Capitol Hill Guided Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the U.S. Capitol's rich history
- Discover the Library of Congress's treasures
- Stroll through the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood
- Learn about American democracy's foundations
- Enjoy insights from knowledgeable guides
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of the U.S. Capitol
- Visit to the Library of Congress
- Walk through Capitol Hill
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
Pass 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.
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.
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.
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.
Pass by: Peace Monument/Peace Circle – commemorates naval deaths of the Civil War; figures “Grief” and “History."
Pass by: One of the largest equestrian statues in the world; sculptor took 20 years to complete.
Guided walking tour through Capitol Hill
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tours are conducted in English; non-English speakers may need to arrange for translation services
- Photography may be restricted in certain areas; follow guide instructions
- Tours may be subject to cancellation or rescheduling due to government events or security measures
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour
- Bring a valid ID for entry into government buildings
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- 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.
Traveler reviews
Worthwhile!
It’s great & thorough, extremely knowledgeable tour guide named Dwayne; he was fantastic. quite crowded though; too many ppl at once in the dome & statuary room & crypt & also was surprised to still have to wait in a line to get into the visitor centre considering it was an expensive tour. Overall great experience though!
Just ok, not the best
Not really what I expected. Group met in front of the botanical garden, then headed up the hill toward the visitors center after briefly standing to the right of the capital to take a quick picture. Once inside after you go through security, It was just a walk through of a couple of rooms with statues, nothing special. The tour guide inside the Capital did an ok job, but nothing I would recommend that is a must see. After the tour was over, everyone headed to the library, then went separate ways. This tour is not worth the money. Book a free tour and get the same result.
The tour was excellent...
The tour was excellent and the tour guide was exceptional. The guide (Damian) was extremely knowledgeable and had a great personality. He was perfect for the large group we had. He moved us along very efficiently and handled the handoff between him and the Capitol guide very well.
We were expecting a bus...
We were expecting a bus to take us in. We received a text from our tour guide asking us to meet him outside the Supreme Court. We loved our tour guide, Tyrone McBride. It was definitely worth taking this tour considering the heightened security and guaranteed way to see the Capitol and the Library of Congress.
Great tpur
I wasn’t able to get a ticket through the regular website for a tour, so I was very happy that I was able to get this tour through Viator. The guide was very friendly and helpful. The tour doesn’t go into the chambers of the House of Representatives or Congress, however, he was able to let me know how to go about getting access after the tour was over. I appreciated that.