Supreme Court of the United States
The marble temple of the judicial branch on Capitol Hill, with a free self-guided ground-floor visit.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
You can walk into the highest court in the land for free, see the great hall and (when the courtroom's open) sit for a docent lecture in the chamber itself.
Our read - 02
The honest catch: there are no guided tours and the courtroom is only viewable when the Court isn't sitting, so what you see varies a lot by day.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
This is your first trip to Washington DC
A free, underrated stop that completes the Capitol Hill trio.
You are watching the budget
On a budget, Supreme Court of the United States still earns its price.
You only have one day
Even on a tight schedule, Supreme Court of the United States earns the hours.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Supreme Court of the United States works.
Think twice if
You are traveling with kids
With kids, give Supreme Court of the United States a miss.
You care about the visual experience
For beauty & photography, Supreme Court of the United States is hit or miss.
Plan it well
- Cost
- Free
- Timing
- Weekdays when the Court is not in session, for courtroom access and docent lectures
- Booking
- Free; self-guided only, no guided tours
- Allow
- 45 min–1 hr
- Accessibility
- Fully accessible
- Getting there
- Capitol South or Union Station Metro, on Capitol Hill