Note: The Court will hear all scheduled oral arguments for the Term in the Courtroom.
Seating for the oral argument sessions will be provided to the public, members of the Supreme Court Bar, and press. The three-minute line is temporarily
suspended. The Supreme Court Building will otherwise be closed to the public on days when the Court is in session.
On days when the Court is not in session, the building will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding weekends and federal holidays.
Courtroom lectures are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please refer to the 30-day rolling calendar
for available lectures. Visitors may view ground floor exhibits and portions of the first floor on a self-guided basis. The cafeteria and gift shop are
open to the public.
Getting ready for a field trip means planning both the logistics of the trip as well as preparing students for what they will see and do. In order to foster your
students’ curiosity while taking full advantage of your time in the building, see the information below for tips on planning your visit.
To help bring educational activities to life, either in your classroom or onsite during a Supreme Court visit, please see Activities
for Students & Families. You may also wish to review the educational resources offered by the
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and visit
the iCivics page page. To learn more about Constitution Day activities for students, visit the
Library of Congress and
National Archives.
Building Hours
The Supreme Court Building is open Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The building is closed on all federal holidays.
Transportation
The Supreme Court is not accessible by private bus or passenger van. Please view the
map to see designated bus
routes and restrictions. The closest Metro stops are Capitol South (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and Union Station (Red Line).
Entering the Building
Be prepared to pass through security screening at your point of entry. To enter the building efficiently, please ask students
to carry as little as possible on the day of their visit (backpacks, bags, etc.). All items are screened in x-ray machines and all visitors will be asked to
pass through metal detectors.
Avoiding Crowds
The best time to plan a school visit is during the fall and winter months (September–February). If you plan to visit during the spring months
(March–May), please allow additional time for your visit.
Visitor Etiquette
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, please review the following rules with your students and chaperones:
- Please tour the building quietly, as working offices are adjacent to all public hallways
- No photography or audio/video recording is allowed inside the Courtroom
- Consumption of food and beverages is permitted only in the Cafeteria and vending machine alcove
- Touching of portraits, busts, or other artifacts on exhibit is strictly prohibited
- A chaperone is suggested for every 10 students
Visitors unable to maintain proper behavior will be asked to leave the building by the Supreme Court Police.
Café & Vending Machines
The Supreme Court Café, located on the ground floor across from the gift shop, offers a variety of breakfast
selections, hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, soup, salads, pizzas, grab-n-go meals, snacks, and beverages, including Starbucks® hand-crafted beverages. The cafe is open to the
public from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday ‐ Friday. Vending machines serving snacks, beverages, and grab-n-go food are also available on the ground floor during regular hours of
operation. Please contact CafeCatering@supremecourt.gov for information about arranging lunch for your group.