Updated July 7, 2020.
Who likes money?! Then you need to visit the “money factory” in D.C. It’s the Bureau of Engraving and Printing—not to be confused with the Treasury Department! It’s a pretty fun tour for both kids and adults, so plan to include a visit to the Bureau on your next trip to Washington, D.C.!
Know Before You Go
- Tickets are required from March-December; no tickets required in January or February!
- The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is closed for two weeks per year from Christmas until the second week of January.
- You will have to go through security, including a metal detector
- The tour lasts about 40 minutes.
- No photos are allowed on the tour; if you are seen taking photos or if you even have your phone out for any reason, the tour guide will have to call security to search for photos on your phone and/or camera, and you may be escorted out. I know that sounds like overkill, but there you go!
Getting There
Address:
300 14th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20228
Pro Tip: Take the Metro
The closest Metro station is the Smithsonian Station on the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines. Take either exit and walk in the direction of 14th Street (the same direction as the Washington Monument). Turn left on 14th Street and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is next to the Holocaust Museum.
Read on: Your Guide to DC’s Metro System
Hours and Tour Times
- The BEP is open for tours Monday-Friday from 8:30am-2:00pm (Visitor Center and Gift Shop open until 2:45pm) from January-March and September-December.
- During the spring and summer from the last week of March-August the BEP is open Monday-Friday longer hours from 8:30am-6:00pm!
- The BEP is closed on weekends and federal holidays. Get the full list of those dates on their website: MoneyFactory.com!
Note! This is not the same as the U.S. Treasury Department Tour. Click here to find out how to tour the U.S. Treasury Department!
Getting Tickets
Tickets are always FREE, but there are a few ways to get tickets to this family-friendly tour:
Daily Walk-up Tickets
Timed tickets are distributed each day on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8:00am at the ticket booth on 14th Street. If you’re visiting in January or February, you won’t need to worry about getting a ticket—that is the slowest and best time to be taking tours in D.C.! All other times, plan to be at the BEP by 8:00am to make sure you get your tickets.
Advance Congressional Tickets
If you’re visiting in the spring, summer, or the week of Thanksgiving (the three busiest times of year), you may want to consider requesting a tour via your state’s Congresspeople. The tour is the exact same, but you can get tickets in advance this way to avoid standing in line. Click here for information about requesting a tour from your Congresspeople.
Group Tickets
If you’re coming with a large group (from 10 to 110 people), click here for a group tour request form! Large group tours are offered from 11:00am-12:30pm daily and run every 15 minutes. Group tours may be requested up to 6 months in advance.
Related: D.C. Tours to Request in Advance
Highlights of the Tour
As I mentioned before, this is a fun tour for kids and grown-ups alike! When you get your ticket and go in for your tour, you’ll watch a short introductory video about how they make the money, and then your tour guide will show you the rest. Some of my favorite highlights are:
- Hearing about the security features and the paper it’s made of that no one else can legally possess!
- Watching the machines make the money. You will be taken to a viewing area above the “money factory,” and you’ll be able to see the machines as they work. They’re super fast!
- Hearing about all the details and checkpoints that go into making sure each bill is as close to perfect as possible.
- Learning what happens to the imperfect money–you’ll have to take the tour or visit the gift shop to see!
- Visiting the gift shop and visitor center after the tour. Don’t skip it! You can take photos in the visitor center and gift shop, and there are some very interesting things on display!
Read next: D.C. Tours You Never Knew You Could Take
Need more D.C. highlights, insider tips, and restaurant recommendations? Check out my Washington, D.C. Page!
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You can even get money at the souvenir shop! Just go up to the cashier, hand them a $100 bill and ask for change!
That’s true!