Description
Special Note:
Due to heightened security concerns the availability of Pentagon tours varies. Please use the email address to contact the tour office for tour requirements and availability.

Tour Description:
The Pentagon tours program was established on May 17, 1976 to support the nation's Bicentennial Celebration. Initially, the program was to last through the 4th of July and then be disbanded; however, internal support and public demand were so great that the program has been continued ever since.

Kinds of Tours

The Pentagon conducts two kinds of tours for the general public, walk-in tours and group tours. Both tours are free and are conducted Monday through Friday. Tours are not conducted on weekends or federal holidays.

Walk-in Tours

Walk-in tours begin at 9 a.m. and are conducted once an hour on the hour. The last tour begins at 3:00 p.m. All walk-in tours are open to the public on a first come, first served basis, and always begin and end at the Metro entrance. Walk-in tour length is approximately 90 minutes, is about one mile long, and includes several staircases. All times are subject to change. During the summer months there may be a waiting period.

Group Tours

Group tours are conducted for parties of 10 or more visitors and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. When making a reservation, the following information is needed:

the name of the group and the number of persons in the group;
the date and time the tour is wanted, with possible alternate date and times; and
the name and phone number of the person requesting the tour.
Group tours can be tailored to meet the time requirements of the party, but normally last for 30 to 90 minutes. They begin and end at the Pentagon Metro entrance unless special arrangements for pickup and drop-off at another building location are requested.

Registration/Sign-up

The tour registration window is located at the Pentagon Metro entrance and opens at 8:30 a.m. Visitors for walk-in tours must go to the registration window first. Group tour registration is also at the Pentagon Metro entrance unless special arrangements for pickup at another building location have been made. The tour registration window is on the left just inside the entrance in the visitor waiting area.

Other Information
Assistance to Physically-Challenged Individuals

Ramp access is available for the physically challenged. Tour visitors in wheelchairs must be accompanied by someone who will push them. A signer will be added to tours to assist Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors provided that two weeks' notice is given; those arriving without such notice will be provided a copy of the script that is used during the tour. Special tours for sight challenged and blind visitors can also be arranged with two weeks' notice.

ID Requirements

All persons 16 years of age or older must show one valid photo identification when they sign up for the tour; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Acceptable identifications are a valid driver's license, passport, government ID, international or US student ID card, or any other valid identification containing a picture, signature and expiration date.

Language Requirements

Walk-in tours are given in English only. Translations by some visitors for other members of the party during walk-in tours are prohibited, as such activity is disruptive to the overall tour. Translation is permitted for group tours that bring translators with them.

Recording Devices

No photographs may be taken of an office interior, even if it is taken from a hallway outside an open office door. Otherwise, still photography with flash units is generally permitted. No video cameras, tape recorders or any other kind of electronic recording device is permitted at any time.

Security

A security briefing is provided prior to the beginning of every tour, and all visitors must pass through an airport type security scanning device.

Tour Guide Personnel

Tours are conducted by military men and women volunteers from the five armed services' ceremonial units in the Washington, D.C., area. After undergoing special training, these active duty soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and Coast Guardsmen serve as guides for up to one year. Guides conduct all tours in ceremonial dress uniforms.