Small-Group Guided Tour inside US Capitol & Library of Congress

Begin your experience by meeting your guide at the Neptune Fountain in front of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Learn about the history and current inner workings of the US Supreme Court in a fun and relatable fashion. Through landmark cases from Marbury v Madison and Brown v Board of Education to the cases of today you will learn how cases make their way to the highest court in the land, the basics of an oral argument, and how opinions are established.

Explore the largest library in the world and a true architectural crown jewel of Washington, D.C. The Library of Congress features a magnificent display of Gilded Age extravagance, with a Great Hall renowned for its Beaux-Arts murals and sculpted marble. In addition to its striking design, the library houses over 170 million items—including Thomas Jefferson's foundational library, a Gutenberg Bible, and the first map to use the word 'America'—serving as a spectacular monument to the nation's pursuit of knowledge.

Our expert guide will help you navigate the security checkpoint and skip the ticket lines for a stress-free entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center. Once inside, you will explore a fascinating collection of state statues and discover the treasures of the Capitol Museum, including the historic catafalque built for Abraham Lincoln.

Step inside the historic areas of the U.S. Capitol with reserved access to the official guided tour. You will marvel at the magnificent Rotunda used to honor key leaders lying in state, walk through the original Crypt that supports the massive architecture above, and stand in the very room that once served as the U.S. House chamber—now known as National Statuary Hall.

At the Folger Shakespeare Library, you will discover the world's largest collection of William Shakespeare's First Folios, marvel at a stunning Elizabethan theater, and step inside an authentic English Great Hall where you will have a break at the Quill Cafe to enjoy a snack, coffee, or glass of wine or local beer.