DC’s Political Power Hub: Plan Your Visit
We first explored fascinating museums, historical monuments and gorgeous spring blooms around the Tidal Basin, now we will head towards the center of political power in DC.
There is a glimmer of hope with people getting vaccinated around the world for this pandemic to be more controllable and for travel to finally resume. In the meantime, there are certain places that need advanced planning to have a truly successful trip. DC is packed with museums that you can easily pop into for same-day visits. However, for true political junkies who want to go on an informational tour of the Capitol, the White House, and/or sit in at a Supreme Court hearing, you do need to plan these visits in advance. Sometimes up to three months in advance, especially for the White House.
Most places in DC are temporarily closed to the public right now, but when they do reopen, here are some tips to help you navigate the booking process.
The guided tour of the US Capitol includes visiting the Crypt, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall. You will hear many fascinating historical stories and the one that stands out in my memory is the special whisper spot in Statuary Hall. If you stand at this specific spot, you will be able to hear a whisper from the other end of the vast hall. We tried it and it worked!
For US residents, contact the office of your senators or representatives to request for a tour and they will be able to arrange it for you. International visitors and US residents can also book a tour via the US Capitol Visitor Center website. Tours are free but be sure to hang on to your tickets!
If you want to take a chance, you can pop by the tour kiosks at the East and West fronts of the Capitol or at the information desk at the visitor center’s lower level. They may have a limited number of same-day passes available.
Note that the Senate and House galleries are not a part of the tour and requires separate passes to enter. US residents can obtain their passes through the offices of their senators or representatives. International visitors can obtain their passes at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center.
The Capitol building is impressive from the outside even if you don’t get to go on a tour. The surrounding 68-acre park is surrounded by trees (especially cherry blossom trees in Spring) and you may catch a senator or two walking by with their aides fastidiously taking notes.
This house needs no introduction. No matter which country you’re from, chances are you have heard of the White House. The official workplace and residence of the president of the United States, it takes “work from home” to another level entirely.
There are limited self-guided tours from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., from Tuesday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. US residents should plan ahead and submit an email request to their representatives up to three months in advance or no later than 21 days of your planned visit. International visitors will have to contact their home country’s embassies in DC to request for a tour.
Understandably, security at the White House is incredibly strict, so be sure to bring your identification (driver’s licenses or passports) and try to carry a small bag or none at all on the day of your visit.
The Supreme Court is possibly the most significant building in DC, even more so than the US Capitol and the White House. The highest court in the American judicial system, Supreme Court judges have the power to decide on appeals on cases brought in by the federal court or state court dealing with federal law.
You may visit the building Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on weekends and federal holidays). But if you’re a history/law buff, you can actually attend an oral argument and potentially watch history in the making.
Plan ahead by checking the calendar on the Supreme Court’s website if there’s a particular argument you’re interested in attending.
All oral arguments are open to the public but seating is limited. There will be two lines in front of the building, one is for those who wish to attend an entire argument, and the other is for those who just want to stay for three minutes or so. Seating for the first argument will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the three-minute line at 10 a.m. Do get there early to line up if you want to attend the entire argument. Note that some politcally-charged cases may attract a larger crowd than usual. Typically, only the first 50 people in line are able to get in for the entire session, so do get there early to secure a spot.
If you are unable to attend an oral argument, you may attend a 30-minute courtroom lecture on the history of the Supreme Court and the building. These lectures are held every hour on the half-hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.