Bureau Of Engraving And Printing
Bureau Of Engraving And Printing
Bureau Of Engraving And Printing
4
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 2:45 PM
About
Headquartered in D.C., this is where money is printed.
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- Smithsonian • 5 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- Cora DGrove City, Ohio225 contributionsPretty CoolAll in all, a 10 minute wait (with reservations) and a 30 minute tour. Clean and friendly. Interesting info. Why not! Contact your local congressman for a reservation. Tickets are available without reservation but I do not know what kind of wait you may have. It’s a free tour with clean bathrooms. With reservations, we requested the tour about 4 months out and were notified within a day or so of our tour information. It’s really easy. Print the reservation. Show up 10 minutes before your tour. Enjoy your tour. You will need to go through security so make sure you are there 10 minutes prior. The tour itself is pretty cool. Our guide, Solomon, was very entertaining. It takes only about 30 minutes and moves pretty quickly. We enjoyed. Some may find it boring. I’m not sure how many kids would really enjoy; simplified you’re really talking about a bunch of paper and printers. Of course it’s significant but maybe not to some.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 December 2023
- DestoroyahTheGreatMaidenhead, United Kingdom31 contributionsA very interesting trip!I'm interested in numismatics (the study of coins and banknotes, and other things related to currency), so I definitely wanted to try this out, and I wasn't disappointed! In the tour, which lasts around 20 - 30 minutes, you get to see the complete process through which the USA's dollar bills are made - on my trip, I got to see $10s go through the printing process! The tour is free, too, and in the off-peak season you don't need to reserve a place beforehand, so just arrive at the tour entrance and head on in.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 18 February 2024
- 99Kate99Portsmouth, New Hampshire54 contributionsVery cool tour.The tour is very cool and unique. Where else can you see our nation's money being printed? You walk through a tunnel with glass panels that look down on the printing floor. Our tour guide in training (Edward) was excellent. Very funny and informative. The people working on the printing floor were great - waved and held up a sheet of money so we could see it up close. The whole tour took about 30-40 minutes.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 21 April 2024
- deannaasaadkThe Cincinnati Region23 contributionsFree tour is worth itGreat for anyone interested in learning about our paper (really it's fabric)money printing process and how it's secured until issued. The free guided tour is about 40 minutes long and you could spend another 5-45 minutes in the gift shop/museum displays at the end depending upon your interest. I showed up at 9:45am on a Wednesday and was able to take the 10am tour. I left around 11:45 and afternoon tours were still available. FYI The ticket booth is on one side of the building and the tour entrance on the opposite side. No photography is allowed.Visited July 2024Travelled soloWritten 2 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
966 reviews
Excellent
390
Very good
326
Average
173
Poor
58
Terrible
20
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missddc
New York City, NY36 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I went to take a tour, after not having been there since I was a child. The tour itself was ok. As everyone mentions, it is short (about 15-20 minutes), but you do see how money is printed, if you ever have been curious about that. While waiting for the tour, I encountered this horribly rude staff member, who sits where you wait for the tour to start. When I entered the building, I was told the next tour was at 11:15am. I also happened to enter behind a tourist group. As the tour guide came out, I had been standing behind a roped off area, but assumed this was the 11:15 guide. As the group got up, I went to join them, at this point not knowing at all that this was a private tour guide just for that group. Then the rude staff member, who sat by the tour waiting area, yelled "FREEZE!!" and told me to step off the line. Based on the tone of his voice, I was under the impression I had breached security somehow or something else terrible. He yelled that it was a private tour, and to go behind the rope and then 10 seconds later announced I could sit in the roped off area for the actual public 11:15 tour. It was all so completely unnecessary and ridiculous.
I do recommend going on this tour, but preferably when there isn't a long wait. However, it was not worth getting yelled at by rude staff, so, make sure you join the correct tour.
I do recommend going on this tour, but preferably when there isn't a long wait. However, it was not worth getting yelled at by rude staff, so, make sure you join the correct tour.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deannaasaadk
The Cincinnati Region23 contributions
July 2024 • Solo
Great for anyone interested in learning about our paper (really it's fabric)money printing process and how it's secured until issued. The free guided tour is about 40 minutes long and you could spend another 5-45 minutes in the gift shop/museum displays at the end depending upon your interest. I showed up at 9:45am on a Wednesday and was able to take the 10am tour. I left around 11:45 and afternoon tours were still available. FYI The ticket booth is on one side of the building and the tour entrance on the opposite side. No photography is allowed.
Written 2 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cora D
Grove City, OH225 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
All in all, a 10 minute wait (with reservations) and a 30 minute tour. Clean and friendly. Interesting info. Why not!
Contact your local congressman for a reservation. Tickets are available without reservation but I do not know what kind of wait you may have. It’s a free tour with clean bathrooms.
With reservations, we requested the tour about 4 months out and were notified within a day or so of our tour information. It’s really easy. Print the reservation. Show up 10 minutes before your tour. Enjoy your tour. You will need to go through security so make sure you are there 10 minutes prior.
The tour itself is pretty cool. Our guide, Solomon, was very entertaining. It takes only about 30 minutes and moves pretty quickly. We enjoyed. Some may find it boring. I’m not sure how many kids would really enjoy; simplified you’re really talking about a bunch of paper and printers. Of course it’s significant but maybe not to some.
Contact your local congressman for a reservation. Tickets are available without reservation but I do not know what kind of wait you may have. It’s a free tour with clean bathrooms.
With reservations, we requested the tour about 4 months out and were notified within a day or so of our tour information. It’s really easy. Print the reservation. Show up 10 minutes before your tour. Enjoy your tour. You will need to go through security so make sure you are there 10 minutes prior.
The tour itself is pretty cool. Our guide, Solomon, was very entertaining. It takes only about 30 minutes and moves pretty quickly. We enjoyed. Some may find it boring. I’m not sure how many kids would really enjoy; simplified you’re really talking about a bunch of paper and printers. Of course it’s significant but maybe not to some.
Written 20 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennifera64
Danville, VA185 contributions
Feb 2020
Not exactly what I was expecting, but overall pretty good. It was interesting to see money being printed and sorted. Good information from the guide about the process. The time between waiting in line and actually starting the tour is a bit much - the video at the beginning was just okay. It's free and worth doing at least once, but maybe not if this is your first trip to DC.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
USASUN
Zurich, Switzerland261 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We actually wanted to do a tour here too. Getting a ticket for it is impossible. Unfortunately, it is not possible to order online. You have to queue up at the ticket office very early every day. We tried this twice without success, which is a shame. This could be solved differently. Luckily, the very small exhibition could be viewed quickly, but unfortunately, contrary to what our guidebook said, there was no film for "exhibition visitors only" to watch, which is a shame. The only consolation was the possibility of buying a few uncut, rather rare 2-dollar bills.
Written 17 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,443 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing visitor center is currently under renovation, but when it reopens, this will again claim a spot as one of the most popular attractions in Washington. The old self-paced tour was short, but fascinating, and I'm sure it will be similar when it reopens. Will almost surely need advanced tickets to get a visitor slot.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DestoroyahTheGreat
Maidenhead, UK31 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
I'm interested in numismatics (the study of coins and banknotes, and other things related to currency), so I definitely wanted to try this out, and I wasn't disappointed! In the tour, which lasts around 20 - 30 minutes, you get to see the complete process through which the USA's dollar bills are made - on my trip, I got to see $10s go through the printing process! The tour is free, too, and in the off-peak season you don't need to reserve a place beforehand, so just arrive at the tour entrance and head on in.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bdalager
Des Moines, IA10 contributions
Dec 2019
I've been twice, once with my husband and once with my parents and kids. The boys were 12, 13, 15 when we went. Both times I thought it was interesting and fun. It doesn't take as long as some of the other DC attractions and it's informative.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
99Kate99
Portsmouth, NH54 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The tour is very cool and unique. Where else can you see our nation's money being printed? You walk through a tunnel with glass panels that look down on the printing floor. Our tour guide in training (Edward) was excellent. Very funny and informative. The people working on the printing floor were great - waved and held up a sheet of money so we could see it up close. The whole tour took about 30-40 minutes.
Written 21 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phillitravels
Fort Myers, FL247 contributions
July 2015 • Family
I rated this as very good instead of average because I think that this is one of those tours that will be of interest for any age - even young children. It's hard to look at all of that money without dreaming of being rich - LOL. We went on the tour with our two children ages 12 and 13 on the Tuesday following July 4th weekend.
Getting tickets: I tried getting tickets through our local representative, but I was told they were all gone even though I asked 4 months in advance. However, all was not lost because I found out you can walk up on the morning of the day you want to go and still get tickets. They start passing out tickets at 8am. I've heard the line forms as early as 6am, but I didn't go until 8:30 and there were still plenty of tickets left and a variety of time slots available in the morning, afternoon and early evening. If you have a certain time you want then you might want to get there early. Each person is allowed to get up to 6 tickets (I think) and not everyone in your party needs to be present. The window has all of the available time slots displayed in little pockets and as each time becomes unavailable they remove the time card. The line moves incredibly fast.
Duration: The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, but allow some extra time for the gift shop. (I'll explain later on why.)
Locations: The tickets are passed out from a small booth that faces west on 15th/Raoul Wallenberger Place. However, the tour begins from the opposite side of the building on 14th street. (It's just a little south of the Holocaust Museum.). Be sure to arrive about 15-20 minutes before your tour time.
What you will see: Tons of MONEY!!! After going through security you will watch a short 10 minute movie. Then the group goes upstairs and you will walk down narrow hallways that overlook the workers and machines. We saw all of the stages of how the money is printed from start to finish. A few of the employees below can be quite comical and attempt to interact with the tour groups - it was quite funny! At the end of the tour you are brought to the gift shop - of course!
Gift Shop: This was one of our favorite parts of the tour. This is partly because there are some unique things to purchase. However, the main reason we loved it is that there is a special demonstration at a booth over to the side. (I think many people miss this because it isn't obvious.). You can see how they use to make money prior to the early 1900's before more sophisticated equipment was developed. A gentleman at the counter will show you the "spider" and how messy and time consuming it was to make the bills one at a time. It was seriously cool!!!
Overall: It is definitely worth it, but it is rather short. I really think it should be on your list of things to do in DC.
If you find this review helpful, kindly click on the helpful button. Thanks a bunch!!!!
Getting tickets: I tried getting tickets through our local representative, but I was told they were all gone even though I asked 4 months in advance. However, all was not lost because I found out you can walk up on the morning of the day you want to go and still get tickets. They start passing out tickets at 8am. I've heard the line forms as early as 6am, but I didn't go until 8:30 and there were still plenty of tickets left and a variety of time slots available in the morning, afternoon and early evening. If you have a certain time you want then you might want to get there early. Each person is allowed to get up to 6 tickets (I think) and not everyone in your party needs to be present. The window has all of the available time slots displayed in little pockets and as each time becomes unavailable they remove the time card. The line moves incredibly fast.
Duration: The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, but allow some extra time for the gift shop. (I'll explain later on why.)
Locations: The tickets are passed out from a small booth that faces west on 15th/Raoul Wallenberger Place. However, the tour begins from the opposite side of the building on 14th street. (It's just a little south of the Holocaust Museum.). Be sure to arrive about 15-20 minutes before your tour time.
What you will see: Tons of MONEY!!! After going through security you will watch a short 10 minute movie. Then the group goes upstairs and you will walk down narrow hallways that overlook the workers and machines. We saw all of the stages of how the money is printed from start to finish. A few of the employees below can be quite comical and attempt to interact with the tour groups - it was quite funny! At the end of the tour you are brought to the gift shop - of course!
Gift Shop: This was one of our favorite parts of the tour. This is partly because there are some unique things to purchase. However, the main reason we loved it is that there is a special demonstration at a booth over to the side. (I think many people miss this because it isn't obvious.). You can see how they use to make money prior to the early 1900's before more sophisticated equipment was developed. A gentleman at the counter will show you the "spider" and how messy and time consuming it was to make the bills one at a time. It was seriously cool!!!
Overall: It is definitely worth it, but it is rather short. I really think it should be on your list of things to do in DC.
If you find this review helpful, kindly click on the helpful button. Thanks a bunch!!!!
Written 8 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clarence, Im trying to find out if there is a limit on the number of tickets per person. We are a family of 5 and trying to figure out if we all need to go to the booth. Thank you!
Written 16 July 2019
We had a family of 5 that day when went, there doesn’t seem to be a limit of people. I do know that it is first come first serve and certain amount of tickets for certain time slots so if let’s say the 9:30am had 4 tickets left when you get to the booth and you need 5 then you pick another time slot for your family of five. So make sure you get there 1/2hr at least before booth opens up because people do get in line early.
Written 16 July 2019
Hi,
I did read your note about the engraving bureau. We are going to spend Saturday/Sunday/Monday in DC. 6 adults 4 kids. What are your suggestions? Thanks. Albert feel free to call me or text me.
Thanks
Written 4 June 2018
I just checked this so sorry for the late reply Albert. They are usually pretty good about working with you at the bureau of engraving but maybe two adults should go pick up tix. Go half hour early in the am as the line does pick up. DC is great just to walk around with all her monuments and parks or with kids book a cycling trip around the city. Have fun
Written 22 June 2018
Are non usa citizens allowed in?
Any experience on the lines around memorial day weekend?
Written 10 April 2018
Yes....I’m from the UK and we did the tour
Written 10 December 2019
Are non usa citizens allowed in?
Any experience on the lines around memorial day weekend?
Written 10 April 2018
Yes, non-US citizens are allowed in - they do not ask for any sort of ID, you just have to put bags through an x-ray belt and walk through a metal detector (like at the airport). The Bureau is not open on weekends or holidays like Memorial Day. I would think the days just before the holiday and right after would be busy, so I would still try to be in line by 7 or 7:30 AM.
Written 13 April 2018
Do the tours run late Sep? Can you pre-book or do you have to que?
Written 27 August 2017
We pre-booked through our state senator's office. I would recommend booking ahead of time for any tour in D.C. Check the website.
Written 27 August 2017
Is there a separate entrance into the gift shop or do I have to do the tour first? Hoping to do the tour but I only have a few hours in DC so not sure that I would have enough time. Thanks 😊
Written 21 July 2017
I believe there is a separate entrance. You might call ahead and get the name of the street to enter.
Written 28 July 2017
Hola! Estamos interesados en hacer el tour en el mes de octubre. Ya vimos que tenemos que ir a las 8am para coger los tickets, y en la web indica que el horario de los tours es de 9am a 2pm. Lo que no sé es si a las 2pm cierra o a las 2pm comienza el último tour de 45 minutos. ¿Alguién lo sabe? Gracias!
Written 25 August 2016
woods7500
Timberlake, North Carolina
I will have a backpack with bottled water and snacks. Is this allowed, and if not where is a good place to leave it? We are visiting for the day and are riding the metro into dc.
Written 3 August 2016
Yes, you can carry water and bags inside (you only are allowed in observation areas, so there aren't restrictions).
Written 7 August 2016
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