Overview

2.5 Hrs | Mon - Fri

Duration: 2.5 hours
Cancellation Summary: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of your tour.
Meeting Point: Capitol South Metro station, C St SE & First St SE Washington, DC 20003
Max Age: 99
Group Size: Maximum 12 people
Accessibility: Wheelchair friendly
Pricing:
Description: Join us for a 2.5-hour private walking tour of Capitol Hill, home to the U.S. government’s most powerful institutions. Our expert guide will lead you through the historic buildings that shape American democracy, from the halls of Congress to the nation’s highest court.

Visit some of the most important sites in the U.S. capital, including the stunning exteriors of the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol. Step inside the Library of Congress to admire the breathtaking Main Reading Room, see Thomas Jefferson’s personal book collection, and view a rare Gutenberg Bible. At the Supreme Court, learn about the judicial system in its museum and, depending on availability, catch a glimpse of the courtroom where landmark rulings are made.

Inside the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, receive entry passes for the House of Representatives and Senate galleries, allowing you to explore these chambers (UNGUIDED) at your own pace after the guided portion concludes. This immersive tour provides a deeper understanding of the institutions that define the United States, from its founding principles to the modern legislative process.
What is Included: • PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• TOUR WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE
What is not Included: • Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)

• Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)

• NOTE: Tour of the Capitol Building NOT INCLUDED. We do provide entry passes for the House & Senate at the end of the tour to visit at your leisure (UNGUIDED)
Itinerary: Stops generally Include:

1. Exterior of the U.S. Capitol Building
   Begin your tour with a guided walk around the iconic U.S. Capitol, where Congress has convened since 1800. Learn about its neoclassical architecture, the symbolic meaning behind its grand dome, and the historic events that have shaped this cornerstone of American democracy.

2. Supreme Court
   Step inside the highest court in the United States and explore the grandeur of the Supreme Court Building, where landmark cases have defined the Constitution. Discover the building’s classical design, its storied history, and the pivotal role of the judiciary in American governance.
   (10 minutes)

3. Library of Congress
   Enter one of the most stunning buildings in Washington, D.C. Marvel at the breathtaking Great Hall, gaze into the Main Reading Room, and admire some of the nation’s most treasured collections, including the Gutenberg Bible and Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, which helped shape the Library’s foundation.

4. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
   Visit the Capitol Visitor Center, where exhibits bring the history of Congress to life. Gain insight into the legislative process and see remarkable artifacts that tell the story of the United States’ lawmaking body.

5. U.S. House of Representatives – UNGUIDED
   Guests will receive entry passes to the U.S. House of Representatives, allowing them to visit the gallery at their own pace and observe Congress in action when in session.

6. U.S. Senate – UNGUIDED
   Your pass also grants access to the U.S. Senate gallery, where visitors can witness legislative debates and discussions that shape national policy.
   Highlights: Highlights Generally Include (as long as item is not on loan or being restored):

7. The U.S. Capitol Building
   Admire the seat of the U.S. Congress, an architectural masterpiece with its iconic dome, grand columns, and sweeping views over the National Mall.

8. The Supreme Court
   Marvel at the grand neoclassical Supreme Court Building, with its towering Corinthian columns and striking marble façade, behind which justices have ruled on some of the most consequential legal decisions in American history.

9. Main Reading Room, Library of Congress
   Take in the breathtaking beauty of the Library’s Main Reading Room, an awe-inspiring space lined with towering bookshelves and intricate Renaissance-style murals.

10. Gutenberg Bible
    See one of the few surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible, a revolutionary work that changed the course of human history by introducing movable type printing to Europe.

11. Thomas Jefferson’s Library
    Browse a selection of books from Thomas Jefferson’s original personal collection, which became the foundation of the Library of Congress after the British burned the Capitol in 1814.
    Check in Details: • It is imperative that you provide us with guest's MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)

• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the tour's scheduled departure time.

• Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour for any URGENT matters please reply to their message.
Their contact details are also sent to your email by the morning of your tour.

Babylon Tours
Phone / Text 0019179990380
Web: www.babylontours.com
Mail: babylontoursinfo@gmail.com
What to Bring: • Please bring a photo ID or at least a copy/image of your passport.
• Recommended Attire: Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Special Requirements: Children under a 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Restrictions: • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• No large bags or suitcases; the tour involves outdoor stairs uneven pathways.
Disclaimers: • The tour may enter government facilities in active use, and as such proper behavior and decorum is required at all times.

• The Library of Congress, Supreme Court, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, House of Representatives and the Senate may be subject to unscheduled closures with little to no notice due to government events, special sessions or security reasons. While we strive to provide the full experience, unforeseen closures are beyond our control. In such cases, we will offer a rescheduling option to ensure you still get the most out of your visit. Thank you for your understanding.

• The tour route may be affected by national celebrations. In such cases, we will provide guests with an alternative route, ensuring all highlights of the tour are still covered. Refunds or discounts cannot be provided in these situations.

• No large bags or suitcases are allowed during this tour. We recommend comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, umbrella in case of rain and hat during summer. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some can’t be visited from the inside.

• NOTE: Tour of the Capitol Building NOT INCLUDED. We do provide entry passes to the House and/or Senate at the end of the tour (unguided)
Faqs: What time should I arrive for my tour?
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

How will I recognize my guide?
- Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Are tickets included in the price?
- Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

When will I receive my guide’s contact information?
- Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.

Are you Viator?
- No, Viator is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Can I reschedule my tour?
- Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform like Viator or GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

What do I do if I’m running late?
- Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

What do I do if I have a medical issue and can’t attend the tour?
- Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

What do I do if my transport is canceled and I can’t attend the tour?
- Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Can I get my tickets before the tour and meet the guide inside?
- No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Can I stay in the museum after the tour finishes?
- Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

I don’t see my tickets in the email. How can I download them?
- Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide’s name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.

Will my walking tour run if the weather is bad?
- Yes, our tours run rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. Tours will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather alert from local authorities.