embassy tours dc may 6

Guide to Free Embassy Tours in Washington, DC During Passport DC

Visit washington, dc during passport dc, a springtime celebration of international cultures in the district..

Passport DC presented by Events DC is a month-long festival in May that pays tribute to Washington, DC's thriving international diplomatic community and diverse culture. As part of International Cultural Awareness month, the first two Saturdays in May are devoted to embassy open houses. Consider this your chance to stroll Embassy Row – a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue NW that runs through Dupont Circle and Upper Northwest – and visit some of the more than 170 embassies and cultural institutions based in the nation's capital.

Thanks to this only-in-DC experience, you can take advantage of two chances to step inside a foreign embassy with the  Around the World Embassy Tour  and the EU Open House . Read on to learn about these events plus all of Passport DC's other ongoing experiences, including International City Food Festival , Flower Mart , and Fiesta Asia! .

You can visit foreign embassies on the Around the World Embassy Tour

Embassies will span six continents and islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. Produced by Events DC, the event will delight guests with a diverse range of food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations and manufactured goods. Most visitors should expect to visit about five embassies in a full day. Check the Passport DC website for more information. 

Europhiles can have a field day with the EU Embassies’ Open House

Take your very own shortcut to Europe  and enjoy the Old Continent without any jet lag. From Ireland and Italy to Spain and Slovakia, all European Union member states participate in this citywide open house experience.

Enjoy other Passport DC events

On May 3-4, the second annual International City Food Festival will include three days of celebrations complementing the first weekend of Passport DC, making culinary diplomacy accessible — with free admission — to all ages through global food and drink. The festival will offer a timely launch point to travel the globe to understand and honor other cultures, all in the heart of DC.

Also during Passport DC’s first weekend, the Washington National Cathedral hosts its annual Flower Mart , a two-day event that allows visitors to shop for plants and gifts, eat fun festival food, enjoy children’s activities, ride a historic carousel and take in the beauty of the International Floral Exhibit.

Later in May, you can embrace Asian Heritage Month with a day jam-packed with culture, from the performing arts to culinary delights. The annual Fiesta Asia! takes over Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 6th streets NW with exciting performances, interactive displays, flea markets and food stalls.

Both of Passport DC’s embassy open house experiences are FREE!

Like so much of Washington, DC , this unique event is free to the public. If this pumps you up as much as it does us, then express gratitude to your hosts. Surprise them by learning to say "thank you" in their native tongue before you move to the next embassy.

This is the only opportunity of its kind, when embassies are open to the public.

What's even more exciting than a great deal? Answer: The opportunity to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which Washington, DC delivers on with each and every visit. There's no city in the U.S. that can offer embassy open houses, let alone give you access to so many different embassies. So celebrate the ends of the globe during Passport DC, and the fact that DC helped make it happen.

If you come hungry, you're in luck.

We don't encourage you to expect your day of embassy walkthroughs to double as a bona fide food tour, but many embassies offer up international treats for visitors. Savor as much of the global spread as you can, and then make a full meal out of it with  DC's exciting dining scene .

You can sip on everything from international coffee to spirits.

We know all of this embassy hopping will make you feel like you have diplomatic immunity, but remember to bring your ID if you'd like to sip on adult beverages, which may be available in select embassies.

Marvel at dancing demonstrations from a variety of cultures.

Make sure your camera is ready to take action shots of everything from traditional folk dances in colorful clothing to Afro-Brazilian displays. On some occasions, crowd participation is welcome, so don't be surprised if you're asked to show off your best moves.

Even if you don’t dance, you can listen to good music and imported sounds.

The language of music really is universal and every culture puts their own spin on things. Soak up a symphony of sound as you bop from embassy to embassy.

You never know what you’ll see until you go.

There's no predicting what you'll encounter on your embassy journeys. All you can do is keep an open mind and take it all in, then plan to come back next year to check out even more embassies. 

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Welcome please fill in the information required below, passport dc 2023, may 1, 2023 9:00 am, may 31, 2023 5:00 pm.

Events DC is excited to have expanded its programming to include Passport DC!

Passport DC is a month-long journey around the world highlighting DC’s thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied culture. Celebrated annually in May, which is International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington, Passport DC is 31 days of programming by embassies and some of DC’s very best cultural institutions. Thousands of people enjoy the popular embassy open houses, street festivals, performances, exhibitions, workshops and more. Passport DC invites everyone to experience a trip around the world without leaving the city!

Featured Events

Around the World Embassy Tour : Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10 am-4:30 pm

Flower Mart : Friday, May 5, 2023 from 10 am-6 pm and Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10 am-5pm

EU Open House : May 13, 2023 from 10 am-4 pm

Fiesta Asia : May 20, 2023 from 11 am-7 pm

Click the link below to learn more!

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Nationally acclaimed passport dc returns with around the world embassy tour on may 6, 2023.

The month of May features cultural celebrations and educational activities for all.

Passport DC

Washington, DC, March 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This May, Passport DC returns to Washington, DC with one of its favorite programs—Around the World Embassy Tour. Produced by Events DC, this free event will take place on May 6 and invites residents and visitors to enjoy a day of cultural and educational activities at embassies who open their doors to the public.

Passport DC has become a beloved and popular annual event in the District. Throughout the month of May, which is Washington, DC’s International Cultural Awareness Month, people in the District have a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich diversity of cultures represented in the city.

“Events DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour and Passport DC attract nearly 27,000 attendees each year and allow the diplomatic community to highlight the very best of their home countries,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “Washington, DC is a world-class destination for many reasons. With such a high concentration of embassies, locals and tourists have an unparalleled opportunity to experience a wide range of local, national and international traditions from around the globe. I love that we can benefit from each other for inspiration and creativity in so many ways—art, cuisine, fashion, dance, music and so much more.”

Along with the Around the World Embassy Tour, Events DC’s Passport DC program features additional cultural experiences throughout May that showcase the city’s diversity:

May 5 and 6 – All Hallows Guild presents Flower Mart at the National Cathedral, where attendees can enjoy beautiful flower displays representing different countries. Themed this year, “A New Beginning,” Flower Mart is the largest annual fundraiser for the cathedral’s gardens and grounds.

May 6 – Embassies from multiple non-European Union countries will host open houses, giving visitors the chance to learn about different customs and heritages through food, fashion, arts and music.

May 13 – European Union embassies offer visitors an authentic European experience.

May 20 – Fiesta Asia! invites people to get up close with Asian practices, dances and food in a street fair festival on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Events DC is proud to encourage people to explore and learn about the diverse diplomatic communities in Washington, DC. With more than 175 embassies, Washington, DC has the second highest number of embassies in any city in the world.

Washington, DC truly is a global city that offers something for everyone.

For more information, visit https://eventsdc.com/passport-dc .

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in direct economic impact and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at  www.RFKFields.com . Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit  www.eventsdc.com  and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for live and on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at  www.gatherbyeventsdc.com

Culture on display: Dozens of embassies to open their doors to visitors this weekend

Erron Franklin | [email protected]

May 4, 2023, 4:13 AM

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This weekend, over 60 of D.C.’s more than 175 embassies will welcome visitors inside during the annual Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour.

Passport DC includes a host of events this month, including the Saturday, May 6, embassy tour that’s curated by Events DC  to encourage and inspire residents to learn about the District’s diplomatic community.

“I love the cultural diversity and the inclusiveness,” Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates said. “This gives us an opportunity and the embassies an opportunity to just share their culture and what their country has to offer.”

Participants can expect to learn about cultural traditions through food, fashion, art and music. In previous years, embassies have held karate demonstrations, K-pop dance competitions and sari wrapping lessons.

There is also a physical souvenir passport that participants are encouraged to use as they tour the embassies. An interactive map is also available to help visitors navigate the embassies while touring.

As preparation begins for Saturdays festivities, WTOP spoke with a few ambassadors to the United States about what to expect during guests visits to embassies.

“We’ll have stations where you will see and witness the diversity of Colombia,” Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia said during WTOP’s visit. “Also, you’ll have the opportunity to taste our Colombian food.”

Ambassador Murillo Urrutia, a history maker in his own right, will be there meeting visitors. He’s the first-ever Afro-Descendant Colombian Ambassador to the U.S.

When visitors stop by, they’ll be able to explore “Colombia: Land of Diversity,” an exhibit of the country’s vast array of experiences while sampling Colombian coffee. The embassy is also hosting a “Picture Yourself in Colombia” social media photo competition.

For over a decade, the Embassy of Oman has been participating in Passport DC events, and they are pleased to welcome guests to the culture center this weekend.

“We’ve prepared a lot of cultural programs to introduce Oman,” Moosa Hamdan Al Tai, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States said.

Activities for adults and children will be offered.

“We have Arabic Calligraphy, where they can write their name in Arabic, and music. A lot about Oman and the Middle East to be introduced,” The ambassador said. “I hope when they walkout, they learn something more and that will be a bridge between our culture, the United States and our country.”

Here’s what to know if you plan on participating in the Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour:

• Admission: Admission is free but reservations are recommended
• Event Time: Embassies are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)
• Getting there: Many embassies are within walking distance of the Dupont Circle and Van Ness/UDC Metro stations
• Parking: Street parking is available but difficult at many embassy locations
• Souvenir passports: They’ll be available at the Dupont Circle and Van Ness Information booths

Erron Franklin is a Social Media & Video Editor with WTOP News. Prior to joining WTOP, he worked in public affairs programming at C-SPAN.

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Around the World Embassy Tour gives visitors an inside look at DC’s embassies

WASHINGTON - Some of D.C.'s treasures are the embassies here representing a world of culture!

But they're usually off limits to the public. Over the weekend, more than 50 embassies will open their doors to visitors as part of Passport D.C.

Exploring the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago

FOX 5’s Steven Chenevey explores the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington, D.C!

The Around the World Embassy Tour will allow visitors to experience food, art, dance, and more from different countries around the world – right here in the District!

The embassies will open their doors to visitors, allowing guests to pet alpacas, play with robots, learn indigenous dances and more!

Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago

FOX 5’s Steve Chenevey got a preview of the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago and the Embassy of Thailand ahead of the weekend tours.

You can learn more about the Around the World Embassy Tour online .

Royal Thai Embassy tour

FOX 5’s Steve Chenevey got a preview of the Embassy of Thailand ahead of the weekend tours.

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The Best Embassies to Tour with Kids During Passport DC

May 3, 2017

Washington DC. is, of course, known for being a political town : We've got the White House and the Capitol, the President of the United States and all the members of the government within our city limits. But it’s also a town full of global leaders! This year, there are 177 nations that uphold diplomatic missions or embassies in D.C. And what's better, your family can actually visit them! 

There's no better way to teach your kids about a new culture, and there's no better time than during  Passport DC —a month long cultural celebration in May which includes tours of more than 70 embassies, street festivals, performances and exhibitions. Last year, nearly 250,000 people joined in on the festivities. Our favorite time to visit the embassies is during the annual (and extremely popular) Around the World Embassy Tour on May 6, where families can tour the buildings and be exposed to world cultures through song, dance, demonstrations and international treats. Even better, admission is free!

 Ready to go? Here's our guide to the most kid-friendly parts of the Around the World Embassy Tour.

Getting there

We recommend taking public transportation, like the Metro or bus. Most embassies are located near the Dupont Circle Metro and several clusters of embassies are located within a 10-minute walk from this area. If you don't want to walk, complimentary shuttle bus service runs throughout the day. This festival is one of the most popular during Passport DC meaning lines can get very long, so try to get there early! All embassies are open from 10am to 4pm. Be sure to map out which embassies you want to visit so you maximize your time in each location and get a souvenir passport from the information booths at Van Ness and Dupont Circle to stamp along the way. Because of the crowds, the best way to enjoy the festival is to be patient and go with the flow! 

Top embassies to visit with kids

Embassy of Peru

Here, your kids will learn about the magical country of Peru. See some beautiful dances, taste some of the vast cuisines the country of Peru has to offer and maybe you’ll spot a few fun Peruvian animals. 

Embassy of Indonesia

Enjoy traditional Indonesian cultural performances and crafts, taste delicious Indonesian food like tempeh and drink coffee made by one of the country’s most renowned chef.

Embassy of Japan

Experience the culture of Japan at Old Ambassador's Residence, a National Historical Landmark and only open to the public twice a year! You'll enjoy Japanese food and treats as well as watch demos that showcase Japan's science and technology. 

Embassy of Bolivia

The Embassy of Bolivia is a big hit every year it participates, so we're super excited it's back for 2017! Kids of all ages will enjoy watching beautiful Bolivian folk dances, tasting yummy Bolivian food and participating in making traditional crafts,

Embassy of Bangladesh

Travel all the way to Bangladeshi by heading a little further away from Dupont Circle to this embassy. Enjoy perusing the traditional food, jewelry and handicrafts that will be available for purchase. Afterwards, get your hands adorned at the Henna painting station.

Tips for your visit:

• You'll find kid-friendly food near the embassies like Zorba’s Café , Surfside and &Pizza .

• Depending on the Embassy, you may have to go up and down stairs when inside. If you bring strollers, be prepared to park them outside the Embassy. 

• Embassies will have restrooms open to visitors.

• Get the Passport DC app to stay up-to-date and always have an embassy map on hand.

• Try something new! If your fave Embassy has long lines, try another one you didn’t have on your list. You never know what fun surprises and cultural experience you’ll find once inside.

• Want more ways to try out cultural activities of different countries? Try the KID Museum’s cultural programming ! The Bethesda museum celebrates cultures from around the world every month. Join them for activities, shows, and traditions from around the world.

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How to make the most of Passport DC’s free embassy tours

Dozens of countries from Armenia to Zambia are hosting open houses Saturday during the annual Around the World Embassy Tour , one of those “only in Washington” events you’ll tell friends and relatives about. How often do you get invited into an embassy to explore its art collection, sample traditional cuisine, and watch free music and dance performances, let alone play cornhole in the Norwegian Embassy’s garden? Here’s a guide to planning for a successful day of globe-trotting without leaving D.C. Also, many of these tips are just as helpful on May 11, when the European Union hosts its annual E.U. Open House embassy tours.

• Because the event is popular, lines are common, and they get longer at some of the better-known locations, such as the Korean Cultural Center at the South Korean Embassy, or the embassies of the United Kingdom, Jamaica and Thailand. If there’s a particular embassy you must visit, get there before doors open at 10 a.m. to improve your chances of getting in.
• If you’re trying to visit a variety of embassies, pick a particular neighborhood to explore — maybe Massachusetts Avenue near Scott Circle, the string of embassies on Massachusetts northwest of Sheridan Circle, or the embassies dotted among the streets of Kalorama — and research the participants within a few blocks. That way, if you get tired of waiting outside one embassy, you can head to another, preferably smaller, destination nearby. Also, as veteran Around the World-ers will tell you, the embassies clustered around International Drive and International Court in Van Ness — China, Bangladesh, Egypt, etc. — are closer together and can be easier to get into than the ones on Embassy Row.
• You don’t even have to go indoors to get a taste of a country: Some embassies offer outdoor live music, dance performances or, in the case of China, lion dances to entertain the crowds waiting to enter their buildings.
• If you go to a busy neighborhood, try starting at the embassies that are farthest from the Metro station — people have a tendency to stop and get in line at the first embassy they pass. Walk past them, then work your way back.
• For serious explorers, this is a good weekend to skip brunch. Participating embassies and cultural centers are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and lines get longer as the day goes on. An early start will help you make it to the most locations — getting to five or six is a solid day of sightseeing.
• Even if you plan well, you might be able to avoid lines at only a handful of embassies. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a phone charger and a book, just in case.
• Carry cash or a credit card. While many embassies offer free samples of food or drinks, some also charge. Last year, the Embassy of Barbados handed out free sweets and had a chef preparing traditional Barbadian dishes as a teaser for the upcoming Barbados Food and Rum Festival. Everyone sitting on a chair in the embassy’s front garden watching the cooking demo got a two-bite hors d’oeuvre. But in the parking lot behind the embassy, there was a party raging: The ambassador was hanging out next to a DJ spinning upbeat carnival songs; a bar served potent rum punches ($6 each) and beer ($4); and a team of cooks was dishing up flying fish with rice and beans, oxtail platters, barbecued pig tails, and macaroni pie (main dishes $15-$35 with sides, smaller plates $1-$10). While the Barbados Association of Washington did have a credit card reader, that’s not true of every embassy we’ve been to.
• Some embassies have marketplaces with art or textiles from native artisans. The Embassy of Kenya transformed the forecourt of its building into a showcase of baskets, clothing and jewelry; Ukraine House, the Ukrainian cultural center, had traditional Ukrainian fashions, nesting dolls and accessories for sale on tables in its garden.
• Related: Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, grab the first free tote bag you see, because you’ll pick up plenty of tchotchkes, pamphlets and other gifts throughout the day.
• Don’t be shy about asking what you’re in line for. The Dominican Republic hosted a veritable street party last year, with a DJ on its front porch and people dancing in the road. Depending on which way you approached the building, though, there were two very different lines: One was to access the indoor embassy tour, and the other was to purchase food and a rum tasting. You don’t want to get to the front of the line to find out you’ve spent 20 minutes waiting for the wrong thing.
• Bigger isn’t always better. Some of the more popular embassies can be so crowded that you don’t really feel like you’re learning anything about the country. At an off-the-beaten-path embassy, such as the Embassy of Gabon, you have a better chance of getting face time with a staffer who can talk about the cultural uses of elaborate masks on display, or explain how national parks cover more than 10 percent of the country. (That’s about three times the percentage in the United States.)

The Around the World Embassy Tour is part of the month-long Passport DC program, and souvenir passports are available from booths near the Dupont Circle and Van Ness Metro stations; at the Mexican Cultural Institute ; and at the International City Food Festival , held at the Square food hall. Visitors can collect stamps while visiting embassies and cultural centers, though there’s no reward for filling the book.

clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

Seven countries to visit during D.C.'s embassy tours

You can travel the world without leaving the city this month

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Passport DC returns this month , along with its beloved Around the World Embassy Tour . On May 7 and 14, you can get a microdose of travel as D.C. embassies and cultural centers from three continents open their doors for history lessons, food and entertainment.

There will be pisco sours at the embassy of Peru, and bachata and merengue dance classes at the Dominican Republic’s, among other programming from the more than 30 countries participating in the first weekend alone.

European embassies will make their debut with the EU Open House on May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find more information on participating countries through the event website .

Steven Shulman, executive director of Cultural Tourism DC, recommends making the most out of the weekends by visiting embassies that are near one another.

The summer of revenge travel is coming. No one can afford it.

Jade Womack, who runs events site Clockout DC , created helpful maps with itineraries to visit embassies near each other. The EU Open House also made a Google Map for visitors . Womack warns that countries popular with American travelers, such as Costa Rica or Greece, draw crowds and smaller embassies may have longer lines because they can accommodate fewer guests at a time.

Womack suggests exploring less familiar embassies that should have shorter lines, plus more access to food and freebies.

Sorry our baby might ruin your flight. Please accept this goodie bag.

Austin Graff, By The Way’s local D.C. guide writer, suggests either going as early as possible or waiting until later in the afternoon after many families have finished tours. He also recommends starting with embassies that are farther from Metro stops. Embassies close to the Dupont Circle Metro may be swamped, while those by Observatory Circle and Van Ness Street should be less so.

Here are seven embassies to visit and tips to keep in mind as you tour “the world” this month.

Before you go

Tickets or reservations are not required for tours, but you should expect to wait in line. In the past, waits have hovered around 20 to 30 minutes, but they can be double that at popular embassies, Womack said.

Bring a government-issued ID, as well as a mask since each embassy sets its own mask requirements. It’s a good idea to bring your vaccination card, too, since embassies might have mandates. Embassies are generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with some exceptions, so check ahead as you plan your visits.

For those with accessibility concerns, Shulman says the embassies along International Court have more contemporary buildings with ramps for wheelchairs and strollers.

Womack likes touring embassies that don’t often host public events, like the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq. Visitors can expect to see photography exhibits, sample Iraqi cuisine and watch musical performances with Dabka dancing.

1801 P Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

One of Graff’s favorite visits in past years was to Eritrea, which he called a hidden gem. Womack has a one-mile itinerary that starts with a visit to the Eritrean Embassy — where you’ll see cultural displays and learn about the history of the African country — followed by a walk south to stop by Iraq, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tunisia, ending at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center to learn about Oman.

1708 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 7, the Royal Thai Embassy’s open house is covering all the cultural bases, from showcasing Muay Thai (Thai boxing), traditional music, Thai dancing and cooking demonstrations with samples promised afterward. For more information on the Royal Thai Embassy’s open house, visit its website .

1024 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Why you should dress up for your next flight

Graff recommends stopping by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, located near embassies of Nepal, Iraq, South Africa and Bolivia. Visitors can expect cultural activities, live music and dancing, a photo booth, activities for kids and tastes of Azerbaijani cuisine.

2741 34th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Graff suggests putting the Embassy of Latvia on your list for May 14. Guests have the chance to tour the Alice Pike Barney Studio House, a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fitting as the building was often used for musical performances in the early 20th century, the embassy will have Latvian folk dancers perform for the occasion.

2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

This year, the open house at the Mexican Cultural Institute will highlight the state of Puebla in honor of Cinco de Mayo , which celebrates Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Ix-Nic Iruegas, the center’s executive director, says visitors can expect a “full day of Mexican joy” with music, mezcal, storytellers, traditional food, lotería ( a traditional Mexican card game) and a pop-up shop selling goods from Puebla including textiles, honey and Talavera pottery. Mexico’s open house runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7, and 12 to 4 p.m. on May 14.

2829 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Czech Republic

On May 14, the Embassy of the Czech Republic (one of Womack’s recs) will be hosting a dog show among other activities. The theme of the weekend is the 1930s, with entertainment from a jazz band and Lindy Hop dancers. If that’s not enough, there will also be a bounce house and folk fashion show.

3900 Spring of Freedom St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

  DC Calendar

2024 World Embassy Tour in DC

Next date: May 3, 2025 10:00 am

If you’re familiar with the 6 Secret Cities of the DMV , you already know that our nation’s capital is a collection of several world villages.

Nowhere is this more evident than Passport DC’s World Embassy Tour, the greatest block party of the year in our city, which happens on the Saturday before the May 9 anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.  Music, dances, traditional food and cocktails abound amid the diplomatic residences and office buildings of Washington’s Embassy Row.  

Metro | Park | World Embassy Tour Map

What about the European Embassies?

They are closed on the Saturday of this event (so don’t show up in your tux at the Swedish Embassy), but will be open the following Saturday at the EU Open House .

How do I get to the Embassies?

Described by some as DC’s Epcot Center, only bigger , our nation’s diplomatic core extends from DuPont Circle to National Cathedral, with some embassies sprawling deep into Tenleytown. The distributed nature of the party — paired with the massive crowds it draws — can make it hard to attend without some advanced planning. My advice is to avoid an overly ambitious agenda. Even if you pick some of the less popular embassies with no lines, you’re not going to hit more than five embassies in a day. 

Tips for riding Metro to the World Embassy Tour

If you want to get within walking distance of the most events, take the red line to Dupont Circle . But be warned, you won’t be the only one with this idea. The lines outside the Embassies nearest Dupont Circle are horrendous . Consider, instead, the Van Ness station (also red line), which is walking distance from Ghana , Pakistan , Bangladesh , Ethiopia and Singapore  on week 1 and  Austria  and Slovakia on week 2.

Where are the best places to park near the Embassies?

The streets around DuPont Circle become parking lots after 9am and you won’t be able to leave your car anywhere.  Your best bet is to arrive early or check out one of the maps below to find a cluster outside Embassy Row.

Embassy Row: In 2018 we parked on the street just blocks away from the dancing, music and mini-bazaar at the Embassy of Afghanistan.  Although they’re no longer participating — the Taliban are not a festive bunch — the streets around the Afghan Embassy have more ample parking and are walking distance to the rest of Embassy Row.   

International Court: In 2022, we parked close to Pakistan, Libya, Gambia and Uganda.  There’s plenty of parking on International Court on the Egyptian Embassy side just after you turn off Van Ness.  This will put you right next to Pakistan and a few blocks from the tailgate party for Libya, Gambia and Uganda at UDC. 

Map of the Embassy World Tour

Although you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants near most of the embassies on the map below, most participating embassies offer traditional dishes from their country for free.  Some even offer librations such as a rum tasting or a favorite mixed drink.  So pick an embassy and stay for the day.  You’ll find all you need.

More Parties Ahead!

On the Saturday immediately following the World Embassy Tour, the European Embassies party EU style at the EU Open House .  Plan for similar crowds (and walking).  Head over to our overview of this year’s EU Open House for an EU embassy map, parking guide and schedule of festivities.