Summary: For many of us, our first real introduction to the Supreme Court was the movie First Monday in October starring Walter Matthau and Jill Claybugh. In this movie we were introduced to the Supreme Court schedule, from whence the title came from. The movie also told us of the differences of liberals and conservatives.

Since many of the of the Justices are at the point in their lives that they are thinking of retirement more Americans are aware of the procedures for nominating a new judge. But the actual day-to-day operations of the Supreme Court are still a mystery to most of us.

Not only can you tour the Supreme Court Building and its displays, but you can sit in the galleries during a real case. The court isn't in session very often, so make sure you check the schedule before making plans.

Features:
The building is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays. The following are available:

• Information Desk: by John Marshall Statue, ground floor.
• Exhibits, Portraits of Justices: ground floor.
• Visitors’ Film—24 minutes—closed captioning available—ground floor.
• Public lectures are available in the Courtroom every hour on the half-hour from
  9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on days that the Court is not sitting. Courtroom seating is
  limited and available on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Activities:
Beginning the first Monday in October, the Court generally hears two one-hour arguments a day, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., with occasional afternoon sessions scheduled as necessary. Arguments are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in two-week intervals through late April (with longer breaks during December and February).

An oral argument usually lasts one hour, with an attorney for each side of a case given 30 minutes to make a presentation to the Court and answer questions posed by the Justices.
Visitors are invited to attend oral arguments, but seating is limited and on a first-come, first-seated basis. Before a session begins, two lines form on the plaza in front of the building. One is for those who wish to attend an entire argument. The other is a three-minute line for those who wish to observe the Court in session for a brief time. The locations for these lines are marked with signs and there is a police officer on duty to answer your questions.

In mid-May, after the oral argument portion of the Term has concluded, the Court takes the Bench Mondays at 10 a.m. for the release of orders and opinions. This practicecontinues until all the cases heard during the Term are decided, usually the last week in June. These sessions, which typically last between 15 and 30 minutes, are also open to the public. Copies of the Court’s opinions are available from the Public Information Office on the ground floor approximately 30 minutes after they are announced from the Bench.

Our tour guide told us that the Court is often completely closed for a couple of weeks in August. That's a terrible time weather wise to be walking the streets of DC, but be forewarned if you are headed that way.

Area Attractions:

• Frankin Roosevelt Memorial
• Jefferson Memorial
• Korean War Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Washington Monument
• White House
• Capitol
• National Aquarium

Food & Sundries: There's a cafeteria and a snack bar on the ground floor that anyone can access. There are a few hours in the day that they limit access to Court Employees only. But seeing the prices the local hotels and restaurants charge this is a good way to get an inexpensive meal.

Directions:
The Supreme Court of the United States is located at One First Street, NE, across First Street from the U. S. Capitol and across East Capitol Street from the Library of Congress.

The building can be reached by subway and bus lines. The most convenient subway stops are Capitol South on the Blue and Orange Lines, and Union Station on the Red Line.

Street parking is extremely limited.

Notes:

It's kind of interesting to see how bad the web site is. The information provided is great, the delivery is questionable. Why would anyone have a page of simple bullet points only available in a large and clumsy pdf file?

Also, no photographs are allowed while you're in the Chambers. Which is unfortunate, as there are some very nice friezes around the top of the room. I think the justices forget who they're working for. They can have their gym and basketball court above the chamber and make a racket, but taking shapshop isn't fitting the decorum.

You are allowed to take photographs from outside the doorway.

Special Access

• Parking for persons with disabilities located on the Court’s side of Maryland Avenue near Maryland Avenue Entrance.
• There's an entrance ramp at the Maryland Avenue Entrance.
• Wheelchairs are available upon request.
• Supreme Court Police Officers are on duty throughout the building to assist you during your visit.