Attractions & Amenities

Millions of tourists flock to our nation’s capital each year to view the numerous monuments, museums, and attractions that Washington, DC has to offer. We’re ideally located in the center of it all and are proud to partner with a number of organizations to host exhibits and educational displays throughout the year. We also offer a variety of amazing works of art and free programming and activities.

Whether you’re visiting or just passing through, make sure to check our calendar of events or stop by and discover all the things-to-do at DC’s most dynamic building. Schedule a free tour for your group today!

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Attractions

From hero-sized sculptures and historical pieces to paintings and exhibits, explore all of the art and attractions at our building.

Bas Relief of President Ronald Reagan

In honor of Ronald Reagan’s 98th birthday (February 6, 2009), a pair of “heroic size” bronze medallions was installed in the Atrium of the building by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Weighing approximately 1,650 pounds and measuring 72’’ in diameter, each medallion was carved from Indiana limestone and topped with bronze. One medallion features a bronze bas-relief of President Reagan and the second medallion contains a bronze-lettered quotation by President Reagan: “There are no limits to growth and human progress when men and women are free to follow their dreams.”

Bas Relief of President Woodrow Wilson

Bearing Witness

Berlin Wall

On permanent display at the building, this large section of the Berlin Wall was donated by the citizens of Berlin and the employees of Daimler-Benz in recognition of President Ronald Reagan’s leadership which contributed to German reunification. This segment is from an inner-city section of the Berlin Wall near the Brandenburg Gate, where on June 12, 1987, President Reagan issued his challenge: “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” A symbol of the East-West division and conflict for 28 years, the wall that divided the city of Berlin crumbled. Located at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza entrance, the Wall segment stands over nine feet high, three feet wide and weighs nearly three tons.

Federal Triangle Flowers

Created by artist Stephen Robin, Federal Triangle Flowers are comprised of two parts – a single stem rose and a lily. The cast-aluminum flowers are located between historic Ariel Rios Building and the Reagan building, installed on limestone pedestals on either side of the plaza’s circular opening. Serving as a transition between the older buildings of Federal Triangle and our more contemporary building, each flower is approximately 10 feet high, 14 feet long and seven feet wide.

Oscar Straus Memorial Fountain

The Oscar Straus Memorial Fountain, dedicated in 1947 as a tribute to the diplomat and Secretary of Commerce and Labor, has been restored and returned to its original location at the 14th Street entrance of the building.

The memorial is comprised of a low, three-tiered fountain and two bronze sculptures to the right and left of the fountain each set on granite pedestals. The fountain is flanked on one side by a reclining female figure, representing Justice, dressed in classical robes with her hands held in prayer. On the other side is a partially draped male figure, depicting Reason, with a child next to him who holds a purse, key and hammer, symbolizing capital and labor. The two figures represent the opportunity and religious freedom that Oscar Straus found in the United States and celebrates what he returned in service to his adopted country.

Painting of Reagan Building

A gift from the Embassy of Latvia, the painting by Latvian artists Aleksejs Naumovs and Kristaps Zarins is now on permanent display on the Ground Level by the 14th Street entrance.

The painting is of the 14th Street façade of the building. It was created with both artists sharing one canvas, each illustrating the building from his own perspective, creating a vibrant composition that highlights the brilliant Indiana limestone exterior and the dynamic activity of the surroundings.

Route Zenith

The largest neon work in North America, this neon and glass sculpture was created by Artist Keith Sonnier in close collaboration with the building’s architect, James Ingo Freed. The work is integrated into the Atrium’s two metal curvilinear curtain walls. Monumental in scale the piece stands at 49 feet high by 30 feet wide and consists of glass plates and neon tubes in the primary colors: red, blue and yellow. The neon tubes incorporate Venetian tinted glass as the material creates a more saturated and superior form of colored light. The sculpture plays on the subtle interchange of light reflected in the glass-covered Atrium, shifting throughout the day and evening with variations in light conditions and the movement of people.

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Memorial Exhibit

Located in the southeast corner of our building, the Woodrow Wilson Center is the official memorial to our nation’s 28th president. A “living memorial,” the Center is a gathering place for some of the best and brightest scholars and experts from around the world. While serving as a place for concourse, it is also home to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Memorial Exhibit, housing photographs, memorabilia and other historical information. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Located on the Ground Level of the building, no appointment is needed and admission is free.

Entertainment

Capital Harvest On The Plaza

Our weekly farmer’s market from spring through fall, CHoP features plenty of farm-fresh produce, prepared foods and artisanal novelties. Be sure to stop by our information booth and stock up on recipes and tips for maintaining a healthy and socially responsible lifestyle.
Open Fridays from spring through fall, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the corner of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

For more information and a list of market vendors, please click please click here.

Capitol Steps

Celebrating over 30 years of performances, Capitol Steps has become a Washington, DC institution for providing a tasteful blend of musical and political comedy. Comprised of current and former congressional staffers, this political satire troupe puts a playful, humorous twist on current issues straight from the headlines as well as events and personalities on Capitol Hill and in the Oval Office.

Don’t miss their weekly performances in the Amphitheater, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. To reserve tickets for groups of 10 or more, call 202.312.1427. Military and student discounts are available.

View clips from past performances here.

Live! Concert Series On The Plaza

A free summertime concert series, Live! Concert Series on the Plaza features an array of musical performances from all genres including bluegrass folk, reggae, country, pop rock and more. With plenty of outdoor seating, concert goers can pick up lunch at one of the outdoor eateries or from one of the many food court vendors and enjoy the show.

Launched in 2000, the Live! series supports one of our building’s missions to establish a pedestrian link between the National Mall and the business district north of Pennsylvania Avenue, creating an open, active and inviting setting for the community.

For more information on the 2019 season, please click here.

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