Capitol Hill Walking Tour, Washington D.C.

Washington DC
4.9 110900 ratings
Trusted by 7,000+ Shaka Guiders
14 Must-See Stops
Curated Music
1 Starting Point
One-way Route
Half-day Walking Tour

About The Tour

Step into the heart of American democracy with Shaka Guide’s Capitol Hill Walking Tour, where iconic landmarks and untold stories bring history to life. From hidden corners rich with political intrigue, to calming gardens exploding with color, you’ll uncover the people, power, and pivotal moments that shaped the nation’s laws and leadership. It’s an immersive, guided experience that’ll make you feel like you’ve got your own personal, local tour guide—right in your pocket!


Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

• Wander through lush tropical plants and stunning seasonal blooms at the US Botanic Garden, a free oasis steps from the Capitol.
• Admire the largest equestrian statue in D.C. at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, a sweeping tribute to the Civil War general.
• Uncover the story of the women’s suffrage movement at the Belmont-Paul National Women’s Monument, its historic headquarters.
• Step inside the Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection and a breathtaking Tudor-style interior.
• Marvel at one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington at the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world.
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Capitol Hill Walking Tour, Washington D.C. Map

Explore Tour Map

Meet the Creators

Jess Conaway

Narrator & Writer

I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.

Capitol Hill Walking Tour, Washington D.C. FAQS

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
  • Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
  • Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
  • Human-created, professionally narrated tours
  • Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
  • Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
  • Expert travel tips
  • Offline access – works without data or wifi
  • Flexible, self-paced experience
  • One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
  • Lifetime access (tours never expire)
  • Reliable customer support

Exclusions:

  • Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
  • Meals
  • Attraction admission or park entrance fees
  • Parking fees
  • Live tour guide or in-person services
  • Trip planning or booking services
  • Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
  • On-demand route planning or custom directions
  • Open-ended navigation tools
Know Before You Go

Tour FAQs

1. Where does this Capitol Hill Walking Tour go?

This tour has 14 stops and follows a clockwise loop around the U.S. Capitol building, starting at Spirit of Justice Park near the Capitol South Metro station. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops, and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, Here’s What You Need To Know Before You Go!

2. What should I pack for this Capitol Hill Walking Tour?

Photo ID — required for entry into federal buildings like the Capitol
Ticket or reservation confirmations if you booked building tours in advance
Phone and headphones
Portable charger
Comfortable walking shoes — the tour includes uphill and downhill sections
Weather-appropriate clothing (hot and humid in summer, cold and windy in winter)
Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses and sunscreen for open areas around the Capitol grounds
Small backpack or crossbody bag — easier to carry through security checkpoints
Snacks
Camera if you want something beyond your phone

3. What should I budget for this Capitol Hill Walking Tour?

Most stops on this tour are free to visit. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Folger Shakespeare Library: 

Admission is free, but recommends booking timed-entry passes online in advance for the new exhibition halls. These are donation-based, and all donations go directly to funding ongoing projects 

Library of Congress: 

Free, but requires a timed-entry ticket. Can be acquired here. 

Capitol Building East Side

Admission is free, but advanced reservations for tours are encouraged. Can be made here. 

Folger Shakespeare Library is free to enter, but the organization does suggest advanced, timed-entry pass with a suggested donation to the organization (generally around $5 to $15)

4. What are the hours for the Capitol Hill stops?

US Botanic Garden: open 7 days a week 10AM - 5PM
Congressional Offices: check this website for detailed hours and information
Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument: open FRI-SUN 10AM - 5PM
Florida House: Open MON - FRI:  9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Folger Shakespeare Library: Open TUES - SUN 11AM - 6PM
US Library of Congress: Open TUES - SAT 10AM - 5PM
Supreme Court: Open weekdays 9AM - 3PM but check this website for more details on building tours and gallery seats
US Capitol Building: Visitor center open MON - SAT from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Please note: Shaka Guide’s Capitol Hill Walking Tour does not include guided tours inside any of the buildings. Visit each organization’s website for details on interior tours.

5. Can I join this Capitol Hill Walking Tour along the route?

Yes, you can join along the route at any point that works for you.

6. Can I take this Capitol Hill Walking Tour in the opposite direction?

This tour is designed as a single clockwise loop around the Capitol building, starting at Spirit of Justice Park. We recommend following the route in order for the best storytelling experience.

7. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?

Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.

8. Other Questions? Contact us!

Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.

What is an Audio Tour Guide?

Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:

GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.

Reviews

4.9 110900 Ratings

LEONARD URBANSKI II

🤥🍿🤑

Sea Sand Seashells

Guide was awesome! Totally recommend using while driving to Hana

Heather johnston

Just did the North Shore of Kauai guided tour and had the best time! I would highly recommend this app to anyone visiting Hawaï!

Chris Bacon

Great product, very fun and like having your own tour guide. The suggestion I have for developer's is on tours with multiple starting points and directions ie. clockwise and counterclockwise...

Skyler J. Yan

We love the shaka guide for our National Parks excursions! We first heard of the Shaka Guide app when we were visiting the Volcano National Park in Hawaii. The guide really helped us with th...

Connie Winter

Excellent tour. Very clear directions, well synced with GPS, and quite informative. Have a good charging cable for your phone. This app draws a lot of battery power. Great narrative filled w...

DillonPadgett

We used the big island tour for Hawaii. It was so great! Very easy to use. I liked that we had the option to turn off the in app music (which is a nice touch if you want it) and play own!

Hobie Goddess

Kona

Jen And Jeff Cherpeski

These audiotours MAKE a road trip! I've used them on Oahu and in Appalachia, and they are fantastic for seeing and doing just the right amount of stuff and in ways that usually aren't mobbed...

AngC7

Awesome - informative and timing was perfect! Great tips for the entire route!

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Capitol Hill Walking Tour, Washington D.C. $ 9.99  ·  4.9 (110900)