National Mall Itinerary: Things to Do Near Capitol Hill
Planning a day in Washington, DC around things to do near Capitol Hill can help you see a big check on the National Mall without a ton of walking. If you are interested in the Capitol Hill area, you are likely most interested in the US Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress. All of these highlights are easy to walk to, close together, and can be planned for a single visit. If you have extra time, consider a visit to the Botanic Gardens right next to the US Capitol. Below, I’ll cover how to visit each of these sites plus a few extra nearby museums.
The US Capitol
Grab an early tour time at the US Capitol if you can so you have the rest of the day to enjoy the museums. Tours are offered Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every 10 minutes until 3:20 pm. The route is subject to change but generally includes the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Staturary Hall. Reservations are highly recommended but you can also check each for same day tickets until 2:30 pm – but go early for the most same day availability. Tours are free and last about 1 hour. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes to an hour to walk the grounds and explore the gift shop.
If you can’t or do not want to do a tour of the Captiol, the grounds are truly stunning. You can visit the Vistior Center and the cafe without a ticket. I especially love to walk around the back and take in the grandeur of the building. This is a great place for photos and reflection.
The Library of Congress
See the beautiful archetcture, rotating exhibits, and beloved main reading room at the The Library of Congress. There are no tours offered by there are volunteers stationed around the library to share stories and answer questions. The Library of Congress is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm with extended hours on Thursday until 8 pm. Reserved timed-tickets are required.
The Supreme Court
The Surpreme Court does not offer guided tours but visitors are invited to self tour the building Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. The Court is closed on weekends, federal holidays, and anytime visitor may interupt court. There is a calendar on the website where you can keep up with the schedule.
While you there, you can visit the Courtroom and. The Great Hall. Plus, explore many public exhibits including John Marshall’s bench chair and portraits of notable “firsts” like Sandra Day O’Connor.
Nearby Museums
Depending on how you plan your day, you will likely only have time for one or two museums. Museums are listed in order based on proximity to the US Capitol, but I always recommend choosing museums based on your interests.
The Botanic Gardens and the Smithsonian Museums list below are to the right of the Capitol (when facing it), and the National Gallery of Art is to the left. All museums are free.
The US Botanic Gardens
The US Botanic Gardens is the closest museum to the US Capitol Building. You can visit the indoor exhibits to see planets from around the world and the outside gardens featuring plants local to the mid-Atlantic. I especially enjoy the tropics exhibit because you can explore both the floor level and the catwalk to see the plants from different perspectives.
The US Botanic Gardens is a great stop for times outside the typical museum hours of 10 am to 5 pm. Walk the outside gardens as early at 7:30 am and enjoy extended evening hours (7 pm) from April to mid-September.
The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is huge! This museum consists of an East Building with contemporary art and a West Building with European and American masterpieces. If you’re an art lover, you can easily spend all day here, but if you are short on time, you can stick to a few highlights. Check out daily, 1 hour tours of either the West or East Building to efficiently see some of the highlights. The West Building tours vary by topic so check the website before you go. Visitors also love to visit the roof of the East Building to take photos with the blue rooster and catch some great views of the Capitol.
This museum is not part of the Smithsonian but is free to visit. The famous National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is also part of this museum but is farther away from the Capitol. However, this is a fun green space to rest or grab lunch from the cafe. Outside food is also allowed. An ice skating rink is open in the garden from mid-November to mid-March.
National Museum of the American Indian
The Museum of the American Indian stands out for its unique artcheture, beloved cafe, and well done exhibits. Visitors will find a lot of information covered in schools but also a thoughtful deep dive into the evolving understanding of lesser told American stories. If you are short on time, take in the beautiful archeture outside and don’t miss the powerful, ongoing Americans exhibit. Locals generally agree the cafe in this museum is one of the best if you need a snack stop.
Air and Space Museum
Some parts of the Air and Space Museum are closed off but the exhibits that are open are beautifully done and worth a visit. It’s also an easy museum to see quickly on a busy day near Capitol Hill. See the orginial Wright Brothers plane, peak inside some commercial planes, explore facts about the solar system, and step back in time to the moon landing. For additional cost, you can also see a 25 minute planetarium show. Due to the smaller footprint and popularity of this museum, free timed-tickets are required.
Do not confuse the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall with the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. They both focus on space but the Udvar-Hazy Center is a large wearhouse featuring many planes and the Space Shuttle. The Air and Space Museum in DC focuses more on the storytelling of early flight through space travel. Check out this blog for a more detailed comparison.
Hirshhorn Museum
The Hirshhorn Museum is a beloved contemporary art museum with many rotating exhibits. Some exhibits are very popular and require tickets but not timed-tickets are required to see the museum as a whole. Check the website for specifics about a month before your trip.
This museum is a bit of a hike from the Capitol but is about the same distance as the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (listed above). The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden is currently under extensive renovation, but the museum is still open.