Capitol Hill Photos

Capitol Hill is the center of politics in Washington DC, but is also a neighborhood where a wide range of people live, work and play. The following photos show the key buildings where important government decisions are made as well as the surrounding area which includes beautiful row houses, restaurants, shopping, schools, parks, places or worship and more.

For information about visiting the area, see Capitol Hill Neighborhood Guide

01 of 17

Images of the Most Powerful Neighborhood in Washington DC

capitol-complex.jpg
Photo © MATTES Renà / hemis.fr

The U.S. Capitol Building, the meeting chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives, is one of the most recognizable historic buildings in Washington, DC. In addition to the Capitol Building, six Congressional office buildings make up the Capitol Complex.

Continue to 2 of 17 below.
02 of 17

Capitol Hill Row Houses

Capitol Hill Row Houses
© Philippe Marion

Capitol Hill is the largest residential historic district in Washington, DC with many of its 19th and 20th century row houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Continue to 3 of 17 below.
03 of 17

Library of Congress

Main reading room in Library of Congress

Victoria Chamberlain / TripSavvy

The Library of Congress in Washington, DC, is the world’s largest library containing more than 128 million items including books, manuscripts, films, photographs, sheet music and maps.

Continue to 4 of 17 below.
04 of 17

Union Station

Photo © Miller Taylor

Union Station is Washington’s train station and premier shopping mall located on Capitol Hill.

Continue to 5 of 17 below.
05 of 17

Supreme Court

Supreme Court
© Getty Images

The Supreme Court is one of the prime landmarks on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. Visitors can take a self-guided tour Monday through Friday. 

Continue to 6 of 17 below.
06 of 17

Pennsylvania Avenue SE

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Pennsylvania Avenue SE is the main shopping corridor on Capitol Hill in Washington DC

Continue to 7 of 17 below.
07 of 17

U.S. Botanic Garden

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is a living plant museum located across from the U.S. Capitol Building.

Continue to 8 of 17 below.
08 of 17

National Postal Museum

© Smithsonian Institution

The National Postal Museum is a part of the Smithsonian Institution and features engaging exhibits about sending, receiving and delivering mail. It is located across the street from Union Station in Washington DC.

Continue to 9 of 17 below.
09 of 17

Upper Senate Park

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Upper Senate Park is located to the north of the U.S. Capitol Building at New Jersey and Constitution Avenues in Washington DC and is a popular spot for political rallies and for Congressional staffers to gather on a nice day.

Continue to 10 of 17 below.
10 of 17

Folger Shakespeare Library

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare materials and collections of other rare Renaissance books, manuscripts, and works of art.

Continue to 11 of 17 below.
11 of 17

Eastern Market

© Miller Taylor

Eastern Market was built in 1873 and today is one of the few public markets left in Washington, DC. The farmers market offers fresh produce and flowers, delicatessen, baked goods, meat, fish, poultry, cheese and dairy products. The Market Lunch is known for its crab cakes and blueberry pancakes. 

Continue to 12 of 17 below.
12 of 17

Christopher Columbus Statue

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain and Statue is located at Union Station at Massachusetts Ave. & 1st St. in Washington DC. The memorial is a large fountain with carvings of a native American, an elderly European, the figure of "Discovery" on the prow of a ship, and a globe.

Continue to 13 of 17 below.
13 of 17

Supreme Court Statue

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The statue "Authority of Law" (James Earle Fraser, sculptor) on the south side of the Supreme Court's entrance

Continue to 14 of 17 below.
14 of 17

Supreme Court Statue

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The statue "Contemplation of Justice" (James Earle Fraser, sculptor) on the north side of the Supreme Court's entrance

Continue to 15 of 17 below.
15 of 17

E Capitol St. NE

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Capitol Hill is the largest residential historic district in Washington, DC with many of its 19th and 20th century row houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Continue to 16 of 17 below.
16 of 17

BikeStation

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Bikestation Washington, DC, located at Union Station, is a 1,600 sq. ft. secure bike storage facility that allows commuters to take public transportation to the station, pick up their bicycles and go to work, shopping or entertainment.

Continue to 17 of 17 below.
17 of 17

Robert Taft Memorial and Carillon

Photo © Miller Taylor

The Robert A. Taft Memorial is located north of the Capitol, on Constitution Avenue between New Jersey Avenue and First Street, NW. It is a tribute to Senator Robert Taft who was elected to the Senate in 1938 and served until his death on July 31, 1953. The memorial consists of a 10-foot bronze statue of Senator Taft and a 100-foot marble tower with 27 bells. The large central bell strikes on the hour, while the smaller fixed bells chime on the quarter-hour.