Around the World Embassy Tour - Visit Embassies for FREE!

Around the World (Non European) Embassy Tour Returns Saturday, May 6!

More than 40 embassies will open their doors to DC visitors and residents Saturday, May 6. Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, and music of different countries. In the past, visitors have been treated to karate demonstrations, dance performances, sari wrapping lessons, and henna demonstrations.

FYI, the European Embassies open their doors on Saturday, May 13 - event listed separately.

This program is hosted by Cultural Tourism DC

https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/

Tentative Schedule - Subject to Change (Including During the Day of the Event)

8:45 - 9:00 “Meet and Greet” at the Dupont Circle Metro Station [masked]th St. NW). Robert Kelleman to hand out “Meetup” stickers to everyone so that you can keep track of who is in our group throughout the day.

9:00 - 9:15 Walk from the Dupont Circle Metro Station to the Embassy of Japan (2520 Massachusetts Ave NW).

9:20 - 10:00 Wait in line at the Embassy of Japan (doors open at 10).

10:00 - 11:20 Explore the Embassy of Japan.

11:20 - 11:30 Walk from the Embassy of Japan north 0.3 miles up Massachusetts Avenue.

11:30 - 1:30 Explore any of the four embassies in this area: Brazil (3006 Massachusetts Ave), South Africa (3051 Massachusetts Ave), Bolivia (3014 Massachusetts Ave) and/or Sri Lanka (3025 Whitehaven St).

1:30 - 3:30 Meet in front of the Embassy of Brazil and then walk south on Massachusetts Avenue towards the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (2 miles away) looking to quickly visit a few embassies along the way that have short lines. Some of the many potential options along this route include: Turkey (2525 Massachusetts Ave), Malawi (2408 Massachusetts Ave), Korea (2370 Massachusetts Ave), Kyrgyz Republic (2360 Massachusetts Ave), Haiti (2311 Massachusetts Ave), Chile (2305 Massachusetts Ave), Kenya (2249 R St), Guatemala (2220 R St), Morocco [masked] St.), Columbia [masked]th St), Indonesia (2020 Massachusetts Ave), Qatar (2555 M St), etc.

3:30 - 4:00 Explore the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (601 New Hampshire Ave NW).

4:30 Dinner and socializing in Foggy Bottom - location TBD - will be posted on Meetup when we get there.

Logistics - Please Read Carefully

Weather: The event will take place rain or shine.

Parking: Do whatever it takes.

Meeting Point: It’s best to meet us at the Dupont Circle Metro Station or the Embassy of Japan (details above).

Hours: The embassies are open from 10:00 - 4:00 unless otherwise noted.

Security Checkpoints: Bring your government-issued ID and be prepared to pass through security checkpoints.

Lots of People: This event is open to the public and all are welcome. Thousands will participate.

Do I have to stay with the group the entire day? No, leave early, show up late, whatever you want. Of course you are welcome to stay with our group the entire day if you choose.

How was it decided which embassies the group is visiting (I want to go somewhere else)? Your host, Robert, has visited numerous embassies and choose ones that he thought the most people would enjoy. If there is one we’re not visiting feel free to do so on your own as we are staying on the above schedule.

Is food available during this event? Some embassies provide free food; however, that is usually accompanied by a long line. Some embassies sell food, with shorter lines. During an event that only happens once per year, and only last six hours, do you really want to wait in line up to half an hour for a few dollars worth of free food? My personal preference is pay for food in shorter lines.

$$$ Photo Contest: Take any cool or fun pictures? Post them to either our Meetup or our Facebook page. The posted photo(s) that best captures the spirit of the Embassy Open House event will win an Amazon gift card!

Additional Questions: Anything that can’t be answered by the above event description, Google, or common sense please let us know.

Please keep in mind that the participating embassies have all made a significant effort to host us as their guests - both in terms of time and money, particularly the ones that offer free food, beverages, and/or gifts. The embassies of Washington, DC are under no obligation to participate in this program, and thus do so voluntarily. The Embassy Open House event is the equivalent of being invited into someone’s home, and therefore we should conduct ourselves accordingly. At all times please be appreciative, grateful, respectful and thankful to our embassy hosts for providing us this unique opportunity to visit them and learn about their country.

We look forward to seeing you - thanks!

Robert Kelleman

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