There are so many spectacular things to do in Washington DC that it would take a lifetime to see them all – but let’s face it, the political sites top the list! That’s why US Capitol Tours are a must when visiting Washington DC.
Take a look at my top picks below, offering something for everyone. Whether you want to explore Capitol Hill on foot or by electric cart or hear all about its spooky past, we’ve got you covered. Alternatively, read on to discover more US Capitol tours.
| # | Activity Type | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitol Hill Electric Cart Tour | From €69 | 2 hours |
| 2 | Capitol Hill Walking Tour | From €84.99 | 3 hours |
| 3 | Capitol Hill Ghost Tour | From €23.87 | 1.5 hours |
Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!
1 – DC Monuments and Capitol Hill Tour by Electric Cart
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (1938 Reviews)
“Great way to see the entire group of main monuments & sights up close without having to navigate or park. Comfort of your own cart & driver who provides great history & stories as you zip from one to the next.” Jenifer. Viator
This is both good for the brain and good for the earth, and a fascinating way of getting around!
Electric carts are still fast enough to get around lots of different areas, but also give you the chance to enjoy these iconic spots at closer range.
Hop aboard your Red Roadster and see all that the Capitol Hill area has to offer, with detours to the Smithsonian museums, the FDR and MLK memorials, and more.
Get to know the city inside and out, and enjoy some unique transportation along the way, with Intrepid Urban Adventures – USA!
Summary of the tour:
- Capitol Hill and Washington DC’s monuments tour by electric cart
- Enjoy up-close views of DC’s most famous landmarks such as Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House, U.S. Capitol and more
- Entertaining commentary about DC’s history and get the chance to explore Capitol Hill by foot
Our review
This zippy little trip is great for visitors of all ages, stopping at the major spots and providing an easy route around the city.
While the views are great, it’s the endless wealth of insider knowledge that makes it such an exciting journey!
Read more: Best Washington DC Monuments Tours
2 – Small-Group Guided Tour inside US Capitol & Library of Congress
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (667 reviews)
“Very informative walking tour that started outside the Library of Congress, went inside the Capitol and then ended inside the LOC. It was nice to be able to skip the lines while inside and proceed directly to the tour without booking a timed slot.” Morgan. Viator
With this awesome excursion from Guided Tours DC, you’ll get to know some of the country’s most powerful spaces as intimately as your own home – complete with some cool anecdotes!
And whether you’re a bookworm or a policy wonk, you’ll find plenty to love on your stroll.
Step inside the U.S. Capitol, where the laws of the country are developed and debated.
Then explore the endless stacks of the Library of Congress, which holds millions of documents and books – and as the largest library in the world, it’s certainly got a lot to offer!
Summary of the tour:
- Small-group walking tour of Capitol Hill: visit the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress, pass by the Supreme Court
- Admission to the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol included
- Reserved access to a Capitol guide led tour of historic areas
- View part of Thomas Jefferson’s collection of over 6000 books
Our review
Between the excellent information, personalized atmosphere, and in-depth glimpses of famous spots, this is the perfect way to really dive into the Capitol!
You’ll be able to ask all the questions you want, and explore all the little details of these remarkable sites.
Read more: Best Tourist Attractions in Washington DC
3 – Haunted DC Walking Tour on Capitol Hill
Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 (142 reviews)
“With a full moon just before Halloween, a ghost tour was a natural fit. We enjoyed our guide, and the opportunities for photos on Capitol Hill were a big bonus feature. A pleasant evening walk.” David. Viator
The buildings around here aren’t just active parts of the present… they have their fair share of spooky remnants from the past!
And there’s nothing like a trip with Scary DC to get to know the supernatural lore of the area, which often includes more than a few former presidents.
And of course, the Capitol itself is said to be one of the most haunted buildings on the planet, making it the perfect place to base your adventure around.
From the troubled spirits of assassins to congressional representatives that took their battles beyond the grave, you’ll find plenty of great anecdotes… and maybe even a mysterious curse or two!
Summary of the tour:
- Visit the U.S. Capitol Building, one of the most haunted places in the world
- Hear ghost stories about past presidents and learn about DC’s spooky past
- Pass by the Supreme Court, the Senate and House Office Buildings and the Scariest Place in DC
- All taxes, fees and handling charges included
Our review
With unique stories, great photo ops, and the intimate atmosphere of a small group, you can be sure of a memorable night of learning and delving into the city’s bizarre legends during this ghost tour.
Plus, the guides sport period-appropriate costumes,adding an extra dash of fun to the evening!
Read more: 15 Best Night Tours in Washington DC Showcasing Iconic Monuments
4 – Best of DC + US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (1904 reviews)
“This was an amazing trip and our tour guide Nick was so knowledgeable and funny. I couldn’t ask for a better trip I definitely suggest!!” Theresa. Viator
It’s one thing to hear history… it’s quite another to see it!
And when you’re exploring the Capitol, be sure to save time for some National Archives Museum tours, where you can see some of the country’s most incredible documents up close!
Join USA Guided Tours on a journey into this remarkable resource, home to over 700,000 different documents and files.
And of course, you’ll get plenty of time to visit the archives’ most famous residents: the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence!
As an added bonus, you’ll get to explore the nearby Congressional halls as well.
Our review
You can’t go wrong with this tour, because you’ll see just about everything!
The daylong trip to all sorts of monuments and famous buildings certainly makes this one of the best US Capitol tours for ambitious types, giving you all of the highlights in one exciting day.
Read more: Best Museums in Washington DC
5 – Capitol Hill Food Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
“So much fun walking around and seeing this re-vitalized area of DC. Enjoyed everything from the sparkling sangria to the home made pop-tarts.” Deborah. Viator
This is one tour where your stomach will be as full as your brain!
Along with all of its other attributes, this part of town is famed for its amazing food scene, and you can nibble and nosh your way through it as you enjoy the nuances of the neighborhood.
Thanks to decades of cultural diversity, you can sample a pretty amazing selection here, with pit stops in India, El Salvador, and different parts of the U.S.
Learn about the different nations and their unique mixes as you savor the flavors during this food tour!
Our review
While this tour offers a great slice of local history, it’s the slices (and bowls, and bites) that make it a sensational adventure!
It’s the perfect way to indulge your taste buds, while also getting to know one of D.C.’s most vibrant communities!
Read more: Best City Tours in Washington DC
6 – Bike Tour: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
“Everything was perfect – the bikes; our guide, Beth; the tour route; even the weather. Best way ever to get an overview of the DC Capital area to start our vacation.” PENNY. GetYourGuide
A little bit of cardio, a little bit of steady cruising, and a lot of great views… that’s the recipe for fun during this bike tour offered by Unlimited Biking Washington DC!
Pedaling past museums and memorials, you’ll get a sense of the city that differs greatly from the norm, combining the up-close views of walking with the greater distance capacity of a vehicle.
While you’ll get ample time at all of the big sites, you’ll also have the opportunity to really savor the rhythms of daily life, as you roll along the city’s many excellent bike paths.
Our review
This is the perfect way to soak up the sights and sounds of the area – ands with a 7 mile route, it’s great exercise too!
It’s open to all sorts of ages and biking abilities, and it welcomes you to the city in a whole new way!
7 – Castle to Capitol: Museums of the National Mall Architecture Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
“Fascinating history. Easy walk. Great value. I’ve recently gotten interested in architecture and decided to take the “Castle to Capitol” tour while I was in town for work. Absolutely fantastic.” Jesse. Tripadvisor
Museum nerds, rejoice!
This lively trip with DC Design Tours will sweep you up in the amazing stories of the Smithsonian, from the unique construction of the buildings to the treasures that they hold within.
With an emphasis on the actual buildings themselves, it’s also a unique opportunity to learn about the diverse and dazzling structures that hold some of the country’s greatest collections.
You’ll even get to step inside the magnificent Smithsonian Castle, which anchors the whole complex.
It’s ideal for curious minds of all ages, and with a smaller group, you can really get to know the ins and outs of these beloved spots!
Our review
Not only is this tour packed with cool cultural tidbits, but it also lets you dip into the often untold stories behind these legendary museums.
It’s an especially good deal for architecture fans, as it takes a nice long look at the buildings themselves – a truly unique vantage point!
8 – Private Tour with US Capitol Or Archives Or Washington Monument
Rating: ⭐️ 3.5/5 (3 reviews)
“We had a great time. Sally and our driver were excellent leaders. Sally worked with us to ask what we wanted to see and do and she adjusted her comments at the monuments for the different ages of our group” Victoria. Viator
This is one of the best US Capitol tours if you want to really get to know the city; because not only will you be visiting some particularly important spots, but you’ll be the only ones on the tour!
Enjoy some personalized attention during this private tour and explore the innermost workings of the National Archives and the Capitol itself, or the towering Washington Monument – it’s a true choose-your-own-adventure!
Just choose the size of your group and what you want to see, then set off to delight in these national gems, with Signature Tours of DC.
Our review
This is the ideal trip if you want to see it all and get the rock star treatment – especially if you have a larger group!
With a flexible itinerary and wonderfully attentive staff, it will give you a full insight into the U.S. Capitol and the surrounding area in style.
How to book US Capitol tours?
There are plenty of companies that offer US Capitol tours, so you can pick and choose with ease. As an added bonus, lots of travel websites will sell these tours directly online!
It’s worth noting that several of them provide discounts, so the price may vary from one site to the next.
Want to make the whole process easier? Use our search engine to compare a whole range of options, complete with prices and reviews, all in one convenient spot!