5
Great tour - warmly recommended!
Absolute wonderful tour: informative and interesting. We'll definitely be doing this and other tours again with future visitors in town.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review!
Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $48 / person
- Location
- Washington DC, United States
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 21 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 20
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- DC Design Tours
- Meeting point
- Our tour begins inside the Great Hall of Union Station under the big clock. When entering the station from the main entrance, turn right and look up to see the clock.
Description
Explore the political core of Washington DC! This tour takes visitors through the heart of Federal power in Washington DC, looking at the history of our Nation’s Capital through the lens of architecture and urban planning. From the original L'Enfant city plan to the tumultuous construction of the Capitol and Grounds, the rise of the magnificent Beaux-Arts Library of Congress and imposing Supreme Court, and into the present day. Prolific designers like Thomas Jefferson, Robert Mills, Frederick Law Olmstead, and Daniel Burnham will feature prominently. Controversy, chaos, and red tape abound! A tour not to be missed by architecture and history enthusiasts.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Union Station
We'll begin our tour in the massive Great Hall of Union Station, once the largest train station in the world. This crossroads of Presidents, diplomats, and politicians have seen the drastic transformation, from inaugurations to World Wars, and even a runaway train!
Columbus Memorial Fountain
After exploring the heights and depths of Union Station, we'll proceed past the Freedom Bell and Columbus "Fountain" to the steps of the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court
we'll take in the imposing facade and learn about the architecture, history and design of the home of our Judicial branch of government.
U.S. Capitol
We'll get great photo opportunities on the East side of the U.S. Capitol Building, and talk all about the tumultuous history of this icon of Washington.
Library of Congress
We'll be going inside the breathtaking Library of Congress. We'll delve into the elaborate design, secret symbols, and fascinating history of this important institution, before taking an underground tunnel to the Capitol.
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Our tour will conclude inside the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, where our guides would be happy to help guests join a free building interior tour, depending upon availability.
What's included
Included
Local guide
Not included
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
4.9
21 reviews
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, an alternative or full refund will be provided.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour take?
Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $48 per person for this Washington DC experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Our tour begins inside the Great Hall of Union Station under the big clock. When entering the station from the main entrance, turn right and look up to see the clock. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Iconic Capitol Hill Architectural Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Reviews(21)
9
Awesome tour!
I would highly recommend this tour, even if you are not interested in design or architecture, you are going to love it! Sam was our guide and he was awesome, he told us about the history of every pllace we went to, he was able to answer every one of our questions, he had fun facts and he even had diagrams, plans, sections of the buildings in his iPad. I will highly encourage you to book this tour (nnot sponsored) or any other of DC Design tours.
Operator response
What a nice review of Sam's tour! Thank you so much!
M
Great tour!
Thanks for a great tour. Sam was personable, informative, and fun! Especially enjoyed the historical nuggets along with the architectural info.
Operator response
Thanks so much Michelle! We love historical nuggets too! :)
C
Fantastic!
DC Design Tours and Carolyn are fantastic . You will not be disappointed. Carolyn had a wealth of interesting information and presented it in a way that we all enjoyed….even my teenagers! She is very personable and fun to spend the day with. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a DC tour!
Operator response
So glad to read your review, thank you! I had a great time with you all!
M
Worth every penny.
Took my parents on this tour and we were very impressed by the guide's deep knowledge and ability to engage our group with fun anecdotes and a sympathetic, well-informed view of the past. It's my second tour with DC Design (I took the first five years ago) and I can't recommend them enough. Plus they were very flexible--when we had to cancel because of Covid, they offered us credit, so we were able to rebook a couple of months later without any problems.
Operator response
Thanks Magda! It was an absolute pleasure meeting your family!
C
A brilliant tour - highly recommended
This was a brilliant way to spend a couple of hours in the city. Our guide Sam delivered an interesting but fun tour, starting at Union Station and including the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, and Capitol. Interesting features were pointed out and anecdotes told during a leisurely walk with time to take photos and ask questions. Recommended for everyone interested in finding out more about this beautiful city, how it was built and how it works today.
Operator response
Thank you Christine! We're so glad to read you enjoyed your Iconic Capitol Hill Tour with Sam!
0
Great tour
Great tour! Our guide was informative and funny. Even my teenager enjoyed it. Highly recommend this tour.
Operator response
So glad to hear that, thank you!
E
Interesting, fun tour
Terrific tours from our guide Carolyn at DC Design tours - we did a tour of the main monuments and it was so good we booked again and also did a tour of Arlington Cemetery. Carolyn tweaked the tours to suit our interests and stamina, held the kids (and adults) in rapt attention, answered all our questions and shared lots of details and history we would not otherwise have known with a lot of warmth and humour. Strongly recommended.
Operator response
Thank you so much! It was a pleasure touring with you and your family!
5
Memorial weekend trip
We enjoyed learning about the buildings and local history! Our guide was knowledgeable and helped to make the tour special!
Operator response
So glad to hear that, thank you for posting a review!
A
Couldn’t have been better!
Carolyn was a wonderful guide for our family group of seven. We would definitely use her on our next trip to DC. And I’ve already recommended her to several friends. Thanks for perfect experience.
Operator response
Thank you, Anne! It was my pleasure to meet and tour with your family!
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from$48
4.9(21) Free cancellation