Capitol Hill, Washington DC
US Capitol Tour with Entry Tickets
Your Capitol entry is reserved before you arrive. From $65 per person. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Your Capitol entry is reserved before you arrive. No queueing for a timed pass, no gamble on same-day availability. A licensed DC guide walks you through the Capitol Building and the rest of the Hill, and tells you what actually happened in the rooms you are standing in. Pick from three ways to explore the Hill: pair the Capitol with the Library of Congress, with the Supreme Court, or see all three.
Highlights
- Go inside the US Capitol for a docent-led tour of the Rotunda, the Crypt and National Statuary Hall
- Watch "Out of Many, One" at the Capitol Visitor Center before you go in
- Add the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, or both on the BIG 3
- A licensed DC guide with you across Capitol Hill, about a mile at a relaxed pace, step-free all the way
- Your Capitol entry is reserved on a timed pass before you arrive
- Small groups: up to 15 guests
- Finish inside the Capitol Visitor Center, free to keep exploring on your own
Three ways to tour the Capitol Building
Compare the other options below, then book the one you want.
Step inside the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress for the Main Reading Room, the Gutenberg Bible and Thomas Jefferson's personal library, then head into the Capitol for the film and a docent-led tour of the Rotunda, the Crypt and National Statuary Hall.
- Runs Tue to Sat
- Departs 10am and 1pm
Best for book lovers and architecture fans.
- Inside the US Capitol: Rotunda, Crypt and National Statuary Hall (included)
- Inside the Library of Congress: Main Reading Room and Gutenberg Bible (included)
- Supreme Court from the outside, no interior entry (not included)
3 hours · Max 15
Start inside the Supreme Court, among the Corinthian marble and the traditions that still shape how the Court works, then head into the Capitol for the film and a docent-led tour of the Rotunda, the Crypt and National Statuary Hall.
- Runs Mon to Fri
- Departs 10am and 1pm
Best for government and law buffs.
- Inside the US Capitol: Rotunda, Crypt and National Statuary Hall (included)
- Inside the Supreme Court: Corinthian marble and the stories behind it (included)
- Library of Congress not included on this option (not included)
3 hours · Max 15
All three landmarks on one guided walk, with your Capitol and Library of Congress timed entries reserved for you. Groups are capped at 15, so there is room to ask questions at every stop.
- Runs Tue to Fri
- Departs 9am
Best for first-time DC visitors who want all of Capitol Hill in one go.
- Inside the US Capitol: Rotunda, Crypt and National Statuary Hall (included)
- Inside the Library of Congress: Main Reading Room and Gutenberg Bible (included)
- Inside the Supreme Court: Corinthian marble and the stories behind it (included)
4 hours · Max 15
Private Capitol Hill tours
Same route, same guide, just your group. Your own date and time.
$300 private booking fee, plus $65 per guestCapitol & Library of Congress, or Capitol & Supreme Court
$400 private booking fee, plus $90 per guestBIG 3, all three inside
How Capitol entry works
Isn't the Capitol tour free?
Yes. The Capitol's own 45-minute Rotunda tour is free, and anyone can book it through the Capitol Visitor Center. It is part of our tour too. What you pay us for is everything around it: your Capitol entry reserved before you arrive (and your Library of Congress entry, on the options that include it), a licensed DC guide who leads the rest of the three to four hours, and the Library of Congress or the Supreme Court on the same walk.
Do I need to get Capitol passes or tickets myself?
No. The US Capitol and the Library of Congress admit visitors on timed-entry passes, and we reserve them for your group when you book. There is nothing to request from Congress or your representative. Your passes are waiting with your guide.
What is a timed-entry pass?
The Capitol Visitor Center admits visitors in timed groups. A pass holds your place in one entry slot. We reserve the slot that matches your tour time, so you walk in with your guide instead of queueing for a same-day pass.
What happens if the Capitol closes on my tour day?
The Capitol closes a few times a year, usually for security or ceremonies. If a closure means we cannot run your tour, you choose a full refund or a free move to another date.
Which days does each option run?
The Capitol is closed on Sundays, the Library of Congress on Sundays and Mondays, and the Supreme Court at weekends and on days the Court is sitting. So Capitol & Library runs Tuesday to Saturday, Capitol & Supreme Court Monday to Friday, and the BIG 3 Tuesday to Friday.
What’s included in your Capitol tour
- A licensed DC guide and a small group
- All entry tickets, reserved for you.
- Entry to the US Capitol (all options)
- Entry to the Library of Congress (varies by option)
- Entry to the Supreme Court (varies by option)
- View the Rotunda and Statuary Hall
- The "Out of Many, One" film and a 30 to 45 minute docent-led tour of the Rotunda, the Crypt and National Statuary Hall
Know before you go
- Each option runs only when all of its buildings are open. The US Capitol is closed Sundays, the Library of Congress is closed Mondays, and the Supreme Court is closed weekends.
- Tours run 3 to 4 hours depending on the option you choose, and all three are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome and the full route is step-free.
- Food, drinks, backpacks and large bags are not permitted inside the buildings.
- We run rain or shine. We will not cancel for weather unless there is a safety concern.
- The 45 minute official Capitol docent portion is shared with other groups.
- In the quieter winter months, tours may step into the old House and Senate chambers.
- Reduced rates for seniors, military, youth and children show at checkout.
Meeting point on Capitol Hill
- We meet at the Florida House, 1 Second Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, on the corner of 2nd Street NE and East Capitol Street NE, directly behind the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.
- Look for the green awning. It is the only state embassy in Washington.
- Please check in 15 minutes before your start time.
- Expect a text from your guide about two hours before the tour with exact meeting instructions.
- The tour ends inside the US Capitol Visitor Center, so you can keep exploring the building afterwards.
Before you book
- Meeting point
- Florida House, 2nd St NE at East Capitol St NE
- Nearest Metro
- Capitol South (Blue, Orange and Silver lines), about a 10 minute walk
- Walking distance
- About 1 mile
- Accessibility
- 100% wheelchair accessible
- Group size
- Max 15
- Ends at
- Inside the Capitol Visitor Center
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour.
Questions about your Capitol tour
Is Capitol entry really included, or do I queue for it?
It is included and it is reserved in advance on every option. You do not queue for a timed pass and you are not relying on same-day availability.
Do we go inside the Supreme Court?
On the Capitol and Supreme Court option, and on the BIG 3, yes. On the Capitol and Library of Congress option we see it from the plaza only.
The Court sets its own public visiting schedule and we hold no special arrangement with it. If it is closed on your date, your guide will tell you before you set out rather than after.
What is the difference between the two $65 tours?
Which second building you go inside. One takes you into the Library of Congress, the other into the Supreme Court. Both include the reserved Capitol entry. If you want all three, that is the BIG 3 at $90.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome, and the full route, including the Capitol and the Library of Congress, is step-free.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour, and you can reserve now and pay later.
Is the Library of Congress free to visit?
Yes. The Library is free, and it admits visitors on free timed-entry tickets that you can reserve yourself. We reserve them for your group before you arrive, alongside your Capitol entry. What you are paying us for is that, plus a licensed DC guide for three hours and the guided walk into the Capitol.
Does the Capitol & Library option go inside the Supreme Court?
No. On that option you see the Supreme Court from its plaza, and the two buildings you go inside are the Library of Congress and the Capitol. To go inside the Court as well, choose the BIG 3 for $90.
Reviews from Capitol tour guests
Mark was awesome. Gave lots of information and that helped us understand what we were looking at when we went back after the tour of the library.
Kimberly D.
Viator
Mark was great! He was very kind about others being late but got us back on track! He’s very knowledgeable about the US Capitol and Library of Congress + the Supreme Court. He made it interesting and easy to follow along! Thanks Mark!
Jessica W.
We had an outstanding experience, Ryan from Cirnerstone was very knowledgeable and engaging. The tour was a great choice for us, we saw a lot and we learned a lot.
Verified guest
Tripadvisor
Ryan was an engaging and informative speaker. We initially booked through Trip Advisor, but after I realized that I had booked a tour for only two of the Big Three (Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Capitol Building) I contacted Cornerstone Tours and they made the switch easily. At the Capitol Bldg, you get passed off to one of their tour guides…and he was also an excellent guide.
Sande B.
Tripadvisor
Declan was our guide and he was knowledgeable & a pleasure! Was a weekday and tons of people.. he led us to tunnels to bypass the long lines into the Library of Congress which was nice. The history and details of the art inside and the Thomas Jefferson personal library was amazing! I could’ve stayed for hours just looking at the art and architecture alone.
Deborah B.
Viator
Ryan was an excellent tour guide. He was friendly well spoken and very knowledgeable about the Capital building, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. I would highly recommend this tour.
Paul C.
Tripadvisor
It takes you through the two big institutions Supreme Court and Congress so you will see a lot but it isn't filled with a huge amount of wowI didn't know that.
Verified guest
Viator
Derek was an amazing tour guide! Engaging and funny. We enjoyed our tour of the Supreme Court and Capitol thoroughly.
Liv C.
Very informative & fun! Our tour guide, Jesse, was prompt, very knowledgeable & funny. Very happy that we chose this tour with Cornerstone tours
Shannon B.
Viator
Max was our guide and he was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and had an incredible number of facts that really made the tour so memorable. Highly recommended. It was a great value
Elizabeth M.
Viator
Jesse, our tour guide was charismatic, knowledgeable, and very professional. We were pleasantly surprised with this tour, that went very smoothly and one-time. I would do it again, given the opportunity at a later chance.
Teresita O.
Viator
It was a truly diverting experience spending two hours with our guide Derek, who did an amazing job introducing us to Supreme Court & the Capitol.
Barbara L.
This was my favorite tour I took in this visit to DC. Ryan, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Loved the great communication from the tour company before our trip.
Rocky G.
Viator
Ryan was great. Knowledgeable & witty. W prepared to be in awe. Every building was magnificent! So not skip this tour! Loved using the underground tunnels
Lozano Y.
Viator
Ryan our Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, fun and witty! This is a MUST DO tour!! The history given is better than what was given to us in school!!
Lisa O.
Viator
I forgot his name but it was the man with ponytail. He was extremely knowledgeable and kind. And was such an enjoyable tour!!! We loved it.
Verified guest
Viator
The tour is a great introduction to the Library of Congress, Supreme Court, and the Capital building. Very knowledgeable tour guide. There is a good amount of walking but there is time for breaks at each stop.
Judy L.
Viator
This gave a good overview of sites. Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and responsive. Group size is reasonable.
Cedric M.
Viator
Derek did a great job of delivering wonderful details about the Supreme Court and Capitol Building with knowledge and humor. He kept things moving at a good pace too!
Verified guest
it was a good experience, it covered Capitol and Supreme Court. Jessy was incredible.
Kevin J.
Tripadvisor
Great experience! Colin is very knowledgeable and shared many fun facts about big 3 with some interesting pictures for congress history. Declan is also very nice and helpful as team lead! Highly recommended!
Ultur E.
Tripadvisor
We loved this tour that showed us so much American history. Ford was a fantastic guide….very knowledgeable about our nation's history and architecture. He was so kind to our son, whose birthday it was too. Highly recommend this tour!
Tiffany L.
Viator
Our guide, Declan, was friendly and knowledgeable. The tour was a great way to learn about the historical sites.
Theresa V.
Viator
Jesse was an excellent tour guide. We enjoy it. All tour was an very detail in US not only history indeed soul American believe
Carlos C.
Viator