The Main Gate is open 0600-1700, Monday through Friday, closed on Federal Holidays. The Visitors Gate (2d Street) is open 24 hours. The Pedestrian Gate near the Coast Guard Headquarters Building and at the end of 2d Street is open Monday through Friday, 0600-1800, closed on Federal Holidays. Photo identification is required at all gates. Pedestrians can access Fort McNair through the main gate with proper photo identification.

Via METRO: NDU is located about 1 mile from the Washington Metro's Waterfront station on the Green Line. Leaving the station, walk down 4th Street (S) three blocks until it ends and becomes P Street SW. The Ft McNair main gate will be plainly visible.

From Virginia (via I-66): Follow Route 66 toward Washington, D.C., and take the Independence Avenue exit which goes along the Tidal Basin. Follow the signs for Maine Avenue. Stay straight on Maine; the waterfront and fish market are on your right. Maine Avenue becomes M Street near Arena Stage which is on the left. Turn right on 4th Street (Metro and Waterside Mall is on the left) and continue two blocks until it ends and becomes P Street SW. Immediately after turning left on P Street, the Fort McNair main gate will be plainly visible on the right. Visitors must enter Fort McNair through the 2d Street gate which is two blocks down from the main gate, turn right on 2d Street, and the gate is on the right.

From Alexandria or Maryland (via Woodrow Wilson Bridge): On the Maryland side of the Wilson Bridge, take Route 295 north towards Washington, D.C. Exit at South Capitol Street. Go over the bridge, staying in the right lane. Bear to the right at the Nationals Stadium, avoiding the underpass, and turn left on to M Street at the light onto M Street (this takes you over South Capitol Street). Turn left at the light on 2d Street to go to the visitors gate or left at the light at 4th Street to go the main gate.

From Maryland: Follow the Capitol Beltway (I-495 or I-95) to the Baltimore-Washington (B-W) Parkway exit. Proceed Southbound on the B-W Parkway. As you near Washington, the B-W Parkway will become I-295 South, turning to the left. Continue on I-295 to the Suitland Parkway exit. Exit at the Suitland Parkway and then immediately exit on to I-295 Northbound. After joining I-295 North, immediately exit at the South Capitol Street exit. Proceed across the South Capitol Street Bridge, staying to the right. Bear right coming off the bridge (at the Nationals Stadium), avoiding the underpass, and turn left on to M Street SW at the traffic light. Turn left at the light on 2d Street to go to the visitors gate or left at the light at 4th Street to go the main gate.

From Northwest DC: From Constitution Avenue, going east towards the Capitol, turn right on 7th Street which will bring you to Maine Avenue (Waterfront is straight ahead). Turn left on Maine Avenue at the traffic light. Follow Maine Avenue which becomes M Street near Arena Stage on the left. Turn right on 4th Street (Metro and Waterside Mall is on the left) and continue two blocks until it ends and becomes P Street SW. Immediately after turning left on P Street, the Fort McNair main gate will be plainly visible on the right. Visitors must enter Fort McNair through the 2d Street gate which is two blocks down from the main gate, turn right on 2d Street, and the gate is on the right.

Depending upon when you arrive or if you car has DoD decals, you may be directed from the Main Gate to the 2nd Street entrance. You will need to show a picture ID, such as a DoD issued identification card, vaild state drivers license, or in the case of foreign visitors, a passport. Vehicles without DoD decals will be automatically inspected each time.

If You are Taking a Taxi to NDU:
Turn right onto 2nd Street SW, just past the Ft McNair P-Street Gate. Drive all the way to the end of the street, to V Street SW, where you will see the James Creek Marina on your right. Turn right and enter the Post through the personnel gate and the security checkpoint area.

Let the Military Police know who you are visiting with and ask for directions to Lincoln Hall (Building 64). You will need to check with the Security Desk as you enter Lincoln Hall.