The Basics

Address: 1 First Street NE, Washington DC 20543 · Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–4:30pm · Admission: Free · Metro: Capitol South (Blue/Orange/Silver) or Union Station (Red Line)

The building sits directly across from the US Capitol on First Street. The neoclassical marble structure was built in 1935 and carries the inscription Equal Justice Under Law above the main entrance.

What You Can See on a Regular Visit

The Great Hall runs along the main floor and is lined with busts of every former Chief Justice — you’re walking past the faces of the people who shaped American law for over two centuries.

The Courtroom is the main event. You can enter and look around when court is not in session. A docent gives a free courtroom lecture at the bottom of every hour — about 30 minutes, covers how the court works and the significance of the room. The docents are good at making it accessible for all ages.

Ground floor exhibits cover the history of the court and landmark decisions. Plan 30–45 minutes for the exhibits alone.

The cafeteria is open to the public — a legitimate hidden gem for a quick lunch on the Hill. Not fancy, but convenient and cheap by DC standards.

Watching Oral Arguments Live

From the first Monday in October through late April, the Supreme Court hears oral arguments — the actual cases. Both sides get 30 minutes to argue before the nine justices. It is one of the most extraordinary things you can witness in Washington DC, and it’s open to the public.

The court runs a pilot online lottery program for courtroom seating — apply for up to 4 tickets per argument session at supremecourt.gov. Seats are also available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of argument. For a high-profile case, people line up the night before. For a lower-profile argument, arriving by 6–7am typically gets you in.

Bench Opinions — from mid-May through late June, the court announces its decisions on Monday mornings at 10am. Open to the public, no advance planning required.

Argument schedule: Cases generally heard Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10am and 11am during session weeks. Check supremecourt.gov before you go.

Important Rules Before You Go

• No photography inside the building. Court officers enforce this strictly. You can photograph the exterior and plaza freely.
• No food or drinks inside (cafeteria excepted).
• No large bags or backpacks — security screening required for all visitors.
• The building closes to general visitors on court session days unless you have a seat for oral arguments. Check supremecourt.gov before making the trip.
• No parking at the building. Metro is your best option.

For Families: Why This Is Worth the Trip

This is one of the best civics experiences in the entire city for kids — and genuinely underused by DC-area families. Think about what it means for a child to stand in the actual room where cases like Brown v. Board of Education were argued. The courtroom lectures are designed to be accessible to all ages. The exhibits explain the court’s role without assuming prior knowledge.

Getting There

Metro: Capitol South station (Blue/Orange/Silver Line) — about a 5-minute walk. Union Station (Red Line) is about 10–12 minutes on foot.

From the Capitol: A 3-minute walk across First Street. These two stops pair perfectly together.

There is no on-site parking. Street parking on Capitol Hill is limited and heavily enforced. Read our parking near the US Capitol guide before driving in.

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