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Pentagon Tours: Reservations, Parking, and Visiting Tips

The Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense, is one of the world's largest office buildings with about 6,500,000 sq ft. providing office space and amenities for more than 23,000 employees, both military and civilian. The building has five sides, five floors above ground, two basement levels, and a total of 17.5 miles of corridors. Guided tours are given by military personnel and are available by reservation only. Pentagon tours last for approximately one hour and provide an overview of the mission of the Department of Defense and the four branches of the military: Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps.

The outdoor Pentagon Memorial that commemorates the 9/11 attacks is open to the public with no reservations required. It is not included in the guided tour.

Arranging a Tour

To take a guided tour of the Pentagon, you must make a reservation in advance . Tours are conducted Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm and Fridays between 12 pm and 4 pm. Reservations must be booked from 14 to 90 days in advance. U.S. citizens can reserve a tour online, but foreign residents must contact their embassy to reserve a tour. All visitors must pass through a security scanning device and no photography will be allowed on the tour. You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour and bring along your confirmed reservation letter and photo identification.

Getting to the Pentagon

The Pentagon is located off of I-395 on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. The best way to get to the Pentagon is by Metrorail and the Visitor Center is located next to the Pentagon Metro Station.

There is no public parking at the Pentagon, but visitors may park at the Pentagon City Mall and walk to the entrance through a pedestrian tunnel. If you are not familiar with the area, it can be confusing, so be sure to leave plenty of time to find your way to the Visitor Center.

The tunnel is located across the street from Macy’s on the far side of the Reserved Parking Lot. Once through the tunnel, walk to the right until you see signs for the Metro Station and the Visitor Center. (When leaving, note that the tunnel is at the far end of parking Lane 7).

Major Points of Interest on the Pentagon Tour

The Pentagon is a building with a long and significant history with many points of interest you won't find anywhere else in Washington DC.

• The Hall of Heroes: includes the names of all the recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government.
• Overlord Embroidery: 34 tapestries created by Sandra Lawrence depict the story of the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
• Faces of the Fallen Memorial: an exhibit features individual portraits in honor of the service men and women killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• POW-MIA Corridor: the exhibit recognizes United States military personnel taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or listed as missing in action (MIA).
• Soldiers and Signers of the Constitution Corridor: numerous paintings in this corridor commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and portray the founding fathers of our nation.
• 9/11 Memorial and Chapel: commemorates those killed in the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The indoor memorial displays the names of the 184 victims. The chapel provides space for prayer and remembrance.
• 9/11 Memorial Quilts: project initiated by Jeannie Ammermann to honor those killed on September 11, 2001 evolved into a multi-quilt project that drew volunteer quilters from all parts of the U.S.
• Pentagon Center Courtyard: 5.5 acres of outdoor space in the interior of the building includes food concessions and casual seating areas.

Visiting Tips

As you get ready for your tour, here are some tips to make sure the experience goes as smoothly as possible and you get the most out of it.

• Although, the Pentagon recommends you arrive 15 minutes before your tour, plan to arrive 30 minutes early to allow time to go through security.
• The best time to take the tour is mid-day when transportation to the Pentagon is less congested.
• The tour includes walking a distance of about one and a half miles through the Pentagon corridors and staircases, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Be sure to visit the Pentagon Memorial after your guided tour of the Pentagon. It won't be included in your tour.
• Enjoy a casual lunch at the Pentagon City Mall before or after your tour. The mall has one of the nicest food courts in the area and more than 170 specialty shops.

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Questions about the pentagon memorial.

• Who designed the Pentagon Memorial? Keith Kasemen and Julie Beckman
• How was the final design selected? A worldwide competition. There was a jury made up of highly respected design professionals, family members, and Washington dignitaries, including two former Secretaries of Defense. The winners were announced March 3, 2003.
• When was the ground breaking? June 15, 2006
• When was the Memorial dedicated? September 11, 2008
• What is the cost of the Memorial? The Memorial cost $22 million to construct. The Pentagon Memorial Fund is continuing to raise money for a preservation endowment and educational outreach opportunities.
• What is the size of the Pentagon Memorial? Approximately two acres
• Is there handicapped parking? Where? There are five parking spaces for automobiles for people with disabilities available in Lane 1 of the Pentagon South Parking lot, adjacent to the Memorial Park. This parking is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All vehicles utilizing this parking shall display a valid disabled parking permit issued by the state in which the vehicle is registered.
• Where can visitors park? Private Vehicle: Parking on the Pentagon Reservation is for AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. Private vehicles may off load and pick up passengers at the North Rotary Road Kiss and Drop points, but they must move on and cannot park or stand at these locations. Parking regulations are strictly enforced at the Pentagon.Metered parking is available on the streets of Crystal City and Pentagon City and for a fee in the Fashion Center at Pentagon City Mall.Evenings, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: The Hayes Street Parking lot is available on weekdays from 5:00 pm – 7:00 am, and all day on Saturday, Sunday and holidays (NOTE: OVERNIGHT PARKING IS PROHIBITED). There is no tour bus parking and idling on the Pentagon Reservation. Tour bus pick-up/drop off is located at the Hayes Street Lot.
• How do I get to the Memorial? Public Access to the Pentagon Memorial: The Memorial is accessible to the general public by Metro, private vehicle, and bus. However, due to parking constraints, the public is urged to use Metro as the primary means to come to the Pentagon and the Pentagon Memorial. Metro:  The Blue and Yellow lines of Metro serve the Pentagon from the Pentagon Metro stop. There are also many bus routes that stop at the Pentagon Metro Transit Center. From there, you may walk to the Pentagon Memorial. You may also use the Pentagon City Metro stop and walk to the Pentagon Memorial. The Arlington Cemetery Metro Stop may be another option for tourists wishing to visit the September 11 group marker at the cemetery and the Pentagon Memorial.
• When is the Memorial open? The Pentagon Memorial is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Are there restrooms available for visitors? Yes. The restrooms are open daily from 7:00 am – 10:00 pm.
• Can I leave a memento at the Memorial? Yes
• Can I eat or drink in the Pentagon Memorial? Due to sanitation concerns and vermin control, eating and drinking (except for water) in the Pentagon Memorial is not allowed.
• Can I bring my dog (pet)? Pets and other animals are not authorized on the Pentagon Reservation or inside the Memorial. Seeing-eye dogs, guide dogs, police working dogs, etc. are authorized entry while performing their intended service. Owners and handlers are asked to pick up after their animals.
• Can I take pictures at the Memorial? Photography is permitted within the Pentagon Memorial. However, consistent with current policy (32 CFR 234), photography is restricted at all other locations on the Reservation (i.e. pedestrian and vehicular pathways; drop-off areas).
• Can I smoke inside the Memorial? In order to minimize debris that may interfere with proper operation of the Memorial, we ask that visitors not smoke in the Memorial or the Gateway.
• Can tour groups go to the Pentagon Memorial? Yes
• Who is responsible for maintaining (picking up trash, cleaning the benches, etc.) the Memorial? Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) manages the maintenance of the Memorial.  The Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) provides security.

Questions About The Pentagon Building

• When was the Pentagon constructed? How long did it take to build? Construction began on September 11, 1941 and was completed in the remarkably short time of sixteen months on January 15, 1943. The building rests on 41,492 concrete columns. The shortages of materials required for war production raised many design and construction problems. The use of reinforced concrete in lieu of formed steel for the building made possible a saving of 43,000 tons of steel, more than enough to build a battleship. The use of concrete ramps rather than elevators further reduced steel requirements. Drainage pipes were concrete, ducts were fiber, and interior doors were wood.
• How much did it cost to build the Pentagon? The original estimated cost of construction was $35,000,000.  The approximate actual cost was $86,000,000.
• What is the Pentagon? Headquarters of the Department of Defense, the Pentagon is the world's largest low-rise office building.
• Why was the Pentagon a terrorist target? Since World War II, the Pentagon has stood as a symbol of American power and influence to the nation and the world. By September 11, 2001, it had been the command center of the nation’s military establishment for more than half a century. In some regions of the world, particularly in the Middle East, a U.S. military presence and perceived power would have made the Pentagon an object of fear and hatred, and a likely target of attack by terrorist enemies.
• What was the significance of the Pentagon’s renovation project on the area that the plane hit? In 1990, Congress authorized a complete overhaul of the Pentagon. Upgrading security stood high on the list for the reconstruction and renovation of the building, which began in 1998 with Wedge 1. By September 2001, Wedge 1 had been largely reoccupied and work was under way on adjacent Wedge 2, which had been cleared of all but about 700 occupants. On September 11, the offices in or near the impact point were not completely occupied, either awaiting new tenants in Wedge 1 or mostly vacated in preparation for renovation in Wedge 2. Had the aircraft hit fully-occupied unrenovated Wedge 5, several hundred yards to the right, the toll of dead and injured, as well as structural damage, would have been much greater.
• How did the structure of the Pentagon play a role on September 11? Although never designed to offer the protection of a bunker, the building's steel-reinforced concrete and brick construction protected most employees in Wedges 1 and 2 from fires and explosions, which saved their lives. Moreover, the rigidity of the Pentagon’s façade caused some of the fuel in the wings to detonate on impact, diminishing the inside destruction. The lighter structure and largely glass facade of the World Trade Center buildings presented much less impact resistance.
• Where is the Pentagon Memorial located? The Pentagon Memorial is located at 1 Rotary Road on the Pentagon Reservation in Arlington, Virginia. The mailing address is: Pentagon Memorial ATTN: Pentagon Building Management Office Room 2E1040, Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1155
• How big is the Pentagon? The Pentagon is a five-sided, five-story (plus two basements) building containing a large central courtyard and five concentric rings of offices. It is twice the size of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, and has three times the floor space of the Empire State Building in New York. The U.S. Capitol building could fit into any one of the five wedge-shaped sections. Despite 17 1/2 miles of corridors, it takes only seven minutes to walk between any two points in the building.
• How many people work at the Pentagon? There are approximately 24,000 employees, both military and civilian.
• Where are the interior memorial and chapel located? They are located at the end of Corridor 4 on the first floor, across from the Pentagon Memorial.
• How can I arrange a tour of the Pentagon or visit the interior memorial and chapel? All guided tours of the Pentagon are free and are available to schools, educational organizations and other select groups by reservation only. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday during normal working hours. Tours are not conducted on weekends or federal holidays. Groups interested in touring the Pentagon should contact the Pentagon Tour Office at 703-697-1776. Additional information can be found on the Internet at http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/
• How long did it take to rebuild the damaged area? The Pentagon Renovation and Construction Program Office (PENREN) began the Phoenix Project on October 18, 2001, so named because of its representation of the mythical bird rising from the ashes. Reducing the schedule of the original Wedge 1 renovation, the impacted portions of the Pentagon were demolished, rebuilt, and occupied in less than one year. The offices directly above the point of impact were occupied on August 15, 2002, 28 days ahead of schedule.

Questions About The General Area

• Where is the Pentagon victim’s marker in Arlington Cemetery? It is located in Section 64, near the Arlington Cemetery Columbarium.
• How do I get to Arlington National Cemetery? Driving: About 2.5 miles away Take ramp onto I-395 South Take exit 8B to merge onto VA-110 North toward I-66 Take the exist toward Washington Turn left at Memorial Drive/ The Esplanade
• How do I get to the Air Force Memorial? Driving: About 2.4 miles away Take ramp onto VA-27 South Exit onto Columbia Pike / VA-244 Destination will be on the right
• How do I get to Pentagon City Mall / Crystal City? Driving: About 1.7 miles away Take VA-110 South Take the I-395/US-1 exit Slight right at Army Navy Drive Turn left at S Hayes Stret Destination will be on the right Pentagon City Mall 1100 S Hayes St Arlington, VA 22202Metro: From Washington, D.C., take the Blue line toward Franconia-Springfield OR the Yellow line toward Huntington Pentagon City is one metro stop from the Pentagon, and Crystal City is two stops from the Pentagon
• Where is the Arlington County bike path? Next to the Pentagon Memorial Gateway

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Ultimate Guide to the Pentagon

One of the largest office buildings in the world, the Pentagon serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. A symbol of American military strength, the concrete and steel building is recognized around the world. Nearly 30,000 military and civilian personnel work inside the Pentagon each day. Covering approximately 6.5 million square feet, the building contains a food court and mini-shopping mall. Because of its size, the Pentagon has six ZIP codes. It uses the place identifier for Washington, DC even though the five-sided building is actually located in Arlington, Virginia .

The Building

The famous edifice has five rings, five floors above ground and two floors below ground. There are almost 18 miles of corridors. Despite its size, the layout of the hallways and interconnecting walkways enables an individual to reach any office in less than seven minutes. The rings are labeled “A” through “E” from the interior courtyard to the outside. Because the E-ring is the only one with exterior views, it is the location for offices of the most senior officials. The five-acre courtyard park is nicknamed Ground Zero. The term was inspired by the belief that the park would be a primary target for Soviet nuclear missiles during the Cold War. The Pentagon is twice the size of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The U.S. Capitol would fit in just one of the building’s five wings.

The Northern Mall Terrace façade features a portico that leads to a 600-foot-long terrace that is used for various official ceremonies. The portico of the River Entrance façade overlooks a lagoon and a landing point. The dock was once used by duty boats that transported service members across the Potomac River to Bolling Air Force Base. The main visitor entrance, the Concourse Entrance façade, is the location of the Pentagon Metro stop. The other two facades are known as the Helipad and South Parking entrances. The site of numerous anti-war protests over the years, the Pentagon was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

History of the Pentagon

During World War I, the War Department was housed in a variety of permanent and temporary buildings in and around Washington, DC. In the late 1930s, a new headquarters was constructed in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. This building soon proved inadequate. It is currently used by the State Department. With the rapid expansion of the War Department during World War II, Secretary of War Henry Stimson lobbied President Franklin Roosevelt for a large permanent office building. In 1941, it was agreed that a new large office building would be constructed in Arlington. The original site selected for construction was the pentagon-shaped Arlington Farms, a temporary housing complex for female civil servants operated by the Department of Agriculture.

When concerns arose that the new building might obstruct views of Washington , DC from Arlington National Cemetery, the construction site was moved to the former Hoover Field Airport. To keep costs down, the building’s pentagon-shape design plans were retained. The configuration was reminiscent of the star-shaped forts built during the gunpowder age. To reduce the amount of steel used, architects incorporated ramps rather than elevators in the building. Steel was in short supply and needed for the war effort. The exterior façade is adorned with Indiana limestone. Architectural, design and construction work were accomplished simultaneously, and the building was constructed in sections to save time. Colonel Leslie Groves who later oversaw the Manhattan Project as a general officer, supervised the work on the Pentagon. The building cost slightly more than $31.1 million to complete in 1943.

During construction, segregation laws in Virginia required separate rest room facilities for blacks and whites. As a result, the Pentagon has a higher ratio of rest rooms for its occupants than most similar size office buildings. It was the only public building in Arlington with segregated rest rooms until 1965. On Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the western side of the Pentagon killing 189 people. Although approximately one-third of the building was damaged, the repairs were completed by the anniversary of the attack. The repairs were incorporated into a larger ongoing renovation program that was completed in 2011, which brought the Pentagon up to standards required for modern office buildings.

Must See Exhibits

More than 100,000 people visit the Pentagon each year. A 60-minute guided tour highlights the history of the building and the Department of Defense. Covering approximately 1.5 miles, the guided tour includes the Hall of Heroes, which honors America’s Medal of Honor recipients, as well as an exhibit dedicated to prisoners of war and those missing in action. You will also see numerous portraits of the country’s founding fathers and a painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

While at the Pentagon, guests can also see the National 9-11 Pentagon Memorial. Situated on the west side of the building, the memorial is dedicated to those who lost their lives that fateful day. The 2-acre park features illuminated benches engraved with the names of the victims, memorial pools and a wall ranging from 3 inches to 71 inches in height to represent the ages of the youngest and oldest victims. There are also 85 paperbark maple trees. Open seven days a week, it is the only place on the Pentagon grounds where photography is permitted.

There is also a burial marker in nearby Arlington National Cemetery . It marks the grave of the 184 victims of the attack on the Pentagon. Located in Section 64, the five-sided granite marker lists the names of those who perished on the plane and inside the Pentagon.

The Pentagon parking lots are used as the staging point for a number of annual events. These include Rolling Thunder, a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts showing support for America’s prisoners of war and missing in action, the Army Ten-Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon.

Know Before You Go

You must make reservations for the guided tour at least 14 but not more than 90 days in advance. Tours are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. except on federal holidays. Visitors 18 and older require a valid government-issued photo ID. The tour starts at the visitor center just to the left, inside the Pentagon Metro entrance. Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled tour to pass through security. The Metro stop is on the Blue and Yellow lines. The Pentagon does not have public parking.

Nearby Attractions

Arlington National Cemetery is the location for the Tomb of the Unknowns and the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy along with numerous other monuments and memorials. It is also the burial ground for many famous Americans and war heroes, including Audie Murphy, Abner Doubleday and Joe Louis. There are monuments and memorials to the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia as well as Women in the Military Service, Pan Am Flight 103 and Spanish American War Nurses.

Formerly known as Columbia Island, Lady Bird Johnson Park includes scenic walking and driving paths, colorful plantings and blooming trees that provide vivid Spring and Fall foliage. There are overlooks and picnic areas as well. The park also features the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove and the Navy and Marine Memorial. The Mount Vernon Trail passes through the park.

Visit Washington, DC!

Hotel and travel tips for visiting Washington, DC

The Pentagon — located across the river from Washington, D.C. in Arlington, Virginia — is more than a power center assigned to the defense of the nation. It’s a small city in itself. About 23,000 military and civilian employees work here, walking 17.5 miles of corridors, drinking 4,500 cups of coffee, and making more than 200,000 telephone calls. The World War II-era building is one of the world’s largest, with three times the floor space of the Empire State Building.

So, other than smartly dressed officers, what’s there to see at the Pentagon? Once you make a reservation through the office of your Congressional representative, our nation’s finest will escort you on a 60-minute tour that highlights significant moments in military history. Visitors can view the September 11 crash site and memorial; the Hall of Heroes, which lists all recipients of the Medal of Honor; and a display on the role of Native Americans in the U.S. military. Three sections of the dismantled Berlin Wall are also on view.

Make sure you’ve got your walking shoes on; the tour covers 1.5 miles at a brisk pace.

Travel Tips

If you’re not part of a formal group of at least five people, you’ll need to call or write your Congressional representative to request a Pentagon tour. Visit  www.house.gov or  www.senate.gov to find contact information for your local Representative or Senator. Non-U.S. citizens must contact their embassy in Washington, D.C.

Group tours are available for groups of five or more people affiliated with an educational institution, government agency, church, scout troop, or military unit. Reservations for group tours must be made at least two weeks in advance. See web site for details.

For more, visit:  https://pentagontours.osd.mil/overview.jsp

September 5, 2023 at 3:54 pm

I’ve always wanted to visit.

September 3, 2023 at 9:08 pm

Do I have to do the website for a tour or get in touch with my rep if it’s only 2 people. It let me put in info but then I read the website for requests are only for groups of 5 or more

April 6, 2016 at 10:17 am

Can we carry backpacks on the tour or is there a place to secure them during the tour? Our family will be traveling the East Coast in June and will really have no place for our backpacks.

June 3, 2013 at 1:16 am

My wife, stepson and I were not able to get a tour scheduled. Is it possible to visit the Pentagon outside and if so what points of interest are available for sightseeing and/or pictures?

June 3, 2013 at 5:06 pm

All visits to the Pentagon require a reservation for a tour. Also, there is no public parking at the Pentagon. See https://pentagontours.osd.mil/ for more information.

December 7, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Any information regarding the Army/Navy Spirit Rally on Friday, 12/9/2011 would be appreciated. May civilian parents of cadets attend, if the rally is outside the Pentagon building? I understand that we will not be able to enter the Pentagon for this event. Thank you and God Bless.

December 7, 2011 at 8:41 pm

I cannot find any details on who is allowed at the event. However, I am aware that it is scheduled for Friday morning at 11:15 a.m. Other game details can be found here .

July 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm

Hi, I am a little confused. Some things written above seem to indicate the Pentagon offers public tours M-F btn 9 and 3. Other comments indicate I can’t tour without having gone through Canada’s Embassy in Washington DC. It will just be my husband and I wanting a tour, so we are not part of a group. Please let me know exactly what I need to do in order to get a tour of the Pentagon. Thank you, Michelle

July 8, 2011 at 7:58 pm

According to the Pentagon web site, all tours require a reservation. If you are not a part of a group, you can make a reservation on the Pentagon web site tours page. U.S. Residents can also reserve a tour by contacting their Congressional or Senate Representative.

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David B Gleason

Can I Tour the Pentagon?

The pentagon memorial is open to all visitors, and public tours inside the pentagon are available to us citizens with advance reservation..

Yes, but public tours inside the Pentagon are available to US citizens only with advance reservations. The Pentagon Memorial is open to all visitors.

How to tour the Pentagon

The Pentagon, located just outside Washington, DC in Arlington, Va., is the headquarters for the United States Department of Defense. It is open for official tours through the  Pentagon Tours program .

Pentagon tours must be reserved at least 14 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance. Tours are conducted Tuesdays and Thursdays (excluding federal holidays) at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours fill up quickly and it is highly recommended that you book well in advance of your visit. You can make a tour request online . International visitors must request a tour through their home country’s embassy.

Individuals who have a Pentagon badge and escort privileges are permitted to give a self-guided tours to friends or family. If you are assigned to the Pentagon or if you are visiting a Pentagon staff member, contact the Pentagon Force Protection Agency at (703) 697-1001 to determine escort status.

Nighttime at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Virginia

Touring the Pentagon

Tours are 60 minutes and cover about 1.5 miles inside the Pentagon, which is one of the largest office buildings in the world. Tours include the history of the four branches of the military and the opportunity to see the indoor memorial near the Sept. 11 crash site and the Sept. 11 Memorial chapel, as well as the Hall of Heroes (featuring the names of all the Medal of Honor recipients) and a number of other military displays.

@daily__ary

Parking, security and accessibility

There is no public parking at The Pentagon. The Pentagon can be reached via its own dedicated Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines or you may choose to park at Pentagon City Mall and make the five-minute walk to the Pentagon via pedestrian tunnel. Once you’ve arrived, check in at the Pentagon Tours window near the Metro entrance.

Visitors must check-in at least 60 minutes prior to their scheduled tour to allow time for security. You will be asked to present your tour confirmation email and photo ID. All visitors will go through security scanners. All purses are subject to search. Large bags, including backpacks, shopping bags and camera bags are NOT permitted on the tour. Cell phone, cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices cannot be used on the tour and no photography is permitted inside the building.

Ramps are available for visitors with disabilities. Tour visitors in wheelchairs must bring someone who can assist them on the tour.  A signer will be added to tours to assist hearing impaired visitors provided that two weeks' notice is given. Special tours for visually impaired visitors can also be arranged with two weeks' notice.

There are so many great tours and sightseeing opportunities in Washington, DC. Discover  your next tour adventure .

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Pentagon Guided Tours

As the headquarters of the Department of Defense for the United States, you may not think the building is open to the public.

However, with advance planning and some background checks, you can take a Pentagon Tour for you and your family.

The tour itself is FREE but advanced reservations are required.

It is 60 minutes long and you must stay with the group the entire time.

You'll find that the guide almost always walks backward for the entire tour (so he or she can keep his eyes on you!).

Pentagon Tours must be requested in advance! You may request tickets from 14 days up to 90 days prior to the tour. .  

Tours are conducted for U.S. Citizens only on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.

The tours are free of charge and last roughly an hour.

To submit your reservation request, you will need to provide the total number of persons, your requested date and start time, and the name and phone number of the person requesting the tour.

Reserve Pentagon tours here .

If you know someone who works at the Pentagon and they have a Pentagon badge, you can take a self-guided tour of the Pentagon with them.

How to Get to the Pentagon

The Pentagon is located in Arlington VA, across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, DC, and just to the south of Arlington National Cemetery.

( NOTE: Technically, the Pentagon is located within the District of Columbia)

We recommend using this link for directions to the Pentagon from anywhere in the DC area.

The best way to reach the Pentagon is by Metro (Washington DC's subway).

The Pentagon Metro Station services both the blue and yellow lines of the DC Metro.

The security check-in for Pentagon Tours is adjacent to the Metro station exit at the Pentagon Visitor Center.  

Be sure to read our post on how to use the DC Metro system .

There are also many bus lines that service the building. 

There is no public parking at the Pentagon. We highly recommend using public transportation.

If you need to drive, you can find cheap parking at a garage at 900 Army Navy Dr.

You can pay ahead of time online for a guaranteed space in this garage with SpotHero .

It is a 10-15 minute walk to the Pentagon by crossing through the parking lot and underneath the interstate (follow signs to the Pentagon Memorial to enter the access tunnel to get to the Pentagon Parking Lot).  

Click here for directions from the parking garage at the Pentagon City Mall to the Pentagon.

*Be sure you always stay in the crosswalk and designated sidewalks as many areas of the grounds are secure!*

Security Check-in at the Pentagon

All tours begin and end at the security checkpoint just outside the Pentagon Metro entrance.

It is well-signed and the guards are very friendly in assisting you to find the correct entrance.  

What time should you arrive for the Pentagon tour?

Arrive 60 minutes prior to your scheduled time to allow for the entire group to pass through security.

What ID do you need for the Pentagon tour?

You will need to bring with you a copy of the confirmation of your tour.

Additionally, anyone in your party who is 18 years or older will need one form of proper identification which must be current and contain a photograph.

Proper forms of ID include the following:

• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Passport Card
• Driver's license or identification card issued by a State or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph and meets the REAL ID standards
• An identification card issued by Federal, State, or local government agencies, provided it contains a photograph
• U.S. Government PIV Card (CAC for DoD Personnel)
• DoD Affiliated Identification Cards (Retirees, Dependents, and Inactive Reservists)
• Native American Tribal Document
• U.S. Border Crossing Card
• Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form I-551 or I-551)
• Foreign passport with a temporary (I-551) stamp or temporary (I-551) printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa
• Foreign passport

Visitors 17 years of age or younger who are accompanied by an adult do not need identification.

Prohibited Items

• Large bags such as backpacks, camera bags, and suitcases are not allowed.
• No weapons or sharp objects permitted
• All purses are subject to search but are allowed
• Small electronic devices like cell phones, tablets, GPS devices, storage devices like flash drives, laptops, and smartwatches are not allowed.
• Photography is prohibited on Pentagon property, both inside and outside the building (with the exception of the Pentagon Memorial ).

There are no storage lockers, so be sure not to arrive with any of the prohibited items. Read the full list of prohibited items .

There is a small box where you can store small devices like phones but laptops will not fit.

Checking in for Pentagon Tours:

Once you are through the security scanners, you still have to check in! After you clear security turn left and find the Pentagon Tour Window to check in your group.

Groups that do not check in at the tour window forfeit their tour.

Pentagon Visitor Center

You will wait for your tour at the Pentagon Visitors Center.

Visitors are not permitted back into the visitors center once the tour has finished so now would be the time to visit the gift shop and restrooms.

Here you can take photos at the only place photos are permitted inside the building - at the replica Press Briefing Room podium.

Food is not permitted while on tour and the tour guide will not pause the tour for any guest to eat.

You may coordinate with Pentagon personnel who will escort you to an area where your group may eat before or after the tour.

Tour Highlights

All tours will cover the history and interesting facts pertaining to four branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps).

You may also have the opportunity to visit the indoor September 11th memorial adjacent to the crash site as well as the 9/11 Memorial Chapel.

Some tours will also visit the Hall of Heroes where all of the names of the recipients of the Medal of Honor are listed as well as an actual Medal of Honor medallion.

Tour itineraries and commentary topics are subject to change at any time.

There are no stops when you are on the tour and the tour is almost always in a walking motion.

The Pentagon Memorial

After your tour, we encourage you to walk around the building following signs to the National September 11th Pentagon Memorial to visit this thought-provoking site before you exit the grounds.

The memorial, which honors the 184 victims who died in the Pentagon or on American Airlines flight 77, is approximately 15 minutes by foot from the Pentagon Metro station where you will exit the building after the tour.

Keep in mind that photos are prohibited until you arrive at the memorial.

The memorial is open 24 hours a day and bathrooms are present though sporadically they are not open.  

Read more about the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.

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• How to Tour the U.S. Capitol Building
• Can I tour the FBI Building?

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How to Get to the Pentagon for Your Tour Because It’s Confusing as Hell

Last Updated: February 9, 2021 //  by  Ashley Smith 8 Comments

You need to know how to get to the Pentagon for your tour. You’re out walking circles around the shipping dock of a BestBuy and can’t for the life of you figure out HOW TO GET TO THE PENTAGON FOR YOUR TOUR, for the love of God. “Park at the Mall” they said. “There’ll be a tunnel” they said.

Well lucky for you, I’ve already gone through this hell and come out the other side. Which, indeed, was at the Pentagon through a pedestrian tunnel. But, of course, it’s not as simple as all that. Directions for the average Joe to access the world’s most top-secret and heavily-guarded spaces rarely are, I’m afraid.

When preparing for my recent Pentagon tour, I’d read they recommend you park at the Pentagon City Mall across the street and take the (what I thought would be blatantly obvious for some reason) pedestrian tunnel and voila! There would be the Pentagon! With a well-worn welcome mat and white wicker rocking chairs to boot.

Turns out, the world is not the giant Cracker Barrel Old Country Store we all thought it was, despite the amount of useless crap we encounter on a daily basis. 

I found the directions for how to get to the Pentagon for your tour to be… misleading and head-scratching at best. So to save you all sorts of time and frustration and an overwhelming fear of looking hella suspicious as you lurk outside the Pentagon walls, let’s get to it.

Where is the Pentagon?

Oh, okay. So you’re at the very start of your Pentagon tour planning. In that case, I should point out that the Pentagon is actually not in Washington, D.C. at all. It’s in Arlington, Virginia.

Regardless, it’s just a short 5 to 10-minute drive from the Washington Monument, i.e. really damn close to everything you’re doing in Washington, D.C. anyway. Its address is: THE PENTAGON and, despite the massive protective wall, armed guards, and strict no photography policy, they’re happy to invite you in to take a tour!

If. you. can. find. it.

The Pentagon, headquarters for the Department of Defense that it is, is itself a master of disguise hiding in plain sight. You can be standing just across the street from it and STILL NOT SEE IT.

They’ll invite you in, but approving your application is about as far as they’ll go in helping you achieve this. The rest is up to you, soldier tourist. It’s my firm belief that objective #1 in Basic Military Training is Find your way to the Pentagon Visitor Center, ya ninny!

Here’s where the Pentagon is:

How to get to the Pentagon for your tour if you’re driving 

If you’re like me, you’re driving around Washington, D.C. in your own vehicle. It’s a perfectly commuter-friendly city so why the heck not? Therefore, you’ll also drive yourself to your Pentagon tour because you’ve got other things to see in Arlington later.

After getting approved, you’ll receive some information including, vaguely, how to arrive for your Pentagon tour. It will say: Sure, you can totally drive here! Well you can, and here’s how. But first, you should know…

Where to park for a Pentagon tour

The Pentagon is SURROUNDED by parking space (bold, italics, all caps, and underlined for emphasis). But don’t you dare try to park there.

When taking a tour of the Pentagon, park in the “Pentagon City Parking Garage.” Its address is 891-895 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA and it’s the parking garage for the Pentagon City Mall also known as Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. But all you really need to know is “Pentagon City Parking Garage” because that’s how it is in Waze. Let’s not even pretend we know how to read maps anymore.

Parking in this garage you’ll pay a small hourly rate but it’s much more affordable than hiring a leading defense attorney when you get detained after trying to pull your car up to the Pentagon.

How much does it cost to park at Pentagon City parking garage?

• 0-2 hours: $3
• 2-3 hours: $4 — which is all you’ll really need for a Pentagon tour, max
• 3-4 hours: $5 — if you plan on eating lunch at the mall like I did
• 4-5 hours: $9
• 5-6 hours: $11
• 6-9 hours: $17
• 9-10 hours: $18 — if you are still so incredibly lost 
• 10-24 hours: $20
• Maximum daily rate: $20 — if you’ve just completely given up and resigned to spend the night in your car
• Leading Defense Attorney: Powerball winnings + your first born

Also check out ─ Since you’re probably not in town just to take a tour of the Pentagon, be sure to check out my entire 3-day Washington DC itinerary here . It covers everything you think you can do in that time… and then tons more.

How to walk to the Pentagon

After parking at the Pentagon City Parking Garage, if your Pentagon tour is the only thing on your agenda, exit the parking garage in the direction of Army Navy Drive (which is north if you’re one of the few people that sort of information is actually useful to).

When you reach the sidewalk, you should have the entrance to the parking garage on your left, and Macy’s on your right.

Also on your left-hand side will be a street light and a crosswalk, cross the street here . Yes, towards what looks simply like a parking lot next to a concrete wall next to a highway. And, NO, you cannot park there instead.

After you cross two crosswalks, on your right-hand side you’ll see what appears to be a dark hole in the side of the concrete wall— that’s the Pentagon pedestrian tunnel . It looks sketchy as all get-out, I know, but most likely you’ll be the sketchiest person in there. For that’s the path to the Pentagon. 

Pro tip ─ What the pedestrian tunnel is not , is a direct connection from the inside of the mall to the doors of the Pentagon. That lil tidbit could’ve saved me a good amount of stress that I would later use when I thought I forgot to take the pepper spray out of my purse before I rocked up to the Pentagon.

How to get to the Pentagon visitor center

Getting into the Pentagon compound is one thing. Finding the Pentagon Visitor Center is another. But don’t worry, I stopped everyone wearing a military uniform and everyone with a huge gun along the way to ask for directions so you don’t have to!  

After you walk through the pedestrian tunnel, you’ll find yourself in an even-larger parking lot that you can’t even think about parking in. When the tunnel opens up you’ll be ushered into another walkway— continue down this path because there are literally no signs telling you where to go and you really don’t have any other options.

Plus, knowing how out of place you must seem in a place like this is starting to make your pits sweat. It’s like they don’t want people just casually walking into the Pentagon off the street. Weird. 

Walk down this pathway until you can’t walk any farther (because it dead ends at a short wall, behind which is another parking lot. With great military might comes a great need for parking, apparently.) Turn right here. Walk alllllll the way down until the sidewalk curves slightly left, then turn left to follow the sidewalk.

Continue straight down this path until the actual Pentagon is on your left. Eventually you’ll see a clear entrance into the building surrounded by, yes, uniformed members of the military with really large guns and a pleasant overhang protecting you from the elements.

Before attempting to enter the Pentagon of your own volition, it’d be best to check in with one of these fellas/gals to further inquire where to head next.

I’d like the record to state that I DID NOT take the next three photos. These are screenshots from Google Maps, please don’t arrest me. I repeat: I DID NOT TAKE THESE PHOTOS. (You just know they’re listening…)

From this point on you’ll gloriously only have the option of going where you’re told to go. You did It! Mission accomplished! Look out, Tom Cruise! Outta my way, Liam Neeson! The name is Smith, Ashley Smith, and I’ve got a particular set of travel skills.

Also check out ─ Need more awesome things to do in our nation’s capital? Check out how I spent another long weekend in Washington DC .

How to get to the Pentagon for your tour by metro

If you’re fairly adept at using public transportation, how to get to the Pentagon for your tour may be a little easier by train. And if visiting the Pentagon is the only business you have to take care of in Arlington, this would be a great option for you.

If, like me, you had plans to visit the Marine Corps War Memorial et al afterwards, you should probably just drive.

The Pentagon actually has its own stop on Washington’s Metrorail system via both the blue and yellow lines. And guess what? Exiting the Pentagon metro stop puts you virtually directly in front of the Pentagon Visitor Center.

Is it really that easy? I dunno, will you inevitably be insulted by that infuriating peg game every time you dine at Cracker Barrel? (That’s a yes.) 

Interested in WWII sites? ─ If you’re interested in checking out other World War II sites while you’re visiting the area, be sure to check out my post on WWII sites in Washington DC (and Arlington, VA) you shouldn’t miss!

If you’re traveling to the Pentagon from Washington, D.C., you’ll catch either a:

• Blue line train in the direction of “Franconia-Springfield” or
• Yellow line train in the direction of “Huntington”
• DC Metro rail map here . 

Exit the train at the Pentagon Metro Station – not the Pentagon City Metro Station. If you get off at the Pentagon City Metro Station, you’ve gone too far—either hop back on in the opposite direction, or continue via the HOW TO WALK TO THE PENTAGON directions above.

Exit the Pentagon Metro Station and you’ll be just about face-to-face with the Pentagon Visitor Center and the heavies that guard it. (It’s the big blue M next to the word Pentagon in the animation above.)

Pro tip ─ When returning to Washington, D.C. after your tour, you’ll want to catch either a blue line train in the direction of “Largo Town Center” or a yellow line train in the direction of “Greenbelt.”

How to get to the Pentagon for your tour by taxi or rideshare

Now that you know there’s a Metro station at the Pentagon, that’s going to make your life a whole lot easier (unless you’re driving, in which case SORRY SUCKA—Just kidding, driving yourself around is cool).

To take a taxi or Uber or Lyft or Flibbityboo or whatever to your Pentagon tour, simply have them drop you off at the Pentagon Metro Station . Chances are they’ve done this before and know exactly where to go. There’s also a small chance they may not be keen on venturing to the land of “all vehicles are subject to search.” In which case, Thank you, next. Ain’t nobody got time for “that’s not mine, I swear!”

Pro tip ─ If you’re looking for a Pentagon Visitor Center address, you won’t find one. Instead, simply use Pentagon Metro Station in your rideshare app.

Lack of parking and accessibility aside, a tour of the Pentagon is totally worth it . Getting to go inside one of the most secure and important buildings in the entire world is an amazing feeling and honor.

You’ll see things you’ve never even imagined and rub elbows with the country’s military elite. And you’ll ride that high until they remind you that you don’t have enough security clearance to even use the restrooms in there.

More info for your Pentagon tour

Heading to Washington DC? Read hotel reviews on TripAdvisor  or  book your room now ! But where do I personally recommend? I stayed at the Pod Hotel DC on this trip and loved it! For where else I’ve stayed in DC, check out this post .  Don’t forget to pick up a DC guidebook:  Check out this one ! Like this post? Have questions? Hit me up on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

How will you be getting to the Pentagon for your tour? Let me know below!

Don’t want to forget this info? PIN ME FOR LATER ⇣⇣⇣

About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. She has traveled to 39 countries and specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas that prioritize hiking adventures, museums of all kinds, cultural experiences, and jam-packed itineraries. She hails from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline sidekicks.

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Pentagon OKs two-year tours with adult family members at US Army base in Poland

U.S. Army Col. Jesse Chace stands in front of his formation during the change of command ceremony at Camp Kosciuszko in Poznan, Poland, June 28, 2024. The Pentagon has approved accompanied, 24-month tours for service members assigned to the base in western Poland. The dependents must be 18 years and older to join service members there. (Devin Klecan/U.S. Army)

U.S. military spouses may soon be searching for apartments and the best place for pierogis in Poznan, home of the first permanent American base in Poland.

The Pentagon has now approved accompanied, 24-month tours for service members assigned to Camp Kosciuszko. The new travel regulation allows military dependents 18 years and older to join service members with orders to the base in west-central Poland.

“When you walk out our main gate, you’re in the heart of a 500,000-person city,” said Marcus Fichtl, a spokesman for U.S. Army Garrison Poland.

Soldiers on solo permanent orders will continue to serve one-year tours. Civilians on two-year assignments at Poznan were authorized in December to bring adult dependents. The first family members arrived in the spring, Fichtl said.

The two-year tour policy went into effect Aug. 19, Fichtl said Friday. It doesn’t affect units based in the United States that arrive on nine-month rotational deployments, the Army said.

“Bringing permanently stationed soldiers with their families to Poland is a significant milestone as we continue to build our Army home on NATO’s eastern flank,” Col. Jesse Chace, U.S. Army Garrison Poland commander, said in a statement Thursday.

Spouses and adult children accompanying soldiers can expect to live in the city. Housing for personnel on permanent orders is off base and the military housing allowance is “more than adequate for top-quality housing in the city,” Fichtl said.

U.S. military personnel on permanent orders and civilians at the garrison’s posts in Powidz and Swietoszow will continue to serve unaccompanied tours of 12 and 24 months, respectively, since those installations lack the infrastructure to support family members, according to the Pentagon.

The Army designated Camp Kosciuszko as permanent in March 2023, a move reflecting Poland’s emergence in recent years as the center of gravity for Army operations aimed at deterring potential Russian aggression from the east.

The camp is the headquarters for V Corps’ forward element, which was reestablished in 2021 to manage operations from the Baltic Sea in the north down to the Black Sea region.

Though the Army is looking to put down roots in the former Warsaw Pact country, most troops in Poland are on nine-month rotational assignments for now.

In the 15 months since the garrison staked out an enduring presence, it’s grown its headquarters staff from a handful of soldiers and civilians to more than 100 personnel supporting 7,500 troops in the V Corps area of responsibility, according to the Army.

Whether school-age dependents will eventually be authorized for accompanied tours remains to be seen. The biggest hurdle is the lack of Defense Department schools in the country.

Establishing education facilities for U.S. service members and their families is something the garrison plans to work toward, Fichtl said, adding that an assignment to Poznan is attractive even in the current conditions.

“It’s the gem of Europe to live in right now,” he said. “You’re in a cool city but also in an organization that’s growing and thriving. It’s something brand new.”

previous coverage

• Army leaders open to more permanent basing in Poland, but costs would be high

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