Capitol Hill Reviews

A well kept piece of history that allows people to sample nice pieces of arts, scultures and architectures. The tour guides do a good job: an hour or so well spent.

The tour is neat to see - but best when the politicians are in Washington. Don't forget to have lunch in the basement!

An awe inspiring structure that exudes the power of our nation. To view it from any location will be enough to rekindle you love of this nation.

The center of our government and where the Congress works with all sorts of history on or country around them. It is the very center of Washington DC and you can see and feel the government at work.

The most famous attraction of the CAPITOL HILL is of course, the US Capitol! Due to its hilly location, the latter can be seen from the distance, as far as the Lincoln Memorial.

In addition to the US Capitol, there are other attractions located at the Capitol Hill: Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Statues and Memorials, small parks, Senate and House Office Buildings, St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, neighborhoods, Federal Government Buildings, Reflecting Pool, National Mall, etc.

Enjoy your visit here!

Sure, there are masses of people moving in every conceivable direction (sort of like watching one of the battles in Lord of the Rings--you pick which movie in the trilogy), but there's something to be said about Capitol Hill. It's a great view of the city, at its exact center; technically the center is right beneath the dome, but...
Sure, there's not much to do, but why do we always have to be doing something? Just take a moment to relax. I get it: you're here for a short time. Take a short walk. Just make sure you visit the Hill.

Great area of DC. Supreme Court, Capitol and Library of Congress are all here together. Lot of places to eat around

You get some incredible views from the Capitol - this is a must visit place in DC. The Capitol itself is incredible, but the surrounding areas are equally as good. Truly inspiring views.

We only saw it from the outside, but the structure is incredible and the architecture is awesome. A must see.

The Tour is excellent. Make sure you get some passes from your house or senate member to go into the gallery of either chamber. Seeing the action in real time is very interesting. There is so much we dont know.

We secured a tour through our congressman and avoided walking in big groups. The capitol is beautiful but security is tight, especially near the house and Senate..

So interesting to be able to go inside the rotundra and see all the artwork and architecture and history. I walked in off the street on a Monday morning around 845ish with no tickets or reservations and was thru security and starting a tour at 915. Very happy with the ease and process. May have just gotten lucky 🤷‍♀️ Very happy I was able to squeeze this into my trip! My tour guide Elizabeth was super knowledgable and friendly. Had a great experience!! More to see, but I only had about an hour to spend here.

Capital Hill is an impressive site and worth the walk. Even though you can see it from afar, the building and history will take your breath away. The history that has been made there can be felt the closer you get to the building.

Very busy with many tourists but well worth the wait and time. Wonderful must visit site. The tours do not show the chambers of the Senate or House and this was disappointing.

Go back in time and relive history! This is an architectural delight to see the history inside this beautiful builiding. Take the tour, learn about our history and appreciate what others before us gave to make this a must see!

Nice place to ride, stop, see monuments and sights. Interesting historical marker. Beautiful architecture.

Take the tour. It is a must do. You need to be there early but no later than 3:30pm to get in. The entrance is at the rear and it’s a climb up the hill to get there. Give yourself at least 20 minutes. They do a wonderful job of catering for persons with mobility disabilities.

FYI
White house and Capitol hill 2 different places.
Capitol hill visit needs advance reservation.
No permission to visit white house as visitors are not allowed.
Foreigners also can make reservation to visit Capitol hill.
Nearest south Indian halal restaurant is 30 minutes from Capitol hill.
Located in Maryland kaveri or chettinad.
Hope this helps.

I was in DC for the NEA super week, where delegates from the NEA lobby their representatives, I was supporting the Maryland delegation.

We arrived by red taxi cab driving along the national mall to this iconic building, and when passing security are allowed access to the cannon building and other Capitol Hill buildings to visit various offices.

I was awestruck by the size and scope of the layout of the Capitol Hill it simply dwarves everything and shows the soft power of America through its buildings.

I will forever be thankful for the NEA in allowing my participation !

We joined an ordinary tour. They have it every 10 minutes with the capacity of 250 people each. So, do not miss it, not much of queuing. We were lucky with the guide, he was knowledgeable and fun. The Rotonda(underneath the dome) was the most impressive part.

Walk around, see. Very nice building, beautiful sculptures, interior and library itself, view of the city and National Mall.

Loved this Place and the tour. The Building and History is stunning and a credit to the USA. Our tour-guide was very informative and personable. Only gripe is that the young lady in the "Capital Hill" Hall who we bought the tickets from was a shocker. She soooo should not be working there if she hates it that much. Really rude.

overwhelming, spectacular, mesmerizing view and the combination of the 3 monuments together is breathtaking.

Absolute a must do visit. The place is excellent from the moment you go through security, until it finishes. For non Americans take your passport, and you may get chance to visit one of the houses in session. A true p,ace making history.

We obtained House and Senate Gallery passes from our Congressperson. That allowed us to sit in both galleries, though the legislature was not in session. These rooms were not as grand as my home state of Illinois' Capitol, which actually exhibits a rare display of restraint in DC. There was a guard in the gallery with us, but he did was not a docent, so he had no background to give us about the building or the legislative process. Therefore, the tour was a bit of a let down. The beautiful, imposing exterior made the visit still very worthwhile.

Visiting Capitol Hill in March 2025 was nothing short of awe-inspiring. There's something deeply moving about standing in the heart of American democracy—a place where history, ideals, and governance have converged for centuries. Whether you're a political enthusiast, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, Capitol Hill offers more than just grand architecture—it offers perspective.

The Capitol Building itself is majestic, and the grounds surrounding it are immaculately kept, blending solemn tradition with living beauty. Spring was just beginning to bloom, and I was lucky enough to capture some stunning shots of the blossoming trees framing this iconic symbol of governance.

But what took my breath away was the Library of Congress. I expected books and marble columns—I wasn't prepared for the sheer elegance, grandeur, and intricate artistry of every hallway, dome, and mural. It feels like stepping into a palace of knowledge. The main reading room left me speechless, and the exhibits—especially those on American literature and history—were thought-provoking and beautifully curated.

Beyond the aesthetics, both locations made me reflect on the power of ideas, the endurance of institutions, and the value of access to knowledge. I left feeling not only impressed but also inspired.

I highly recommend arriving early, walking the grounds, and taking your time to soak in the atmosphere. And don’t forget your camera—you’ll want to capture every meaningful detail. I’ve shared some of the photos I took, and I hope they capture even a fraction of the wonder I felt.

This is a great place to visit but requires tickets. We got our tickets weeks ahead of time. It is a few hour visit to go through it.

I would recommend booking a tour, though we arrived just to take pictures of this magnificent building and enjoy the area. Having decided to check what the public could see we stumbled upon the security line just as a group was admitted and were thus first in the next entry. Our visit was that unplanned. All the staff were incredibly helpful to us, even the hard pressed security staff, and groups are handled efficiently. Within a half hour we were starting the free, hour long guided tour. Hope, our guide, was very good and at the end of the tour explained that we could get into the gallery to see the House and/or the senate in action. As foreign visitors we had a simpler process to follow than US citizens who get passes from the office of their own representative.
We visited the Senate and heard four Senators deliver speeches. Not a day for controversial business but fascinating and again the staff were brilliant,
The building is stunning but I had not expected the openness and the welcoming approach. What was intended to be a short photo op made our day and our whole visit more memorable.

Capitol Hill is home to the majestic, domed building where the Congress of the USA holds its meetings. The Capitol Building is on the highest point of what is now called Capitol Hill (formerly known as Jenkins Hill). The National Mall is the promenade-park. At one end of the promenade is the Capitol Building and at the other is a monument for George Washington. The Washington Monument, a stone obelisk, is the centerpiece of the National Mall. Tours of the Capitol Building are free; just go to the United States Capitol Visitor Center. Inside, I liked the many statues in the Capitol Visitor Center, and especially the statues of freedom, those recognizing the Indigenous people who have been so very wronged by the white expropriators, the 13 statues recognizing the 13 states which originally formed the USA, Martin Kuther King, Jr., and others. The paintings in the Capitol Building’a historic rotunda are masterpieces; my favourites are the Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto, Declaration of Independence, and the Landing of Columbus.

We didn't go inside, but we loved looking at it from the outside and pondering all it has represented through the years to the people of our country.

By contacting our Representative Warren Davidson, we were able to set up a VIP tour of the Capitol without having to wait in the long line. I highly recommend this. The architecture is truly spectacular as is the history behind it. You are provided with headphones so that you can clearly hear your own tour guide amid the hubbub. If you go through your rep, you can also snag tickets to observe a session of Congress!

Short walk from Union Station on the way to the Mall. Lots of barriers around now, but still inspiring. Nice to just walk around and take in the atmosphere. Surprisingly there were not as many people around as I expected in late September.

Just turned up at the door to find out it was free to go in like most things in Washington.
We were told a free tour of the building was due to start in afew minutes, our guide was Martha, who had brilliant knowledge which she shared in a very interesting way.
We then went in the passage to the Library which again was very interesting and there was afew exhibitions to look at too. All in all well worth a visit.

We have been there 2-3 times previously, still visited this time when we were at the National Mall. It is always good and a must see thing!
However, after visiting it we had a problem in finding an underground, which was quite far away!

We just visited the Capitol and did a tour (which we booked online well in advance - easy to do).
Positives: Great to be able to see what lies under the dome, and learn about the history of the building, and some of the paintings/sculptures from the guide (who was very knowledgeable and clear through good headphone set). Ability to see House and Senate chambers (couldn’t believe how much the latter looked like a school room).
Negatives: Overly officious staff and police (with a few nice exceptions - thank you to security staff working near/in the House Chamber). I understand the building needs high security and processes, but a smile and some sensible compromises would be nice (e.g not having to discard packaged muesli bars; allowing people to drift away from the tour group for a few seconds to take photo, or work on the provided children’s activity book).

We visited it at sunset, unfortunately only from outside and around. It is very impressive for its majesty and architecture, the park around it is small but very well maintained.

I had prebooked a tour of the Capitol a few weeks before our trip. The tour is free but you do need to book.Its a very informative tour lasts around an hour. Theres just 1 corridor you're not allowed to take photo's of but everywhere else on the tour,photography is ok

The white building with its immaculate dome is the very emblem of American political power. In its rooms rich in history (and crowded with schools and tourists) you can really breathe the atmosphere of the founding fathers. To be seen!

So impressive are the House and Senate chambers. It was really nice to be escorted around by a Senate Aid. He gave us a lot of small and interesting details not normally known.

A big thank you to Ralph Abraham’s Office for setting up a personal tour. Little known secret, contact your representatives office and ask for a personal tour and they can make that happen. You have to give a little lead time though. Mason was our tour guide and Emma and Paige worked in his office. Mason was able to point out things and get us into places where tours don’t go. He pointed out some very Interesting things. Told stories about the paintings, and about the bullet holes from the attack there some years back. The coolest thing was that Ralph Abraham took our kids (under 16) to the floor for a vote. This was an actual vote and the members take the kids and let them vote for them. They were on CSPAN. Ralph Abraham sat the kids in his office and answered questions from us. And took several pictures with us. Great learning experience for the kids and us. I would highly recommend this. They can also set up tours of the White House, but need a little more lead time for that.

There are paths on either side of the building which go up a small hill. It is great to see the Capital building from all angles!

We had a very interesting and informative tour. Thanks to Cathy McMorris Rogers and staff fro arranging our tour! I would have liked to get a glimpse of the Senate and House chambers, but otherwise it was very impressive.

Say what you want about the occupants and denizens of these buildings ( :) ), but the architecture, atmosphere, and aura around the Capitol Hill area, and the Capitol building, is beautiful, and well worth spending some time at...for both the area, the history, and the views.

We booked our trip far ahead of time with our congressman and it was well worth it. You report to the Rayburn Building to meet up with your congressperson's staff who will be taking you on the tour. There is a very cool little subway tram that runs under the street over to the Capitol itself. We were able to do the walking tour with just the four of us instead of the massive public mob groups, which is a much better experience with behind the scenes stuff the public tour does not see. We were able to go into then Speaker Ryan's office which has the large balcony that faces the Capitol Mall, which was rare access . Standing in the small room and exact place presidents do before inaugurations is a humbling and historic thing to do. Lots to see here, including the original Supreme Court, now located across the way in their own building. There is a very hard to get tour that actually goes up into the dome itself for a more architectural and detailed tour of the building. We were able to go into the House side of the Capitol where they give the State of the Union speech and sit anywhere we wanted, which was awesome. No pictures or cell phones allowed in there and these areas are only accessible on a private tour from your congressman's office and not on the public tours that run daily to the public. Plan ahead and go see your Capitol!!

The Capitol Hill area contains a lot of office buildings... but it also contains a lot of history, including the Capitol itself, Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court Building. If you have the time, make sure you walk around and check out the area!

Learn more the history of the USA and its capital for free. You can book inline and have a group tour with superb tour guides inside the capitol

The Capitol building is in a very lovely neighborhood. There is a park close by, many restaurants, bars. Lets not forget you are about 2 blocks away from Union Station. Inside, there are many shops (uniqlo, warby parker, victorias secret...., etc.) and little fast food places.

so iconic . i truly believe that everyone should go at least once in their lifetime. got some amazing/incredible pictures!

We went to the Capital and they had up their Christmas tree which looks spectacular at night. The building is majestic and well worth going to take a look see. We could not get in but did walk around from the back to the front. The backside you can see the Washington Memorial.

A great couple of hours spent in and around the Capitol building very informative guided tour. Not to be missed when in Washington

I did the tour twice in two days. The first day, the tour guide was more interested in keeping the group together than telling us about the sights. The second tour was better and much more informative. We lucked out...we did not have reservations, but were able to secure a tour immediately. This is the time of year to go!

This is a wonderful statement for the USA. It is stunning both in the day when it is gleaming white and at night by the lights. It dominates the Mall and is a very good landmark to use when walking around. Definitely go for a close up view and a tour.

This is an impressive building in its own right but made better by the excellent guides who give a fascinating history of the building and it’s history. They balance historical facts with some of the more amusing history of the building and it’s inhabitants. Another must see venue in Washington

The tour and history are so amazing. To be able to actually see where so much of the United States history began.

We liked there were lots of trees for shade. It was a nice break from walking to sit in the grass. There was a lot of security around so we always felt safe.

Lots of walking, free entry & tour. Our guide was excellent, lots of history & information. You can not go anywhere in this building unless you are escorted. Access to the galleries to see the action requires a special pass. Great photo ops

Of course, this is an iconic work of America. Capitol Hill is a beautiful structure, the scenery is great, and it is a destination that attracts all visitors when visiting the capital of the United States. We hope to have many opportunities to visit this place again.

Capital Hill is very stately in appearance. Politics aside, it is suggestive of a solid, well-functioning government. Certainly the architecture is beautiful.

It has been 8 months since our tour of Washington D.C. and I am still in awe of having the opportunity of seeing it. There is so much to see and there is a lot of walking. I encourage everyone to see our country's capitol.

A lot of focus on the interior, art and statues and good intro film. beautiful inside dome, def. the highlight.

Such a beautiful work of architecture, inside and out! There is no charge for this site and the docents are fabulous and so knowledgeable! Ornate statues, beautiful paintings, artifacts, and just so much of our country's history is on display. The building and its additions over the years, lends a fascinating story, not to mention the operations of our congress & representatives/senators. Two gift shops on premise. Parking can be a huge problem, so plan accordingly, not to mention long lines to get in.

From the moment you enter this building the history exudes and holds your attention. The initial video played in one of two theatres opens the history from before independence to the current day. Have your camera ready there is lots to photo in order to remeber. The guides are very knowledgeable and friendly involving themselves with the group they tour around with, not just a this is this and that attitude. As a tip remeber to take your passport so you can visit both the Senate and the House. Ask your guide about this as they are seperate tours.

A visit is always nice. However if not traveling as a group and have plenty of time to plan trip, contact your congressman or senator for special tours and access. Most offer this to constituents.

we got a great view of the momuments and museums. protesters on the mall motor cades and all the security

This was our first stop on our vacation. It is awe-inspiring! Fortunately we had done our homework before and knew how tight security is. Carried only essentials in drawstring bags and got through security with relative ease. The tour itself is good. Got chills in the rotunda. We went to our Senators office and got passes to the galleries. It was so interesting to actually see "the room where it happens." Highly recommend!

There were a few highlights from our trip and the tour from our Senator's office was one of them. We got to see almost everything, and got a one on one experience along with it. The history and stories, along with the artwork and surprises made this one of the best things we did.

A bulding that you only can admire!Is a huge building that inside the USA take decisions not only for themselves but for all arround the owrld.Is a very impressive architecture building.

Call your state Senator or Representative to get a more personal tour. Otherwise very crowded. Still a must see.

National pride in this most beautiful Capitol Building of the United States of America. It is fabulous with so much history and extremely interesting facts and stories.

Wow I cannot explain how fantastic this building is. Visit first thing when there are no crowds. Walk all the way round. It really is beautiful. The attention of the architecture is amazing. I went back numerous times. Highly recommend!

Dream come true, its bigger that i thought. Perfect to take photos. It's better if you go in the complete tour...

As a foreign national it was great to visit the capitol and see how the organisation and freedom to see democratic mechanisms in session can be viewed. A true lesson to all visitors that the approach to democracy and openness of the capitol to guests is an advertisement to the world. This is what impresses the rest of the world .Truly brilliant

Good but not much to do there beside stand on the lawn and take photos. Beware sometimes protesters rally there

Marcellus architecture, open spaces. Botanical garden. Supreme Court next door. Nicer than the White House for me.

A lot of the area is blocked off, so you can't get too close, but you are close enough to take some good pictures.

great place to visit, not only because of Capitol but also a neighborhood (Folgers Library, old historical district, museums) and ...cherries blossoming in spring

I've always seen her on TV when there were debates between the presidential candidates.
Seeing her live is worth the excitement.

Get to see an amazing building and the surroundings for free. Could spend a while here if it’s not raining. Lots of history.

Firstly we made our way up to the Capitol to take the usual photographs of this magnificent building. We hadn't realized that you could visit the Capitol, let alone on a Saturday. So we decided to check it out. Having passed the airport like security and leaving my bottles of water in the trash bin, we gained entry and found ourselves lining up for a FREE guided tour. It was fantastic. In our carefully managed group of tourists and other interested parties we were first ushered into a a theatre to watch an informative film on the Capitol. Afterwards, we were sub divided into smaller groups, provided with head sets and started our tour with a very energetic young lady whose name I didn't get. She was very knowledgeable as she lead us through the Crypt, the Rotunda and the National Statuary Hall. I thought that it was highly ironic that the Capitol was actually built by slaves... I found that it was fascinating to be so close to the overall seat of power of the United States of America. Thoroughly recommended!

We booked a few months ahead to make sure that we were able to get on the free tour at a time that suited us. The tour can be booked on the website. The tour was very interesting and our tour guide was knowledgeable about the history of the building and he was friendly and happy to answer questions. The capitol rotunda was the highlight of the tour as its an impressive space and also has interesting paintings on the walls. We also walked underground to the library of congress after the tour.

It was quite an experience to actually see the White House after seeing it on the news and in the movies. Every kid in America should experience this! It gives you a real true image of where and how far we have come as a Nation.

Since we arrived later in the evening, we were not able to go inside. But the view at night is stunning. And Congress was in session so we could see all of their drivers parked outside. Pretty neat!

This whole area is beautiful and full of history - lots of monuments, statues, memorials and historical buildings. The best way to experience this place is to simply walk around. The Capitol building itself is grand and can be seen from anywhere in the surroundings.

It is so worth visiting Capitol Hill. The dome is something I will remember, it is so beautiful. The statues and paintings are fantastic. Our tour guide explained each aspect of every statue and the buildings structure, very interesting.

There is a point where walking is not fun. Walking in 80+ degree heat is not fun. I also recommend you bring a sun umbrella and portable seat for rally events on the mall. Many speakers are tedious, and I'm not sure of the effectiveness. More can be accomplished visiting members of the Congress.

A must see if visiting Washington. Partof the Washington Mall.With amazing views of the other historical sites

Ideally book your time in advance
Can take backpacks and water bottles
They have an audio tour that discusses the Capitol Hill history and the statues. Can be a bit political but you are in DC

We got tickets for a tour of the capitol and it was nice to be able to walk around and see where things happen. Access is limited compared to when I visited as a child, but it is still worth seeing.

We had a guided tour of the building and found it to be very informative and we learnt so much about US politics .
The building itself is an architectural dream with beautiful floors and ceilings .

Today we went to Capitol Hill and it was cool. You get to see both chambers of Congress. Also, you get to learn about the buildings history. I highly recommend this building!

As an alien from the UK, it was fascinating to see how the other half operates
Just the most marvellous building and a very good guided tour inside the building which cost nothing and taught us a great deal.

We went at a weekend and although having to wait 40 minutes for the tour it was worth the wait. The place is amazing and the information from the guides is fantastic. The art, the statues and the sculptures are amazing. The history of the building was also really good. A must not miss attraction if visiting Washington DC.

Take the hop-on-hop off bus to see it all. If you are there on a Sunday, you can park anywhere around the Mall for the day. that is the only day you will find parking.

Amazing visiting the heart of American decision making ! The Capitol building is a remarkable piece of architecture with an almost overwhelming feeling of history inside. Various tours available, I very much recommend doing some research before you travel as this will enhance your visit. There is a hop-on-hop-off bus that is a visitor`s dream !

It is magical - you will need your camera. Such a famous part of Washington D.C. cannot be missed. The very essence of the U.S. government is there is all its glory. Very much a must-see area.

Since we were there the day before Independence Day there was temporary fencing everywhere and armed guards prevented us from going anywhere close to the memorial.

As an overseas visitor, the sight of the dome on Capitol Hill is a familiar sight, well known from news reports. Located at the eastern end of the National Mall, it is an easy walk after visiting all the other "must see" museums, galleries and memorials around that area. It is also a stop on the Big Bus hop-on/hop-off, so you're likely to end up there somehow.

Iconic domed landmark featuring neoclassical architecture, completed in 1866 and sitting at the eastern end of The National Mall. This is a symbol of our democracy and is the seat of the US Congress which is the legislative branch of the federal government and inside are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Tours are available and visiting the Capitol would be one of the highlights of a trip to Washington DC. There is no cost for entrance. However, it is best to obtain tour tickets in advance. You can do this on the website, or you can arrange for a tour by contacting your senator or congressperson. I've toured many years ago but did not get a chance this time. However, we still enjoyed visiting Capitol Hill as the building is spectacular to look at and makes for some terrific photos. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is also worth visiting. All along bustling Pennsylvania Avenue east of the Capitol are restaurants, drinking establishments, cafes and coffees shops. You will also find the Eastern Market, which is a lively farmer's market dating back to 1873.

When you look at the Capitol you get to think about what goes on there on a daily basis and what actions are taken based on the meetings held.

We have had great opportunities to visit the Capitol Hill for few times, including inside tour. Great, must-see place.

We got to tour the Senate & House thanks to our the help of our state senator who arranged tix for both and a personal tour of some other areas by an intern in his office (shout out to Alec!). Unfortunately neither were in session while we were there, but still cool to see. Good for history, art and architecture lovers.

We were fortunate to see Capitol Hill from above as we flew in to Washington DC, from the National Mall and up closer, and also from the view at Arlington House. An incredible structure

This is a must visit area in DC. If you can take the time to tour the Capitol buildings, do it. But even if you can only walk through the area and see the outside, it’s still pretty cool to see. So much to see and do and the bus service makes it easier to get around for a reasonable price.

Loved it. Don't miss it. Beautiful and awe-inspiring from the artwork everywhere to the air of seriousness that contrasts the circus as is is reported daily on TV.

Strongly recommend booking your free private tour through your congressman at least two/three months ahead of time. You will be able to skip long tourist lines and go to halls and tunnels that most people don't even know existed. Our tour guide was really thorough on briefing us about the history of the Capitol Hill, and also gave us tickets to both House and Senate hearings. Unfortunately we didn't have time to sit in those sessions because we had to head back to our congressman's office to retrieve our bags (due to no food or any liquid was allowed in the Capitol Hill). So go early and make sure you have enough time to explore. Oh and the gift shop has very fair priced cool souvenirs too, such as the ornaments that have the original marbles from the steps of the Capitol Hill from the 1800s, that were removed during 1995 renovation.

It was my dream, it came true during a visit to Lamdiki Al-Adhami. Thanks to the organization, coordination, and aesthetics of the place, I hope to visit it again. I love America, I will see it every year, God willing

I was in DC for a conference and we spent our last day on Capitol Hill, lobbying our representatives. There are of course security measures in place, but I didn't realize the level of accessibility constituents have. We set appointments and met with staffers, but we were able to be present and have our voices heard in kind and open discussions. (Which are all too often missing these days.) I am grateful for this experience and I'll plan to be back!

It’s so big that you are going to be able to get a great photo from a fairly great distance. It’s a great piece of history to go in your great big album filled with so many great pictures of iconic sites that’s your family and friends will be grateful that you don’t force them to view it!

Although we did not get to see inside, this is an iconic, instantly recognisable building that dominates one end of the mall, take a walk round outside, well worth it.

This is where our government happens! We visited at night and walked around the perimeter and saw the building in its entirety. We met a helpful security guard who explained we could not enter as the building was closed, but he gave us an informative, brief "history" of the building and talked about the Senate and the House and the rotunda. It was great to see the capitol in person, up close, after seeing it day in, day out on the news. A very personal visit and glad we stopped!

Wonderful visit with tour of inside that starts a 10 minute movie. It’s audio guided tour that takes you thru various halls. Very educative and impressive. The guides are very knowledgeable and make it interesting With trivia questions. Check ahead and don’t hesitate to ask for availability if you don’t book ahead. You can take pictures but cannot carry certain items I/c water more like airport style security. The cafe is good - not pricey for DC.

We only saw the outside because it was packed that day but my kids have been in it on a school trip and said it is beautiful. It highly guarded.

You simply have to tour the Capitol! A guided tour is the only way to go; the guides share a lot of information about the capitol, the many sculptures in the rotunda (and those stored in other areas). Contact your senator or representative long before your trip and request tour tickets. Each state gets two statues in the capitol. It's interesting to see who the states selected to represent them...who got in and who got left out.

Sat and enjoyed the atmosphere from the lovely garden in front of the Capitol which had good shady benches on a hot day.

My wife and I stayed in an AirbNb on Capitol Hill and found the area remarkably easy to walk/drive around in. Had we had more time, we would have walked to many more places -- we drove and parked when we could but the streets and sidewalks are wide, safe and easy to navigate. I was also struck with how friendly nearly everyone we encountered was -- and willing to give advice or tourist tips. When we come back, we will definitely stay in the Capitol Hill area again!

This is a very imposing building that is much MUCH bigger than anticipated. It is beautiful for behold whether it is day or night. Sadly, I believe tours inside are suspended. Would have loved to see the inside. Washington D.C turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit to America. Definitely would not miss walking the mall from Capitol Hill all the way down to the Lincoln Memorial.

Even as a non-American, this is an impressive building. You will be shown around with a mandatory guide. We saw three rooms. The dome is the most impressive. The Statue of Liberty fits in there. There are many statues to admire and important decisions are made here. You can enter for free.

We booked a tour via our congressman, and arrived nice and early. Plenty of places to sit around while you wait, with a/c at 100 degree weather outside. The tour begins with a film, and then your are taken to a short, guided tour. You have the option of requesting passes to attend a sesdion of either house. Loved it, loved the energy, loved the feel, must go!!!!

This was beautiful at night and we were very safe and had no issues, verify nice place to visit and see.

A must see for those visiting DC. The Capitol itself is impressive. A large, white marble building looking out over the city. But the rest of the area is beautiful as well. Make sure to take a stroll through the gardens while on the Hill. Since the renovations and construction of the new visitor’s center, the entrance to the Capitol is much cleaner and affords a better view from most angles of the Hill.

The Hill itself is accessible from two Metro stops of about equal distance, allowing for a short walk from the stops to the Capitol itself.

While in the area, check out the Supreme Court, which is across the street from the Capitol.

A stop for all visitors to Washington DC. A landmark known worldwide and very happy to have been up close and personal to the area.

We did the free tour of the Capitol building and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and knew the answer to every question he was asked - and there were many!
It is a beautiful building, full of great statues and art work and really does document how America became the country it is today. I would recommend doing this informative and interesting tour.
There is a large canteen style restaurant you can visit at the end as well.

We had the tour and also got seats to see the Senate in action. It will make watching it on tv so much more interesting! Try to get there early in the day as the queues are really long in the afternoon.

Capitol Hill is just what the name implies: a hill, an area, a neighborhood. We stayed in the Capitol Hill area while in Washington at the Kimpton George. From there, we were able to walk to museums and monuments as well as the U.S. Capitol. Of course, the most important sight in that area is the U.S. Capitol and we walked there too.

Definitely go to the Capitol and take the general tour first. Then, time permitting, go on the special Senate Tour. And walk around the area. On a weekday we found that entire end of the National Mall and Capitol Hill very quiet and easy to walk with a lot of sidewalks and large well-trimmed lawns.

Just 10 min from Union Station walking, Capitol Hill is an amazing place where you can know more about the U.S political system, with free tours and audio guides to help you. They also have a wardrobe and free internet. Totally recommended if you come to the capital of the United Sates.

It is advisable to book admission in advance.
Very tight security checks: no liquids and nothing to eat ... thrown away a bag of chips.

Guided tour, only in English, interesting.
You see things that, as Europeans, we can say are a bit tacky, but there have its why

The Capitol is so present that it's part of every visit to mall whether you go to the building or not and it's beautiful day and especially at night.

Capitol Hill is a magnificient area. You can't miss out on the Capitol Building. It stands out so much you have to take photographs. Beneath the steps is an entrance into the building and you do have to go through metal detectors. Right across from The Capitol Building is the Supreme Court Building and right next to there is the Library on Congress. Be sure to visit all three buildings!

The Capitol building is at one end of the mall and the Lincoln memorial is at the other and it is over 2 miles between them.

Either book a tour online and choose a time after your preferences or simply just show up and check if there is any available slots. I would recommend to book it online since it was not many free slots when we booked online.

It's free and the guides had two different masters in history and another subject and had a ton of fun facts to share with us. You get a headset so you will be able to hear your guide very well.

Just go for it, the inside is fantastic!

I used the hop on hop off bus to get to Capitol Hill, it’s not so much of a hill but is great if you can walk on the grass in front and take a picture.

We had contacted our local representative and through him got tickets to House and Senate and the services of an intern to guide us from Rayburn Building to Capital. The underground tunnels are great to move through and helps you realize the size of this place. Even without tickets, this is a must see for any visit to D.C.

We booked the visit some weeks in advance through their website and got the free tour.
The visits are organised in groups - less than 20 people - with headphones. The group follows the guide through the rooms during 1h approximately.
It is interesting but less recommended for children.

I stayed in a hotel in Capitol Hill and it was right in the heart of the city, so close to the historic landmarks.

This is the first place and most important place to visit at DC. Water and food are not allowed along with other restricted items. There is a guided tour which needs to be booked in advance on their portal.
You need to plan for at least 2 hours for the entire visit (30 min before the tour start time is advisable). Even if you reach early, you can go on the earliest tour if there is a place.

I loved the history of Capitol Hill. Try to do the electric bike tour there because there's a reason it's called Capitol HILL

It was a nice tour and for free. At first you will watch a film about the beginning of the USA, after that a tour guide shows you the first halls of the capitol and also the main hall of the building. You can also visit the house of the representatives and senat.

I never tire of the majestic view of the capitol building. Just as fun is roaming the paths. I love spending time in the grotto.

My son and I were there just for the day and decided to visit the Capitol. It was truly a great experience, the wait was very short, we even got to go on a tour and our guide Jay was amazing. The staff were really nice and helpful throughout the building. It was wonderful to see and learn more about our Nation. The building and it’s history was impressive. One of the highlights after the tour was the cafeteria, where we had the best crab cakes ever! Absolutely delicious, just make sure you go before 2, because we noticed it gets over very soon. The gift shop was one of the most affordable I have been to. Will definitely visit again.

This is definitely a tourist hotspot as a lot of tourists like to their pictures in front of this iconic building.

Its bright and shiny dome make for a great photo opportunity which on the day we attended seemed not to be too crowded. Lovely building to see.

It used to be open to the public but now you have to enter through the visitors center and basically are constrained to tours of the building unless you have a special pass.

Really enjoyed this very interesting tour of the building. I would highly recommend it. Got a guided tour and we were able to go into the house too.

A guided tour of this building (contact your local Congress office) is a must! I have a whole new appreciation for our government, and our history. The building is stunning. Meeting for our tour with our local Congressman's office in Canon Building was also a treat - walking the hallways full of offices from all over our country was inspiring.

A must see! Absolutely stunning. You can feel the power of its history.
This city was clean, the atmosphere was warm.

This iconic place is a must see if you visit Washington DC! It truly shows the magnificence of this city and the deep history!

The capital building itself is a beautiful structure with lovely grounds. I usually park on 3rd street and walk over that way past the pools. I take my dog who loves to sit and watch the ducks and birds who frequent the pools and grounds. Great place to sit and reflect or just people watch.

If you want a quick tour, go on a Saturday or for a longer tour contact your Congressman. Definitely worth visiting. We went on a Friday and the line was very long outside, so we tried Saturday and there was no line, no waiting. You see the basic chambers, the crypt, statue hall and you get a brief history. All in all about 45 minute tour with very nice tour guides. You are also able to travel under the tunnel to the Library of Congress which is also worth seeing. Tours are free and great for the family.

Take time to walk around and enjoy the history. We learned that no buildings in dc can be taller than the woman on top of this building but she represents freedom. Just so much history.

A wander around Capitol hill takes a while to walk, the main building, the beautiful gardens and the memorials on the roundabouts and in front of the reflecting pool, all well worth a visit.

Every American should come to Capitol Hill. This is one of a kind stop. It is very impressive..go see it!!

This too is a site that all Americans should see. Adults and chidren (10 and older) will love it. There is so much history that everone should see and hear about.

The grounds and buildings are worth visiting, and there are lovely exhibits to see. But if you are interested in government at work, try to attend a committee hearing. You can find schedules on line, and hearings are held in one of the House or Senate buildings.

I am an academic, historian of science. I have found the LoC an indispensable source of inspiration, information, and insight. Working conditions are superb, with highly attentive support from staff. As a visitor from the UK, I have always greatly enjoyed strolling around Capitol Hill, admiring its architectural masterpieces, and the settings of the Federal Buildings in the landscape.

We visited for one day to see the sights of Washington DC. The building wasn’t open. It was a nice clean and quiet area.

We didn’t tour inside, seemed too busy and we hate crowds but we did walk around and it is definitely worth it to get a sense of scale and get great views down the Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. Lots of good photo opportunities and the security seemed happy to share facts about the place, though we were there early in the morning before the crowds which might change things. Recommended!

To go on a tour which starts from the Capitol Visitors Center it is essential to book in advance. Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining and explained about many of the statues and paintings and their significance. It is a beautiful building with so much history. And you can see democracy at work too in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. I believe US Citizens have to apply for guest passes through their Congressman or Senator. But for overseas visitors like us you have to present your passports at one of the relevant desks to get passes for either or both and then have to wait in line till there is space in the visitors galleries.

The United States Capitol is located at the highest point of the neighborhood. You enter from the visitor center located at the entrance to the back of the building, descending a short staircase. At the entrance there are checks with metal detectors and is forbidden both water and food
You should book the visit from the site but on site there are tickets available. It is visited via a half-hour tour, but there are no audio guides and tours in Italian.
After the tour you can ask to visit both the chamber and the senate. As foreigners, access to theaters, by passport, is authorized directly.

My wife and I spent a weekend appreciating many of Washington’s historical buildings and as we walked around Capital Hill, we were both mesmerized by how majestic and beautiful the Capital looked on a beautiful spring day. Just walking up the “ hill” is worth the trip!

This was a great experience as always and as always totally exhausting running back and forth through the tunnels for meetings but always worth it to try and make a difference. Thank you NAA for the prep!

Wonderful place to visit. A must visit site while in DC. Behaind the Capitol u will find the library which is amazing and has lots of historical books

You enter through the Visitor Centre, after passing through the controls with the metal detector. No food and drink allowed. It is possible to enter with an empty bottle and fill it inside. Guided tour in English only. After watching a ten-minute video the group is divided into smaller groups, each with their Guide providing earphones so they can hear even in the midst of many people. Interesting and fun visit, Recommendation to book in advance through the official site as there are a lot of people and there are not necessarily tickets available.

A small hill that houses the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court and Library of Congress. It is impossible to see all the buildings, but the majesty of the Capitol from the National Mall is quite photogenic.

This is one place not to be missed on a visit to DC. Be sure to book a tour (they're free) prior to visiting, you will be so glad you did. So much to see and learn about this iconic place. The tour starts with a short film and then we were shown around by a very knowledgeable guide. As we were walking around, he introduced us to a Senator from New Jersey, who made time to stop and talk to us. Definitely one not to miss when visiting DC, this place really is a must see if you love history and the story of America.

It is amazing how professional and well structured is the visitor center. All the staff is very nice and the guide very knowledgeable and nice. The cafeteria is very good as well. So, unmissable.

Good place to visit and the tour is worth it. It is just enough information without being too much. Would defintely recommend.

This is one of the must see places in Washington DC. It's worth visiting. Well organised and neat. I enjoyed my visit there.

Loved the tour and our tour guide, Kevin, was great. Staff couldn't have been nicer and went out of their way to help us find a lost item. Thank you capital police and Capital Hill Staff!

It is the seat of the U.S. government It was an amazing experience seeing it. The Graeco - Roman style of the building is quite impressive. Book the guided tour well in advance to avoid disappointment. The neighborhood includes the neoclassical Supreme Court.

Capitol Hill simply beckons by the time you exited Union Station. Everything is perfectly laid out for those of you looking for a serene Sunday morning walk.

There were alot of people because it was during tourist season, we did not get very close aa we could not find parking so we just eneded up driving around the area looking taking pictures as we went. Would love to come to Washington again less busy time.

We really enjoyed visiting THE CAPITOL BUILDING as far as we were allowed and posing for some photographs in front of same.Nice to be part of history in some way or the other.

Capitol Hill is a spot that serves as an image of our nation's government, our leadership, and our decisions as a nation that decide our place in world history. I could not recommend it enough.

Beautiful from the outside, a little disappointing the guided tour., although it deserves because you learn a lot about American history. Book the day before to access. The whole complex is still very nice

Even though it was cold wet and windy you must see Capitol Hill and breathe in it's majestic-ness and importance

With all the daily controversies in the political arena. a tour of the Capitol is a welcome reminder of what can make us proud of our country. From the well-organized tour operation itself--including wireless headsets to hear the guides' talk in your ears--to the 30 minute introduction to why and how our government was set up with the House of Representatives and the Senate, a reminder that despite the brouhaha in DC, we can get through it with our well-conceived government foundation. The rotunda and monument gallery are fascinating--filled with history and symbolism. It was surprisingly easy to get a tour time --online and without help from my Senator's or Congressman's office.

I contacted my congresswoman a few weeks before coming and was able to set up a tour with a member of her staff. Me and two others had a private tour of the capitol and got to see some behind the scenes parts. Much better than the large tour groups!

This was our 2nd visit to D.C., and we'd done the Capitol building and our Congressman's office last time. So this time we just thought we'd pop in to the Visitors Center. We found the guards outside to be rude. We complained that this was the only place in the town where we had to empty our water bottles before entering. In an ugly tone of voice, the man at the entry said, "Well, you chose to come here." The center itself was impressive with statues of famous people from a variety of states lining the large hall. There was an interesting exhibit about the importance of separation of powers in the three branches of government that was soon leaving.

It is a Majestic Building . Well kept and Americans who have made America great are given a Place of Honour . The Hall of Representatives and Senate are on Either Sides of the Building . Take the guided tour to learn about American History.

Only got exterior view, but what a sight! Hope to get more views on my next visit! They were setting up for Christmas events!

Highly recommend booking a bike tour to see this memorial and the many others in D.C.. There are so many fun details, facts, and history you would miss out on without a tour.

Dominates the skyline from the National Mall so really is a must see and worth enjoying the local plazas, gardens and statues nearby. It also a good photo opportunity for the Washington Monument which is about half a mile in the opposite direction. The Supreme Court and various other government buildings are also located closeby. Unfortunately, the large fountain out front is dry this time of year and there is some restoration work going on but that doesn't retract too much from the elegance of the place.

It's about a 10 minute walk to Union Station or a two minute walk to the Smithsonian Metro which is pretty much in the middle of the Mall opposite the museums.

Superb landscape. Awe-inspiring architecture. Very friendly security staff. Great for photo-ops. One of the jewels in the crown @ National Mall.

We were in DC for meetings on Capitol Hill. It's an amazing feeling to walk those grounds, halls and be in those offices meeting with the people who make decisions that affect so many.

Definitely the highlight of our trip. From the architecture, to the process of our government. If you can only see one thing while in DC, this is it.

Wrote to our local Senator, John Cornyn's office and his office arranged a private tour with one of his aide's. It was amazing- very informative and created a special experience. Not a Cornyn fan, but his staff was wonderful and we were appreciative. Budget lots of time as there is a lot to see. Would recommend one of the tours- there is so much history to be learned here.

This was my first visit to the nation's capitol and I enjoyed it very much. I loved learning the history of the building and government as this country was being formed. In many ways, ordinary men pulling together to do extraordinary things. The building is beautiful and awe inspiring.

And thank the security guards. It is a thankless job but they are there to protect us while we visit. They do a great job of keeping people moving and do a good job.

This is one visit that any tourist and every American must do when visiting Washington DC. Even though not an American, I valued and sensed the great importance of this magnificent building. The architecture and statues alone are worth the visit without being able to sit in and listen to the live debates etc. in Congress and the Senate.

Being low season in January we were able to immediately join in with a guided tour of the building. We later took advantage of another tour looking at the artwork around the building which was mainly wall paintings and the superb (English :)) floor tiles.

We also visited the Library of Congress and had a meal in the excellent Capitol in-house restaurant. Good gift shops. The grounds around the Capitol building and the views are all magnificent.

A place to take a whole tourist day visiting. Well recommended.

I made arrangements with my Congress person several weeks before arriving in the city. It was absolutely great. We were escorted by a aid to the Congress person. Since Congress was still on recess there were very few people except for some of the regular group tours. Our guide took us places the regular tours did not go. Had great pictures taken on the Speakers balcony. Went inside the chambers. Had to leave our phones on a table before going in. If we had extra packages we could leave them in their office while we took the tour.

Iconic building that you must see whilst in Washington its presence can been seen around the city
It’s immense structure and architecture is beautiful

If you are visiting Washington DC you must not miss a visit to Capitol Hill for a free guided tour which you should pre-book several weeks ahead of your arrival (esp. if its in summers). However, there are some slots available for same-day visitors but this is purely based on availability so if you can please plan ahead and pre-book. The highlight of the tour is the incredible Rotunda and amazing art throughout the tour area. The place holds so much history and significance, it kind of overwhelms you at times. Really enjoyed this and great souvenirs at the gift shop. Also, you can take the tunnel from capitol hill directly to Library of Congress which will save you an extra security check as you have already cleared it while entering Capitol Hill.

The area is packed with office buildings. Worth a trip to see the Capitol. Best to take a tour if you are interested in the history of it all. Otherwise, a walk along the grounds is enough to enjoy the iconic views.

Our capitol is just amazing both inside and out. Learning about where our government works and seeing the beauty of it all was inspiring. I highly recommend it.

Such an iconic and beautiful building, and hardly anyone there to appreciate it. Still can’t believe this was stormed - and I’m not American.

Capitol Hill is a neighborhood in DC which comprises of the Capitol building, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress, just to name a few. I recommend you come here as it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in DC.

The building is historic and the dome is very pretty. However, I didn't think the building was anything special compared to many other historic buildings all over the world. The tour was also very boring.

What an awesome place. A must see. Take a walk down the Library of Congress. They have free tours which last about half an hour which is a must. Many of the statues and topics are discussed. Quite informative. After the free tour go back and look around and try to absorb everything. This place is awesome

Very good on this tour and learned a lot of knowledge about the government. You have to make a reservation online first and get the pass when you arrived. Line up and watch about 15 minutes movie and tour guide will bring you walk over the building with detail explanation.

We pre-booked online, prior to our visit to Washington DC, to be able to see this magnificent building. Again on entering you have to through significant security checks and will be unable to take any food or drinks into the building. It is possible to enter the building without a booking but it is better to pre-book if you want a tour. The tour guide was informative and witty. At the beginning of the tour you will be given a set of headphones to listen to your tour guide as there will be numerous tours taking place at the same time. You are able to take lots of photographs during the tour. It is also possible to book tickets to enter the galleries to listen to Congress debates in progress. Again this is worth a visit, definitely recommended.

We visited as a family when visiting Washington recently and really enjoyed it

It was very busy, took a while to get through security (so arrive in plenty of time) but worth it

The young lad that took us round was very knowledgable and it was great to visit such a well known landmark

I would recommend that to ensure you get the date you want during your visit try booking well in advance as it does sell out on lots of occasions

Nice statues out the front including on of Grant on horseback with poorly positioned bronzes of Union cavalry and artillery on either side of him (apparently attacking him). Apart from that, lack of access to even the steps leading to the building makes it a 'look but don't touch attraction. Ten to fifteen minutes will do it.

The tour at the Capitol was very informative. Loved the place and the great history of it. Some rooms need special invitation to enter. Had lunch in the cafeteria of the Capitol.

I highly recommend taking the Tour which takes you through every period in time! The history made in those rooms was impressive to hear about....A must see when visiting DC.

Great visit with free tour guides. I was lucky to get a ticket on the day and did not have to wait long. May be best to buy only. Remember not to carry food or water with you in the building, but if you do have it in your bag, you can leave it at the library of congress across the road. In fact the 2 buildings are connected via a pedestrian tunnel. As per my travel book, its café is good value for money to get a range of hot/cold food.

We booked an early tour of the Capital but still had quite a lot of hanging around before we were off with our designated group. A very interesting tour followed and we were so pleased we had arranged to do this as it was so informative. Great portrait sculptures everywhere.

Contact your Congressman for a small tour and shorter Security Lines. Or, go stand in very long lines at the Visitors Center for entry. High Security is not any friendlier to US Citizens.

When we went to see Capitol Hill we had no idea that international visitors could enjoy a free guided tour of the building and sit in the visitors gallery to watch both the Senate and House of Representatives in session, a brilliant experience and not to be missed if you are in Washington D.C..

Capitol Hill is area with U.S.Capitol building as centerpiece. Area is accessible for public and also for free. During my visit there were some protest against government.

It’s worth the security and lines to go in and see The rotunda. The sculptures and paintings and history here are life like. It was great to see everything in person. Learning the history and seeing it in person.
The views are amazing and the gardens are beautiful.

Capital Hill is the 2nd out of 10 monuments to visit in DC.
The free guided tour was well presented and the inside building structure is incredible. One of the most beautiful monuments of the US history.

The pure elegance and awe of this building is amazing. Too bad the people that work in it do not have the same beauty. God Bless America

A trip to the Capitol Hill is great for those visiting DC or living in the area. The Visitor Center is a great addition, which provides a wealth of information about the building and its history and also about many of the people who have served here. It is definitely worth a couple of hours of one's time to take in the information available.

It didn't matter how humid it was, but very happy the sun came out...what a sight! So happy to rushed to see it on our last day!

In the wake of the Capitol Riots, the perimeter of the Capitol is completely fenced off, leaving only a few gardens and a turned-off fountain to be seen in the area. Gardens are nice, but quite sad to not be able to get closer.

Capital Hill is the highest point in DC. Its were the Capital building sits, along with many other govt buildings including the Supreme Court and the 3 buildings that make up the Library of Congress. Great views down the mall from here!

This is a magnificient structure that every American should see and experience. The new visitors center is very well done and enhances the overall visit. Anyone going should contact their Senator or Representative to schedule a tour of the building to avoid the long lines of the standard public tours.

Visited on family vacation. Was a great trip. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable & kept things interesting. We learned a lot & saw a lot of great architecture & paintings.

The sight of Capitol Hill is all inspiring to me as an American. It is a great historic building on a well maintained lawn and beautiful gardens.

Grounds were open and accessible. Clean and orderly. Upon entering for our basic timed tour, there was a nice visitors rotunda to wait in. The basic tour was great. With the basic tour you don't get 'behind the scenes' or into more 'restricted' areas, but you DO get to see and hear about the history of the building, go into the capitol dome room, statue hall, etc. If you have the ability to plan well in advance, I'd recommend trying for the more 'private' tour options.

Very informative tour, grand architecture. Certainly worth taking a look and hearing the history. We'll be back.

Beautiful place for great walk all around the Capitol. We could not get inside because there were protesters outside ... But the walk is worth it

It’s life changing and will give you a good look of American history from educated white people who care about American regardless of race, color and religious orientation. Most historian would failed to mention that Washington DC was built by black slave, but also they will fail to mention that president Washington paid the black slave with immortal freedom to them and their family inherence of future born family member. President George Washington freed slave as payment for building Washington DC way before President Lincoln followed president George Washington direct many years later. Historian won’t remind you of this history, but also they wouldn’t deny this truth. It life changing tour that starts with a movie theatre presentation well worth your time. Ask the historian this truth called the black freed Mason who were paid with freedom when building Washington DC as bought slave by President Washington DC.

I didn’t visit this place but I did drive by and was able to take a photo of the Capitol building which I had never seen in person before. However, it still looked so nice in the evening. I want to come back and visit at a later date.

Born and raised here in states and finally got chance to go at age 34. Plenty of tours available. Not a bad picture spot anywhere. Also a cafe and gift shop. If you have younger ones they would also enjoy in my opinion only. Would recommend and go again as we didn’t see everything.

Capitol Hill is very expansive, open, and welcoming, a hallmark of a democracy. There are certainly tours of the building available, but the grounds are also worth a visit. The views are exceptional.

The sad truth of our society is that it’s now impossible to get close to the institutions that represent us as citizens. Understood but sad all the same. It is awesome to see the fountain where our congress members stood on the balcony and sang America the Beautiful after 9/11. Imagining our representatives going to work here and charged with making the laws that run this country does cause you to take pause-regardless of whether or not you agree with them.

There ia a leider t to see and there is a good hotel to stay in, the Capi ol Hill Hotel, close to everything pn Capitol Hill. There are tour ofnthe Capitol and do not forget to visit the Jefferson library of congress with anbuilding worth touring it. Great architecture and for free, since it is a federal building.

Capitol Hill, with the Capitol Building front and center, surrounded by Congressional office buildings, and the Supreme Court in the rear, is awe-inspiring despite the tainted image inflicted by some of the current ranking members of Congress and the Supreme Court.

We did the free tour of the US capitol building. Janet took our tour and she was absolutely amazing. She should really be offered her own comedy stand up show as she was hilarious and also very knowledgable about the buildings. Janet offered lots of opportunities for questions and we learned loads. The tours are fast paced taking about an hour including a short movie but despite this, we did not feel too rushed. Afterwards Janet recommended we go and see the House of Representatives in session which was also very interesting.

Would highly recommend.

The Capitol Hill complex is interesting and has lots of history. Capitol Hill includes House and Senate Office Buildings, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress. The only downside is the food situation, which is somewhat abysmal. All cafeteria's in Congressional House buildings are run by Sodexo, which also organizes the food for prisons... If that doesn't put you off to their slops, I don't know what will. The food in the Senate buildings is better, however I would recommend the main cafeteria in the James Madison building of the Library of Congress. While you are there, you can also get a free readers card for the Library enabling you to use the Library, or stick it in your wallet for a few years until it expires.

Book your free tour and turn up early for your tour as the security is worse than at the airport. No food allowed etc. excellent tour with knowledgeable tour guides that don’t take tips. We also looked at the House of Reps which was not sitting unfortunately. Well worth the visit and very impressive.

The capitol is architecturally impressive as well as being important to view as the seat of the US government. The guided tour is slick and efficient if a little rushed.

A lot of security around which made me feel safe. Loved walking through here, and got some good camera shots.

Unfortunately we did not have enough time to do one of the internal tours so could only explore it from the outside, however it is well worth a visit. A wonderful location to take photos too.

Dont miss visiting the Us capitol. The building is amazing and the history it tells is a must do when visiting Washington DC. You can do a free tour where a guide is telling you a lot of facts about the building, the people who worked here and the ones who still work here.

This is a truly impressive set of buildings, housing the House of Representatives, and well as the Senate. Can't get too near the building, unless invited as surrounded by police. Some say that the dome represents the value of free speech floating above the chamber, cynics believe that it is a receptacle for the hot air.

Love the tour and the building ! It was just very interesting and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and attentive.

During the vacation we spent a lot of time walking around the area. Found it to be very clean considering the amount of people that visit and work in the area every day.

This is another must see if you are in Washington DC.
Tours are free and easy to book online. We booked one on the spot using our phone and were in 10 minutes later.
You will need to go through security obviously so do not bring liquids or food.
The tour was about a hour and very informative.
Even if you can't get a tour though just seeing it is great.

We visited Capital Hill (the grounds only) on a recent trip to DC. It was really cool to see it up close even though we didn't have a tour inside. There were security guards outside and it wasn't too crowded on the day we visited.

Unfortunately our visit coincided with most of the building covered in scaffold and plastic sheeting but we did get some great pictures at night.

Washington does not allow buildings to be taller than this building which makes Washington aesthetically good to look around.

A great city.

It is interesting to visit this impressive building with a majestic construction and built on a hill which makes it visible from anywhere in the city.
It is interesting to make this visit

An excellent free tour of the Capitol Building with a very informative guide who was very knowledgeable - gave us plenty of opportunity to ask questions, knew answers in depth but kept the tour light-hearted and engaging. There’s an introductory video followed by a relatively swift tour of the main parts of the building i.e. the dome. Perfect.

Would highly recommend this tour - they are used to handling larger groups professionally.

just an amazing building inside and out, a must stop when touring DC. long lines to enter but worth the wait. full of history.

I was there for the Peace Officers Memorial. There were a lot of porta-johns set up for the event. However, there were no public restrooms in the area. You had to go the the Botanic Gardens.

you will love the walk around, or rent a scooter, the walks are long but you will definitely like Capitol Hill

We booked this a few months before in order to get the free tour. It was about 45 minutes to an hour long. We had a good guide who gave us headphones to help us listen to his explanations. It was a tour where you have to follow in a group and move on altogether. We only got to see the main building, but it was worth it. I wouldn't go with small children (under 10) as there isn't much for them to be interested in. Some good photo opportunities inside and there are restrooms and water available. Be prepared to go through airport style security on the way in - a little bit too much shouting for my liking!

This is experience one must plan ahead: The guided tour is free, but best is to register ahead on the internet website and make at least 4-5 for it all. The lines are long, the place is very crowded and there are many screening in the entrance to the buildings but also in the wings.
If you are arrive early, go to the desk and ask to enter the current tour. The building is amazing the the guides are fantastic.
One can also visit the senate gallery and the congress gallery, which are very interesting, especially when there is a session going on. For this, you must go to your rep or senator office and ask for passes. Again, it is recommended to ask ahead. For these passes, you must go to the offices building. Again, it is better to do that before you enter the capitol building, otherwise, you will have to go back to the capitol.
There is also the tunnel that leads to the the congress library, so don't miss that.

The US Capitol is most beautiful building in Washington, in my opinion. I love to photograph from all angles, in every weather, day or night. The equestrian statue of Ulysses Grant in front of the Capitol Hill adds even more beauty to the gorgeous ensemble.

We had done the US Capitol Tour and loved it (no lines in November).

Tour did not include the Galleries. I think that is what we all want to see. Wasted so much time standing in lines.

Amazing location to walk around, especially during hot summer nights, where the lights add some magic atmosphere. Additionally, during the night there are just a few other people around, so you can get a good impression of the size of this giant building.

Just another sight to remind us of our nation's greatness. I hope Americans can realize the wisdom of our founders and not let it slip away.

They do an outstanding tour with very gracious and well trained staff. You learn a considerable amount and even when it is packed they manage to navigate the crowds efficiently. You must do this while in Washington!

This is worth the walk to see. Be sure to see the front and back of the building and see the gift shop. Try to get a tour also - it is worth it also.

Had to go through 3 x-ray security checks. They made me throw out my special dietary snacks. Why is an extra check needed to visit the Senate galleries? You have to leave your phone and bags to view the galleries and then go through another x-ray security check. A lot of waiting and security for a short tour.

Recently visited this amazing place! We were fortunate enough to get an "extensive " private tour of this place and I tell you, as an immigrant and a naturalized citizen, it makes me proud to be one! There's so many things that I learned that day. From the founding Fathers and Civil war and all those people who fought for freedom and continue to do so. Saw the room where the President do his State of the Union address to the balcony overlooking the city of D.C. It was a surreal experience but a good experience nevertheless.

Theresa was an amazing person to work with at the front desk- she was very accommodating and kind. She was respectful and made our stay great.

The security guards here are edgy. They are prepared to shout at you for anything. Literally, anything.

I have been told that Capitol Hill is one of the city’s most popular places to live. It is the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The neighborhood began over two hundred years ago at the same time as Washington DC, and was the first place to house members of Congress and their families.
Major attractions in the area:
U.S. Capitol Building, The cornerstone of the neighborhood, the Capitol is home to U.S. Congressional offices.
The Library of Congress, The world's largest library is one of the city's most gorgeous buildings and is open to the public.
The Supreme Court, The highest court in the country is located on Capitol Hill and is open for visitors Monday through Friday.
Eastern Market, The city's oldest market is a prime place to buy fresh produce and more.
U.S. Botanic Garden , The gardens are a year-round attraction with an indoor conservatory featuring a variety of plants and flowers
It is not only thees iconic sights, the Hill’s other streets .are filled with beautiful rowhouses and parks large and small. The neighborhood has about 60 inner-city parks hat provide an urban green space giving residents and visitors a nice place to enjoy the outdoors. It is said the rhythms of life are a bit slower than in other parts of the city, particularly on the weekends.

Awesome trip to remember for.. really worth to go for adventure like this once in a life for sure guys.

This is a massively impressive building from the outside and equally so in the interior. From architectural detail to artwork, statues and symbolism, it is good to see that when pressed, it is possible to get something right in Washington DC. I highly recommend a tour. Reach out to your congressman or senator and ask for a guided tour. Most will arrange to have an intern take an hour or so to show you the highlights in a far more comfortable setting than the large tours that are available to the public

This is THE place once shouldn't miss while in DC. The building itself is very classic and is an excellent piece of architecture.

Though we were not aware of the guided tour, we were very lucky to be included in the last tour of the day. The tour is real informative and it is a nice feeling to see all those places inside Capitol Hill about which you keep hearing and seeing very often in the news.

I would definitely say this is a MUST SEE.

You must request a tour from your state congressional office or Senator office to even get a tour time. I found the tour very short on substance. We were only able to see a very small part of the Capital building. The visitors center is nice and anyone can go into the visitors center and see its exhibits but the actual tour is not worth the time.

Legendary place. Here Ive seen many presidents through the decades. This is the proud of the nation and of the world. Amazing to see it was a great visit

The Capital was in the stage of redoing the dome so there was scaffolding everywhere. So when we decided to make a return trip I wanted so much to get a picture of the dome we always see….

This sparkling white beacon on Capitol Hill is a must see while in DC. We booked a 1 hour tour in advance on the Capitol website and were shown around by Katie, a very cheerful and well-informed tour guide. The tour starts in the crypt where you can see (but not stand on) the star that marks the centre of Washington and view, all around you, some of the 100 state statues that live within the walls of the Capitol. From there you go to the statue room where a whole jumble sale of state statues is lines up around the walls. They change the statues regularly, but when we visited in July 2019, it was possible to view Thomas Edison, complete with light bulb (Ohio), Rosa Parks, beautifully seated (Alabama) and a chap called Marcus Whitman (Washington State) who I was sure I recognised but would have been unable to place had Katie not told us he was the inspiration for The Simpsons’ Jebediah Springfield. Most of the statues are white men of course, with a few notable exceptions like Rosa Parks, but the states get to update their statues from time to time so hopefully that might change. One more room follows – the dome itself. This huge space is breath-taking, with massive artworks (some with dubious historical context) on the walls and a frieze, depicting American history, running all the way around the base of the dome. The story goes that when the frieze was finished in 1889 there was a gap where the architects had miscalculated the required length. This omission was put right in 1953 with panels showing scenes from the civil war and the Wright brothers’ endeavours. All in all we were awed by the building itself and the principles upon which it was founded.

I visited just the outside of the building. It is an imposing structure in a grand setting at the end of the mall. Really worth a visit if even to give you some perspective when you see it on the news or in a movie.

Very interesting guided tour through the halls and offices of the Capital building. Wonderful history lesson with a lot to learn. Building inside is much smaller than you would think.

I have lived here before and the sleeping was difficult but Capitol Hill overall is a great place to be and visit for tourist. Very safe

Planning a picnic to Capitol Hill in the summer should be a must-do on everyone's bucket list. Watch out, the birds are so used to humans that they will catch food in the air when thrown.

I had taken a tour on a previous trip so this time we tried to get into the galleries. We watched a vote in the Senate and by the time the House had shut down. It is still rather magnificent seeing the faces you know from TV do their thing. I had this errie feeling in my stomach since the Jan 6 insurrection remains in the news. So many good things have happened in this place, but I found myself thinking about the bad. Probably different if a big debate is going to happen but the process for getting into the gallery was not arduos and worth the time.

We were able to catch the last tour of the day without too long a wait or too many people ahead of us. First we saw a movie then our guide took us to the rotunda and explained some of the things in the room that were most special. We definitely recommend this tour.

An absolute must! Beautiful!
I would highly recommend combining the capitol hill travel with the botanical garden and a walk down the historic district nearby.

The last time I was here the Capitol was shrouded in scaffolding but the result is sensational with the building a gleaming white marble brilliant from and distance and in sunlight. Couldn’t keep my eyes off it.

Such a focal point of the city tour. It's incredible lit up at night and viewed down the mall in the day time.

I had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill as well as some of the offices of Representatives and Senators. This was a fantastic experience, especially if you get to meet our Congressmen and women. Make an appointment ahead of time and go visit those who represent you in Congress. You might not be able to meet the actual rep, but you'll probably can talk to some of their staff.

We went on a guided tour which only lasts 45 minutes but allows you to visit the dome and see statues of various presidents and important officials. We also managed to get international visitors passes to the Senate which was interesting

I can't watch Trump impeachment because nothing will happen in case it's a waste of time and money going through this.

This is about the Christmas Tree front of the Capitol. The 2024 tree is from Alaska and is decorated with ornaments crafted by Alaskan children, older adults, etc. The best part of the visit was seeing the Capitol police on bikes stop by and trying to decide what to do about fallen ornaments.

Beautiful building with a wonderful location. Not enough time to run around the grounds wanted to really hang out there.

We have booked a tour via ''Visit the Capitol''. The tour was free and perfectly organized. The guide was very professional and helpful. We had a nice tour ( only a few rooms) in the Congress, dome being really spectacular.
After this tour we visited the Library of Congress, really spectacular.

Washington’s heartbeat is all about government so don’t miss the Capitol Hill tour ... go online and book a slot. They like you to be there half an hour before. Tip: if you’re coming from the front (Lincoln Memorial direction) allow another ten minutes to get round to the visitor entrance at the back! The place is heaving with people but it’s well organised. If your pre booked ... once in go to the info desk and they will sort you out. Well worth going.

Just standing outside the capitol is an amazing experience but being able to go inside and get the history behind the rotund was a whole new level of learning.

We came on spec having checked the website which showed no vacancies on any tours. With no problem we found ourselves booked onto a 12 noon tour. It took about 2 hours. Our guide was informative and managed to inject some humour into his commentary. However important to say that he also conveyed a tremendous sense of civic pride which added to the experience. Good to know that that Congress now has the numbers to counter the toxic presidential prejudices.

A fantastic tour. Really interesting and the guide was excellent. The inside of Capitol Hill is beautifully maintained and they clearly spend money on keeping it that way. The film at the start of the tour is a great way to introduce the whole tour and why it's the heart of democracy in the US

Every citizen should make the effort to visit our Capitol and the connected buildings like the Supreme Court, Library of Congress and the House and Senate. Really gives one a visual reference point when you see the various buildings on TV. Visiting the House and Senate galleries also lets you experience the legislative process. A great education for sure.

It's a must do building to visit when in Washington. Be aware you can only see the House of representatives and the Senate when they are in session which I therefore missed as they weren't sitting.

Otherwise you are restricted to a tour which is essentially just going in the area under the dome. You go past Nancy Pelosi's office en route. You'll be shown the statues, the paintings on the wall and of course can appreciate the architecture of the dome itself. The guides are helpful but you must stay with your group - it seems wandering off can get you in trouble.

There is as you'd expect for such a building airport type security where there can be long queues. If you're also visiting the Library of Congress, there is a tunnel under the street there so you only go through security once - and vice versa.

The building is iconic and I took plenty of pictures of the building from wherever I saw it as there are various viewpoints to do this from. Especially the Mall.

You can get an invitation from your Representative. Sister-in-law got invite to her Oklahoma Reps office. Met by office staff and given really informative tour of the Capitol building and passes to both houses galleries. Then met and talked with Rep. Markwayne Mullin and photo op. Great tour and visit.

If you want to partake in an inside tour, book prior to travelling; advanced reservations are required. Then, be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your time to get through security and to obtain your ticket/label inside. By memory drinks are not allowed so empty those drink bottles prior to reaching the security point. Depending on the time of day the line to security can be quite long and it is outside so be sure to have a hat if sunny and hot. The tour is excellent. It begins with a video documenting the history of the Capitol Building with an American audience in mind, and this is followed by a tour led by a guide. Put your headphones on immediately so that you can hear your guide as there are multiple tours happening at any on time. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and open to questions. There is not a lot of time spent in any one space so be sure to have your camera ready to take photos as there is no going back. Well worthwhile.

We’ve been here a couple times but the best it we had was when we inquired about tours from our representatives office. We had a personalized tour and got to see many things you don’t see on a regular tour. A normal visit is great, but this one was much better.

I have been here 3 times already and I will be back when I have a chance. Great tours with awesome guides .

There isn't much to say about this place beyond what you see in the pictures, but of course the sheer size of it when you see it real life is astonishing.

We tried to book a Capitol Hill tour online but all spots were taken. Then we visited the Capitol Hill visitors centre and discovered they save about half of the spots on each tour throughout the day for walk-ins. We went around 9 am on Saturday morning and only waited about 15 mins to get our tour pass. No food or drink is allowed inside but they will allow you to empty your water bottles outside and we were able to keep our empty stainless steel water container. We had a backpack with us and were allowed inside after a security screening process similar to when you go through security at an airport. There is a 13 mins video to watch in a seated theatre and then you are told which lane to go to when you exit to get a tour guide. You are given wireless headsets and can hear what the guide is saying through them. Our guide was great and you are allowed to take non-flash pics on the tour. It was very informative and interesting.

The Capitol is a great part of the city - day or night - but I particularly enjoy walking around Capitol Hill at night. The area around the Capitol has a lot of nice restaurants and bars. Also, if you’re a fan of history and architecture this neighborhood and it’s beautiful homes won’t disappoint.

Enjoy!

When my family and I (16 year old Canadian) arrived for a tour November 21st, 2019 we were utterly disgusted with the behaviour of our tour guide. First off, he was being a total hypocrite towards me and my sister, who both descent from French Canadians. When we first told him we were from Canada, he made a snarky remark about how “at least we weren’t French Canadians”. My mother then clarified that we are and he shut his mouth immediately. He then went on to say that the Americans burnt down the Canadian Parliament buildings in 1916 to the entire group. This is a false claim, as it has been proved that the fire that occurred was an accident and the entire building did NOT burn down. When my mother called him out on this, he was rude towards us once again.

Later on, he began to discuss Iroquois relations here in the United States. He told the entire group of around 25-40 people that the “Iroquois were only in the United States for 100 YEARS until the “Americans” came”.This was a ridiculous thing to say as it is definitely not valid. It is a known fact that the First Peoples came to what is now modern day North America 15 000 - 20 000 years ago and eventually settled after 7000-8000 years. To make matters worse, he didn’t even pronounce “Iroquois” correctly, which made this claim even more insulting to North American History. I am not even Indigenous and the fact that he said and behaved like this insulted me.

Yet, this behaviour did not end here. Later on, he was boasting about how the African American slaves built the entire building in the 1800s as if it were not a big deal. When he was boasting about this, I couldn’t help but reflect on what i had learnt about the Harriet Tubman, Henry “Box” Brown and other important historical figures that were part of this tragic part of American history (plus, if he wanted to talk about Canadian history so badly, maybe he could have mentioned how many slaves Harriet Tubman rescued and brought to Canada through the Underground Railroad). He continued on with talking about Pocahontas and the “romanticized” version of her story.

I also felt very upset when the guide began to bring up who had funeral services inside of this building in the past. He brought up Rep. Elijah Cummings and instead of talking about him and how he was a civil rights activist for all of his life, he just moved on as if he were unimportant to American history and continued talking about the same 3 politicians that he had been talking about the entire time. It was very disappointing that he did not have any more to say about him, especially since he died only a few weeks ago.

These tour guides are educating people from every where around the world on American history every time they open their mouths. I hope that this tour guide’s ignorance is not representative of the American Education System and rather just a reflection of his own personal ignorance. I will NEVER visit the Capitol Building again after this terrible tour. It is a complete disgrace to the wonderful opportunity I had to learn about your country’s history, and it was completely ruined thanks to this tour.

Not a very productive place recently, but not all their fault I guess. Probably could use a fresh set of people...

Just happen to be on the hill visiting with our house and congress members on the day of the Supreme Court nominee hearings. Very happening place on September 27.

Visited this beautiful building in Washington DC with SOTC group. It is in white colour but has lasting impression as a monument. Capitol Hill is the seat of the U.S. government, Senate and Houses of Representatives.
Capitol Hill is also the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington, D.C., stretching easterly in front of the United States Capitol along wide avenues. It is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. and is one of the densely populated areas in Washington DC with roughly 35,000 people living in 2 square miles. It is also known for the Eastern Market where vendors sell produce, meat and cheese throughout the week and handicrafts and antiques on weekends.

One of the first places to visit in Washington D.C. So much history and weight in both walls and area. In addition, an absolutely fantastic building in a lovely area and today you can not visit the area without thinking about the storming that happened a few years ago.

Definitely the better way to admire the Capitol...from the outside...especially beautiful since the construction and repairs on the main building and the rotunda have been finished and you can see the building in its full glory (at least from the front)...