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Washington, DC Area

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About the Tour

The Pentagon, one of the world's largest office buildings, is the headquarters of the Department of Defense. Located in the Washington, D.C., area, the five-sided building has three times the floor space of the Empire State Building. Each year, about 100,000 visitors explore displays and memorials in the Pentagon's halls with the help of tour guides, all of whom are active U.S. military service members.

Tour Details

You must follow important details and security guidelines to reserve a Pentagon tour and be cleared to enter the Pentagon for your tour. Tours fill up quickly, and reservations are required at least 14 days in advance through this website.

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Security

We want you to enjoy your time exploring military history at the Pentagon, and that can only happen if you are aware of and follow these security guidelines. There are no exceptions, and noncompliance will result in the tour being terminated.

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FAQs

Wondering about parking, checking in or what to bring on the tour? Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Pentagon tours.

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Reserve Tour

To take a guided tour of the Pentagon, you must make a reservation using the Pentagon Tour Reservation Portal. Each adult member of your tour group must then register as a Pentagon Visitor and be cleared by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to visit the Pentagon for your tour. Tours can fill up quickly, so booking your tour well before your visit is advisable. Reservations may be booked from 14 to 90 days in advance.

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Check Existing Reservation

You can manage your existing tour reservation and monitor the visitor registration and security review status of your adult tour group members by logging into your My Tours Account on the Pentagon Tour Reservation Portal.

CHECK RESERVATION

Getting Here

The use of public transportation or taxis is strongly recommended in the Washington, D.C., region because parking is very limited and traffic is often heavy.

pentagon map

Download Pentagon Information Map

By Metrorail: Take either the Yellow or Blue Line to the Pentagon Metro Station.

After arriving at the Pentagon Station, exit the platform through the turnstile and take the left escalator to the top. Once off the escalator, veer left around the barrier and turn right into the Pentagon Visitor Entrance.

By Bus: Several public bus lines service the Pentagon Transit Center including buses operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Arlington Transit (ART).

After arriving at the Pentagon Transit Center, exit the bus and follow the signs to the Pentagon Visitor Entrance.

Trip Planners: Convenient public transportation trip planners for both Metrorail and Bus are available on the WMATA and ART websites.

pentagon map

Download Pentagon Information Map

Driving is not recommended because there is no public parking for tours on the Pentagon Reservation.

The nearest public pay-for-parking facility is located adjacent to Macy's at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Once parked, walk across Army Navy Drive, and proceed through the Hayes Street Pentagon Pedestrian Tunnel to the Pentagon South parking lot.

Walk through the Pentagon South parking lot and cross North Rotary Road to the sidewalk between the two big staircases ahead. Turn right along the North Rotary Road sidewalk and follow the signs to the Pentagon Visitor Entrance.

pentagon map

Download Pentagon Information Map

Taxis and Ride Share drivers can drop off and pick up passengers on the sidewalk at the right side of North Rotary Road between the large stairwells for Corridors 2 and 3.

After drop-off, walk counterclockwise around the Pentagon building and follow signs to the Pentagon Visitor Entrance.

tour duration

60 min

walking miles

1.5

tour guides

25

tours per month

270

visitors annually

100,000

Pentagon History

1941

1942

1943

1976

1989

1992

1998

2001

2008

2011

Sept. 11, 1941

Construction Begins

Congress authorizes construction of the Pentagon, and ground is broken Sept. 11. The land belonged to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee before it was confiscated during the Civil War.

pentagon-construction
April 29, 1942

First Occupants Move In

While the Pentagon's construction is not complete, the first employees begin working inside the building.

first occupants in pentagon
Jan. 15, 1943

Construction Complete

The Pentagon officially opens. The 16-month project required the skill of 1,000 architects and the labor of 14,000 tradesmen working three shifts, 24 hours a day. At the height of World War II, the Pentagon housed more than 33,000 occupants.

construction of pentagon is completed
May 17, 1976

Pentagon Tours Established

The Pentagon tours program is established to support the nation's bicentennial celebration. Initially, the program was to last through the 4th of July and then be disbanded; however, internal support and public demand were so great that the program has continued ever since.

1989

Historic Place

The Pentagon is added to the National Register of Historic Places.

pentagon declared historic place
1992

Designated as Historic Landmark

The Pentagon is designated a National Historic Landmark, with emphasis on these elements: The five outer facades of the building; The Central Courtyard and its surrounding façade; The terrace fronting the Mall Entrance; The terrace fronting the River Entrance; The building's distinctive five-sided shape.

pentagon designated as historic landmark
1998

Renovations Begin

Pentagon renovations begin, one wedge at a time. Building systems are modernized, and a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified Metro entrance, delivery facility and fitness center are created.

renovations to pentagon
Sept. 11, 2001

9/11 Terrorist Attack on the Pentagon

American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. Fifty-nine people on the plane and 125 people inside the building perished.

september 11th attack on pentagon
Sept. 11, 2008

9/11 Memorial Dedicated

The Defense Department honors those killed in the 9/11 attack with the opening of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.

Learn more about memorial
9/11 memorial dedication
2011

Renovation Complete

The Pentagon renovation project is complete. With about 4 million square feet of space, renovations included the removal of all hazardous materials, replacement of all building systems, addition of new elevators and escalators to improve vertical circulation, and installation of new security and telecommunications systems.

renovations completed after 9/11 attack
  • 1400 Defense Pentagon,
  • Washington, DC 20301-1400
  • 703-695-3325
  • 703-695-3410