U.S. Department of State Tours and Activities

The 8,000-employee office of the Secretary of State is responsible for America’s relations with foreign governments, and operates the U.S.’s diplomatic missions abroad. Open since 1947 in the Art Moderne-style Harry S. Truman Building, the State Department, as it is more commonly known, is also concerned with assisting and protecting American citizens and businesses in other countries.

While the State Department is a functioning office and not generally open to the public, 45-minute tours of the 18th-and 19th-century furniture, fine and decorative art in the elegant Diplomatic Reception Rooms are offered on Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2:45 p.m. Reservations for these free tours must be made about 90 days in advance of your visit via phone at or online.