Private Guided Tour: DC National Archives Building & Capitol Hill in Washington DC booking from $179.14

Private Guided Tour: DC National Archives Building & Capitol Hill

Overview

This private, 5.5 hour guided combo tour will allow you to explore these two Washington DC icons, maximizing your time in the American capital city.Discover the United States’ turbulent history through works preserved in the National Archives before exploring the architectural marvels around Capitol Hill.

City: Washington DC

Sun 23 Feb

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Starting at $179.14

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Sun 23 Feb

Starting at $179.14

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Tour Guide Exclusively For You (Does NOT apply if you choose "SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE" option)

Guided Walking Tour & Museum Tour

Private Transportation Included Between Tour Locations If Necessary

Duration 5.5 Hours (Including Lunch Break)

Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine

Passes to the House of Representatives and or the Senate Provided by guide at the end of the tour.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
Notes: National Archives and other attractions or museums in DC may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.
We as ask that all guests bring a face mask. Outdoors masks are not mandatory, however for entry to certain venues it may be required. All indoor venues and museums still require masks to be worn when visiting inside and are currently mandatory.

What To Expect

The National Archives Museum

Start at the Archives, a neoclassical building that acts as a temple to American history. Once inside, your expert guide will introduce you to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution while observing the original documents.. These papers, alongside the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers, are all signed by the prominent statesmen and founding fathers like Alexander Hamilton. Moving to the Public Vaults Exhibits, you’ll come face to face with letters from George Washington and John F. Kennedy. You’ll even see the Emancipation Proclamation, which, in 1863, led to the abolishment of slavery. Finally, in the Rubenstein Gallery, you’ll examine more historical documents like the Magna Carta of 1297, written well before the United States was even conceived, yet pivotal in influencing the other documents that you’ll experience in the Archives. By the end, you will have witnessed firsthand the humble documentation that created the world’s most powerful country.

Capitol Hill

After a break for lunch, we’ll talk politics and history as we trace Washington DC’s evolution from a swamp to the capital of one of the world’s most influential nations. Explore the City Upon a Hill with a knowledgeable guide who will show you Capitol Hill – the place where it all happens in the United States. Learn about the main buildings including the Capitol and the Supreme Court. Visit the magnificent exteriors while popping inside the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress, as well exploring Thomas Jefferson’s library and inspecting a real Gutenberg Bible. The tour may include a visit to a courtroom and tickets may be available for a tour of the Capitol’s interior.

Supreme Court

Just east of the Capitol you will visit the U.S Supreme Court, the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in many legal jurisdictions. Completes in 1935, you will be able to enjoy the Court’s stunning exterior whilst learn about all the history and tradition tied to it.

Library of Congress

Afterwards you will visit the Library of Congress, the research library that officially serves the U.S Congress and is considered the national library of the United States. The oldest federal cultural institution in the United States, the 1897 Thomas Jefferson building reveals an Italian-Renaissance style architecture. Inside one of the main highlights includes the beautiful circular main reading room with its 160ft ceiling.

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Inside the Capitol lies the U.S Capitol Visitor Centre, a large underground addition to the Capitol complex, which serves as a gathering point for up to 4000 tourists and an expansion space for the US Congress. Here you will be informed about the unique characteristics of the House, the Senate and U.S legislative process, as well as learn about the history and development of architecture of the Capitol. Our guide will end the tour providing access passes (and information about security protocols) for the visitor’s galleries of the current chambers for the House of Representatives and or the Senate, to be seen at your leisure.

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (9)

RColom

Nov 2021

Brenda was such an amazing tour guide! Extremely interesting and so quick with her fun facts ! Would suggest you ask for her if you are booking this tour anytime soon!

krichard3

Jul 2019

Richard was an excellent tour guide and we had an absolutely wonderful time on our tours. We can't thank him enough for an incredible time!

David_H

May 2019

We felt very fortunate to have invested in this tour; Donna, our tour guide, knew these buildings well, as well as her American History, and patiently paced us through the best of the exhibits, taking time where it was needed. Highly recommended!

Private Guided Tour: DC National Archives Building & Capitol Hill

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