.
Closed on federal holidays and BEP’s Year-end Shutdown, December 25 through January 1.
***Please Note: The Tour and Visitor Center will be closed on Friday, December 22, 2023, and reopen January 2, 2024. ***
The BEP is a federal government organization and adheres to closure, late arrival, or early dismissal guidance issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). For the most up-to-date hours, call (202) 874-2330 or toll-free at (866) 874-2330 before your visit. Policies and hours are subject to change without public notification.
Getting Here
Parking
BEP does not provide visitor parking. There is a paid parking garage located on D Street, SW, between 13th and 14th Streets, and some metered parking on Independence Avenue.
The National Park Service has designated approximately 10 handicap-accessible parking spaces at and around the Washington Monument, along Independence Avenue west of 14th Street, and at the Tidal Basin parking lot for vehicles with appropriate tags.
Public Transportation
The nearest Metro rail stop is Smithsonian on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines, located two blocks east of the Tour and Visitor Center. For more information on Metro rail and bus routes, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s website.
Tours
Join us on a tour to see how billions of dollars are printed! Tours are free of charge to all visitors. The tour experience begins with an introductory film and continues with a real-time guided experience exploring currency production from an enclosed walkway suspended above the production floor.
Tours are approximately 45 minutes. Admission is free.
Open Monday through Friday. Closed on federal holidays and BEP’s Year-end Shutdown which occurs from December 22, 2023 through January 1, 2024.
We look forward to showcasing the skilled craftsmanship of BEP’s currency experts.
Tour Times and Ticket Distribution
A limited number of tours are available Monday through Friday at the following times: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Please check back with BEP.gov for tour times updates.
Tickets are required to take tours.
Ticket Distribution
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at 8 a.m. at the Tour and Visitor Center entrance on 14th Street. There is a limit of four tickets per person.
Group Reservations
Due to the limited tour schedule, we are currently not reserving group tours. Tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to reserving group tours soon.
Congressional Constituents Reservations
The BEP grants a limited number of congressional tours reserved through the office of your U.S. Senator or Representative. Congressional tours are free, reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and are offered Monday through Friday at 8:15 and 8:45 a.m.
To request a congressional tour, contact the office of your U.S. Senator or Representative.
Note to Congressional Offices
- Congressional staff may schedule tours for up to 10 constituents per member per calendar day. Member offices may submit a maximum of five requests per day.
- Tours may be scheduled up to six months in advance of the requested date.
- To reserve a tour, complete the Congressional Tour Reservation Request Form and email it to TourScheduler@bep.gov. This form is to be completed by congressional staff only with a Senate.gov or Mail.House.gov email address.
Visitor Center
Inside the Visitor Center, you will find a gift shop and exhibits to learn about U.S. currency production and history. Open Monday through Friday. Visitors are welcome to enter the Visitor Center without tour tickets.
Exhibition
The BEP tells a story of U.S. currency through displays, images, and a collection of artifacts.
Gift Shop
Shop for currency products and souvenirs in our Visitor Center or online.
Know Before You Go
BEP visitor policies are designed to keep visitors and staff safe and secure and to preserve the facility and historic buildings. Visitors must follow the direction of the BEP Police while on BEP property. Anyone found in violation of BEP policies as written or explained by the tour guides, will be escorted off the premises by a BEP police officer.
Security Screening
All visitors to the Tour and Visitor Center are subject to security screening. Visitors are screened by a magnetometer.
Prohibited Items
If the following items are found during the security screening, the items may be confiscated by the BEP police or visitors may be asked to leave the building with the items.
- Liquid containers, including water*
- Food or beverages of any kind, including fruit and unopened packaged food*
- Aerosol containers
- Non-aerosol spray**
- Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons, or devices
- Guns, replica guns, ammunition, and fireworks
- Knives of any size
- Mace and pepper spray
- Razors, box cutters, and other sharp pointed items
*Permitted if liquid and food are in a closed and sealed airtight container and/or wrapped packages.
**Permitted if prescribed for medical needs.
Accessibility
If you require an accommodation, please email TourScheduler@bep.gov before your visit, as we may require advance notice to provide certain accommodations.
The BEP is committed to ensuring its facilities and services are accessible to all visitors.
Building Accessibility
- Accessible entrance to the Tour and Visitor Center.
- Restrooms are ADA-compliant with wheelchair-accessible stalls.
- An elevator provides access to the tour walkway above the production floor.
Service Dogs
Service dogs are welcome to assist a person with a disability inside the Tour and Visitor Center. Emotional support animals and pets are not allowed in the Tour and Visitor Center.
Captioning
Open captioning is available in the tour introductory video.
Sign Language Interpretation
Sign language interpreter services are available during tours with 10 business days advance notice. Please email TourScheduler@bep.gov to request this service.
Wheelchair
A limited number of manually operated wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Please request this service from a tour guide upon arrival at the entrance on 14th Street.