Washington DC: Capitol Hill Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

Highlights

• Learn how the Supreme Court, Capitol, and Library of Congress work together
• Explore the Capitol Hill complex as your guide shares trivia and fun facts
• Marvel at the stunning architecture and art inside the Library of Congress
• Learn about the "highest court in the land" at the US Supreme Court Building
• Take a photo outside the iconic Capitol Building before taking a tour inside

Description

Take in the grandeur of Capitol Hill on a guided walking tour and explore the three federal buildings clustered at the top of the hill: the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the US Capitol. Learn about the country's legislative and judicial branches, discover the history behind each turn, and step inside with the included entry tickets.

Kick off your tour at the Supreme Court and marvel at the Marble Palace, so grand that the justices thought they should ride in on the backs of elephants when it was first built. The tour does not enter the halls of justice, but you will get a full understanding of the judicial branch.

Gaze at the intricate mosaic and artwork of the Library of Congress' Main Hall and Reading Room. Then, follow your guide to the renowned Jefferson Building. Here, see an original Gutenberg Bible, learn about Thomas Jefferson's literary pursuits, and view his original library collection. Take a peek in the main Reading Room and have some time to explore the newest exhibit, "Treasures."

Admire the collection of the library's most precious items, such as a draft of the Gettysburg Address handwritten by President Abraham Lincoln, original handwritten lyrics for “The Sound of Music,” Maya Lin’s original drawings for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, original artwork by Stan Lee and Steven Ditko for the Spider-Man comic, and President James Madison’s crystal flute (the one that Lizzo got to play).

Proceed to the Capitol Building to marvel at its neoclassical style and iconic architecture while your guide details its rich history. Learn what survived the Burning of Washington and how the Statue of Freedom was placed at the top of the dome in the midst of the American Civil War.

Discover the best angle to get the full building in your photo, before coming to your last stop, the Capital Visitor Center. Here, see the original plaster model of Freedom and a few of the statues from the National Statuary Collection.

Your guide will also secure those hard-to-get tickets for the docent-led "Red Coat" tour for you to use at the end. Their 45-minute experience brings you into the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the Old House for a full experience of the US Capitol.