The Capitol’s Christmas Tree

The Capitol’s Christmas Tree

Since 1970 the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service has provided the Architect of the Capitol with Christmas trees. The source of the trees rotates through nine national forests with this year’s 55’ Engelmann spruce coming from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. It was cut down on November 5 and then made a five day journey by truck to the West Front of the Capitol. A crane was used to set it in place following which it was decorated with thousands of ornaments made by the people of Colorado. Since visitors can walk completely around the tree, it can’t have a bad side you can hide against the wall. The Speaker of the House of Representatives lights the tree to officially start the Capitol’s holiday season.

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
2 to 6

Above It All - Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Perched on a hill overlooking the city it is the second largest cathedral in the country and the 6th largest in the world. It is a living work of art filled with stained-glass, hand-carved wood, and wrought iron. While a modern structure (finished in 1990) it is constructed in the old-world way and has no structural steel.

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Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Hidden on Capitol Hill

Few people think beyond the Capitol when they think of the Hill. This tour takes you to the heart of a neighborhood with a fascinating history that still speaks to us today. Learn about these famous locations from a former Capitol Hill resident.

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Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Embassy Row: Divinity & Diplomats

Most Embassy Row tours don’t venture far beyond Dupont Circle. But ours does. We see it all from top to bottom. This stretch of Massachusetts Avenue used to be called Millionaires Row where Gilded Age robber-barons built grand mansions. Today those mansions house most of Washington’s embassies, along with private clubs and statues of world heroes such as Mandela, Gandhi, and Churchill – and we will be right in the heart of it.

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