DC: US Capitol & Library of Congress / Supreme Court Guided Tour

5.0 (270 reviews) 3–4 hours Free cancellation

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270 reviews

5.0

DC: US Capitol & Library of Congress / Supreme Court Guided Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

DC: US Capitol & Library of Congress / Supreme Court Guided Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore the heart of American democracy on Capitol Hill with reserved timed-entry tickets and a guide who knows these halls inside and out. We reserve every ticket in advance, so you skip the planning and go straight to the history.

Choose your option:

US Capitol & Library of Congress (3 hrs, up to 15): Tour the Jefferson Building's Main Reading Room, Gutenberg Bible, and Jefferson's library, then the Capitol Rotunda, crypt, and Statuary Hall.

US Capitol & Supreme Court (2.5–3 hrs, up to 15): Start at the Supreme Court, then the Capitol Visitor Center, film, and docent-led Capitol tour.

BIG 3 Capitol Hill Landmarks (4 hrs, up to 10): All three landmarks on one guided tour, Tuesday–Friday.

Upgrade any tour to PRIVATE for just your group (the 45-minute Capitol docent portion is shared).

Note: the Library of Congress is closed Mondays and the Supreme Court is closed weekends.

Perfect for first-time DC visitors, history buffs, families, and school groups.

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At a glance

Duration: 3–4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 100 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English
Operated by: Cornerstone Tours

Ages: Children (0–5 years) · Youth (6–13 years) · Adults (14–64 years) · Seniors (65–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Reserved Entry to the U.S. Capitol (all options)
Included: entry to the Supreme Court (varies by option)
Included: Languages Offered: English
Included: Expert Tour Guide
Included: Reserved Entry to the Library of Congress (varies by option)
Included: Maximum of 15 guests

Not included

Not included: some buildings are excluded from some options, make sure to review your selection!

Itinerary

Capitol Hill

Passing by

Your experience begins on Capitol Hill! Walk between The Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and the Capitol of the United States.
Supreme Court

20 min

Standing across from the Capitol, the Supreme Court's marble façade and iconic columns have guarded American justice since 1935. This is where landmark decisions — from Brown v. Board to Roe v. Wade — shaped the nation. Look up at the inscription above the entrance: 'Equal Justice Under Law.' Few phrases carry more weight in American history.
U.S. Capitol

one hour Admission included

Few buildings on earth carry the weight of this one. The Capitol has housed Congress since 1800, and inside the Rotunda, guests find themselves standing beneath one of the most breathtaking interiors in the world. Nearly 180 feet above, Constantino Brumidi's Apotheosis of Washington — a nearly 5,000 square foot fresco painted in 1865 — watches over all who enter. Eight monumental paintings line the walls, each capturing a defining moment in America's founding story. Designed to inspire awe, the Capitol Rotunda has been doing exactly that for over two centuries.
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

30 min Admission included

Beneath the Capitol's east plaza lies one of Washington's best kept secrets — a 580,000 square foot underground visitor center that welcomes over 3 million guests a year. This is your gateway to the heart of American democracy, housing exhibition halls, historic artifacts, and the original plaster cast of the Freedom statue that crowns the Capitol dome. Before we head inside, take a moment to look up — that dome took over 10 years to complete and was finished during the Civil War, a deliberate symbol that the Union would endure.
Library of Congress

one hour Admission included

Just steps from the Capitol sits the largest library in the world, and arguably its most beautiful building. The Library of Congress holds over 170 million items — from Thomas Jefferson's personal book collection to the first map to use the name 'America.' Guests who step inside the Great Hall are often stopped in their tracks by the breathtaking Beaux-Arts interior, a jaw-dropping mosaic of marble, murals, and gilded detail that rivals any museum in the world. More than a library, this is the nation's memory — and every American has a membership.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Your guide will text you an hour before your tour and meet you on the sidewalk at the corner of 2nd St NE and East Capitol St NE, just outside Florida House. Kindly remain outside of Florida House as this is an active state embassy.

End point

The tour will conclude inside of the Capitol Visitor Center so you can continue exploring nearby landmarks, restaurants, or call a ride or metro to your next destination.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
No outside food or drink
No bags larger than 18" wide x 14" high x 8.5" deep
Please review prohibited items: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/prohibited-items

Options

Private Tour of Capitol Hill

Flexible Start Time: As opposed to set start times with our public tour, you can pick anytime between 8:30am-1:30pm

See More!: Enjoy all major sites on Capitol Hill! See the Supreme Court, US Capitol, and Library of Congress

Dedicated Tour Guide : Your group get's it's own tour guide, and will personalize the tour to your interests!
BIG 3 Capitol Hill Landmarks

See the BIG 3 landmarks: 1. US Capitol (reserved entry)

2. Library of Congress (reserved entry)

3. Supreme Court (entry)

Semi-private: Maximum of 10 guests per tour to ensure a personal experience

Duration: 4 hours: It will last anywhere from 3.5 - 4 hours
Capitol & Supreme Court

Reserved Entry!: We have done the hard work for you! This option includes reserved entry to the US Capitol!

Enter the Supreme Court: No desire to see the Library of Congress? Choose this option instead and enter the Supreme Court with your guide!

Duration: 3 hours
Capitol & Library of Congress

Reserved Entry!: we have done the hard work for you - this tour includes Timed entry tickets to the US Capitol and Library of Congress

Duration: 3 hours