Directions

All visitors should plan to enter Fort McNair via the main gate located at the intersection of 2nd and Q Streets, SW. Even if you have visited in the past, it is recommended that you allow at least 30 minutes to process through the security checkpoints at the main gate and the Abrham Lincoln Hall entrance.

Main Gate Security Checkpoint

Visitors with identification issued by the Departments of Defense or State may proceed directly to the security checkpoint at the main gate. Qualifying forms of ID include:

• US Military / Military Dependent ID
• Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC)
• Department of State ID
• Diplomatic ID

Note: If you are a foreign military officer local to Washington, DC in possession of a US Government issued CAC, please bring the memorandum that accompanied the issuance of your identification so it may be registered by installation security. If Fort McNair is not listed on the memorandum, you may need to obtain a 24-hour base access pass from the Visitor Center (passport/visa required).

Visitors without identification issued by the Departments of Defense or State should request a 24-hour base access pass at the Visitor Center just inside the main gate. US citizens may present a driver’s license. If you are not a US citizen, you will be required to present either your passport or an alien identification card. To expedite this process, you may submit your visitor access paperwork ahead of time at https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh.

Please note that all vehicles are subject to inspection. Drivers with expired licenses or registrations will be denied access to the base. All passengers in a vehicle must have qualifying identification or a base access pass.

Abraham Lincoln Hall (Building 64) Security Checkpoint

Visitors with a National Defense University badge can proceed through the turnstiles and take the stairs or elevator to our offices on the 3rd floor.

Expected Visitors. If you are planning a visit to the Perry Center, please contact us via phone or e-mail ahead of time so we can make arrangements with building security. When you arrive, present your photo identification to the security officer at the entrance and they will allow you to pass through the turnstiles. At this point, you may proceed unescorted to our offices on the 3rd floor.  When you leave, you will need to be escorted through the turnstiles by a member of the Perry Center staff.

Unexpected Visitors. Building security officers will need to contact a member of the Perry Center faculty or staff to escort you through the turnstiles. When you leave, you will need to be escorted through the turnstiles by a member of the Perry Center staff.

Note: Identification used at the main gate (Military ID, State Department ID, Diplomatic ID, etc.) will not grant you automatic access into Abraham Lincoln Hall.

To reach Fort McNair by Metrorail, take a Green Line train to the Waterfront/SEU stop. Walk three blocks south on 4th Street SW. At this point, 4th Street SW turns sharply left in front of the Fort McNair ceremonial gate and turns into P Street SW. To reach the 2nd Street gate, continue down P Street SW for two blocks and take a right on 2nd Street SW following the wall. The 2nd Street (main) gate is one block down, on the right.

To reach Fort McNair by Metrobus, take a 74 bus (Convention Center – Waterfront) in the direction of Buzzard Point. There is a stop at the intersection of 2nd and R Streets SW.  The main entrance is one block north at the intersection of 2nd and Q Streets SW.

Ceremonial gate pedestrian access is only available to individuals in possession of a Common Access Card (CAC) and a turnstile access code specific to Fort McNair. All others will need to use the main entrance on 2nd Street SW. The turnstile, is open however, to anybody wishing to leave the installation.

In the interests of personal safety please do not walk to Fort McNair during the hours of dusk/darkness.

If using an internet-based mapping/driving tool for driving directions, we recommend that you use 1600 2nd Street SW, Washington DC, 20024 as your destination.

Note about parking: Unless you have been given a reserved spot in the parking lot directly across from the Abraham Lincoln Hall rotunda, please pay attention to all parking signs around campus, especially in the residential areas along 1st, 2nd, and 4th Avenues. Parking spaces are often at a premium, especially during the academic school year, snowy days, and special events.

Via I-395 N (Washington National Airport, Crystal City)

1. Head toward Washington, DC on I-395 N
2. Continue straight onto I-295 S
3. Merge onto South Capitol Street SE / South Capitol Street SW
4. Make a slight right at South Capitol Street SW
5. Turn right at P Street SW
6. Turn left at 2nd Street SW

Via Dulles Access Road (Dulles International Airport)

1. Get on Dulles Airport Access Road, staying in the left lanes
2. Merge onto VA-267 E (Dulles Toll Road)
3. Take Exit 18 to Capital Beltway / I-495 N toward Baltimore
4. Take Exit 43 to George Washington Memorial Parkway South
5. Take the exit onto I-395 N toward Washington
6. Continue straight onto I-295 S
7. Take the South Capitol Street (Exit 9)
8. Slight right at South Capitol Street SW
9. Turn right at P Street SW
10. Turn left at 2nd Street SW

Via MD-295 S (Baltimore-Washington International Airport)

1. Go west on I-195 W (signs for I-195 W/Airport exit)
2. Take exit 2B for MD-295 S/Baltimore/Washington Parkway toward Washington
3. Merge onto I-295 S
4. Take exit 3B for Howard Road toward downtown
5. Turn right at Howard Road SE; take the ramp to South Capitol Street SE
6. Slight right to stay on S Capitol Street SE
7. Turn left at N Street SW
8. Turn right at First Street SE; continue on Canal Street SW
9. Cross P Street SW and continue on 2nd Street SW