United States Capitol
Tour Summary: The United States Capitol in Washington, DC is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The tour includes visits to the Crypt, Rotunda, and Statuary Hall.
Closest Metro Stops: Capitol South (Blue and Orange lines) or Union Station (Red line)
Tour Length: 1 to 1½ hours, depending on crowds
Note: Tours are free, but tour passes are required.
More Information: Call the Office of Visitor Services at (202) 226-8000 or visit U.S. Capitol.
Public tours:
Availability: 8:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, and Inauguration Day)
Procedures:
Advance Passes: Tours may be booked in advance online at http://tours.visitthecapitol.gov/ or through the Office of Visitor Services by calling (202) 226-8000.
Same-Day Passes: A limited number of passes are available each day at the tour kiosks on the East and West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.
More Information: Call the Office of Visitor Services at (202) 226-8000
Watching Congress in Session (passes through my office):
Availability: The House and Senate Galleries are open to constituents whenever either body is in session. In addition, the House Gallery is open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, when the House is not in session.
Procedures: Passes are required to enter either gallery at any time. Constituents of the 4th District may obtain gallery passes to the House and Senate by visiting my office at 2438 Rayburn House Office Building at 8:30am before their assigned tour time. Please be sure to allow enough time to travel from my office to the Capitol Visitor’s Center when picking up gallery passes.
Library of Congress
Tour Summary: The Library is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is the largest library in the world, with nearly 128 million items. The tour focuses on the history, art, and architecture of the Jefferson Building of the Library.
Address: Jefferson Building, 101 Independence Avenue, SE (across from the Capitol)
Closest Metro Stop: Capitol South (Blue and Orange lines) and Union Station (Red line)
Tour Length: 45 minutes
Restrictions: Tour groups may not exceed 15 people
More Information: Call (202) 707-4683 or visit Library of Congress.
Public tours:
Availability: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm Monday through Saturday. (There is no 3:30 tour on Saturday). The Library is closed on federal holidays.
Visitor's Center: Located inside the West Front entrance of the Jefferson Building is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5p.m.
More Information: Call (202) 707-4683
Reserved tours (requested and scheduled through my office):
Availability: 8:30 am, 1:45pm, and 3:45 pm Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays)
Tour Request Deadline: At least 2 weeks before the desired tour date. (I encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available and tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.) Jefferson Building, 101 Independence Avenue. Call (202) 707-4683 for more information.
The United States Supreme Court
Tour Summary: A courtroom lecture features the functions of the Supreme Court and the architecture of the Supreme Court Building. Guests may also visit exhibits and the theater.
Address: 1st Street and Maryland Ave, NE
Closest Metro Stop: Capitol South (Blue and Orange lines) and Union Station (Red line)
Lecture Length: 30 minutes
Note: Photo ID is required for admittance.
More Information: Call (202) 479-3499 or visit Supreme Court.
Public courtroom lectures:
Availability: Monday through Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. The lecture schedule is subject to change based upon the court schedule.
Procedures: No reservations are accepted. Admission is on a first-come first-serve basis. Guests should line up on the Front Plaza of the Supreme Court Building. Call (202) 479-3211 for updates on the court schedule. Public tours are given on a first come, first serve basis at the bottom of the hour every weekday the court is not sitting. Capitol South Metro Stop.
More Information: Call (202) 479-3499
The United States Botanic Garden and Conservatory
Tour Summary: Highlights include the Conservatory and two acres of surrounding exterior grounds, the outdoor display gardens in Frederic Auguste Bartholdi Park, and the Administration Building.
Tour Length: 45 minutes
Address: 100 Maryland Ave, SW
Closest Metro Stop: Blue Federal Center SW (Blue Line) or Capital South (Orange and Blue Lines).
Availability: 10 AM -5 PM everyday, including weekends and holidays. Tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival.
Costs: Free.
Notes: Visitors are welcome in Bartholdi Park from dawn until dusk and can access it from any of the three bordering streets - Independence Avenue, Washington Avenue or First Street.
More information: Call (202) 225-8333 or visit The U.S. Botanic Garden.
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