Nov. weather, cameras and tours

Our family will be visiting D.C. in mid November. Any advice on what to pack? Don%26#39;t want to be stuck in the cold, but not thrilled with the idea of dragging unnecessary coats around.

Also, I%26#39;ve read that cameras and purses are not permitted on many tours and attractions. If this is correct ... what do people do? I%26#39;d hate to miss some great picture opportunities throughout the day because we couldn%26#39;t take our camera into certain buildings. Any suggestions on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Taking cameras and backpacks back and forth from the hotel ( Foggy Bottom area) sounds crazy. I hope I have my info wrong!

Speaking of tours, I contacted our congressman%26#39;s office about setting up tours ( White House, Capitol etc.) and was told that only about 10% of constituents who request reservations will receive them. That didn%26#39;t sound right to me. Should I contact another rep? I%26#39;m not sure if it would cause confusion to request from more than one office. HELP! I don%26#39;t want to wait to late! Thanks in advance!

Nov. weather, cameras and tours

Average November temperatures range from a low of 39 to a high of 57. That%26#39;s not to say they can%26#39;t be higher or lower. However, generally speaking, you can get away with a lightweight coat.

Cameras and purses are not permitted on White House tours. The Smithsonian museums do allow you to bring them in but they will be checked when you go through security. For more info on what%26#39;s permitted--www.si.edu

Posters who have taken tours arranged by their senators or reps have said that it pays to contact all 3 offices for tickets. Hopefully, those who have taken these tours will see your post and give you more specific info.

Nov. weather, cameras and tours

I have lived here all of my life and late October- November is absolutely my favorite time of year here as far as the weather goes. Sometimes it can rain a bit much but mostly it%26#39;s just a nice fall chill in the air. Rarely ever has it snowed in November, if so, just a few sprinkles and nothing that will stick. DON%26#39;t BRING YOUR BIG COATS. That would be too much. A light fall jacket will work fine or just dress in layers as others have suggested.

-Cameras and purses are allowed on tours. I think however if it%26#39;s like the White House or Capitol buildings (never actually been on a tour of these places and have lived here forever) the cameras aren%26#39;t allowed. Also some of the inside museums may or may not allow for cameras. I wouldn%26#39;t worry about not being able to bring them. You can bring them to the inside museums, just at some of the exhibits they don%26#39;t allow for photography. Check out the Smithsonian Website for specific information on the museums that you had planned on going to. www.si.edu/museums

There are security checks but they don%26#39;t take anything away from you.

With the tours of the Capitol, they usually want you to call 6 months in advance. So you can contact another rep to verify what that person said. Read below for specific guide information directly from the website:

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*The United States Capitol reopened to the public for tours on December 8, 2001. The decision to reinstate tours was based on an evaluation of current security procedures and public safety requirements; it is consistent with maintaining the highest level of safety for visitors, staff, and Members alike. For additional security, the new procedures have been implemented regarding items that visitors will not be permitted to bring into the Capitol. Click to see a list of prohibited items.

Because of increased security and the construction phase of the Capitol Visitor Center, please contact the U.S. Capitol Guide Service if you have any questions before your visit. Recorded information is available at 202-225-6827.

Public Tours of the Capitol

The following visitation policy is in effect at the Capitol as of July 3, 2003.

The Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. Tours will be conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (the Capitol is not available for tours on Sundays). The Capitol will be open on all federal holidays except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Visitors must obtain free tickets for tours on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol (near the intersection of First Street, S.W., and Independence Avenue; see the map below). Ticket distribution begins at 9:00 a.m. daily. Ticketholders will be directed to the South Visitor Receiving Facility, which is located south of the Capitol; from there they will proceed to the Capitol to begin their tour. Maximum tour size is 40 people.

The Congressional Special Services Office provides information about tours for the disabled by telephone at 202-224-4048 (voice) or 202-224-4049 (TDD). Additional accessibility information is available.*

Hope this is enough information

We just got back from DC last week. We took cameras everywhere. We had tours of the Capital, Archives, Library of Congress, and Bureau of Engraving. Keep checking with your senator and congressman. Bureau of Engraving would allow no photos inside, but we carried camera. On capital tour, you cannot take photos in chamber itself but all the rest is fine. Seems like one of the museums did not allow flash on some things but not sure. Maybe the problem was the reflection in glass. I shot both ways and often by changing ISO rating I got better photos w/o flash inside with glass cases. Othertimes it was too dark and I had to use flash.

The 10% quote may be accurate for the White House tours, but I can%26#39;t imagine that %26#39;s accurate for a Capitol tours. The Capitol tours are conducted by the offices themselves, usually by an intern, so I would guess that most who request one, will be able to have a tour. As the other posters suggested, call both senators%26#39; offices in addition to your rep. The Senators have larger staffs and may have someone who just does the tours and such.

Sounds like the only place that cameras and bags are not permitted is the White House, which is easily planned. All input has been very helpful. I decided to contact both Senators , as well as our congressman%26#39;s office about tours .... cross your fingers.

I was happy to hear that typical November weather is pretty much what we are hoping for, and MrsMaryland%26#39;s favorite to boot !

Thanks to you all for taking the time to respond. We%26#39;re looking foward to a great trip!!!