Explore More of the Capitol

Freedom Fighters in the Capitol Collection

Monday through Friday – 1 p.m.
Meet four ordinary Americans whose extraordinary actions changed the course of our civil rights history. This tour visits an area not included on the Capitol Tour. 45 minutes.

Capitol Hill Day

Saturday, October 13, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join the Capitol Visitor Center and our neighbors for the first-ever Capitol Hill Day, with grounds tours, demonstrations, talks and activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages.

Dive into the history of this remarkable building. Visit our neighbors’ front steps for more outdoor activities throughout the day at the U.S. Botanic Garden and the Folger Shakespeare Library. For more information, see our website, www.visitthecapitol.gov. Weather permitting.

Capitol Hill Neighbors

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument (https://www.nps.gov/bepa)
Enjoy hands-on activities highlighting the history and nature of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The U.S. Botanic Garden (https://www.usbg.gov/)
Explore the USBG’s fascinating history, its garden and resources. Learn more about the mission and how it relates to conservation and the importance of protecting plants. Check out the chocolate cart and make a chocolate flower pin and learn about the vanilla orchid and Thomas Jefferson’s vanilla ice cream recipe.

10 a.m. U.S. Capitol Historical Society Walking Tour (https://uschs.org)
See the neighborhood and historic sites described in “Creating Capitol Hill: Place, Proprietors, and People,” the U.S. Capitol Historical Society's latest publication. Explore the streets around the Capitol as you learn about the circumstances and compromises that were necessary to create a permanent seat for the federal government. From structures still standing to those long-since destroyed, discover how hundreds of acres of wooded farmland became one of the most important communities in the nation. Meet at the Capitol Visitor Center entrance.

The Folger Shakespeare Library (https://folger.edu/)
Explore the world’s largest Shakespeare collection which sits in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol with fun activities throughout the day for all ages: Create your own version of “Macbeth” and its famous witches and spells in an interactive family program on the front lawn; Take a selfie with beloved Shakespeare bas reliefs; Tour the Folger and its national landmark building at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. and the Reading Rooms at Noon; Picnic with Puck on the west lawn; See the Folger collection at “Form & Function: The Genius of the Book,” on view from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m..

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Library of Congress (loc.gov/events)
The Library of Congress will engage neighbors with a story time and other activities inside the historic Thomas Jefferson Building and on the front plaza. This is a great opportunity to visit the Library’s Baseball Americana exhibition!

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Smithsonian National Postal Museum (https://postalmuseum.si.edu/)
Experience the amazing history of personal communication, the U.S. Postal Service, and stamp collecting at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum just a few steps from Capitol Hill and across the street from Union Station. Explore what happens when the Post Office cannot deliver your mail through our Dead Letter Office activity. Take a selfie with Mr. and Mrs. Zip. Get a temporary tattoo of America’s most famous stamp, The Inverted Jenny. Additional activities will be offered on NPM’s terrace from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Family Thursdays and Saturdays

October 4, 6, 11, 18, 20, 25, 27 Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Learn about the history of campaign buttons and create your own wearable button to take home. Meet in the entrance of Exhibition Hall. 30 minutes.

Outdoor Tour of the Capitol Grounds

Monday through Saturday – 1 p.m.
Explore the beautiful Capitol Grounds on this 50-minute guided walking tour. Meet outside the north entrance of the Capitol Visitor Center. No passes needed.