A visit to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing involves a free tour, where visitors can see millions of dollars being printed on the production floor. An introductory film outlines the printing process, and a gift shop sells a variety of currency products.
The bureau is part of several Washington DC tours, including half-day and day trips, and hop-on hop-off bus and Segway tours.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a must-see for currency collectors, budget travelers, and anyone curious about the US currency system.
All visitors to the bureau are required to go through security screening.
The tour is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available upon request.
Photography is not allowed inside the tour gallery.
The easiest way to get to the bureau is to take the metro Blue or Orange Line to the Smithsonian station. The building is about a block away from the Independence Avenue/Bureau of Engraving and Printing exit. The Old Town Trolley Orange Loop also stops near the bureau at the intersection of Independence Avenue and 12th Street.
Tours are only available on weekdays. Since a limited number of tickets are available each day, it’s a good idea to show up a few minutes before the bureau opens to avoid disappointment.
Not all US currency comes from this Washington bureau. While the facility remains the largest producer of government security documents, the Washington DC location now shares responsibilities with another facility in Fort Worth. You won’t see coins being made at either location; that’s the job of the United States Mint.
