The U.S. Capitol Building

Open Monday through Saturday: 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM
(Except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)

24 Hour Tour Line: (202) 225-6827

" A government of the people, by the people, for the people..."
Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

With its majestic and imposing nine million ton cast iron dome topped with the statue Freedom, the US Capitol Building shines as a beacon of freedom and democracy to every man, woman and child on Earth. Since 1800 (except during its reconstruction after being burned during the War of 1812) senators and representatives of every race and creed, who have been elected by the people, have been meeting in the US Capitol to discuss and create legislation for the benefit of the American people. Here at the Capitol, the entire world witnesses the peaceful secession of power in the US from one President to another. It is here that inspiring words "with malice towards none and charity for all", "we have nothing to fear but fear itself" and "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country", and endless more have enkindled the American spirit and pressed the nation forward in times of hope and despair; and war and peace. And, here too, hundreds of thousands of mourners have come in silence to pay their final respect to 27 distinguished and outstanding Americans who have lain in State in the rotunda. Whether you take a tour, walk through on your own, watch the Senate or House in session, the Capitol is a MUST SEE while visiting in Washington, DC!

NEARBY: The Library of Congress

(Closed on Sundays and all Federal Holidays)

Exhibit Halls Open:

Tours:

" Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
James Madison

How many items are in the Library of Congress? Would you believe over 105,000,000??? The Library has over 540 miles of book shelf space--that's as far as from Washington, DC to Detroit, Michigan!! It's said that it would take the average American reader over 14,000 years to read everything inside the Library!! The Library of Congress is the world's largest library. And surprisingly, most of the materials the Library owns are in languages other than English. And the library doesn't just have books, you'll find the largest collection of maps in the world, musical instruments-- even a Stradivarius violin, films, records, and tapes. The Library even owns a perfect copy of the Gutenberg Bible, its most prized possession The Library's name means just what it says, it's the Library of the US Congress and they are allowed to borrow any of the materials. For everyone else, the Library is used for research and even though you can't borrow a book, if you're 18 or older and an American citizen you can use the materials while you're there. (Don't forget to bring your ID). The Library is an extremely valuable resource for people interested in tracing their family genealogy.

NEARBY: The Supreme Court

(Closed all Federal Holidays)

Open Monday thru Friday 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM
Lecture Tours: Once an Hour Beginning at 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM

" A Constitution is framed for ages to come, and is designed to approach immortality as nearly as human institutions can approach it. Its course cannot always be tranquil."
Chief Justice John Marshall 1821

Across the street from the magnificent Capitol Building, stands an equally awe inspiring structure with the inscription "Equal Justice Under Law" carved into the frieze. This is home of one of the three branches of the US government; the judicial branch. But for the Supreme Court Justices, this is a relatively new home. The Supreme Court was established by the US Constitution and created in 1790, and from its inception, the Court had always shared the US Capitol Building with the US Congress (if you visit the Capitol, you can still observe the first Supreme Court chambers). Through the efforts of William H. Taft, the 27th President of the US, and later, but just as importantly, Chief Justice of the US, in 1935, the Supreme Court moved from the Capitol to its own headquarters. The Supreme Court, which consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, is the highest court in America. Each year, more than 7,000 different petitions will be sent for their review, but the Court will listen to oral arguments on about only 120 of those petitions. If you're visiting in Washington, DC from the 2nd week in October until the end of April or beginning of May, you might be able to sit and observe the Justices reviewing a case. Every other week, when the Justices are hearing oral arguments, the public is permitted to sit in the gallery and follow the trial. If the court is not hearing arguments when you're in Washington, you'll still be able to enjoy a lecture tour or simply walk around the exhibit halls on your own.

NEARBY: US Botanic Gardens

Open Every Day of the Year: 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM

" Beauty is the Creator of the Universe."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

If enjoying the beauty and grace of vibrant and luxurious bouquets of flowers and plants strikes your fancy, then you won't find a better place anywhere in the world than at the US Botanic Gardens to soak in the rich and luscious bounty of Mother Nature! Bursting with thousands of varieties of flowers and plants, the US Botanic Gardens has earned the nickname " the Greenhouse of America." Savor the elegant grace of the exotic orchid collection, ramble through the Dinosaur Garden and envision a Tyrannosaurus munching on lunch, or simply take time to smell the roses. No matter what season you're visiting, you're sure to catch one of the sensational seasonal flower shows. And that splendid fountain located in the outdoor garden was created by Auguste Bartholdi, the same artist who sculpted America's Statue of Liberty.