Capitol / Supreme Court / Library of Congress

Question

Hi all. I'm making my first trip to DC (actually my first ever trip to the US!) in May. Travelling over from the UK. I'm currently putting together an itinerary and on my wish list to tour are the US Capitol, Supreme Court and the Library of Congress.

Would really appreciate any pointers or advice with these. Is is a good idea to visit all three in a day? If so approximately how much time should I allow for each? I know I need to book a time for the Capitol which is the main one I want to visit but not sure about the other two, can I just turn up for those? I there a day of the week or time of day that is best avoided?

I be in DC in the week of Memorial Day.

Thanks!

Answer

Hi and welcome to the US! Planning a visit to the US Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress in one day is definitely doable, especially if you focus on the highlights of each and plan your timing carefully.

US Capitol:

You will need to book a guided tour in advance, which is highly recommended as it fills up quickly, especially around Memorial Day week.
Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for the tour, including security and any time spent exploring the Capitol Visitor Center exhibits.
Mornings are generally less crowded, so an early slot is ideal.

Supreme Court:

No reservations are required if you just want to see the building and the main hall. If you want to attend an oral argument, you will need to check the schedule and lines form early.
Allow about 45 minutes to 1 hour for a visit, including any exhibits in the lobby and reading about landmark cases.
Try to avoid late afternoons when visitor services may start closing, especially around holiday weeks.

Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building):

Generally, you can just walk in and explore the main areas and the beautiful reading rooms. Guided tours are also available on the hour.
Plan for at least 1 to 1.5 hours to enjoy the architecture, exhibitions, and special collections.
Avoid Mondays, as some tours and exhibits may not be fully available, and mid-morning to early afternoon is usually the best time.

Planning Tips:

All three sites are within a short walking distance of each other on the east side of the National Mall, so walking between them is convenient.
Start with the Capitol in the morning, then the Library of Congress, and finish at the Supreme Court. This flow reduces backtracking and allows for lunch breaks nearby.
Memorial Day week can be busy, so book the Capitol tour early, and try to visit the Library of Congress mid-morning to avoid heavier crowds.
Security is required at all three sites, so factor in extra time for metal detectors and bag checks.

With careful timing, you can comfortably visit all three in a single day and have time to enjoy each building without feeling rushed.