The Capitol at Night: Scandals, Murder, Politics Adults Only Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Step into the dramatic side of Capitol Hill on a walking tour filled with political intrigue, scandal, and shocking moments from American history. From secret affairs and courtroom dramas to duels of honor and deadly rivalries, discover the stories Congress would rather forget. Along the way you’ll hear about spies in the Civil War, lawmakers attacked on the Senate floor, a journalist’s murder on the Capitol steps, and even a scandalous love story that shook Washington society. This tour reveals that behind the marble monuments and grand institutions of Capitol Hill lies a history packed with ambition, betrayal, and controversy. Join us to explore the scandals, secrets, and sensational stories that unfolded just steps from the U.S. Capitol.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Capitol Hill
After dark, Capitol Hill tells a very different story. On this adults-only evening walking tour, your guide takes you through the dramatic, outrageous, and often shocking history that unfolded in the shadow of Congress, from deadly duels and scandalous affairs to smuggling schemes and backdoor political deals. With the iconic dome glowing overhead and stops past the Supreme Court and Library of Congress, this is Washington at its most gloriously unfiltered.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has burned more than once, and Congress managed to make it worse each time. After the British destroyed the original collection in 1814, a chimney fire in 1851 took out another 35,000 of the 55,000 volumes before legislators finally agreed to build a separate, fireproof building in 1864. The stunning Jefferson Building you see tonight is the result of Congress finally, reluctantly, deciding that the nation's books were worth protecting. We do not enter any buildings on this tour.
Options
Capitol Hill at Night: Scandal
Private Capitol Hill at Night
Private Walking Tour: Same great tour; just your group and your tour guide. Group size: Larger groups can contact us to book multiple guides.
What‘s Included
Adult Only Tour
Professional Local Tour Guide & Gossip Peddler
Nightime views of US Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, National Mall and more...
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Self paced tour on your own time
jamie h,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great way to go at your own pace, eliminate any stops you’ve already covered, try to get it as concise as possible when you have a tight schedule. Enjoyed the info!
Beautiful night for a walking tour.
Maria V,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time learning of the scandals of the past with Ingrid. It was a perfect night and a perfectly paced walk around the Capitol. The stories were very well presented .
Enjoy the Capital at Dusk with Less Crowds!
Zach M,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00You meet your guide at the capital south metro exit. There is only one exit. The tour is very informative with lots if very interesting stories. The capital is about two blocks away. There are a few stops before the capital including the supreme court. Rebecca is very passionate about history and a great storyteller. We went in May and the crowds were smaller at these monuments as the sun set. Great time to get photos. Rebecca had a tablet with photos of the characters that starred in the stories. Our favorite story involved Alice Roosevelt. Highly recommend!
I recommend for first dates and patriots.
ryw7xksc6p,May 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an absolutely amazing experience for a history buff. Inga is delightful and engaged with us the entire time!
Book it!
hannahmO1516AY,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour and we loved our tour guide Ingeborg, she was super knowledgeable and personable. Learned a lot of info we didn’t know and walking around the Capitol at night was gorgeous. Definitely recommended!
Great experience,...
Danyelle J,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience, wonderful stories. Inga was very accommodating for our small group and knowledgeable about all the topics. I definitely recommend this tour to anyone.
Rebecca was awesome and...
Jamie G,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rebecca was awesome and shared some really great stories. As we wandered museums the day after our tour, my husband and I kept recalling stories shared with us and looking for specific figures in photos (we found Alice Roosevelt more than once!). It was a great time and I would recommend it to anyone interested.
A great couples tour after the museums close
timcN3120ZN,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I were looking for an activity to do after the museum's closed. We are The parting type and don't drink so it limits the options. I saw this tour and thought it looked interesting so we signed up. Trevor was awesome! He was very engaging, told great stories and allowed you to learn a little bit of history and a fun way. The tour is listed as 1.5 hours and we finished at a little over that time. He had an iPad where he could show pictures of the people he was talking about and that helped you visualize some of the stories a bit better. Hopefully people can understand that with the government shutdown, there's still lots of great things to do in the city and this is one of them. I love the fact that I have a little bit of hearing loss for my younger days of listening to the radio too loud and I was able to hear Trevor perfectly. In a city where the surroundings can be a little bit loud, having a tour guide that is loud enough for the person in the back row to hear is hard and Trevor checks that box. If you have a chance to go on a tour with Trevor, take it. You won't be disappointed.
Super fun, scandalous tour!
H4831YBheatherb,Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ingeborg was an amazing guide - the perfect amount of scandal all told with wit & humor. My friend and I had so much fun! Would def recommend and will do other tours with this group!
Fun informative tour....
Elizabeth K,Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun informative tour. Trevor was great. We all had a good time. Good answers to random questions we asked.
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