Washington D.C. Capitol & Library of Congress Tour - Early Access

Beat the crowds with early access
and explore Capitol Hill

This 3-hour small-group walking tour includes early reserved entry to the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress, so you can visit at a relaxed pace before the crowds arrive. The tour begins at the U.S. Supreme Court, also called the "Marble Palace" for its white marble, neoclassical design. Admire the building with your guide and hear about the landmark cases that shaped American history.

Discover the Capitol on a docent-led tour

Enter the Capitol with your reservation and join a docent-led tour. Admire the architecture as you explore the Crypt, the Rotunda and Statuary Hall, and hear how the Capitol survived the Burning of Washington and how the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the dome during the Civil War.

Walk through tunnels connecting the Capitol buildings

Travel through underground tunnels linking historic buildings around the Capitol. Built to protect lawmakers and keep Congress running smoothly, the tunnels offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the government really works.

Finish at the Library of Congress

Finally, admire the main hall of the Library of Congress, decorated with intricate mosaics and sculptures. See Thomas Jefferson's personal library, the Gutenberg Bible and Abraham Lincoln's draft of the Gettysburg Address, and visit the rotating "Treasures" exhibition featuring artifacts such as the handwritten lyrics of The Sound of Music, James Madison's crystal flute and Spider-Man comics by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

On Mondays, when the Library of Congress is closed, the tour visits the United States Botanic Garden instead, with its glass-domed conservatory, rainforest and First Ladies Water Garden, and passes the Bartholdi Fountain, created by Bartholdi, the designer of the Statue of Liberty.

※ The itinerary may change depending on local conditions.
※ The "Treasures" exhibition rotates, so items on display may vary.