In 1862, when the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was initially established, it was located in the basement of the U.S. Treasury department with only six people employed to seal and separate the notes by hand. Touring the bureau of engraving and printing is an opportunity to learn how the development of money has evolved over time and to witness how money is made from the beginning to the end. Throughout the tour, visitors will observe blank paper become ready-to-spend currency. During the free 40-minute tour, visitors will have the opportunity to view exhibits, watch a short introduction film and have access to purchase currency products. As of November 2010, the bureau of engraving and printing hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The tours begin every 15 minutes and advanced reservations are required for large groups, with the tour for a large group held from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. The admission is free, however, tickets are required and are distributed at the Raoul Wallenberg Place booth.
The Washington Monument was completed in 1884, is over 555 feet tall and provides visitors with a view for more than 30 miles from the top. There is an elevator that takes visitors to the top of the monument and there are park service staff members on hand give kids an informative talk on the revolutionary war, George Washington and historical information about the monument. Admission into the monument is free with a ticket. The tickets can be obtained at the Washington monument lodge located on 15th street. As of November 2010, the monument hours are daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. from May 31st until September 6th and the remainder of the year is 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
From trying to crack a safe to posing for a picture beside the car used in the "Bonnie and Clyde" movie, the museum has several hands-on and interactive exhibits for exploring crime and crime fighting. Among the interactive exhibits include experiencing a lie detector test, a simulated shooting range, a replica jail cell, gallows and numerous other crime-solving interactions. The museum has galleries displaying various aspects of crime and/or crime fighting such as the crime scene investigator gallery, where visitors will enter a simulated crime scene and attempt to solve the mystery; and a gallery displaying various stages of crime ranging from knights to the old west. A full level of the museum is dedicated to the television show, "America's Most Wanted." The show is filmed at the museum, year-round and visitors can be "profiled" by John Walsh through a simulated most-wanted program. As of November 2010, the museum is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. During May 21st through August 31st, the museum has extended hours Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. As of November 2010, admission prices are $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors aged 60 and over, $14.95 for children aged five to 11 and children under five are free. If tickets are purchased online, adults and seniors can save $2 per ticket.
