Guided Capitol Hill with US Capitol and Library of Congress Entry, Washington DC

About this activity

Enjoy a 2-Hour Guided Capitol Hill Walking Tour in Washington DC. This immersive tour includes official entry inside the U.S. Capitol & Library of Congress buildings (Capitol Museum when the Library of Congress is closed on Mondays).

Your guide will provides insight on political history, architecture of Capitol Hill, and how Congress functions. Enjoy photo opportunities outside the Supreme Court, Senate Offices, House of Representatives Offices, and Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.

Inside the U.S. Capitol, join the official guided interior tour. Highlights include the Capitol Rotunda; the Crypt, originally designed as George Washington’s final resting place; and the National Statuary Hall. When available, you may also visit the Old Supreme Court Chamber or Old Senate Chamber.

Continue to the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. With timed-entry passes included, explore the ornate Great Hall, view the Gutenberg Bible, and enjoy breathtaking overlooks of the Main Reading Room.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 36 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English
Operated by: DC Guided Tours

Ages: Children (2–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Visit the Rotunda, the Crypt, and old house chambers of the US Capitol building
Included: Pass by the Supreme Court, Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, Senate Office, Peace Monument and Peace Circle
Included: 2-Hour Morning or Afternoon Guided Walking Tour of Capitol Hill
Included: Entry to US Capitol building
Included: See Thomas Jefferson’s original library
Included: Entry to the Library of Congress (or Capitol Museum when Library of Congress is closed on Mondays)

Itinerary

United States Botanic Garden

Passing by

Guests meet directly across the street from the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America, founded by Congress in 1820, located at 100 Maryland Avenue SW.
U.S. Capitol

1 h 30 min Admission included

Inside the U.S. Capitol:

Guests go through security, have a short break, watch the orientation film, and then join the official guided tour with headsets. Highlights include the Capitol Rotunda, famous for its historic murals and dome; the Crypt, originally designed as George Washington’s final resting place; and the National Statuary Hall, home to statues representing all 50 states. When available, you may also visit the Old Supreme Court Chamber or Old Senate Chamber, offering rare insight into early congressional history.

*The government has the right to close or to cancel any tour inside the US Capitol without advanced notice to us.
3
Library of Congress

20 min Admission included
Library of Congress:

After being escorted to the tunnel, guests use timed-entry passes to walk straight into the Jefferson Building, widely considered the most beautiful building in Washington. Highlights include:
- The Gutenberg Bible – 1 of only 3 perfect vellum copies in existence.
- The Great Hall – a soaring Italian Renaissance-style atrium with marble columns, mosaics, gold leaf, and murals by leading artists.
- The Main Reading Room – viewed from upper observation deck, this is the iconic circular reading room seen in countless films.
- Putti and carvings – cherubic figures representing arts and sciences line the balustrades
- Architectural firsts – the Jefferson Building was the first public building in DC designed for electric lighting and one of the first to use a comprehensive climate-control system.
Supreme Court

5 min Admission not included

Pass by US Supreme Court with a live guide who will give you details of the history of the high court with key cases and facts around them.
Peace Monument

Passing by

Peace Monument/Peace Circle – commemorates naval deaths of the Civil War; figures “Grief” and “History."
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

Passing by

One of the largest equestrian statues in the world; sculptor took 20 years to complete.
Capitol Hill

1 min

Guided walking tour through Capitol Hill

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

8am Tours - Please meet across the street from the Supreme Court building located at 1 First Street NE. Please arrive 15min prior to tour start time.
9am, 11:30am, 2pm Tours - Please meet at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory at 100 Maryland Avenue SW. Please arrive 15min prior to tour start time. Guide will meet you next to a large planter located outside the conservatory in the Terrace Garden, which is a paved courtyard near the entrance.

End point

Our tours conclude at the Library of Congress

Using your ticket

MEETING LOCATION

9am, 11:30am, or 2pm Tours: Please plan to meet 15 min prior to tour start time outside the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory at 100 Maryland Avenue SW. Your Guide will meet you next to a large planter located outside the conservatory in the Terrace Garden, which is a paved courtyard located right near the Conservatory entrance. The planter is a large, grey urn shape with a small tree inside, and is a focal point in the garden area so easy to identify. An image of the planter has been added to the tour listing for reference.

8am Tours Only: Meets across the street from the Supreme Court on First Street NE. Please arrive 15 min before tour starts.

IMPORTANT

Not permitted inside the US Capitol building:

Outside food and beverages
Bags larger than 18" wide x 14" high x 8.5" deep
Aerosol containers
Weapons
Laser pointers
Animals
Bottles, cans, food/beverage containers (open, empty containers allowed)
Non-aerosol spray
Creams, lotion, perfumes greater than 3.4 oz
Drones/UAS

*List is subject to change and at the discretion of the U.S. Capitol. Please refer to their website for the up to date or full list of prohibited items.

RECOMMENDED

There will be standing and walking during this tour. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather as much of the tour is outdoors. DC can be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Umbrellas and layers are recommended.

Tours provided by: Signature Tours/DC Guided Tours, (202) 498-2346

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%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please Note: The Library of Congress is closed on Mondays. Travelers will visit Capitol Museum instead on Mondays.
Animal policy: animals are not permitted on tours.

Options

8am Capitol + Capitol Museum

US Capitol Entry: 2-Hour Guided Walk of Capitol Hill with Entry inside U.S. Capitol. Stop at exterior of Supreme Court and Library of Congress.

Starting point:

Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543, USA
11:30am Capitol + Library

Monday Tours: Library of Congress is closed on Mondays, travelers will instead spend extra time at US Capitol and visit the Capitol Museum.

U.S Capitol + Library Congress: 2-Hour Capitol Hill Walking Tour with Admission into both the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress Buildings.

Starting point:

United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
9am Capitol + Library Congress

Monday Tours: Library of Congress is closed on Mondays, travelers will instead spend extra time at US Capitol and visit the Capitol Museum.

US Capitol + Library Congress: 2-Hour Capitol Hill Walking Tour with Admission into both the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress Buildings.

Starting point:

United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
2pm Capitol + Library Congress

Monday Tours: Library of Congress is closed on Mondays, travelers will instead spend extra time at US Capitol and visit the Capitol Museum.

US Capitol + Library Congress: 2-Hour Capitol Hill Walking Tour with Admission into both the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress Buildings.

Starting point:

United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001, USA