Washington DC: Capitol & Library of Congress Guided Tour
Inside the Capitol Rotunda and the Tunnels Congress Walks Every Day
You start at the Supreme Court's exterior, walk the underground tunnels Congress uses, and emerge into the Capitol Rotunda beneath a 5,000 square foot Civil War–era fresco. From there, you move to the Library of Congress to see the Gutenberg Bible and the Jefferson collection in the Great Hall. Timed entry to both buildings is included, and groups stay small, no more than 15 people, so the pace stays manageable and the spaces don't feel crowded.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Capitol Hill landmarks
- Begin on Capitol Hill
- View Supreme Court exterior
- Enter Library of Congress
- Explore Jefferson Library and Main Reading Room
- Walk connecting tunnels to Capitol Visitor Center
- Tour U.S. Capitol and Rotunda
- Capitol Hill passing by
- Supreme Court of the United States 20m
- U.S. Capitol Entry included 1h
- U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Entry included 30m
- Library of Congress Entry included 1h
What’s included
- Your day includes an expert tour guide, reserved entry tickets to the U.S.
- Capitol and the Library of Congress, a walk through the underground tunnels that connect the Capitol to the Library, and access to the Capitol Rotunda, the Jefferson Library, the Gutenberg Bible, and the Main Reading Room.
- Groups are kept to a maximum of 15 guests.
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00
- Wednesday and Thursday 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30
Information
Walk the tunnels senators use daily, see the Rotunda's 5,000 sq ft fresco, and explore the world's largest library. Timed entry included, max 15 guests, 3–4 hours.
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The experience
The marble façade of the Supreme Court rises across from you, its columns casting long shadows on the steps where landmark decisions, Brown v. Board, Roe v. Wade, were handed down. The inscription above the entrance reads "Equal Justice Under Law," and you stand there long enough to let it land. This is where the tour begins, on Capitol Hill, and the weight of the place is already there before you move.
From the Supreme Court, you walk into the Capitol Visitor Center: a 580,000 square foot underground space that most visitors never know exists. The tunnels connecting the Capitol to the Library of Congress are the ones senators and congressmen use daily, and you walk them too, emerging into the Capitol itself. The Rotunda stops you. Nearly 180 feet above, Constantino Brumidi's fresco (painted in 1865, nearly 5,000 square feet) watches over the space. Eight monumental paintings line the walls, each one a defining moment from America's founding. The dome itself took over ten years to complete and was finished during the Civil War, a deliberate statement that the Union would endure. You're standing inside that statement.
The Library of Congress sits just steps away, and it's the largest library on earth. The Great Hall hits you first: Beaux-Arts interior, marble, murals, gilded detail that rivals any museum. You move through the Jefferson Library, where Thomas Jefferson's personal collection lives, and then to the Gutenberg Bible. The Main Reading Room is the kind of space that makes you understand why people call a building a memory. Over 170 million items are held here, from the first map to use the name "America" to documents that shaped the nation. Your timed entry is already arranged, so you don't wait in line. You walk straight in.
The whole experience runs 3 to 4 hours depending on which tour you choose, and groups stay under 15 people. No bags larger than 18 inches wide, and the site has a list of prohibited items worth checking before you go. Nothing surprising, just standard security. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and public transportation is nearby if you need it.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 13 years); Child (under 6): free.
How long does the tour take?
3 to 4 hours, depending on which option you choose.
Are timed entry tickets included?
Yes. Reserved entry to both the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress is handled for you.
What's the group size?
Maximum of 15 guests per tour.
Can I bring a bag?
Bags must be no larger than 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 8.5 inches deep. Check the Capitol's prohibited items list before you go.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.
Can I bring food or drinks?
No outside food or drink is permitted on the tour.
What language is the tour in?
English.
Is there parking nearby?
Public transportation options are available near Capitol Hill. Transportation options are wheelchair accessible.
Operated by Cornerstone Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
Washington DC: Capitol & Library of Congress Guided Tour
3h–4h · EN
from US$ 58.50 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.