About this experience
Stand where laws are made and justice is served on this 2-hour guided walking tour of Capitol Hill, one of the top things to do in Washington, DC. Explore the iconic U.S. Capitol Building and the Supreme Court, two of the most powerful and photographed landmarks in the nation's capital.
Your tour includes entry tickets to the official docent-led U.S. Capitol tour, so there's no scrambling for same-day passes. Follow your guide through historic spaces like the soaring Rotunda, National Statuary Hall, and the Crypt, while learning how the legislative branch shapes American government.
Then discover the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. Take in its neoclassical grandeur, hear the stories behind landmark cases, and understand the judicial branch's role in America's system of checks and balances.
Perfect for history buffs, first-time visitors, families, students, and anyone who wants to truly understand how Washington, DC works.
At a glance
- Duration: 2 hr–2 hr 30 min
Plan your experience
Set aside 2 hr–2 hr 30 min for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Local guides to help you plan
Supreme Court Visitor Guide
Inside this Supreme Court Visitor Guide, learn when to arrive, what to bring, and the one mistake that could change your entire visit.
Capitol Riverfront Washington DC Guide
See why Capitol Riverfront in Washington, DC, draws everyone from trail lovers to foodies, and discover the spots most visitors miss.
United States Capitol Tour Guide
Learn how to tour the United States Capitol with smarter timing, easier entry, and key highlights that most visitors don’t discover.
What is included
- Entry to the Supreme Court of The United States
- Expert Tour Guide
- Timed Entry to the U.S Capitol and Rotunda
Not included
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
Standing across from the Capitol, the Supreme Court's marble façade and iconic columns have guarded American justice since 1935. This is where landmark decisions — from Brown v. Board to Roe v. Wade — shaped the nation. Look up at the inscription above the entrance: 'Equal Justice Under Law.' Few phrases carry more weight in American history.
Beneath the Capitol's east plaza lies one of Washington's best kept secrets — a 580,000 square foot underground visitor center that welcomes over 3 million guests a year. This is your gateway to the heart of American democracy, housing exhibition halls, historic artifacts, and the original plaster cast of the Freedom statue that crowns the Capitol dome. Before we head inside, take a moment to look up — that dome took over 10 years to complete and was finished during the Civil War, a deliberate symbol that the Union would endure.
Few buildings on earth carry the weight of this one. The Capitol has housed Congress since 1800, and inside the Rotunda, guests find themselves standing beneath one of the most breathtaking interiors in the world. Nearly 180 feet above, Constantino Brumidi's Apotheosis of Washington — a nearly 5,000 square foot fresco painted in 1865 — watches over all who enter. Eight monumental paintings line the walls, each capturing a defining moment in America's founding story. Designed to inspire awe, the Capitol Rotunda has been doing exactly that for over two centuries.
Meeting and pickup information
- Your guide will text you an hour before your tour and meet you on the sidewalk at the corner of 2nd St NE and East Capitol St NE, just outside Florida House. Kindly remain outside of Florida House as this is an active state embassy.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Cornerstone Tours
Accessibility and practical details
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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What accessibility information is provided?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
What is the cancellation policy?
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