UNITED STATES CAPITOL BUILDING AND GROUNDS:

Visits to the inside of the historic Capitol building begin at the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the East Front Plaza, to visit areas inside the Capitol beyond the Capitol Visitor Center, you must make a reservation in advance. The historic Capitol Grounds are open 24 hours-a-day everyday of the year, with the exception of special events.   

Guided tours of the historic Capitol begin at the orientation theaters with a 13-minute film, "Out of Many, One," which will take you on a journey through our country's struggle to establish the world's first truly representative democracy and introduce you to the magnificent building that houses our Congress.

Tours: All tours are free of charge. To book your tour at: http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/book_a_tour/index.html.

Note that tour schedules can fill up quickly (particularly in spring), so it is advisable to book your tour well in advance of your visit.

Hours: The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.

Prohibited Items: A number of items are prohibited in the Capitol building, including food or beverages of any kind. Make sure to read the complete list of prohibited items before visiting.

More information: http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/

 
U.S. BOTANIC GARDEN:

The United States Botanic Garden Conservatory is a window to the world. Its exhibits span 150 million years, the range of global environments, as well as botany, economy and culture – all the ways plants are important to how we live and our planet's survival. The Garden includes the Conservatory; the National Garden, which opened in 2006; and Bartholdi Park, which was created in 1932.

Tours: Free 45-minute highlight tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival. Tickets are not required to visit the Conservatory or Garden; some special programs require advance registration.

Hours:
Conservatory: open 10 a.m - 5 p.m. daily, including all weekends & holidays.
National Garden: open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
Bartholdi Park: open dawn to dusk, daily, including all weekends & holidays

More information: http://www.usbg.gov/your-visit/index.cfm

 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS:

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.

Tours: The Library of Congress offers hour-long, fully accessible docent-led tours of the historic Thomas Jefferson Building. During your tour you will learn about the Building’s symbolic art and architecture and view the grandeur of the Main Reading Room. No advance reservation or tickets are needed for individuals or families. Group information is available at http://www.loc.gov/visit/tours/.

Hours: The Jefferson Building West and the Library of Congress Experience is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Jefferson Building is closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Library has special hours for its reading rooms. For researcher information, please see the Reading Room hours.

More information: http://www.loc.gov/visit/

 
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES:

The Supreme Court Building was designed by Cass Gilbert and built from 1931 to 1935. The Court first sat in the building on Monday, October 7, 1935. The building, majestic in size and rich in ornamentation, serves as both home to the Court and the manifest symbol of its importance as a coequal, independent branch of government.

The business of the Court or unforeseen factors such as inclement weather may affect public access to the building requiring changes in the Courtroom lecture schedule and/or the building's hours of operation.

Tours: Although the Supreme Court does not offer guided walking tours, visitors are encouraged to tour the building on their own and take advantage of a variety of educational programs including Courtroom Lectures, a visitors’ film, and court-related exhibitions. 

Hours: Monday – Friday (except Federal Holidays) 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed on Saturday and Sunday.

More information: http://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/visitorservices.aspx

 
OTHER NEAR-BY PLACES OF INTEREST:

White House
Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance.

These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fridays, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge. (Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.)

If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.

More information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events/

Smithsonian Museums
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities.

Most Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are free and open every day of the year except December 25. View a complete list of hours and get more information on planning your visit.

More information: http://www.si.edu/Visit/Index/map-mall.

National Mall
Officially established in 1965, National Mall and Memorial Parks actually protects some of the older parkland in the National Park System. Areas within this premier park provide visitors with ample opportunities to commemorate presidential legacies; honor the courage and sacrifice of war veterans; and celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality.

More information: http://www.nps.gov/nacc/planyourvisit/index.htm