Capitol Hill Guides — Passes, Hours and What to See
Planning guides for the Library of Congress and Capitol Hill: the free timed-entry pass and how to get one, opening days, what to see inside, the Supreme Court, the Capitol, and whether a guided tour is worth it.
Touring Capitol Hill
The Capitol, the Library and the Supreme Court sit minutes apart and share no access system. What each requires, and what a combined tour actually reconciles.
Read guide →Is the Library of Congress Worth It?
One of the most beautiful interiors in America, at no cost. Who should skip the guided tour, and the one expectation that disappoints people.
Read guide →Library of Congress Opening Days and Hours
We deliberately don't print the Library's hours. What we can tell you is the pass release schedule, which is what actually decides whether you get in.
Read guide →Do You Need Tickets for the Library of Congress?
You need a free timed-entry pass, and the Library says it may not be sold or transferred. How to reserve one, and what a paid tour actually buys instead.
Read guide →Can You Tour the Supreme Court?
No guided tours, no tickets, no reservation. Open weekdays 9am–3pm, admission free — and why tours that include it say 'select days only'.
Read guide →What to See Inside the Library of Congress
The Great Hall and the view into the Main Reading Room. What else is worth your time, and the thing most visitors misunderstand about the reading room.
Read guide →Want the visit sorted first? See the Capitol Hill and Library tour →