BradJill

Review of United States Capitol

We visited Washington DC in the winter of 2015 and...

We visited Washington DC in the winter of 2015 and enjoyed a tour at the U.S. Capital. Reservations were made in advance via the U.S. Capital website reservation pages. Entry is free but you still need a ticket as they only allow a certain number to pass through at the same time. We arrived around 30 minutes early as advised. This is necessary as all visitors much go through security checks prior to entering and collecting actual tickets.

Upon showing ticket confirmation paperwork, we were quickly given our tickets and actually allowed to enter a group line with a tour starting 15 minutes earlier than we were scheduled for. After watching a short video about the U.S. Capital and government, we were led into a holding area and put into several queues where a tour leader came and provided headset (with audio) for all within our group.

The tour guide was quite good, gave us important information in regards to the murals, statues and three rooms which we were allowed to visit. Photography is fine so you can take as many pictures as you like. However, you can't wonder away from your group and its important to try to keep up when your group is moving.

Overall, we enjoyed the approximately 45 minute tour and would recommend visitors to visit the U.S. Capital based on our experience. We would also suggest combining your visit with the Library of Congress, which is connected directly to the Capital, via an underground passage. Doing this allows you to avoid the long queue again required to clear security outside the Library of Congress. We would further suggest visiting the U.S. Capital first and then proceeding to the Library of Congress as you can visit freely, without a required tour there.

Tip: There is a decent cafeteria style food court at the U.S. Capital. We had cheesecake and chocolate cake here and coffee. The coffee was standard American brewed and the desserts were surprisingly good. There is also a souvenir and gift shop if you fancy making a purchase or two before leaving.

Tip: While visiting Capital Hill, we recommend also seeing the Library of Congress as suggested above. You may also want to visit the nearby Supreme Court and the U.S. Botanic Garden and Conservatory, found behind the U.S. Capital on the south side of The Mall, about 8-10 minute walk. A nice reflection pool and monuments to Ulysses S. Grant and James Garfield can be also seen behind the U.S. Capital, facing The Mall.