us capitol tours free

How Do I Tour the U.S. Capitol and See Congress in Session?

Learn all you need to know about visiting and touring america’s center of democracy..

UPDATE: The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All tours are free and are led by professional tour guides and do not include the Senate and House Galleries. The tour route is subject to change. Note that advance reservations are required for a tour. Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. Please leave time to go through security and review the U.S. Capitol’s prohibited items list before your visit.

The U.S. Capitol Building is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and the center of American democracy. The world-famous domed building is home to the United States House of Representatives and Senate; where America’s congressmen and congresswomen conduct business, debate laws and pass bills on behalf of the American people. The U.S. Capitol and U.S. Capitol Visitor Center  is also one of DC’s most popular monuments and museums and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Tour groups in United States Capitol Building Rotunda - Attractions and landmarks in Washington, DC

How do I arrange a tour of the United States Capitol Building?

Plan your visit in advance! A public tour of the U.S. Capitol is free and open to anyone who makes an advanced reservation, although there are some same-day tickets available by standing in line at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center (note that lines will be long during spring and summer).  We recommend reserving a  reserving a tour date and time .

All tours begin and end at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day).  Tours typically take about 90 minutes and are  fully accessible for people with disabilities.

What will I see on a Capitol tour?

Guided tours begin with a 13-minute intro film, followed stops in the Capitol Rotunda, where guides point out the center point of the District of Columbia, as well as demonstrate the unique acoustical effect where a speaker several yards away can be heard more clearly than a speaker close to the listener. The Capitol Dome is encircled by murals, and the fresco on the eye of the ceiling is called The Apotheosis of Washington showing President Washington rising to the heavens in glory with Liberty and Victory/Fame beside him. Below, on the walls of the Rotunda, are large paintings depicting significant events in American history: The Signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Baptism of Pocohontas, The Embarkation of the Pilgrims, The Landing of Columbus and General George Washington Resigning His Commission. Other stops on the 45-minute walking tour include the Crypt, National Statuary Hall and connecting corridors of the U.S. Capitol, where you’ll see statues representing every state.

Can I see Congress in session?

The guided tour doesn't include the Senate and House galleries. However, visitors can obtain free passes through their congressmen to view both chambers when Congress is in session. International visitors can ask about gallery passes at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center. When Congress is not in session, the galleries are open to the public Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. However, viewing hours are subject to change and are not always the same for the House and Senate galleries. You can check the schedules with your Congressional office when requesting gallery passes. Read more information about  watching Congress in session  and viewing the House and Senate galleries.

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What’s in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?

You’ll find a cafeteria and gift shop in the Capitol Visitor Center. The gift shop carries merchandise inspired by the art and architecture of the U.S. Capitol. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for continental breakfast and lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you haven’t printed your tour reservation, bring along the number you were assigned. There are free listening devices in multiple languages for international visitors.

How do I get to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?

Because there is very little parking, it is best to travel via the  Metro or the DC Circulator. There are three Metro stops within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol: Union Station (Red Line), Capitol South and Federal Center SW (Orange, Silver and Blue lines). The Capitol Visitor Center, which serves as the main public entrance, is located beneath the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol at First and East Capitol streets.

Looking for more in the neighborhood? Take advantage of  our guide to Capitol Hill .

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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Take a tour of the historic Capitol, where you can see the Crypt of the Capitol, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall.

Phone number

1-202-226-8000

Main address

Have a question.

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

How to Get US Capitol Building Tour Tickets

This post is about how to get tickets to tour the United States Capitol Building.

We also include tips on how to get gallery passes to watch the Senate and the House of Representatives in action as well as tour highlights.

• How to Reserve Tour Tickets
• Plan Your Visit
• Tour Highlights
• Senate + House Gallery Passes

Tips From Locals and Travelers

Our sister company, VISITDCTours offers a tour that has reserved tickets to tour the Library of Congress and the US Capitol for you.

This semi-private small group tour is limited to ~12 people and does have a ticketed cost.

You will see the Supreme Court and enter the Library of Congress and the US Capitol. Your guide will tour the Library of Congress with you and give you tickets to the US Capitol tour after our tour.

Allow an additional 50 minutes after the tour for the Capitol tour.

You can book this tour with our sister company, VisitDC Tours!

Is the US Capitol Building Open to the Public?

Yes and no.

While you can schedule a free tour of the United States Capitol, it is not accessible to the public for any other purpose.

You must pass through security to enter the building; unless you have a tour scheduled, they won't let you through.

You do not need a reservation to enter the Capitol Visitor Center - where you can find the cafeteria, gift shops, museums, and part of the National Statuary Collection.

UNITED STATES CAPITOL TOUR TICKETS 

Taking a tour of the Capitol Building requires a ticket, which is free, but reservations are the only way to guarantee a spot (well, there's our tour as well ).  

We recommend booking up to 3 months in advance if you plan to visit during the peak Spring/Summer touring months.  

Tours run Monday-Saturday every 10 minutes from 8:30 am - 3:20 pm, but this schedule can be changed for any of a number of reasons.

The Capitol (as well as the Library of Congress and Supreme Court) is closed on Sundays.

Tours can last between 50-80 minutes and the tour route can be changed without notice due to activities inside the Capitol.

There are no self-guided tours of the US Capitol Building.

There are 4 options to get tickets:

(Option 1) - Take a tour with a Capitol Visitor Center docent.  

These tours are staffed by professional docents, who have extensive knowledge of the building. 

Guests are organized into groups of 20 and listen to their guide through headsets. 

The docents are very knowledgeable, and the tour includes a short video of the building's significance and history before heading into the publicly accessible areas.

(Our favorite option) - Join us on our Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tour.

This is our walking tour of the Capitol Building campus with a photo stop at the Supreme Court , visits to the interior Library of Congress, and ends with timed tickets for a tour with a docent of the Capitol Visitor Center we discussed above.

(Option 2) - Book your US Capitol experience through the offices of your representative or senators.  

This option offers tours that are staffed by office personnel, usually interns.

The advantage here is that the groups are usually smaller, sometimes just your family.

Also, your guide is likely to be from your area or state, and it's always interesting to hear about their life on "the Hill".  

This option may give you the chance to meet your representative or senator.  

One potential drawback is that your guide may be pretty fresh and not as knowledgeable as the docents. We think this option is worth a try.  Book here .

(Option 3) - Walk up.

If you want to try to get onto a tour without advanced reservations, there are walk-up options.

We do not recommend doing this during March and April, as well as the peak summer months. All other times are likely to be OK.  

The advantage here is that you have more flexibility when you decide to take the tour.  

Walk-up tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are given out only for the next tour time slot, so you won't be able to grab tickets for later in the day.

Capitol Visitor Center Hours:

One way to visit the U.S. Capitol Building without a tour is to stop in at The Capitol Visitor Center.

This center is open Monday – Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

There are occasions when the building is closed for special events or security reasons! These sometimes happen on short notice.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

In this section, we cover what to expect during your visit with tips on how much time you will need (below), how to get to the visitor center , parking, security , and dining options .

Depending on what you want to see, expect to spend at least 90 minutes to get through security and complete the tour and an additional 30 - 60 minutes to visit one of the voting chambers. 

Add an additional 30 - 60 minutes if you want to spend some time in Emancipation Hall (see highlights ).

The Capitol Building is adjacent to both the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress , and many visitors choose to visit all three at the same time. We recommend this as well.

But plan 3 - 5 hours in total to do so. You can easily spend 60 - 90 minutes at the Library and another 60 minutes at the Supreme Court.  

How to Get to the Capitol Visitor Center

The Capitol Visitor Center entrance is on the east side of the Capitol, which is the side opposite the National Mall. Click here for directions to the visitor center .

There are two Metro stations that are close to the Capitol, Union Station Metro, which is serviced by the red line as well as the Capitol South Metro, which services the orange, blue and silver lines.

If you are new to the DC Metro, then read our how-to guide to DC's subway .

All the major hop-on, hop-off, and shuttle tour bus companies make stops at the U.S. Capitol Building.  

Due to security restrictions, all tour buses must drop passengers off on the West Front (National Mall side) of the building.

Visitors then must walk up Capitol Hill for 8-10 minutes to reach the visitor center.  

There are motorized golf carts to take those who need assistance to get up the hill. Use this map for directions from the West Front drop-off .  

Be sure to read our post on choosing the best bus tour in DC .

There is no parking around the Capitol Building. In fact, unless you're in a taxi or your personal car - you won't be able to drive up there at all.

Coaches and large vans are not allowed near the entrance and must drop off and pick up guests on the west (National Mall) side of the building.  

You can find 2-hour on-street parking in the residential area around East Capitol and 2nd St NE/SE, but you, more likely than not, will spend some time finding parking.

A more reasonable option is to park at Union Station.

However, if you plan to visit Smithsonian Museums as well, then there are some parking garages south of the Capitol, in the Federal Center SW area. 

SpotHero  is a popular service in DC that makes finding parking a whole lot easier.

They allow you to view which parking garages will be accessible and book a guaranteed space near where you’re headed. Pretty simple.

Security Check

Security at the Capitol Building is pretty tight and similar to airport security (though you won't have to take off your shoes).

You will need to go through a metal detector and there are many items that are not allowed into the building:

• Any food or beverage, including water, and anything bottled or unopened. (empty water bottled are allowed)
• Any pointed object, including knitting needles.
• Bag larger than 18 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep.
• Mace or pepper spray, razors, and box cutters.
• Any weapon of any kind, even army knives as well as replicas/toys.
• Any liquids, gels, sprays, aerosols - like lotions, makeup, sunscreen.

You may bring in mobile phones, wallets, and cameras.

While strollers are permitted in the Capitol Visitor Center, they are not in the House or Senate galleries.

These are subject to additional screening at the entrance as well.

While you may not run into any congresspeople in the Visitor Center Restaurant, you may overhear some lobbyists, and it is a surprisingly good place to grab a bite to eat if you arrive early for your tour (or after).

It’s located on the lower level of Emancipation Hall, just to the side of the ticket desks.

They have a broad range of meals and snacks ranging from pizza to roast turkey to sushi.

We’re particularly fans of their breakfast sandwiches if you’re visiting in the morning, and the giant cookies are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Here’s a link to the menu .  They have received 4 of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

While we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to visit the US Capitol, sometimes you require answers to specific questions related to your personal experience.

Thankfully, our Washington DC Travel Tips group on Facebook is the perfect place to look for any answers you may need.

Here are a few examples of interesting and helpful tips and tricks provided by members of our group:

This is probably the most common question about visiting the US Capitol Building, which is why we answer it at the top of this article.

As Jennifer notes, even if you just wanted to see the gift shop and visitor center, you'd need to pass through security (though as of 2024, you no longer require reservations just to enter the Visitor Center)

One nice thing about the US Capitol Building tour is that it's reasonably paced, so you should have enough time either before or after for other activities.

The only real place to eat lunch in the area is the Capitol Building itself, but they actually have a lot of great menu options, so it's not necessarily a bad option!

Many group members recommend getting a tour through your state representative because they will send down an intern and give you a less rushed experience. Despite some guest's experiences, you only sometimes get a private tour. In peak seasons, March-August, you'll often be with a large group.

That said, public tours are led by official docents, so you can trust that they will also provide an excellent service.

Diana notes that anyone who has booked a tour should show up at least a little bit early to ensure they can get through security without any issues and meet their docent on time.

10-15 minutes is probably sufficient for the entire process of getting from the entrance of the building to the starting point of your tour.

This is another common question we see on our group, and the unofficial answer is at least 2 weeks before the tour and up to 90 days ahead of time.

Even so, some of our members have indicated they scheduled their tour through their representative's office 6 months in advance.

For more helpful advice and suggestions, make sure to check our Washington DC Travel Tips group on Facebook, and consider asking our users any question you may have!

CAPITOL TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Exhibition Hall and Visitor Center Gallery

Once you get through security, you’ll find yourself in the beautiful Capitol Visitor Center.

This is where you’ll pick up your tickets if you’re taking a tour of the Capitol, but there are lots of things to check out before the tour even begins.

The beautiful, light-filled lower level is named Emancipation Hall , in remembrance of the slave labor that went into constructing the Capitol building and the United States as a whole.

Around Emancipation Hall you’ll see many statues ranging from a native Hawaiian king to an astronaut.

These are overflow from National Statuary Hall which you’ll generally see on the Capitol tour, and we discuss a few paragraphs down.

There are two gift shops on the upper level - North and South. There was a congressional order passed that everything sold in these gift shops must be made in America.

In the center of Emancipation Hall is a 19.5-foot (6 m) Statue of Freedom , the original plaster model of the allegorical figure that sits atop the Capitol dome.

She is perfect to scale, and this allows you to get up close and notice the incredible detail put into the work.

Our favorite detail is the eagle’s head that sits atop her helmet and is adorned with a Native American headdress.

Just behind the statue of Freedom is the Exhibition Hall.

In this small museum, called Out of Many One , you can learn both about the history of the U.S. Congress and its work and the construction of the Capitol Building.

Highlights here include an 11-foot (3.5 m) tall model of the Capitol Dome , which you are encouraged to touch, and live feeds of the House and the Senate when they are in session.

It may seem odd to have a crypt in the middle of what is basically a government office building, but there are no actual remains interred here.

In some of the original plans of the Capitol, it was thought that George Washington and his wife Martha might be buried here.

But the first president wished to be put to rest at his home in Virginia, Mount Vernon, where he remains to this day.

The Crypt does still carry great importance, as it marks the center of Washington, D.C. Around the room are 13 statues, of important individuals from the 13 original colonies. 

Old Supreme Court

The judicial branch of the United States government met in this room from 1810 to 1860, when it then moved to the Old Senate Chamber which is also often included on the tour.

Generally, you enter the robing room, where the Supreme Court Justices once all donned their black robes together before entering the court.

At the back of the room are Justice’s desks, some of which are original to the 19th century and were actually used by the Justices when the Supreme Court occupied this chamber.  

One of the most remarkable aspects of the room is the vaulted ceiling designed by Benjamin Latrobe which was inspired by medieval engineering techniques and resembles an umbrella.

The Rotunda

The heart of the building and undoubtedly the most iconic aspect of the Capitol Building is the Rotunda.

It is where honored citizens have laid in state, including Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Rosa Parks, and most recently, Billy Graham. 

In the original design of William Thornton, the rotunda was intended to be a simple dome modeled after the Pantheon in Rome.

However, when the building was expanded in the mid-1800s, it was clear that the dome needed to be enlarged as well, and construction of the massive wedding cake-style dome was begun.

Around the inside of the Rotunda are many pieces of art depicting important figures and events in American history.

At the center, there is the fresco the Apotheosis of Washington by Constantino Brumidi. It shows George Washington sitting in the heavens, flanked by the goddesses Liberty and Victory, and surrounded by 13 maidens representing the original 13 colonies.

Lower down the dome is a ring of friezes depicting American history from the landing of Columbus to the birth of aviation.

There are also many statues around the Rotunda, including one of Abraham Lincoln by Vinnie Ream, the first woman artist who received a commission from the American government.

National Statuary Hall

Like so many rooms in the Capitol, Statuary Hall is heavily influenced by ancient Greek architecture, drawing parallels between the origin of democracy and its rebirth in America.

Originally this room was intended to be a chamber for the House of Representatives.

However, the curved ceiling created strange acoustics, with whisper spots where someone speaking softly could be heard many yards away.

It was distracting during sessions, and many of the members didn’t like the idea of rivals hearing their secrets, so the House was relocated.

For many years, it was debated what to do with the room, until it was decided to dedicate it as space for states to honor their most eminent citizens.

Each state is invited to send two statues of their choosing in either marble or bronze, depicting people who have made a significant contribution to the history of that state.

Originally, all statues were placed in Statuary Hall, however as more and more states began sending their statues, the hall became was severely overcrowded.

Statues had to be placed behind each other, in some places 3 statues deep, and there were worries that the floor could not hold the huge weight.

Today the statues are scattered throughout the Capitol building as well as in the hall.

Old Senate Chamber

Since the country used to be much smaller, the Capitol building was as well. This is actually the third chamber that the Senate has met in.

The first had to be abandoned after just 6 years because it was crumbling and rotting, and the second was burned down by the British during the War of 1812.

Finally, the Senate convened here for 40 years.

In 1859 the Senate moved to its fourth and current chamber, and the Supreme Court moved in until it got its own building in 1935 ( which you could also tour ).

The Old Senate Chamber is richly decorated in crimson and gold and was inspired, like so much of Washington DC, by buildings in Paris.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GALLERY PASSES

To visit the House of Representatives Gallery, which is where members of the House debate and take their votes, contact your representative or senator to obtain passes.

International visitors may inquire at the House of Representatives' appointment desk on the upper level of the Capitol Visitors Center.

These passes are not timed and can be used at any time during that year.

The House Gallery is open to visitors whenever the House of Representatives is in session ( see schedule ) until adjournment for that day.  

It is also "usually" open whenever the House is in recess, from 9:00 am until 4:15 pm, Mondays through Fridays.

You will have to go through additional security and leave all belongings outside of the gallery in storage containers.

You can bring a pen and paper, but that is about it!  Absolutely no photography.

PRO TIP:  You will need an additional 30 - 60 minutes to visit either of the legislative galleries. If time is short, then we recommend visiting the House Gallery.  

It is here that the President of the United States delivers his annual State of the Union Address and you are more likely to see action on the floor.

SENATE GALLERY PASSES

To visit the Senate Gallery, which is where members of the U.S. Senate debate and take their votes, contact your representative or senator to obtain passes.

International visitors may inquire at the Senate appointment desk on the upper level of the Capitol Visitors Center.

Open to visitors whenever the Senate is in session, from 30 minutes before the Senate convenes ( see schedule ) until adjournment for that day, which is usually 4:15 pm.  

It is also regularly open whenever the Senate is in recess for 1 week or more.

When in recess, visitors are permitted to view the gallery from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays.  

There is no access on Saturdays unless the Senate is in session.  

You could also call the Senate to confirm if the gallery is open - 202.224.0057.

You will have to go through additional security for either and leave all belongings outside of the gallery in storage containers.

You can bring a pen and paper and that is about it!   Absolutely no photography.

Related Posts

• How to Tour the Supreme Court 
• How to Tour the Library of Congress
• Other Things to do in Washington, DC

Consider our guided tour of Capitol Hill , which includes tickets to tour the U.S. Capitol Building.

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9 Best US Capitol Tours Showcasing Washington DC’s Iconic Landmark

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There are so many spectacular things to do in Washington DC that it would take a lifetime to see them all – but let’s face it, the political sites top the list!

And if you want to really understand the big business of this town, then you’ll want to mosey along on some of the best US Capitol tours!

Take in the bustling world of Washington DC from the vantage point of Capitol Hill and the US Capitol itself, and explore the architecture, food, and amazing cultural offerings of this fascinating city.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• Capitol Hill tours

1 – Small-Group Guided Tour inside US Capitol & Library of Congress

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 667 reviews )

“Very informative walking tour that started outside the Library of Congress, went inside the Capitol and then ended inside the LOC. It was nice to be able to skip the lines while inside and proceed directly to the tour without booking a timed slot.” Morgan. Viator

With this awesome excursion from Guided Tours DC , you’ll get to know some of the country’s most powerful spaces as intimately as your own home – complete with some cool anecdotes!

And whether you’re a bookworm or a policy wonk, you’ll find plenty to love on your stroll.

Step inside the U.S. Capitol, where the laws of the country are developed and debated.

Then explore the endless stacks of the Library of Congress, which holds millions of documents and books – and as the largest library in the world, it’s certainly got a lot to offer!

Between the excellent information, personalized atmosphere, and in-depth glimpses of famous spots, this is the perfect way to really dive into the Capitol!

You’ll be able to ask all the questions you want, and explore all the little details of these remarkable sites.

• Library of Congress tours

Read more: Best Tourist Attractions in Washington DC

2 – Best of DC Plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 1904 reviews )

“This was an amazing trip and our tour guide Nick was so knowledgeable and funny. I couldn’t ask for a better trip I definitely suggest!!” Theresa. Viator

It’s one thing to hear history… it’s quite another to see it!

And when you’re exploring the Capitol, be sure to save time for some National Archives Museum tours , where you can see some of the country’s most incredible documents up close!

Join USA Guided Tours on a journey into this remarkable resource, home to over 700,000 different documents and files.

And of course, you’ll get plenty of time to visit the archives’ most famous residents: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence!

As an added bonus, you’ll get to explore the nearby Congressional halls as well.

• check offer

You can’t go wrong with this tour, because you’ll see just about everything!

The daylong trip to all sorts of monuments and famous buildings certainly makes this one of the best US Capitol tours for ambitious types, giving you all of the highlights in one exciting day.

Read more: Best Museums in Washington DC

3 – DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 1938 Reviews )

“Great way to see the entire group of main monuments & sights up close without having to navigate or park. Comfort of your own cart & driver who provides great history & stories as you zip from one to the next.” Jenifer. Viator

This is both good for the brain and good for the earth, and a fascinating way of getting around!

Electric carts are still fast enough to get around lots of different areas, but also give you the chance to enjoy these iconic spots at closer range.

Hop aboard your Red Roadster and see all that the Capitol Hill area has to offer, with detours to the Smithsonian museums, the FDR and MLK memorials, and more.

Get to know the city inside and out, and enjoy some unique transportation along the way, with Intrepid Urban Adventures – USA !

This zippy little trip is great for visitors of all ages, stopping at the major spots and providing an easy route around the city.

While the views are great, it’s the endless wealth of insider knowledge that makes it such an exciting journey!

Read more: Best Washington DC Monuments Tours

4 – Capitol Hill Food Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 35 reviews )

“So much fun walking around and seeing this re-vitalized area of DC. Enjoyed everything from the sparkling sangria to the home made pop-tarts.” Deborah. Viator

This is one tour where your stomach will be as full as your brain!

Along with all of its other attributes, this part of town is famed for its amazing food scene, and you can nibble and nosh your way through it as you enjoy the nuances of the neighborhood.

Thanks to decades of cultural diversity, you can sample a pretty amazing selection here, with pit stops in India, El Salvador, and different parts of the U.S.

Learn about the different nations and their unique mixes as you savor the flavors!

While this tour offers a great slice of local history, it’s the slices (and bowls, and bites) that make it a sensational adventure!

It’s the perfect way to indulge your taste buds, while also getting to know one of D.C.’s most vibrant communities!

• food tours in Capitol Hill

Read more: Best City Tours in Washington DC

5 – Haunted DC Walking Tour on Capitol Hill

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 142 reviews )

“With a full moon just before Halloween, a ghost tour was a natural fit. We enjoyed our guide, and the opportunities for photos on Capitol Hill were a big bonus feature. A pleasant evening walk.” David. Viator

The buildings around here aren’t just active parts of the present… they have their fair share of spooky remnants from the past!

And there’s nothing like a trip with Scary DC to get to know the supernatural lore of the area, which often includes more than a few former presidents.

And of course, the Capitol itself is said to be one of the most haunted buildings on the planet, making it the perfect place to base your adventure around.

From the troubled spirits of assassins to congressional representatives that took their battles beyond the grave, you’ll find plenty of great anecdotes… and maybe even a mysterious curse or two!

With unique stories, great photo ops, and the intimate atmosphere of a small group, you can be sure of a memorable night of learning and delving into the city’s bizarre legends.

Plus, the guides sport period-appropriate costumes,adding an extra dash of fun to the evening!

• ghost tours in Capitol Hill

Read more: 15 Best Night Tours in Washington DC Showcasing Iconic Monuments

6 – Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 21 reviews )

“Thanks for a great tour. Sam was personable, informative, and fun! Especially enjoyed the historical nuggets along with the architectural info.” Michelle. Viator

These buildings aren’t just places where laws are passed and history is made… they’re awfully pretty to look at!

This is one of the best US Capitol tours if you want to get to know the ins and outs of these iconic structures, from the soaring ceilings of Union Station to the mysterious emblems embedded in the Library of Congress,

Join DC Design Tours for a delightful dive into these jaw-dropping structures, and learn all about the intricate planning process that helped the capital come to life.

History, design details, and a healthy dash of humor make this tour a must, no matter your level of architecture expertise.

You can enjoy some wonderful stories, and get to admire some of the city’s most beautiful buildings from a totally new vantage point.

7 – Bike Tour: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 48 reviews )

“Everything was perfect – the bikes; our guide, Beth; the tour route; even the weather. Best way ever to get an overview of the DC Capital area to start our vacation.” PENNY. GetYourGuide

A little bit of cardio, a little bit of steady cruising, and a lot of great views… that’s the recipe for fun with Unlimited Biking Washington DC !

Pedaling past museums and memorials, you’ll get a sense of the city that differs greatly from the norm, combining the up-close views  of walking with the greater distance capacity of a vehicle.

While you’ll get ample time at all of the big sites, you’ll also have the opportunity to really savor the rhythms of daily life, as you roll along the city’s many excellent bike paths.

This is the perfect way to soak up the sights and sounds of the area – ands with a 7 mile route, it’s great exercise too!

It’s open to all sorts of ages and biking abilities, and it welcomes you to the city in a whole new way!

• bike tours in Capitol Hill

8 – Castle to Capitol: Museums of the National Mall Architecture Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 7 reviews )

“Fascinating history. Easy walk. Great value. I’ve recently gotten interested in architecture and decided to take the “Castle to Capitol” tour while I was in town for work. Absolutely fantastic.”  Jesse. Tripadvisor

Museum nerds, rejoice!

This lively trip with DC Design Tours will sweep you up in the amazing stories of the Smithsonian, from the unique construction of the buildings to the treasures that they hold within.

With an emphasis on the actual buildings themselves, it’s also a unique opportunity to learn about the diverse and dazzling structures that hold some of the country’s greatest collections.

You’ll even get to step inside the magnificent Smithsonian Castle, which anchors the whole complex.

It’s ideal for curious minds of all ages, and with a smaller group, you can really get to know the ins and outs of these beloved spots!

Not only is this tour packed with cool cultural tidbits, but it also lets you dip into the often untold stories behind these legendary museums.

It’s an especially good deal for architecture fans, as it takes a nice long look at the buildings themselves – a truly unique vantage point!

9 – Private Tour with US Capitol Or Archives Or Washington Monument

Rating: ⭐️ 3.5/5 ( 3 reviews )

“We had a great time. Sally and our driver were excellent leaders. Sally worked with us to ask what we wanted to see and do and she adjusted her comments at the monuments for the different ages of our group” Victoria. Viator

This is one of the best US Capitol tours if you want to really get to know the city; because not only will you be visiting some particularly important spots, but you’ll be the only ones on the tour!

Enjoy some personalized attention and explore the innermost workings of the National Archives and the Capitol itself, or the towering Washington Monument – it’s a true choose-your-own-adventure!

Just choose the size of your group and what you want to see, then set off to delight in these national gems, with Signature Tours of DC .

This is the ideal trip if you want to see it all and get the rock star treatment – especially if you have a larger group!

With a flexible itinerary and wonderfully attentive staff, it will give you a full insight into the U.S. Capitol and the surrounding area in style.

• private tours in Capitol Hill

How to book US Capitol tours?

There are plenty of companies that offer US Capitol tours, so you can pick and choose with ease. As an added bonus, lots of travel websites will sell these tours directly online!

It’s worth noting that several of them provide discounts, so the price may vary from one site to the next.

Want to make the whole process easier? Use our search engine to compare a whole range of options, complete with prices and reviews, all in one convenient spot!

• compare Capitol Hill tours

Washington Signature Tours

Discover the Signature Difference

US Capitol Tours

The US Capitol and Morning Monuments tour is a great option for people with limited time to experience DC. Join our engaging, informative guide touring the Capitol* and visiting the famed monuments of Washington DC. The tour gives you an insider’s look at our US Capitol. You will get to hear the Capitol Tour guide give you all the historical facts on how this building was built and other stories. Then you will be taken a comfortable bus to explore the great monuments of Washington DC such as the White House*, WWII Memorial, FDR Memorial, MLK Memorial etc…

*exterior only

 Details

• 3 hour tour of the US Capitol and top DC monuments
• You get off to walk and explore at some stops, take selfies and have fun
• You ride in comfort in climate-controlled buses to explore some of Washington DC hidden gems
• your total cost for so much fun packaged in your tour is something you can smile about
• you know you’re doing business with a company with a record of providing great experiences to guests like you.
• Tour ends early, giving you time to enjoy other activities for the rest of your day.

What is not included in your tour:

• Breakfast, lunch or dinner
• Gratuity* to the driver or tour guide

*Gratuity in DC is between 18% and 20%

What is not allowed:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Passengers under the influence

Washington Signature Tours reserves the right to cancel any booking for any such violations

Adult: $69 Child: $59

Child is 12 & under under 2 free

Meet point:

Meets at the National Archives 800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC on the corner of 9th St & Pennsylvania Ave. at 10:00 AM. Please be there 15 min before tour starts (9:45 am)

*Please arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start

Close Metro Stop: Metro Stop: Archives Metro Station – Green & Yellow line

The US Capitol (West side) 10 min to view the Garfield Memorial , Ulysses Grant, the Peace Monument and take pictures.

White House 15 min photo ops of the exterior of the site.

WWII Memorial 15 min to visit. Rest stop available on site

FDR Memorial and MLK memorial combined 25 min walking guided tour to visit FDR memorial the biggest ever built from rose granite brought from South Dakota and Dr. Martin Luther King, the newest memorial beside the tidal basin.

Korean, Lincoln, Vietnam & Vietnam Women’s memorials – 35 min to visit the oldest memorial in Washington DC dedicated in 1922. There’s also the Reflecting Pool where Dr Martin Luther King gave his ‘I have a Dream speech’ in 1963. And also the Korean and the Vietnam War veteran memorial.

Lunch & Potomac River Cruise – 90 min or

Jefferson memorial

USMC (Iwo Jima) memorial – 10 min

Air Force memorial – 10 min

End time: at 1:00 pm at the Lincoln memorial in high season and Natural History Museum and National Archives in low season. 

*Exterior photo stop only