Private Guided Tour: DC National Archives Building & Capitol Hill


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From $179.14

9 reviews   (5.00)

Price varies by group size

Lowest Price Guarantee

Pricing Info: Per Person

Duration: 5 hours

Departs: Washington DC, Washington DC

Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance.

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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.


What's Included

Duration 5.5 Hours (Including Lunch Break)

Guided Walking Tour & Museum Tour

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

Private Transportation Included Between Tour Locations If Necessary

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

Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine

What's Not Included

Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)

Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)


Traveler Information

  • CHILD: Age: 0 - 9
  • YOUTH: Age: 10 - 17
  • ADULT: Age: 18 - 99

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • 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 tim
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • 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.
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • 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 tim
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • 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.

Cancellation Policy

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

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.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free


Reviews

Great Tour and VERY informative
Jim I, 18-10-2022
Richard did a great job and used his unique ability as a story teller to convey an easy understanding of the subjects in a very informative way.
National Archives
Lse218, 13-09-2022
Richard was great, I would highly recommend him to friends and family. He was great with communicating with the group.
Phenomenal
KJW20769, 06-06-2022
Richard was Amazing!!! He guided us on two tours yesterday. We could not have had a better guide ever! He also went above and beyond and helped us get 2 tables combined at a local restaurant last night. Words cannot express how engaging he is. Our family was blown away with his knowledge. We all feel like we have a new beat friend in DC. We plan on keeping in touch, as our daughter lives here and wants to book him for her future tours. We loved every minute and was sad when our day came to a close.
America!
noral715, 11-04-2022
Babylon has the best guides. Kimberly was a scholar and we enjoyed our time at the archives. Definitely do this tour right at 10am when the gallery opens so you beat the crowd.
Exceptional
eletang, 06-03-2022
Knowledgeable and professional and know history very well. She leaves room to ask questions. Good sense of humor.




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