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The United States Capitol is one of the most famous government buildings in the world, so it’s a must-see when you’re in Washington, DC. The Capitol is where US laws are written and presidents are inaugurated, so it’s safe to say that this building is a pretty big deal!
You can’t visit the Capitol independently so if you want to go inside, you’ll have to take a guided tour. And even if you could visit by yourself, this building is so historic and holds so many stories that you’d still be better off going with a guide.
We’ve tried everything in DC from river cruises to visiting Georgetown, and touring the Capitol was one of our favorite experiences. It really is a must-do while in the city!
We tried out a few different tours of the US Capitol Building including dedicated tours and also visited as part of larger sightseeing tours. We’ve selected our top picks to help you choose the best way to explore the Capitol.
Our Top Choice
This small group tour takes you on a deep dive inside the US Capitol to learn all about the nation’s politics. You’ll get to explore both the US Capitol and the Library of Congress (the biggest library in the world!) with a guide who will bring it all to life through fascinating stories and anecdotes. You can book this highly-rated tour easily online here for only $89 USD!
What are the Best Tours of the US Capitol Building?
1. Small-Group Guided Tour Inside the US Capitol & Library of Congress
This small group tour provides you with a fascinating insight into how the US government works. It’s a must for anyone interested in US politics or history because so many key decisions have been made here. It’s the heart of American democracy!
Your guide will take you on an in-depth guided tour of the Capitol Building, and reserved access means that you won’t waste any time waiting in line. You’ll explore some of the most historic areas of the building and learn all about its past as you admire its beautiful architecture.
Then, you’ll head to the Library of Congress, which is so impressive it would put the Hogwarts library to shame and it’s also the largest library in the world. There are millions of books, films, newspapers, and journals here. Your guide will tell you all about how the library works and even explain how you can access its resources as a civilian!
One of our favorite parts was seeing the part of the collection originally owned by Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers and the third president of the United States. The collection included over 6,000 books – that’s a lot for just one person!
The tour finishes with a stop outside the Supreme Court. You won’t go inside, but you’ll have plenty of time to snap photos of this beautiful building.
We think this tour is a great choice for anyone who wants a close-up look at how the US government works. The fact that it’s a small group tour of 15 or fewer keeps it nice and personal, so it doesn’t feel too crowded or rushed.
The tour runs from Tuesday to Saturday and costs $89 USD per person. It’s our top choice for a specific Capitol Hill tour! You can check availability and reserve this tour in advance here.
Related Read: Philadelphia was the first US capital city, and there are tons of Philadelphia history tours you can take to learn even more about the early years of the United States.
2. Capitol Hill Walking Tour with the US Capitol and Library of Congress
This 2-hour walking tour will take you on a guided exploration of Capitol Hill. You’ll get to see the US Capitol Building and explore the Rotunda, the Crypt, and the old House chambers.
Your guide will teach you all about how the goings-on inside the Capitol impact the nation. Knowledgeable guides make a huge difference, and we can assure you that these guys know their stuff! They can even tell you what materials the Capitol’s dome is made from!
You’ll also visit the stunning Library of Congress. When possible, your guide will also take you through a secret tunnel to see Jefferson’s private library, which is such a cool experience. You might get to see a Gutenberg Bible dating back to the 15th century as well. There are only two other similar copies in the world, so we thought that was an awesome thing to see!
A stop in front of the Supreme Court is included, too. While you aren’t able to go inside, your guide will tell you about the history of the highest court in the US. For us, this was just long enough to be educational without being overwhelmed by too many details.
The walking tour is about 2 hours long, so it’s perfect if you don’t have a lot of time, but still want to squeeze in a visit to the Capitol. It costs $85 USD per person and runs every day except Sunday and Monday. You can book a spot on this walking tour in advance here.
3. Capitol Hill, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress Exclusive Tour
If you want to go all out and enjoy a private tour of Capitol Hill, then this tour is an excellent choice.
You’ll start by walking past the Supreme Court and enjoying its magnificent architecture while your guide teaches you all about the US court system. Then, you’ll visit the Library of Congress before heading to the Capitol. If there’s something that you’re especially interested in like the Folger Shakespeare Library, then your guide can make sure you see it.
You’ll visit the Capitol Visitor Center, which is actually underground, and learn all about the Capitol complex. Tons of people gather in this area, but we were able to hear our guide just fine since this tour is private rather than in a large group.
The tour doesn’t take you inside the Capitol but at the end, you do get entry passes to the chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, so you can do some more exploring by yourself. This doesn’t count as part of the 2.5 hours of the tour, so it’s a nice addition.
The great thing about this tour is that since it’s a private experience, it can be tailored to your interests. Plus, you just can’t beat personal attention from your guide. US politics can also be a little complicated, so we liked that we could ask a ton of questions and get a deeper understanding of how it all works.
You’ll meet your guide outside of the Capitol South Station, and the tour begins at 10 am. It ends at the US Capitol (which is where you’ll get your passes to the House and Senate). The tour runs Tuesday through Friday.
The price of this tour does vary according to group size. For example, we paid $264 USD per person for 2 people, but the price is $137 USD per person for a group of 4.
If you’re interested in a more personalized experience, you can reserve this private tour here and pay any time up to 2 days before the tour.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. US Capitol & Library of Congress with a Guided Walk of Capitol Hill
This guided tour of Capitol Hill is a fantastic way to explore the center of US politics, and you get plenty of time to explore the Capitol Building with the help of your guide.
There are lots of impressive photo opportunities along the way as you’ll stop outside the Supreme Court, and get a detailed tour of the Capitol itself. You’ll visit the Rotunda, which is the circular, domed room known as “the heart of the Capitol.” Make sure to look up because the artwork on the ceiling is so beautiful!
Your guide will also take you to the Crypt, which is so named due to its resemblance to a church crypt, but no one is actually buried here! While we love a good ghost tour (the Dark Philly Night Tour is one of our favs), that’s not what this is! The Crypt was used for bicycle parking in the late 1800s to the early 1900s and now houses statues from the National Statuary Hall Collection.
The tour also includes a visit to the Library of Congress as well as Thomas Jefferson’s private library. Jefferson accumulated the largest personal collection of books in the US (over 6,000!), although around two-thirds of it was destroyed in a fire in 1851. We still loved getting to see this unique library.
This 2-hour tour costs $80 USD per person. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to snap amazing photos and learn all about Congress and Capitol Hill. It runs from Tuesday through Saturday.
You can check availability and book your walking tour of Capitol Hill online here.
5. Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Highlights
This walking tour involves a 2-hour tour of Capitol Hill and an additional 50-minute guided tour inside the Capitol.
Along the way, you’ll learn all about why this particular hill was chosen as the political heart of the USA. You’ll explore the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress while your guide shares lots of stories about many of the dramatic goings-on here, so this tour is super entertaining and a great way to bring history to life.
You are also sometimes able to go inside the Supreme Court Building depending on what is going on that day. We really like this because it’s not a feature that you get with most other tours (although going inside the Supreme Court isn’t guaranteed).
This tour is one of the cheapest US Capitol tours available at $75 USD per person for a 3-hour sightseeing tour, and despite this, it’s a small group tour with a maximum of 13 participants. We think that this is good value for money and perfect for anyone who doesn’t want a huge group tour or the budget to pay for a private tour.
The tour runs from Tuesday to Saturday. This Capitol Hill tour is very popular and spots fill up quickly but you can book your tour here with free cancellation available up to 24 hours before.
Should You Visit the US Capitol on its Own or as Part of a Longer Tour?
It depends on what you’re looking to get out of your experience!
If you’re super interested in US history and politics and want an in-depth look at the Capitol Building, then a tour that focuses on Capitol Hill is the best option. You’ll get to spend several hours exploring the US Capitol and the Library of Congress, and you’ll learn tons of information.
However, some combination sightseeing tours don’t actually go inside the Capitol and just give you some information while you admire its exterior. It’s not the main focus of the experience.
With that being said, this combination sightseeing tour does give you time to go inside the US Capitol and explore its interior. You get reserved entry, which means you don’t waste time queueing, and you spend around an hour exploring. If you’re short on time but are still really keen to go inside the Capitol, then we highly recommend this option!
Related Read: If you’re headed to NYC soon, be sure to see our 3-day New York City itinerary which includes more US landmarks like the Empire State Building.
Is a Tour of the US Capitol Worth It?
Yes, most definitely!
It’s an amazing building that’s filled with history and lots of beautiful artwork, and we learned a ton on our tour. You don’t just learn about politics, you also discover more about US society. It’s also not just about the past, you also get to learn about how the government works right now. We think it’s an absolute must – even if you only have 2 days to spend in Washington, DC!
Where to Stay in Washington, DC
Now that you’ve learned all about Capitol tours in DC, you’ll probably need a place to stay! This city has loads of options. To help you narrow it down, we’ve highlighted our top choices. We’ve included everything from budget hostels to luxurious hotels, so you’re bound to find something you like!
Pendry Washington DC – $$$
For the ultimate luxury and convenience, opt for the Pendry Washington DC. This 5-star hotel has free bikes, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a rooftop bar, and a large terrace overlooking the wharf. Plus, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the docking port for river cruises if you decide to add one to your itinerary (you might even see your boat from your window!). The rooms are spacious, modern, and super comfortable.
There’s a wide range of room options, ranging from $260 USD to over $1,000 USD, depending on what you choose. However, you’ll find the best deals when you book your stay in advance.
Hotel Madera – $$
Hotel Madera is a great mid-range accommodation in the heart of DC. You can have a taste of American comfort food and cocktails at their on-site restaurant – or grab a complimentary glass of wine at the bar. It’s located close to many bars and restaurants and is just a 5-minute walk to Dupont Circle. Rooms are quite large and well-equipped, and some come with balconies to view the city.
Prices start at $170 USD which is a great value for what you get! Snag this deal by booking online here.
Duo Nomad – $
Duo Nomad is our top choice for budget accommodations in DC. It’s a clean place with complimentary breakfast, a garden, a terrace, and a shared lounge to meet other travelers or relax after a day of sightseeing. It’s located just off Capital Hill. Prices run from $39-$59 USD for a bed in a shared dorm. However, if you’re two people traveling, get a 2-bed shared dorm, and voila – it’s your own private accommodation!
If you’re on a budget, reserve a bed at Duo Nomad on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
The US Capitol absolutely should be on your itinerary when visiting Washington, DC. There’s so much history in the building, and you’ll learn a lot of fascinating things that you wouldn’t find out about otherwise. Hopefully, our experiences taking tours of the Capitol have helped you pick out the perfect one for you!
If you’re traveling to other destinations across the US, be sure to read more of our blogs about the United States or check out some of the other destinations across the world that we’ve written about! Here are a few popular blogs below to get you started:
8 BEST Philadelphia by Night Tours + Our Top Choice
25 Best FREE Things to do in New York City
8 BEST Walking Tours in Philadelphia For History, Art, and even Food!
10 Things to Know BEFORE Booking a Harbor Cruise in New York City