The skinny- When planning your trip to DC, make sure you reserve a tour online for the 1st tour available. When you arrive, you will stand in a separate line and gain entrance before the hordes of school children come in and you will be led by a docent and shown all of the wonderful historical documents that shaped our... More

Lots of history here: Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Magna Carta…. I recommend paying $1.50 to buy a reserved timed-entry ticket online for the one-hour tour, and I recommend the first tour of the day at 9:45. You skip the long lines to get in, and you hear some great information that others miss. (Entry is free if you... More

Great place to start your day. Visiting here doesn't take long (maybe 20-30 minutes). Highly suggest visiting while in DC.

We had a tour reserved for 9:45 (I believe 9:45 is the first one for the day). We didn't have to wait long once we got there and going through security didn't take long. Take note that there is a special entrance if you have a tour, be sure to read your instructions. There is a nominal fee for the... More

So humbling to see all our historical documents up close. We hear and learn so much about them that it was great for our eighth grade field trip to personally see each document. Very nice setting--the dim lights and quiet area appropriate.

This is a great stop in DC. To be able to view these great founding documents up close is a true treasure. You can reserve an entry time to reduce your overall wait time if you like.

My visit to the National Archives is one of the most emotional experiences of my life. To walk into the Hall of Charters and see THE documents that founded the US is to tread on holy ground. Get there EARLY (I'd recommend an hour prior to opening...) and expect a line, but it is well worth the wait. Don't be... More

These are the documents upon which our country is built. It was really exciting to see these documents (including one of the remaining original copies of the Magna Carta!) The Public Vaults exhibit was equally fascinating. Our children were especially excited to see Pa Ingalls's homestead affidavit. Far from being dry and boring, they present this information in a way... More

Ok, the entrance to the Archives completely diminishes the attraction, entering around the sides of the stairs through a hallway from a side door! Waiting time was about 25 minutes until we went through security. Once past security, we found ourselves in a hallway with absolutely no direction on where to go. After wandering around, we found the O'Brien gallery.... More