Bureau of Engraving and Printing Fort Worth: Free Tours, Hours & What to Expect
The line begins forming before 8:30 a.m. at 9100 Blue Mound Road on most weekdays. This secure federal facility is the only place outside of Washington, D.C. where you can watch U.S. paper money being printed in real-time.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing Fort Worth tours are free to the public, operate Tuesday through Friday, and require no advance reservations for groups under 10. You can explore interactive exhibits and walk the elevated gallery overlooking billions of dollars in production. The George W. Bush Presidential Center offers a similarly high-quality educational experience nearby if you are looking to round out your DFW itinerary.
You will find everything needed to arrive prepared in the sections below. This guide details strict security rules, the best times to visit, and how to spot the ‘FW’ mark that identifies locally printed currency.
Planning Your Visit: Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tours & Hours
Preparing for your visit to the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth starts with understanding its specific federal operating schedule and public access rules. According to the official Bureau of Engraving and Printing visitor guidelines, this secure government site is open to the public from Tuesday through Friday.
Visitor center hours run between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the final tour departing promptly at 2:30 p.m. Unlike many local Dallas-Fort Worth attractions, the Money Factory is strictly closed on weekends, Mondays, and all federal holidays to maintain production security.
Admission to the visitor center and the self-guided tour gallery is entirely free, and no advance reservations are required for small groups or families under 10 people. Simply arrive at the 9100 Blue Mound Road entrance and clear the federal security screening process to explore the two floors of interactive exhibits.
On-site parking is also provided free of charge for all visitors. This ensures a low-cost educational experience for anyone traveling through the North Fort Worth area.
You must time your arrival strictly between Tuesday and Friday to access the public tour entrance. The following table summarizes everything you need to know about current hours and location specifics.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visitor Center Hours | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Tue–Fri) |
| Last Tour Departure | 2:30 p.m. |
| Admission Cost | Free |
| Physical Address | 9100 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, TX 76131 |
| Parking Fee | Free On-Site Parking |
Best Time to Visit the Fort Worth Money Factory
You will find the shortest wait times by arriving early on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. School groups and larger tours often arrive mid-morning, which can lead to longer lines at the security screening center.
Most visitors find that arriving around 10:00 a.m. provides a perfect window for viewing the production floor while employees are on their standard shifts. Avoid the late afternoon if possible, as the final tour departs promptly at 2:30 p.m.
Scheduling Group Tours for 10 or More People
You must schedule your visit in advance if you are traveling with a group of 10 or more individuals. While individuals and small families can walk in without notice, group coordination is mandatory to ensure building capacity is not exceeded.
You should call the tour scheduler at (817) 231-4000 to reserve your slot at least two weeks in advance. This ensures your group moves through the security screening process efficiently and allows the facility to prepare for your arrival.
The Ultimate Security Survival Guide: What You Can (and Can’t) Bring
Entering the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth requires passing through some of the strictest security measures found at any public attraction in Texas. Treat this process with the same level of preparation as an airport security checkpoint because the facility is a high-security printing plant.
The most critical rule to remember is that photography, video recording, and the possession of electronic devices are strictly prohibited within the secure production areas. This includes all cell phones and cameras which must remain outside the secure perimeter.
Plan to leave all prohibited items, including backpacks, large purses, and electronic gadgets, locked in the trunk of your vehicle before approaching the security screening center. The facility generally does not provide public lockers, and any visitor carrying unauthorized items will be asked to return to their car.
Every guest must pass through a walk-through metal detector before access is granted. Personal belongings will be scanned by X-ray equipment to ensure building safety remains uncompromised.
| Category | Item Policy |
|---|---|
| Electronics | No cell phones, cameras, or tablets allowed inside. |
| Bags | No backpacks, large purses, or camera bags permitted. |
| Identification | All adults (18+) must provide valid government photo ID. |
| Storage | No lockers available; items must be left in vehicles. |
| Prohibited Items | No weapons, explosives, or illegal substances. |
Quick Tip: Leave everything but your government-issued ID and car keys in your locked vehicle before approaching the entrance to save significant time at the screening center.
Navigating the Security Screening Center
You will enter the facility through the Public Tour Security Screening Center, where every visitor must pass through a walk-through metal detector. Your personal belongings will be scanned by an X-ray machine to ensure no contraband enters the building.
You should be prepared to remove belts, heavy jewelry, and large metal objects before stepping through the detector. Security personnel are professional but adhere to strict federal protocols to protect the integrity of the currency production area.
Why You Should Leave Your Bag at Home (or in the Trunk)
You must be aware that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing generally does not provide lockers or storage for prohibited items. If you bring a backpack, large purse, or camera bag to the door, you will likely be asked to return it to your vehicle.
This “no-bag” policy is strictly enforced to prevent any potential theft or tampering within the production galleries. You will find that traveling light—with only your essentials—makes the entire entry process much more pleasant for your group.
Inside the Fort Worth Money Factory: What to Expect on Your Tour
Walking inside the Fort Worth Money Factory provides a rare, close-up look at the sophisticated machines and highly skilled personnel responsible for manufacturing our paper currency. Once you clear the federal security checkpoint, your experience begins with a high-definition theater presentation explaining the mission of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
The primary highlight of the visit is the 1,000-foot-long elevated walkway that offers you a panoramic view of the live production floor. From this vantage point, witness the multi-stage printing process, including the high-speed intaglio presses that give U.S. bills their unique textured feel.
Most visitors spend approximately 45 to 60 minutes self-pacing through the galleries and the famous gift shop. The experience is designed to be both educational and awe-inspiring as millions of dollars in finished sheets flow through final inspection.
The Production Floor: Seeing How Money Is Made
The highlight of your visit is undoubtedly the elevated, 1,000-foot-long walkway that overlooks the live currency production floor. You will look down through thick, protective glass to see millions of dollars flowing through various complex stages of the printing process below you.
You can watch as large, blank sheets of specialized paper are transformed into finished stacks of hundred-dollar bills. This area of the tour allows you to witness the massive machines performing intaglio printing, a process that creates the unique, raised-ink texture that defines American currency.
You will see workers meticulously inspecting sheets for any imperfections or printing errors that would disqualify them from circulating. Watching the precision, speed, and sheer volume of the multi-stage printing process is a fascinating experience that many visitors describe as one of the most mesmerizing sights in the DFW area.
Identifying Your Bills: The Famous ‘FW’ Mark
Check the bills currently sitting in your own wallet to see if they were printed right here in Fort Worth. Every note produced at the Western Currency Facility features a unique, small ‘FW’ mark located on the face of the bill near the plate number.
You will find this mark to the left of the face plate number in the bottom right corner of the note. For many visitors, finding their first ‘FW’ bill becomes a scavenger hunt that continues long after they have left the Blue Mound Road facility and returned home.
You should note that if this mark is missing, your money was printed at the original Bureau of Engraving and Printing facility in Washington, D.C. This distinction makes the ‘FW’ mark a point of pride for many Texans who enjoy knowing their currency was manufactured locally.
Exploring the Visitor Center: Interactive Exhibits and Gift Shop
Exploring the Visitor Center at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth offers a deep dive into the technology and history behind U.S. paper money. This area serves as an educational hub where you can learn how the Department of the Treasury protects the integrity of our currency through advanced security threads.
The exhibits are designed to be tactile and engaging for all ages, featuring stations where guests test their ability to detect counterfeit bills. A dedicated gallery also showcases the evolution of U.S. currency design from the colonial era to the present day.
The visitor center is the only place in the facility where you find the Moneyfactory Gift Shop. Exclusive souvenirs such as uncut currency sheets and bags of shredded money are available for purchase here.
Interactive Displays for Kids and Families
You can test your skills at detecting counterfeit currency through the various “spot the fake” interactive kiosks. These displays highlight the sophisticated ink, specialized paper, and micro-printed security threads that make U.S. currency one of the hardest types of money in the world to successfully forge.
You will also find photo opportunities that put you and your family inside massive versions of classic U.S. bills, creating a fun memento of your trip. These educational stations are perfect for keeping younger visitors engaged while explaining the vital importance of the Treasury’s daily oversight of our nation’s money supply.
Families often enjoy the “How Much Do You Weigh in Gold?” station, which translates your body weight into the current value of gold bars. These types of relatable, hands-on experiences help bring the abstract concepts of wealth and value to life for visitors of all ages.
The Moneyfactory Gift Shop: Uncut Sheets and Shredded Souvenirs
You should make a point to visit the “Moneyfactory” gift shop before you conclude your tour to find items that are truly one-of-a-kind. This is one of the very few places in the entire country where you can purchase unique currency-related items that are never sold in standard retail stores or banks.
You can buy entire uncut sheets of currency, ranging from single-dollar bills to higher denominations in various sheet sizes. These make for incredible conversation pieces when framed, and they serve as a lasting reminder of the massive printing sheets you saw on the production floor just minutes earlier.
For an unusual and inexpensive souvenir, you can also purchase small bags of real U.S. currency that has been shredded by the BEP after being retired from circulation. It is a strange feeling to hold thousands of dollars in your palm that has been reduced to tiny green and black strips of specialized cotton-linen paper.
Why the Western Currency Facility Matters: A Brief History of Fort Worth Money
The history of the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth is a story of national financial expansion and strategic security for the U.S. economy. Since its opening in 1991, this facility has served as the only currency production site in the United States outside of our nation’s capital.
According to a Dallas Morning News investigative report, the choice of North Texas was based on its secure inland location. Proximity to major shipping hubs also played a critical role in the site selection.
From DC to Texas: The Expansion of US Currency Production
You can find more in-depth data on production volumes and the history of the facility at the USCurrency.gov portal, the official resource for the nation’s financial community.
The Fort Worth location was specifically chosen for its central location, favorable weather patterns, and proximity to major transportation hubs. Since its opening, the facility has grown from a supplemental site into a production powerhouse that outpaces the D.C. facility.
Historians often point to the 1987 formal approval by the Treasury Department as the moment that changed the “face” of American money forever. Today, billions of people around the world hold Fort Worth-printed bills in their hands every day, often without ever realizing the Texas origins of their currency.
Beyond the Tour: Things to Do Near the Bureau of Engraving Fort Worth
Because the tour typically takes about an hour, plenty of time remains in the day to explore the surrounding area of North Fort Worth. The facility’s location on Blue Mound Road puts you within a short drive of several excellent dining and entertainment options.
Pairing this with a visit to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden makes for a full day of diverse Texas sightseeing. This allows you to combine heavy federal industrial history with the natural beauty of the Tarrant County landscape.
Where to Eat Near Blue Mound Road
Several casual dining options sit within a five-to-ten-minute drive of the security screening center. From local barbecue joints to classic Texas diners, the Blue Mound area serves the many employees who work in the nearby industrial parks.
Consider stopping for a quick lunch to discuss the fascinating things you saw on the production floor. Many visitors enjoy the authentic, no-frills atmosphere of the small eateries that define this hard-working section of Fort Worth.
Pairing Your Visit with Other Fort Worth Landmarks
The historic Fort Worth Stockyards sit only a 15-minute drive away, where you can witness a real cattle drive after seeing how money is made. Alternatively, head south toward the Cultural District to visit world-class museums that offer a different kind of educational experience.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing serves as the perfect starting point for a day of exploring the diverse attractions of Tarrant County. Central geographic positioning makes it easy to reach your next stop, whether you prefer the history of the Old West or the beauty of botanical gardens.
For more free cultural enrichment, the Kimbell Art Museum is world-renowned for its architectural beauty and permanent collection. This allows for a seamless transition from federal industrial tours to world-class art appreciation.
Visitor Checklist: Final Tips for a Successful Money Factory Visit
Before you head out to Blue Mound Road, run through this final checklist to ensure your visit goes smoothly. Federal facilities adhere to strict schedules, and being prepared will save you from potential frustration at the security gate.
- Confirm the Date: Double-check that today is Tuesday through Friday and not a federal holiday.
- Security Check: Leave all bags, cell phones, and cameras in your car’s trunk before approaching the building.
- Arrival Time: Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the final 2:30 p.m. tour departure to allow for screening.
- Identify Your Cash: Bring a few bills with you so you can practice finding the ‘FW’ mark during the tour.
You are now ready to experience one of the most fascinating free tours in the United States. Watching billions of dollars in currency roll off the presses is an experience you and your family will remember for years to come.
Plan your visit today and be part of the small group of people who have seen the heartbeat of the American economy in action. This rare look inside federal production provides a unique perspective on the value of every dollar in your pocket.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth open to the public?
Yes, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth is open to the public for tours from Tuesday through Friday. You can visit the Visitor Center and production floor gallery between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. without an appointment for small groups.
Please note that the facility remains closed on all federal holidays, Mondays, and weekends. Security protocols require all visitors to pass through screening before entry is granted.
What does the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth do?
The Fort Worth facility is responsible for manufacturing approximately 60% of the United States’ paper currency supply. It serves as the only other currency production site in the country besides the original facility in Washington, D.C.
In addition to printing billions of dollars in notes each year, the facility produces various secure government documents. Design teams here also develop the complex security features found on all modern bills.
Do you need tickets for the Bureau of Engraving tour in Fort Worth?
You do not need tickets or advance reservations for the Bureau of Engraving tour if you are visiting as an individual or part of a group with fewer than 10 people. Admission and parking are entirely free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Groups of 10 or more people are required to call (817) 231-4000 to schedule a reservation at least two weeks before their planned visit. This ensures the facility can accommodate larger numbers while maintaining strict security standards.
How long is the Bureau of Engraving tour in Fort Worth?
Most visitors find that a complete tour of the Bureau of Engraving in Fort Worth takes between 45 and 60 minutes to complete. This timeframe includes viewing the introductory theater presentation and walking through the various interactive exhibits in the Visitor Center.
Plan for additional time—typically 15 to 30 minutes—to clear the federal security screening process during busy mid-morning periods. Arriving at the very start of the day is often the best way to minimize wait times.
Can you take photos at the money factory in Fort Worth?
No, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited within the secure production areas and most interior sections of the Fort Worth money factory. You must leave all cameras, cell phones, and other electronic devices in your vehicle before entering the facility.
Security personnel enforce this rule strictly to protect the integrity of the currency production process and the safety of the facility’s operations. Any visitor found with a camera inside will be asked to leave immediately.
How to identify money printed in Fort Worth?
You can identify U.S. currency printed in Fort Worth by looking for a small “FW” mark on the front side of the bill. This mark is located in the bottom right corner of the note, specifically to the left of the face plate number. If your bill does not have this “FW” mark, it was manufactured at the original Bureau of Engraving and Printing headquarters in Washington, D.C.
