Come face to face with history on this 5-hour combo highlights tour, mixing the best of the National Archives with the architectural marvels of Capitol Hill. Passionate expert guides will entertain and inform you, maximizing your experience and time.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
- COVID-19 precautions
- Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
- Private or small groups available
- Mobile ticketing
- Use your phone or print your voucher
- Duration 5 - 5.5 hours
- Starting time 10:00 AM
- Instant confirmation
- Live tour guide
- English
Experience
Highlights
- Enjoy a combination of 2 guided highlights tours with a personal touch
- Admire the Bill of Rights and Magna Carta of 1297 and a citation issued to civil rights activist Rosa Parks
- See the exteriors of the Capitol Building and Supreme Court
- Visit the Thomas Jefferson library, featuring a real Gutenberg Bible
- Choose between Semi-Private group or Private tour options
Full description
This 5-hour combination tour starts with the National Archives, the neoclassical building considered a temple to American history. Your local English speaking guide will not only be an expert on the archives, but will also share a mix of historical & political information, background stories and surprising details with you.
Visit the National Archives Rotunda to learn about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution while reading the perfectly-preserved documents from the 17th and 18th centuries. You will also see the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers featuring the signatures of world-famous statesmen like Alexander Hamilton. Discover the Public Vaults Exhibits, where letters written by presidents including George Washington and John F. Kennedy are on display. Have a look at the Emancipation Proclamation, which helped end slavery in the 19th century. Study a citation issued to civil rights activist Rosa Parks and examine even older documents like the Magna Carta of 1297 in the Rubenstein Gallery.
After a break, the tour explores Capitol Hill on foot - the epicenter of activity in Washington DC. Your knowledgeable local guide will show the exteriors of the Supreme Court, the Capitol building and the Library of Congress as well as the interior of the Main Reading Room. In addition, admire the Statue of Freedom and the Thomas Jefferson library with a real Gutenberg Bible. You can also learn about the judicial system at the Museum of the Supreme Court and maybe get a peek inside the actual courtroom.
Includes
- Professional, local expert guide
- 2-hour highlights tour of the National Archives Building
- 2-hour highlights walking tour of Capitol Hill
- Private or small group tour of no more than 8 people
- Hotel pickup or drop-off
- Food or drink
- Temporary exhibits
- Gratuities (optional)
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Customers must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed
Safety measures in place
- All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
- The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
- Customers must bring their own headphones
- Customers are required to bring and wear masks
- Customers must fill out a travel information form
- Customers will get a mandatory temperature check
Select participants and date
Participants
Date
Prepare for the activity
Meeting point
Meeting point varies depending on option booked.
Important information
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
Not allowed
- Luggage or large bags
Know before you go
- You must bring a valid photo ID
- There is a maximum of 8 people per group for private tours
- Please advise when booking if you require a wheelchair accessible tour
- There is a minimum number of 2 people required for the tour to operate and if this is not met and you will be offered an alternative date or full refund
- National Archives may be subject to closures without prior warning from the museum management and you will be provided with an appropriate alternative
- Some rooms inside the archives are subject to quiet or restricted right to speak so your guide will provide the information about the rooms before entering
- Large bags are not permitted through security but you can bring a handbag or small thin backpack
- It is recommended to bring comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, an umbrella in case of rain, and a hat during summer
- There is the possibility to get a ticket for a tour of the Capitol’s interior
