Washington DC: Capitol & Library of Congress with Night Monuments Tour

Inside the Capitol's Rotunda & Out Under the Monuments at Night

You walk Capitol Hill for 2 hours with a live guide, enter the U.S. Capitol to see the Rotunda and Crypt, visit the Library of Congress (or Capitol Museum), and pass the Supreme Court and Senate office buildings. After a break, you board a bus at 7:30 PM for a 3-hour evening tour with photo stops at 10 major monuments—White House, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and more—plus passes by 20+ additional sites. The combo saves you from coordinating two separate tours and gives you both the inside-the-building experience and the lit-up nighttime view of the National Mall.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Capitol Hill Walking Tour and Library Visit

• Join 2-hour Capitol Hill walking tour
• Visit U.S. Capitol Rotunda and Crypt
• See National Statuary Hall and chambers
• Pass by Supreme Court and Senate offices
• Enter Jefferson Building of Library of Congress
• View Gutenberg Bible and Great Hall
• See Main Reading Room and architectural details

Day 2 — Night Monuments Bus Tour

• Meet outside National Archives at 7:30pm
• Board temperature-controlled night tour bus
• Photo stop at White House
• Photo stop at Lincoln Memorial
• Photo stop at WWII Memorial
• Photo stop at MLK Memorial
• Photo stop at Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Photo stop at Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Pass by Washington Monument and Arlington Cemetery
• View 20+ additional monuments and Smithsonian sites

The Experience

The moment you step into the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, you're standing 180 feet below "The Apotheosis of Washington"—a fresco so massive it takes a few seconds for your eyes to adjust. This combo tour splits your day into two separate experiences: a 2-hour morning or afternoon walking tour of Capitol Hill with entry into the Capitol building itself, then a break to explore on your own, followed by a 3-hour evening bus tour that hits 10+ monuments lit up after dark. You get to choose your start time for the daytime portion, which means you can sleep in or grab lunch without rushing.

The walking tour covers the Capitol, the Library of Congress (or the Capitol Museum if you're going on a Monday when the Library closes), the Supreme Court building, and the Senate and House office buildings. Inside the Capitol, a live guide walks you through the Crypt—originally meant to hold George Washington's remains—and National Statuary Hall. At the Library of Congress, if it's open, you'll see the Jefferson Building, which the tour calls the most beautiful building in Washington. The Gutenberg Bible is there, along with the Great Hall with its Italian Renaissance columns and gold leaf. The whole morning or afternoon piece takes 2 hours and keeps moving, so you're not standing around.

Then you have free time. Eat, walk around, sit by the Tidal Basin if it's cherry blossom season (late March through early April). At 7:30 PM, you meet outside the National Archives building at 790 Pennsylvania Ave NW and board a temperature-controlled coach bus. The night tour is where the monuments shift—they're lit, quieter, and you see them differently. You stop for photos at the White House, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. The bus passes by 20+ additional sites including the Washington Monument and Arlington Cemetery. In December, the tour includes holiday lights around the White House and Capitol. The whole evening takes 3 hours.

One thing to know: the government can cancel Capitol tours without notice, so there's a small chance that part gets rescheduled. Also, the Library of Congress is closed Mondays and doesn't offer 8 AM tours—if you book one of those times, you'll visit the Capitol Museum instead. Service animals are allowed on the tours, but other pets aren't. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the walking portions, especially if you're doing the daytime tour in summer heat.

What’s included

• 2-hour guided walking tour of Capitol Hill with 3 start time options.
• admission to the U.S. Capitol building with access to the Rotunda, Crypt, and National Statuary Hall.
• admission to the Library of Congress Jefferson Building or Capitol Museum.
• guided stops at the Supreme Court, Senate and House office buildings, and Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
• 3-hour evening bus tour of the National Mall and monuments departing at 7:30 PM.
• photo stops at 10 major sites including the White House, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Korean War Memorial.
• passes by 20+ additional monuments and sites such as the Washington Monument and Arlington Cemetery.
• professional live guide throughout both tours.
• temperature-controlled coach bus for the evening tour.
• holiday lights tour in December around the White House and Capitol.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by DC Guided Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see inside the Capitol and the Library of Congress without arranging separate tickets and timing—the combo handles both the daytime government buildings and the evening monuments in one day, with a break in between so you're not rushed.

Top questions

What time does the night bus tour depart?

The night tour departs at 7:30 PM from outside the National Archives building at 790 Pennsylvania Ave NW.

Can I choose what time to start the Capitol Hill walking tour?

Yes, you can select from 3 different start times during checkout for the daytime Capitol Hill tour.

What happens if the Library of Congress is closed?

If the Library of Congress is closed (Mondays) or you book an 8 AM tour, you'll visit the Capitol Museum instead.

How long is the daytime walking tour?

The Capitol Hill walking tour is 2 hours and includes entry to the U.S. Capitol and a stop at the Library of Congress or Capitol Museum.

How long is the night monuments bus tour?

The evening bus tour is 3 hours and includes photo stops at 10+ monuments and passes by 20+ additional sites.

Are pets allowed on the tours?

Service animals are allowed, but other pets are not permitted on the tours.

What monuments do I stop at for photos on the night tour?

Photo stops include the White House, U.S. Capitol, MLK Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. The bus also passes by the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and many Smithsonian buildings.

Is there time between the daytime and evening tours?

Yes, you have a break in the afternoon to explore Washington DC at your leisure before meeting for the 7:30 PM night tour.

What do I see inside the U.S. Capitol?

You'll see the Rotunda, the Crypt, National Statuary Hall, and occasionally the Old Supreme Court or Old Senate Chamber, guided by a live tour guide.

Do I need to be in good physical shape?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, particularly for the 2-hour walking tour of Capitol Hill.