There are not that many secrets in DC. It’s a town that loves being in the know. So we’re frequently on the look out for little know spots and hidden gems. And we cannot believe we stumbled upon this incredibly cool tour that very few people in DC know about. The Department of State Diplomatic Reception Room Tours are the coolest, most unknown attraction in DC!
When you think about places to go or attractions to see in DC, the State Department does not exactly rank at the top of the list. It might not even be on your list at all. After all, it’s an office building and most people need security clearance to get too far into it.
Except for the seventh and eighth floors. These floors are a treasure trove of incredible items that you would think only existed in a museum. The Diplomatic Reception Rooms are on these floors. Visiting Chiefs of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers are entertained in these rooms.
The rooms hold over 5,000 items of American treasures. You can see antique furniture, historic portraits and famous artwork across every inch of these rooms. Most of these times are from 1740 to 1840 and were privately donated.
The rooms hold items that were owned and used by some of our most famous countrymen including Thomas Jefferson’s desk, Francis Scott Key’s dining room chair and John Adams’ coffee pot (which was actually made by Paul Revere).
This is not a traditional museum, of course. Even today, the rooms are used to welcome foreign leaders and so if you do visit, you may notice a flurry of activity. Sometimes the rooms are being prepared for a visit or one of our own government leaders is present in the building.
Tours are offered Monday-Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30am and 2:45pm. Tours last about an hour but you should leave time to go through security before your tour time.
