How to Visit the Pentagon: Tours, Booking & Tips (2026)

By UnscriptedDC · Arlington, VA · Visitor Guide

You can visit the Pentagon on a free, one-hour guided tour led by active-duty service members, but you have to book 14 to 90 days ahead through the official Pentagon Tours portal. Tours are open to U.S. citizens and green card holders. The outdoor Pentagon Memorial needs no reservation and is open 24/7.

What the Pentagon Actually Is

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac from DC. It’s one of the largest office buildings in the world, with about 6.5 million square feet and roughly 26,000 military and civilian employees.

The building is five concentric pentagons connected by ten corridors, designed so no two points are more than about a seven-minute walk apart. It was built in 16 months during World War II and completed in January 1943.

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building’s western side, killing 184 people. The Pentagon was repaired and fully operational within a year, and the memorial to those lost is part of what you’ll see on the tour.

What You’ll See on the Tour

Tours are led by active-duty service members, and that’s what sets this apart from every other DC attraction. They bring context no exhibit label can match.

• The Hall of Heroes, honoring every recipient of the Medal of Honor.
• The indoor September 11 memorial and chapel, near the site of the attack.
• Military history displays covering the branches of the U.S. military.
• A display honoring Native Americans’ role in U.S. military service.
• A section of the Berlin Wall.
• A 9/11 gallery, including limestone from the Pentagon’s exterior damaged in the attack.

The tour covers about 1.5 miles at a brisk pace, so wear comfortable shoes. Itineraries can change based on what’s happening in the building that day.

How to Book a Pentagon Tour

Unlike the Capitol or the White House, the Pentagon has its own online reservation portal, so you don’t have to go through Congress, though you can.

1. Reserve on the portal at war.gov/Pentagon-Tours. The person booking is the group’s point of contact and must be an adult U.S. citizen or green card holder.
2. Every adult registers. Each adult in your group then registers as a Pentagon visitor and is cleared by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Expect to provide personal details, including a Social Security number, for the security review.
3. Don’t miss the registration deadline. If a group member hasn’t registered at least 7 days before the tour, their reservation is forfeited. Send everyone the link right away.
4. Or go through Congress. Your senator’s or representative’s office can also help arrange a tour.

Security: Read This Before You Arrive

• No electronics inside. That means phones, cameras, headphones, and smartwatches. There’s no secure storage, so leave them at your hotel or in your car.
• No photography inside. It’s strictly enforced. You can photograph the exterior.
• Travel light. Skip large bags and backpacks. Anything you bring is subject to search.
• Bring ID and your confirmation. Every visitor 18 and older needs valid government-issued photo ID.

Getting to the Pentagon by Metro

Pentagon station on the Blue and Yellow lines sits right at the building, and the tour check-in is a short walk from the Metro entrance. It’s one of the easiest Metro-to-destination connections in the system.

• From downtown DC: a quick ride across the river on the Blue or Yellow Line.
• From Reagan National Airport: three stops north on the Blue or Yellow Line.
• From Arlington National Cemetery: one stop on the Blue Line.

Parking for a Pentagon Tour

There’s no public parking at the Pentagon. Its lots are for authorized personnel only. Park at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall garage, then walk through the pedestrian tunnel under I-395, which takes less than five minutes. On weekday evenings and weekends, the Hayes Street lot also opens to Memorial visitors, but tours run on weekday daytimes, so plan on the mall.

For the full breakdown, including accessible parking and the Hayes Street lot hours, see our guide to parking near the Pentagon.

The Pentagon Memorial: No Reservation Needed

The outdoor Pentagon Memorial honors the 184 people killed on September 11: 125 inside the building and 59 aboard Flight 77. Each is represented by an illuminated bench. Benches for those in the building face the Pentagon, and benches for those aboard the flight face the sky. It’s open 24 hours a day and is one of the quietest, most moving memorials in the DC area, worth visiting whether or not you get inside.

Even if you can’t get a tour, the Pentagon Memorial is worth the trip on its own.

Pair It With Arlington National Cemetery

The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery are one Metro stop apart. A morning at the Pentagon and an afternoon at Arlington, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy gravesites, and the Memorial Amphitheater, is one of the most powerful military history days you can have in the DC area. See our Arlington National Cemetery trolley guide for the best way to get around the grounds.

For Families

The Pentagon tour is underused by DC-area families. Walking a corridor while an active-duty guide explains what happened there on September 11 isn’t something a museum can replicate. For middle-school-age kids and up, it’s one of the most memorable experiences in the area. See our DC with kids guide for more ideas.

Pentagon Tour FAQ

Can you tour the Pentagon?
Yes. Free guided tours are available to U.S. citizens and green card holders who reserve 14 to 90 days in advance through the Pentagon Tours portal.

How far in advance do you book a Pentagon tour?
At least 14 days and no more than 90 days before your tour date. Every adult in your group must then register and be cleared.

Can you bring your phone on a Pentagon tour?
No. Electronics aren’t allowed inside, and there’s no storage, so leave them at your hotel or in your car.

Is there parking at the Pentagon?
No public parking. Park at the Pentagon City mall garage and walk through the tunnel, or take Metro to Pentagon station.

Do you need a reservation for the Pentagon Memorial?
No. The outdoor memorial is open to everyone, 24 hours a day.

Also on UnscriptedDC

• Parking Near the Pentagon
• Arlington National Cemetery Trolley Guide
• How to Visit the White House
• How to Visit the U.S. Capitol
• How to Visit the FBI Experience
• How to Visit Your Senator

UnscriptedDC is an independent Washington DC area travel guide. Pentagon tour schedules and security rules change, so confirm details on the official Pentagon Tours portal before you go. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.