Capitol Hill in Washington DC: guided tours, price, how to visit...
It's the icon of Capitol Hill and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Washington DC. Read on to find out all about visiting one of America's most famous buildings.
Washington DC Capitol | ©Lionel Lacour
You may know the Capitol from movies about the United States or as a symbol of the country's democracy, but it is also one of the most iconic buildings in the city for its importance and beauty.
Located in the heart of Capitol Hill, it is one of the most famous sites and is built on top of a hill, so you can see it from anywhere in the city. Here I tell you all you need to know about it so you don't miss any of the details:
Washington DC Capitol Hill Guided Tour
Be sure to take a tour of Capitol Hill to learn all about Washington DC.
You will visit the Capitol and the most emblematic buildings on the National Mall in an electric vehicle.
The American capital is one of the most powerful cities in the world and its historic centre is also the site of important monuments and buildings. The Capitol Hill is one of the most requested by visitors, so a tour with an :::link|text=expert guide::: can save you hours of queuing.
Capitol Hill is also a very interesting gastronomic area, so opting for an option that includes a visit to a restaurant at the end of the tour after a long walk is an option that I recommend.
Recommended if... you have little time in Washington DC and you want an orderly visit to the buildings and monuments of the National Mall.
How much do tickets cost?
Access to the Capitol is free, so you don't need to buy a ticket, although if you have several days in the city it is advisable to book your place in advance on the official website as admission passes are restricted.
It is also possible to book a guided tour free of charge, in group tours that last an hour and a half in total, including a 13-minute welcome video with a history of the US Congress and the building.
The Capitol Visitor Center has an entrance at the back of the building, on First Street, and in addition to the traditional guided tour you can opt for specific tours, such as a tour of the Senate chambers or the interior gardens.
How to get tickets for the Capitol at the ticket office?
Admission to the building is free, although it is advisable to reserve your place in advance, as the number of daily visitors allowed is very low. One option is to do this directly from the Capitol's official website or book a tour of Capitol Hill and make sure your tickets are included.
If you arrive late, you may still be able to get into the Capitol, although you will have to que ue at the Visitor Center and wait for confirmation of availability, which is rare.
Some Capitol Hill and National Mall bike tours also include a stop with your ticket to visit the Capitol, but note that this does not apply to evening tours as the building closes at 4.30pm.
Are there guided tours of the Capitol and is it worth it?
You can book guided tours of the Capitol where you can take a general tour of the entire building and access detailed information about the history of the United States. Here you can see the main hall and also the dome from the inside.
Another option is to sign up for themed tours, such as those that offer visits to the Capitol's inner gardens or tours that include the crypt, connecting corridors and the National Statuary Hall.
The Capitol also has one of the largest art collections in Washington, which you can also see on a dedicated 45-minute guided tour that will give you plenty of time to see everything the city has to offer.
It is important to note that unless you have a free pass from a U.S. Congressman or Congresswoman, tours do not include a visit to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
What you can't miss on Capitol Hill
For all its size and historical significance, Capitol Hill can seem like a city unto itself, filled with gardens, promenades, plazas, guard buildings and even a police station within its ten acres. It's also an architecturally beautiful building and that's why you can't miss seeing its enormous dome and the columns that support it, and it's best to do so by hiring a guided tour where they explain everything about the building in detail.
From inside, the dome includes murals and paintings that reflect the spirit of the city and the importance of George Washington as a founding father in the Revolutionary War, the first president in American history and the man who laid the cornerstone of the building in 1793.
I also recommend that you don't miss the chance to visit the Library of Congress, the Senate Chamber and keep an eye out for restaurants in the Visitor Center.
How much time do you need to visit Capitol Hill?
The traditional guided tour of the Capitol takes an hour and a half, which also includes a 13-minute introductory video on the history of democracy in the United States. The documentary is narrated in English but headphones with translations in several languages are available at the Information Centres.
If you only have that time, it will be enough to get to know the building, although if you have a few more hours you could sign up for specific themed tours of forty-five minutes each that will give you a tour of the internal gardens or the crypt.
The Capitol also has the largest art collection in the city outside of the Smithsonian museums and can be toured on a themed tour. The paintings in the Rotunda of the Dome reflect defining events in the nation's history such as the Declaration of Independence or the Embarkation of the Pilgrims, and the National Statuary Hall features references to all the states.
How to get to the Capitol?
The best way to get to the Capitol is by Metro, which has three stops adjacent to the building, at Union Station, Capitol South and Federal Center. You can also take the Washington DC circulator bus or one of the tour buses that make stops on Capitol Hill.
The Capitol is located at the head of the National Mall, so if you organise an early morning visit to the building you can use the day to tour the city's most symbolic monuments, such as the Obelisk, the Lincoln Memorial and the war memorials.
Due to the lack of parking in the Capitol Hill area, it is not advisable to go to the Capitol by car.
Capitol Hill opening and closing hours
The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve. The last tour starts at 3.30pm.
Due to the limited number of visitors the museum accepts daily, it is advisable to book a tour in advance, which is available up to one day before the day of the visit. Without a reservation, you can opt to wait in line at the Capitol during opening hours.
When Congress is not in session, the Senate and House of Representatives galleries are open for tours from 9 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.
Helpful tips for visiting the Capitol
It is advisable to arrive in good time for your visit, as you will have to go through a security operation before entering the building, which can take about forty-five minutes.
The total area of the building, which includes the gardens and open-air spaces, is ten hectares, so although the visit to the main building takes about ninety minutes, if you want to visit the whole area it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. If before or after the tour you want to eat, you can do so in one of the restaurants and cafeterias of the Visitor Centre.
In order to contribute to the conservation of the building and to protect the legislative activity of the Capitol, a limited number of tickets are distributed daily. It is also important to know that the activities and opening hours can be modified without prior notice and that on session days many corridors of the building are closed. Also that the Capitol does not have public restrooms on its tour, only in the Visitor Centre.
Code of Conduct for Capitol Hill Visitors
The Capitol Police firmly guard the security of the building and members of Congress, which is why it is imperative that you do not deviate from the control measures proposed for the tour. This is why, before entering, you will have to allow bags and purses to be checked, wear appropriate clothing that does not include sports or beachwear, keep your mobile phone on silent, accept the ban on taking photos in some rooms and not stray from your guide throughout the tour, which is important to know in order to avoid delays, especially if you are on a short stay.
If you need a break, along the tour there are benches and places where you can rest and if you have an emergency it is important that you tell your tour guide, in case you book a tour, who can assist you with the support of the Capitol Police, but do not run or raise your voice affecting other visitors.
Where can you eat while visiting the Capitol?
If you arrive at the Capitol after a long walk through other parts of the city, or if your visit coincides with lunchtime, there are several options of restaurants and cafes in the Visitor Center where you can buy food or a drink.
Please note that the only area of the Capitol where you can eat or drink is in the restaurant area of the Visitor Center. Outside this area and during the tour it is forbidden to consume them.
There are also several restaurants in the areas near the Capitol that are accessible after your tour is over, although on certain days and times of the week they can be very crowded.
When is the best time to visit Capitol Hill?
The Capitol is one of the most popular buildings for tourists visiting Washington DC,so it is always crowded, but during the week there is also the legislative activity of the building. If you have several days in the city , I recommend visiting on a Saturday.
Another option to avoid the crowds and the legislative activity of the Capitol is to attend while the session is closed. This happens for a few weeks in December, as in January Congressmen resume their work.
Visiting the Capitol on a holiday is also a possibility but be aware that it is closed to the public on Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving holidays.
All Public Access
The Capitol Visitor Center ensures that anyone can have access to the facilities, so those with disabilities are able to request accompaniment during the visit and priority attention. For this it is necessary for the interested party to contact the Congressional Office of Accessibility Services in advance.
Animals are also allowed when they are escorted, which makes it very common to see a dog assisting a person during their visit to the Capitol. It is necessary for security personnel to approve the companion animal's entry in accordance with current vaccination requirements.
While the Capitol is not the most attractive destination for a child, changing facilities are also available in the public restrooms at the Visitor Centre, and themed tours are scheduled for school groups.
Is it possible to take a virtual tour of the Capitol?
The virtual tour of the Capitol Hill is available and offers a guided tour that will take you to the same sites as the actual visit.
It is possible to visit the National Statuary Hall, the crypt and the Rotunda of the Dome in tours that last one hour and are available from Monday to Friday.
At the end of the tour there is a space for questions and answers, which the guide will answer via chat.
Is admission to Capitol Hill included in the Washington Sightseeing Pass?
As a free tour, the Washington DC pass does not include admission to the Capitol but does offer nearby options incorporating bike tours of the National Mall and Capitol Hill area, so by arranging a visit ahead of time it is possible to combine both activities and save time and travel costs.
The Washington Sightseeing Pass also includes several bus options with more than 40 stops, including some stops on Capitol Hill, including some tour buses that you can hire, and walking tours with the assistance of an expert guide to learn more about the history of the city.
The Capitol is at the head of the National Mall, so starting your tour of the city at the Legislative Building from your accommodation is a great way to continue on to the Potomac River and Arlington.