How to Visit Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is a common nickname for the U.S. Congress and the neighboring residential area in Washington, D.C. The Capitol building, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress are located on Capitol Hill. Visiting this area will provide you with information about the history and the current workings of this country. With the variety of things to do on Capitol Hill, it should be a fun and informative visit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Investigate the places you want to go by reading a tour guide or going online (see Resources below). Many websites have virtual tours. This will better prepare you for your visit and equip you with intelligent questions to ask, and check into the current security issues of the area. Important government areas like the Capitol often have restrictions.

2. Visit your Senator or Representative. You will need a gallery pass from your congressperson to watch the Senate or House when it is in session. You may want to call or write ahead of time to determine dates and get your tickets.

3. Tour the U.S. Capitol. Public tours are offered from 9 am to 4:30 pm. When Congress is in session, a flag will be flying over the Senate or the House. You can watch from the gallery when in session with a gallery pass from your congressperson.

4. Go to the Supreme Court. Oral arguments are open to the public. You can choose to see the entire argument or observe the Court briefly. Also offered is a film for visitors, a gift shop and a lecture if the court is not sitting.

5. See the largest library in the world. The Library of Congress serves both Congress and the American people. Tours of the Jefferson building leave from the Visitors Center. You can see the Main Reading room, the Main Hall, the Gutenberg Bible and temporary exhibits.

6. Tour the National Postal Museum. This Smithsonian Museum is in the old Post Office building next to Union Station. You can either take a docent-led tour or pick up a brochure for a self-guided tour.

7. Spend some time in Union Station. This 1908 Beaux Arts building offers shopping, dining and a movie complex. It is a metro stop on the red line and Amtrak. Tours on the Tourmobile, Old Town Trolley and Grayline leave from here.

Tips & Warnings

• Explore other interests you may have. Look into the Folger Shakespeare library and the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum. Visit the U.S. Botanical Garden Conservatory, the Eastern Market on the weekend or Barracks Row.
• Get tickets for the Capitol at the service kiosk on First Street and Independence Avenue. The tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The Capitol grounds encompass approximately 274 acres. The site holds the Garfield Memorial, Taft Carillon, Peace Monument, Senate Parking Garage Fountain and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial by the reflecting pool, and 30 states have their state trees planted in this scenic park like setting.
• Many places in Washington, D.C., have security rules. At the Library of Congress, you must pass through metal detectors to get in and open your bags for inspection when leaving. The Supreme Court building allows no cell phones or cameras.

Resources

• Link to guided tours of the Capitol
• Website of the Supreme Court
• The National Postal Museum website
• Information on visiting and exhibits in the Library of Congress
• The Washington Walks tours