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Timing for Capitol tour and LOC tour

We have a confirmed booking for the public tour of the US Capitol Build at 12:20PM. Library of Congress is nearby, and we plan to tour it on the same day. The earliest morning tour is 10AM, but I am not sure if it is too rushed. We are asked to arrive at the Capitol 45 minutes ahead of the time.

We are now leaning towards booking an afternoon tour of LOC. How long does the Capitol tour last? How much time we need to allocate to the LOC. Would 3PM work?

Thanks in advance for help.

The public tour of the U.S. Capitol Building typically lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Since you are asked to arrive 45 minutes before your 12:20 PM tour, you should plan to be at the Capitol by roughly 11:35 AM. After the tour, it may take a little time to exit, go through security, and walk over to the Library of Congress (LOC), which is adjacent to the Capitol.

The Library of Congress is a large building with multiple reading rooms and exhibits. For a general visitor tour, most people spend about 1 to 1.5 hours. This allows you to see the Main Reading Room, Thomas Jefferson Building highlights, and any temporary exhibits without feeling rushed.

Given this timing:

  • Capitol tour ends around 1:15–1:30 PM
  • Walk to the Library of Congress: 5–10 minutes
  • Lunch or short break: optional 30 minutes

Booking an afternoon tour of the Library of Congress at 3 PM would work comfortably. You would have enough time after your Capitol tour to transition and have a small break if desired, without feeling hurried.

Tips:

  • Consider grabbing a quick snack or light lunch between tours if you have a 1–2 hour gap.
  • If interested in spending more time in the LOC, arriving slightly earlier than 3 PM allows you to explore the main hall and gift shop at your own pace.
  • Check the LOC website for any special exhibits that may have separate timed entry requirements.

In summary, a 12:20 PM Capitol tour followed by a 3 PM Library of Congress tour is a reasonable schedule and should provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

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