us treasury mint tours washington dc

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Visiting the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing in Washington, DC

The bep is currently closed until further notice. tour reservations are not being accepted at this time, and a date has not been determined for when tours might resume..

Check out where U.S. currency is made and take a tour with this unique free experience.

What and where is the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing?

The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing , founded in 1862, produces Federal Reserve Notes (also known as paper money, or U.S. dollars) for the Federal Reserve, our country’s central bank (note that coins are made by the United States Mint). The Bureau also produces Treasury securities, military commissions and award certificates, ID cards, invitations and an additional range of security documents for government agencies, making it the largest producer of government security documents in the U.S.

The Bureau has two locations: one in Forth Worth, Tx. and the other in, you guessed it, Washington, DC. The official address is 301 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20228. The facility features two adjacent buildings, with the facade of the main building facing Raoul Wallenburg Place SW, the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial.

Free public tours of the Bureau are currently not available.

Take a tour of the "money factory".

Tickets, which are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, are required for the tour from March through November. The ticket booth is located at Raoul Wallenburg Place SW (formerly known as 15th Street) and opens at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday. The booth closes when all tickets have been distributed for the day.

Group tours for groups of 10 up to 30 people run every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Limited reserved tour times are offered. To reserve a group tour, fill out the Group Reservation Request Form and e-mail it to [email protected] . You can learn more about group tours by calling 202-874-2330 or 1-866-874-2330.

Call 202-874-2330 for more information about the accessible entrance.

@sukichw

All visitors must pass through a security screening before entering the Bureau. Tour guides will direct visitors to enter the building when appropriate.

What will I see on the tour?

The 40-minute experience will enlighten you on all things related to U.S. currency. The tour begins with an introductory film that details the function of the Bureau and its importance. Along the way, you’ll witness millions of dollars being printed as you stroll through the gallery that overlooks the production floor.

The tour also includes exhibits that dive further into the production of our national currency. There’s also a gift shop, open from 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., that features currency products for sale.

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Washington, D.C. Tour and Visitor Center

Plan a visit.

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

View location on Google Maps.

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 .

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 (ET): 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.

Please check BEP.gov for tour time updates.

Tickets are required to take tours. Tickets are free.

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. 

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.

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Visit Washington DC

If you have any questions or concerns about visiting D.C., please call our D.C. office at 202-225-3976 or email [email protected].

Due to the large number of visitors, all tickets are provided to constituents on a first-come, first-served basis. For information on sightseeing and attractions in Washington, D.C., please visit the  Washington, D.C. Tourism Information page.

Tour Information

The White House is open for guided tours. Please be advised that due to high demand and limited spaces my office is unable to accommodate all requests. All guest passes must be reserved at least one month in advance ; however, I recommend requesting a tour at least three months in advance of your visit to D.C. To request a tour of the White House, please complete the form below. For more information, please click here .

The U.S. Capitol is open for guided tours, and requests can be submitted up to 3 months in advance . To reserve passes, please click here to visit the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) website. The Library of Congress  recently reopened for self-guided tours. To book timed-entry passes,  please click here .

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is open to visitors. Click here to see what shows are on now, and click here to schedule a free guided tour of the indoor and outdoor grounds.

The Supreme Court is open for self-guided tours on days when the court is not in session. Click here for more information.

The FBI Experience is open for guided tours Monday-Friday from 9am to 2pm. All guest passes must be reserved at least one month in advance and tour groups are limited to ten visitors. To reserve a space, please email the below information to [email protected] :

• Group Phone
• Group Email
• Available Dates
• # of Visitors
• Middle Name
• Social Security Number (if 16 and above)
• Country of Birth
• Citizenship
• Green Card Number (if applicable)
• Passport (if applicable)
• Any physical disabilities

U.S. House of Representatives Galleries If you would like to see the legislative branch in action, please visit our office during normal business hours to request House Gallery tickets. The House Galleries will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday when the House is not in session and will open to visitors 30 minutes prior to the start of each session and remain open until adjournment when the House is in session. The House Galleries are closed on federal holidays. Our office is located at 2454 Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20515.

The Department of the Treasury offers tours of the historic Treasury Building every other Saturday, save holiday weekends. Tours are offered at 9 AM and 10:30 AM, with the duration being about an hour. If you would like to request a tour of the Department of the Treasury, please email the following information to [email protected] : the date you are requesting; the first, middle, and last name of each party member; and each person’s email address. Please note that tours do not include the U.S. Mint or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is currently open to visitors. A limited number of tours are available Monday through Friday at the following times (ET): 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Tours are approximately 45 minutes. Admission is free. 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. The BEP is closed on federal holidays and during their Year-end Shutdown from December 22, 2023 through January 1, 2024. If you are interested in an early-morning tour, please email your first and last name, address, the number of individuals in your group, the date range in which your group is available, and any special requests to [email protected] . Please be aware that requests for early-morning tours must be made greater than 14 days in advance.

White House Tour Request Form

Please choose up to three dates everyone in your party is available to tour the White House. Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday, and times are automatically assigned to each group. The tours are self-guided and must be submitted greater than 21 days beforehand. Each person in your tour party must submit security information to the White House using a link they provide to the given email.

What are these options?

Constituents who are hard of hearing or use a video phone have the option to choose TDD or VP based on the type of device they are using. This allows our office to respond to them accordingly. The default option 'Voice' is a standard audible telephone.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C.

Watch real money being printed

Watch real money being printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. ! This is a fun tour for all ages. You will see how U. S. paper currency is printed, stacked, cut, and examined for defects.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing also prints White House invitations, Treasury securities, identification cards, naturalization certificates, and other special security documents.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing does not produce coins. Coins are produced by the United States Mint. (Although the headquarters to the Mint are in Washington, D.C., the production facilities are located in Philadelphia and Denver. Tours of the Mint are given in those cities.)

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing was established in 1862. At that time, just six people separated and sealed notes by hand in the basement of the Treasury building. The Bureau moved to its current location just off of the National Mall in 1914. To keep up with the increase in demand, a second production location was set up in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1991.

301 14th Street SW (corner of 14th and C Streets) Washington, D.C. (202) 874-2330 and (866) 874-2330 (toll-free)

The closest Metro stop is the Smithsonian Station, Independence Avenue exit (12th & Independence, SW) on the Blue and Orange line trains. Parking is very limited in this area, and  public transportation  is highly recommended. 

Tours and Hours

Tours last about 30 minutes and are offered every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The facility is closed on weekends, federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Years. From April through August, hours are extended from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Because of heightened security, tour policies are subject to change. If the Department of Homeland Security level is elevated to Code Orange, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is closed to the public.

March through August—Free tickets are required for all tours during the peak season. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street). Tickets are not available in advance.

The ticket booth opens at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. This is a very popular attraction, and lines form early. All of the tickets are usually gone by 9:00 a.m., so if you want to visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, you must plan ahead.

September through February—No tickets are required. You may line up at the Visitors’ Entrance on 14th Street.

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Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tours and Information

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tours

Please note that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is currently closed to tours.

What do you need to know? Admission is free. Tickets are not required to tour through February. The BEP is open to the public weekdays, Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends and federal holidays. Please see the schedule below for closure dates. The tour and visitor entrance is located at 14th Street, SW. For information regarding the tour, please call (202) 874-2330. Visitors must line up at the tour entrance and wait for tour guide direction to enter the building and are required to pass through a security screening. Tickets Required to Tour: March 2 through September 4, and November 23 - 27. The BEP requires visitors to obtain free same-day tickets to access the tour during the spring and summer months and the week of Thanksgiving. The ticket booth, located at 15th Street, SW, Raoul Wallenberg Place opens at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and closes when all tickets have been distributed for the day. Visitor lines form early at the ticket booth and are often distributed by 8:30 a.m., especially during the Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 - April 12), Passover/Easter holidays (April 8 - 16), and days surrounding Federal holidays. Tickets are not required to visit the Visitor Center. Hours of Operation Public Tours Tour runs every 15 minutes 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (through March 20) 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (March 23 - September 4) Group Tours 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Advanced Reservations for Large Groups Only) Tour runs every 15 minutes Visitor Center & Gift Shop 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. through March 20 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. March 23 through September 4 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). OPM determines the federal agency operating status for the Washington, DC area. For up-to-date opening and closing information, please telephone the Washington, DC Tour and Visitor Center locally at (202) 874-2330 or toll-free at (866) 874-2330 to speak directly with the tour scheduler during regular business hours. Please be advised that tour policies and hours are subject to change without public notification. How do I get scheduled for a tour?

Click here to visit the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing's official page.

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U.S. Mint at Philadelphia Tour

All tours are free and self-guided and take approximately 45 minutes to complete. No reservations are necessary. Spring and summer-month visitors may experience a brief line to enter. For complete tour information, please call 215-408-0112, 24-hours a day.

General Tour Hours

Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance closes at 4:15 p.m. Closed on federal holidays.

Summer Tour Hours (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend)

Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance closes at 4:15 p.m. Closed on federal holidays. The U.S. Mint does not manufacture coins on Saturday.

Tour Highlights

Download our brochure, A Handbook to the Self-Guided Tour of the United States Mint (PDF, 3.30MB) as a guide for your tour. On the tour you will:

• View the coining operations from 40 feet above the factory floor.
• See the first coining press, used to strike our nation’s first coins in 1792, and other historic artifacts.
• Marvel at the seven glass mosaics created by Tiffany of New York to celebrate the opening of the Third Mint building in 1901. These five foot treasures highlight the coining processes in ancient Rome.
• Meet Peter the Mint Eagle, a real Bald Eagle who made the First United States Mint his home. Today’s Mint artists still study Peter when working on new eagle designs.

Safety and Security

If the Department of Homeland Security level is elevated to CODE ORANGE, the United States Mint at Philadelphia will be CLOSED to the public unless otherwise noted. The United States Mint reserves the right to deny access to anyone at any time; in addition, members of the general public wishing to tour the facility may be subject to search by the United States Mint Police.

Photography, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, weapons and large packages. All visitors are required to enter through a metal detector.

Special Needs

The United States Mint public tour and store are completely accessible to visitors with special needs. Wheelchairs are also available with no reservation necessary.

We look forward to your visit. Please call 215-408-0110 with additional questions.

Located in the main lobby of the building, the gift shop has United States Mint Coin Sets, commemorative coins, numismatic collectibles, books, games, and United States Mint souvenirs.

The telephone number for the gift shop is 215-408-0230.

Parking and Directions

The United States Mint is located at 151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA   19106  (on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street). The United States Mint does not provide parking.

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 22 for “Central Phila/I-676”. Follow signs for Phila/Independence Hall/Callowhill Streets. Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Stay straight on Callowhill Street and turn left onto 4th Street. Take 4th Street to Arch Street and turn right. Turn right at 5th Street.

From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 22 for “Central Phila/I-676”. Follow signs for Phila/Independence Hall/Callowhill Streets and make a right at the light at the bottom of the ramp. Stay straight on Callowhill Street and turn left onto 4th Street. Take 4th street to Arch Street and turn right. Turn right onto 5th Street.

From the West: Take I-76 (PA Turnpike) to Exit 326 for “Valley Forge”. Follow signs for Philadelphia I-76 East. Remain on I-76 East for about 25 miles until you see signs for Exit 344 “Central Phila” and take 676 East to the 6th Street exit. Make a left onto Market Street and proceed one block to 5th Street and take a left.

From the East: Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 4. Take Rt. 73 North to Rt. 38 West to US 30 and continue on US 30 West over the Ben Franklin Bridge (Rt. 676), crossing into Philadelphia. Stay in the left lane and go straight through the light following the sign for “8th Street South/Chinatown”. Take a left onto 8th Street, and proceed to Market Street. Take a left onto Market Street and go three blocks. Take a left onto 5th Street.

Public Transportation

SEPTA (Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) —Subway, trolley, and bus service throughout the city and area. The Market-Frankford subway line stops one block from the United States Mint at 5th and Market Streets. Multiple bus routes run along Market Street as well. For more information, call (215) 580-7800 or visit www.septa.org .

PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation) Speedline —Travel into Center City Philadelphia. The closest PATCO stop is at 8th and Market Streets. For more information, call (856) 772-6900 or visit www.ridepatco.org .

AMTRAK —Service to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station at 30th and Market Streets. For more information call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit www.amtrak.com .

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