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ADVANCE RESERVATION SYSTEM Terms of Use AGREEMENT

1. General.

1.1 The Advance Reservation System (" ARS ") of the United States Capitol Visitor Center is a service provided to the public by the United States Congress to book reservations for tours of the United States Capitol. The ARS is owned and managed by the Office of Visitor Services through the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (" AOC "). This Terms of Use Agreement (" Agreement ") sets forth the legally binding terms for your use of the ARS. By using the ARS you agree to be bound by this Agreement, whether you are a "Visitor" (which means you are browsing the ARS website) or you are a "Member" (which means you have registered as a user of ARS). The term "User" refers to both a Visitor and a Member. You are only authorized to browse this website or use the ARS service (whether your use is intended or unintentional) if you agree to abide by all applicable laws and to this Agreement. Please read this Agreement carefully and save it. If you do not agree with this Agreement you should leave this website and discontinue use of ARS services immediately. If you wish to use this website and make use of the ARS service, you must read this Agreement and indicate your acceptance as outlined below, or during the registration process.

1.2 This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect while you use the ARS website. If you are registered with the ARS you may terminate your registration at any time, for any reason, by following the instructions found on the ARS website. The AOC may terminate your use of the ARS website at any time, without warning and without reason, at no liability.

1.3 The AOC reserves the right, in its discretion, to change or modify all or any part of this Agreement at any time, effective immediately upon notice published on this website. Your use of the website following any change or modification constitutes your binding acceptance of these terms and conditions, including any changes or modifications made by the AOC. If at any time the terms and conditions of this Agreement are no longer acceptable to you, you should immediately cease use of the ARS website.

1.4 You should, at all times, ensure that your contact information is updated with the ARS website. If you need to update any of your online and/or off-line contact information, please follow the instruction on the ARS website.

2. Use of Content.

2.1 You acknowledge that the ARS website contains information, software, photographs, audio and video clips, graphics, links and other material that are owned by the AOC or other United States governmental agencies (collectively, the "Content"). You agree to comply with any notices, information, or restrictions contained in any Content available on or accessed through the ARS website. Users of the ARS website may use the Content only for their personal, non-commercial, use.

2.2 You may not modify, publish, transmit, transfer or sell, reproduce, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display, or in any way exploit any of the Content, in whole or in part. Content consisting of downloadable software may not be reverse-engineered. You grant to the AOC the right to edit, copy, publish, distribute, translate and otherwise use in any medium and for any purpose any content that you place on the ARS website without compensation to you. You represent and warrant that you are authorized to grant all rights set forth in the preceding sentence.

2.3 You may not download Content on this web site. No copying, storage, redistribution or publication of any Content on the ARS website is permitted.

2.4. Any information you provide to the ARS website may be used by the AOC and the United States Government, without any compensation to you.

3. Rules of Conduct.

3.1 By using the ARS website you agree not to:

(a) Use the ARS website for any unlawful reason, or in a manner prohibited by this Agreement.

(b) Post any content which is libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, abusive, harassing or threatening;

(c) Post content which contains viruses or other contaminating or destructive features;

(d) Post content which violates the rights of others, such as content which infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or violates any right of privacy or publicity; or (d) otherwise violates any applicable law or regulation.

(e) Make any part of the ARS website available as part of another service by hyperlink framing, "deep linking" or otherwise. You may not link the ARS website to, or post links on the ARS to, other websites.

(f) Use the ARS website for any commercial purpose, nor shall you distribute any advertising or solicitation of funds or goods and services or solicit users to join competitive online services.

(g) Use any false or inaccurate information for purposes of registering as a user of the ARS website, or for purposes of registering for any promotions offered through the ARS website;

(h) Allow any other person or entity to use your username or password for posting or viewing comments or sending or receiving materials or use the account of another user for any purpose;

(i) Sell or otherwise transfer your user status; or

(j) Delete or revise any material or other information of any other user or the AOC;

(k) Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses;

(l) Take any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on the ARS website?s infrastructure;

(m) Use any device, software, or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the ARS website or any activity being conducted on the ARS website;

(n) Use any engine, software, tool, agent, or other mechanism (including, without limitation, browsers, spiders, robots, avatars, or intelligent agents) to navigate or search the ARS website other than (i) the search engine and search agents available from the AOC on the ARS website and (ii) generally available third party web browsers (e.g., Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer) (if applicable);

(o) Attempt to decipher, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer any of the software comprising or in any way making up a part of the ARS website.

You further agree not to violate or attempt to violate the security of the ARS website, including, without limitation, actions such as:

(a) Accessing data not intended for you or logging into a server or account that you are not authorized to access; (b) Attempting to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of a system or network or to breach security or authentication measures without proper authorization; (c) Attempting to interfere with service to any user, host, or network, including, without limitation, by way of submitting a virus to or overloading, "flooding," "spamming," "mail bombing," or "crashing" the ARS website; (d) Sending unsolicited e-mail, including promotions and/or advertising of products or services; or (e) Forging any TCP/IP packet header or any part of the header information in any e-mail or posting.

Violations of system or network security may result in civil or criminal liability.

4. Managing Content.

4.1 The AOC is not responsible for any content posted to the ARS website by users. The AOC reserves the right to delete, move or edit any content that it may determine, in its sole discretion, violates or may violate this Agreement or is otherwise unacceptable. You shall remain solely responsible for all content posted by you.

5. No Endorsement.

5.1 The AOC does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any content posted on the ARS website and you acknowledge that any reliance upon such content shall be at your sole risk.

5.2 The ARS website may contain links to sites on the Internet, which are owned and operated by third parties (the " External Sites "). You acknowledge that the AOC is not responsible for the availability of, or the content located on or through any External Site. You should contact the site administrator or Webmaster for those External Sites if you have any concerns regarding such links or the content located on such External Sites.

6. Indemnity.

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the AOC and the United States Government and its agents or officers (collectively, the " US Government ") harmless from and against any and all claims, liability, losses, costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the US Government in connection with any use or alleged use of the service under your user name by any person, whether or not authorized by you. The AOC reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, and in such case, you agree to cooperate with the AOC?s defense of such claim.

7. Termination of Service.

7.1 The AOC may change, suspend or discontinue all or any aspect of the ARS website at any time, including the availability of any feature, database, or Content without prior notice or liability.

7.2 The AOC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to restrict, suspend or terminate your access to all or any part of the ARS website at any time, for any reason, without prior notice or liability.

7.3 Failure to adhere to this Agreement may result in the restriction, suspension or termination of your access to all or any part of the ARS website without prior notice or liability.

8. Cancellation of Your Tour of the United States Capitol

The U.S. Capitol reserves the right to suspend scheduled tours at any time and for any reason.  To cancel your tour of the United States Capitol, please have your confirmation number available.  You may cancel your tour at visitthecapitol.gov or by calling 202-226-8000.

9. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

9.1 THE AOC MAKES NO WARRANTIES THAT THE ARS WEBSITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE; NOR DOES THE AOC MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USE OF THE ARS WEBSITE, ITS SERVICES OR ITS CONTENT. THE ARS WEBSITE, THE SERVICE PROVIDED AND THE CONTENT WITHIN ARE DISTRIBUTED ON AN "AS IS, AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. THE AOC DOES NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE ARS WEBSITE, ANY CONTENT OR ANY SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THE ARS WEBSITE. THE AOC DOES NOT WARRANT THAT ANY FILES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOADING THROUGH THE ARS WEBSITE WILL BE FREE OF VIRUSES OR SIMILAR CONTAMINATION OR DESTRUCTIVE FEATURES. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE AND THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CONTENT IS ASSUMED SOLELY BY YOU.

9.2 NEITHER THE AOC NOR ITS AGENTS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACT, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

9.3 THE AOC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER THE CONTENT OF THIS SITE IN ANY WAY, AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION, AND WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH CHANGES. THESE LIMITATIONS APPLY EVEN IF THE AOC OR THE US GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF SUCH DAMAGE.

9.4 THE AOC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION, OR REVOKE YOUR STATUS AS A USER AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON. THE AOC WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH NOTIFICATION OF SUCH CANCELLATION OR REVOCATION.

9.5. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY STATEMENT TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE AOC DOES NOT WAIVE ITS, OR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LIABILITY, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES YOU MAY SUFFER AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE ARS WEBSITE. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND ASSUME ALL RISKS INHERENT IN THE USE OF THE ARS WEBSITE.

10. Miscellaneous.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, and the parties irrevocably consent to bring any action to enforce this Agreement in the federal courts located in Washington, DC.. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all previous written or oral agreements between the parties with respect to such subject matter. All provisions hereof shall survive any termination of this Agreement as well as any other revisions which by their terms or sense are intended to survive.

11. Severability and Integration.

Unless otherwise specified herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the AOC and governs your use of the ARS website. If any portion of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed in a manner consistent with applicable law to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original intention of the parties, and the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.

This Agreement is accepted upon your use of the ARS Website or any of the ARS Services and is further affirmed by you becoming a registered group. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and AOC regarding the use of the ARS. The failure of AOC to exercise or enforce any right or provision of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of such right or provision. The section titles in this Agreement are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. This Agreement operates to the fullest extent permissible by law. If any provision of this Agreement is unlawful, void or unenforceable, that provision is deemed severable from this Agreement and does not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

Please contact us at: 202-226-8000 with any questions regarding this Agreement.

I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREE TO ALL OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED ABOVE.

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Exhibition Hall: E Pluribus Unum

Current Exhibition

• Legislative Highlights
• Congress and the War of 1812
• Conflict and Compromise II
• Conflict and Compromise I
• Instruments of Change
• Congress and the Civil War II
• Congress and the Civil War I
• April 2010 - September 2011
• October 2009 - March 2010
• April 2009 - September 2009
• December 2008 - March 2009
• Views of Exhibition Hall
• Capitol Story
• Take an Interactive Tour
• Image Gallery
• Take the Capitol Challenge
• 1945-Present
• Building a More Perfect Union

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U.s. capitol & capitol visitor center, the capitol visitor center is the main entrance to the u.s. capitol and is located below the east front plaza of the capitol between constitution and independence avenues..

The Capitol Visitor Center is the main entrance to the U.S. Capitol and is located below the East Front plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues. The Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Inauguration Day. Guided tours of the Capitol are available Monday through Saturday, 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Tours are free, but tour passes are required. Tours may be booked in advance online at www.visitthecapitol.gov , through the offices of your senators or representative, or through the Office of Visitor Services at 202.226.8000. A limited number of same-day passes are available each day. The Capitol Visitor Center also features a 500-seat Restaurant, two Gift Shops, and an Exhibition Hall which tells the story of the U.S. Congress and the Capitol. For a list of items prohibited in the Capitol, and for other information, go to www.visitthecapitol.gov .

• Multilingual Tour Guides
• Free Admission
• Guided tours available
• ADA compliant

Additional Information

Length of tour.

Less than 1 hour

Metro Station

Capitol South

E Capitol St. & 1st St. NE Washington , DC 20004 United States

(202) 226-8000.

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Welcome to Washington, DC, the nation’s capital. You will find an abundance of cultural, educational, and just plain fun attractions and events here. Start your trip planning with the useful resources below.

United States Congress

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Book a tour, look at a Capitol map and find other useful information. The mission of the Visitor Center at the U.S. Capitol is to provide a welcoming and educational environment for visitors to learn about the unique characteristics of the House and the Senate and the legislative process as well as the history and development of the architecture and art of the U.S. Capitol.

Map of Capitol Grounds The Capitol, House and Senate office buildings.

Map of Accessible Transportation at the Capitol Accessible entrances and transportation servicing the Capitol and surrounding buildings.

Virtual Tour of Capitol Explore the nation's Capitol, including the old and current House chambers.

Library of Congress

Each of “America’s Library buildings”, named for a U.S. President (Adams, Jefferson, and Madison), contains millions of cataloged books and other print materials on 530 miles of shelving is a world-renowned research center for scholars easily accessible to both Congress and the public. Special exhibitions —including a permanent display of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed with movable type—make the Library a favorite tourist attraction. First Street and Independence Avenue, SE.

Supreme Court of the United States

“Equal Justice Under Law” is the promise on the portals of the Supreme Court building.Court sessions begin the first Monday in October and continue two weeks per month through April. Courtroom seats are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis when the Court is in session. Twenty-minute courtroom lectures are available every hour on the half-hour when the court is not in session. Group tours are available and must be made in advance. First and East Capitol Streets, NE.

United States Botanic Garden

Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the conservatory features more than 20,000 plants, including exotic flowers and fruit species. First Street and Maryland Avenue, SW.

An official website of the United States government

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

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Welcome to USA.gov

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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Take a tour of the historic Capitol, where you can see the Crypt of the Capitol, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall.

Phone number

1-202-226-8000

Main address

Have a question.

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

How to Visit the US Capitol Tour in Washington DC

A trip to Washington, D.C. wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the U.S. Capitol building. The iconic white dome silhouette is one of the most famous sights in the District of Columbia.

And while this storied building is an architectural sight from the outside, it’s equally stunning on the inside.

Luckily for you, U.S. Capitol tours run as a regular operation. And, a tour of this property is easier to obtain than a tour of many other federal buildings, especially the White House.

Read on for a comprehensive guide to getting your tour of the center of U.S. government.

Note: check the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center website for virtual tours plus regular tour times and dates, and closures.

Why you should visit the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC

• Learn about the history and architecture of the US Capitol. The US Capitol is one of the most iconic buildings in the world, and it is a must-see for anyone visiting Washington, DC.
• See the House and Senate chambers. The House and Senate chambers are where the US Congress meets to debate and pass legislation.
• See the Statue of Freedom. The Statue of Freedom is a bronze statue that crowns the dome of the US Capitol. It is a symbol of American democracy.
• See the Crypt. The Crypt is a burial chamber located beneath the US Capitol. It is the final resting place of several former presidents and other notable Americans.
• Take a guided tour. Guided tours of the US Capitol are available free of charge. They are led by experienced tour guides who can provide visitors with a wealth of information about the Capitol and its history.
• Have a unique and educational experience. The US Capitol is a place where history is made, and a tour of the Capitol is a great way to learn about the American political process.
• Create lasting memories. A tour of the US Capitol is a unique and memorable experience that people of all ages will enjoy.
• Show their patriotism. The US Capitol is a symbol of American democracy, and a tour of the Capitol is a great way to show your support for the country.

History of the U.S. Capitol Building

The United States Capitol building is located in Washington D.C., and serves as the meeting place of the United States Congress.

Moving the US Capitol to Washington DC

After the Revolutionary War, the idea for a permanent meeting place for Congress was first proposed in 1790 by then-President George Washington. The location chosen for the building was a hill overlooking the Potomac River, which was then called Jenkins Hill.

Construction began in 1793, and the building was completed in 1800.

US Capitol during the War of 1812

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces burned the building down, destroying much of the interior. Of course, the building was reconstructed over the next several years.

Adding a Dome to the US Capitol Building

In 1850, a new dome was added to the Capitol building, designed by architect Thomas U. Walter. The dome, which is still a prominent feature of the building today and one you don’t want to miss on your tour, was made of cast iron and covered in bronze (hence the need for constant restoration).

US Capitol during the Civil War

During the Civil War, the Capitol building was used as a military hospital and barracks. The building also served as the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration in 1865.

Modernizing the U.S. Capitol

In the 20th century, the Capitol building underwent significant renovations and expansions (even today it is a rare site to see the Capitol without scaffolding on some part of the building), including the addition of several new office buildings for members of Congress.

The building was also wired for electricity and modern plumbing, and air conditioning was installed in the 1930s, much to the relief of everyone working inside, as Washington DC was built over a swamp– the humidity is stifling on summer days.

Today, the Capitol building remains an iconic symbol of American government, and continues to be the home of the United States Congress.

Booking A US Capitol Tour

How to sign up for a tour of the u.s. capitol building.

Tours of the building can be booked through the official U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, or through your local congressperson or senator.

Tours booked through the Visitor Center will be led by a professional guide, and these groups tend to run slightly larger. On the other hand, a tour booked through a local representative will most likely be led by an intern or staffer, and will be smaller and more formal.

Check out more things to do in DC

Are tours of the U.S. Capitol Free?

All tours are free and usually run around 45 minutes, with a few extra minutes for questions at the end. If you’d like to ask more questions and personalize the tour towards your interests, I would recommend checking with a local representative.

Do I need a reservation to tour the U.S. Capitol?

Tours are available on a walk-in basis, although it’s highly recommend that you book your slot in advance.

You can do this by going to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center’s website and clicking the link to “Book a Tour Yourself Online.” Follow the instructions to create an account, and then you’ll be able to book a tour by date and time, as well as make changes to your reservation.

When are tours of the U.S. Capitol?

Tours run every weekday at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Tours in Mandarin and Spanish using translation devices are also offered at 8:40 am every day. On the website, you can reserve a spot up until 9 am on the day before.

How to get a walk-up ticket to tour the U.S. Capitol

Walk-up tickets are also available at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on a first come, first serve basis. You can pick up any tickets that remain for the next available tour time, which you can check during the Visitor Center’s open hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.

How to book a tour of the U.S. Capitol with you local representative?

To book through a local representative, visit the website of the senator or congressperson in your district. You can check if their site allows you to schedule a tour, or you can send an email to their official address. Include your requested tour date, as well as a few alternative dates, if sending an email.

How to get to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

All tours start at the Visitor Center, which is located at the side of the U.S. Capitol building facing away from the National Mall and some of the national parks in Washington DC .

Read our tips on How to ride the DC Metro

The closest Metro stop is Capitol South, which services the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. From there, you’ll walk two blocks north on First Street.

The Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stop on the Green and Yellow lines and Union Station on the Red line are also within walking distance.

Parking near the U.S. Capitol

Read our tips on the best Cheap and Free Parking in DC

Parking is an option, but finding a space could be difficult or expensive. There are a few lots in the vicinity, like one a few blocks away that charges around $5 an hour. On a good day, you can sometimes find street parking in the residential neighborhoods, located just east of the U.S. Capitol.

Prohibited Items in the U.S. Capitol Building

Other than the obvious things that won’t fly (weapons and pointy objects), any kind of food or liquid is prohibited (this can include mints and candies too).

The entrance to the Visitor Center lies below the East Front Plaza on First and East Capitol Street.

Once you arrive, you’ll descend down stairs to where the doors are nestled under the ground level. You will need to pass through a security screening checkpoint, including an X-Ray machine and a bag check.

Luckily, you can buy plenty of snacks and drinks inside, so I would just count the price of a water bottle inside as the cost of admission.

Preparing For Your U.S. Capitol Tour

When you arrive, visit the Information Desk on the lower level to your right to receive your pass. If you don’t yet have a ticket, check in at the sign on the Information Desk reading “Visitors Without Reservations.”

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U.S. Capitol Building Coat Check

There are two coat check stations located just around the corner from the security checks where you can leave any extra bags. They close 15 minutes earlier than the Visitor Center, so leave extra time if you check any items!

Wheelchair assistance and Accessibility

If you need a wheelchair, you can also pick that up from the North Coat Check. They will hold your I.D. for the duration of time that you use the wheelchair.

The Visitor Center tends to be very good about accommodating different accessibility needs, so if you have any special requests, call them up 202-224-4048.

U.S. Capitol Audio Guides

At the information desk in Emancipation Hall, located in the middle of the lower level, listening devices and audio guides, plus brochures are available.

The listening devices, which are offered in multiple languages, have audio descriptions of any films or exhibits shown in the tour.

The brochures are available in braille and large print.

Capitol Cafe inside the U.S. Capitol

If the anti-snack rules have left you starving, you can visit the Capitol Cafe on the lower level. They offer a good selection of items at a surprisingly reasonable price, including a salad bar and hot bar serving global fare.

Personally, I love the sandwiches, so plan on spending your lunch break here. It’s one of the best places to eat near the National Mall .

What You’ll See on a U.S. Capitol tour

All tours will then kick off with the 13-minute “Out Of Many, One” film in either of two Orientation Theaters. From there, you’ll pass into the Exhibition Hall, with plenty of information on the history and legacy of the building.

Then you’ll see the Capitol Rotunda with its stunning dome, and your guide will describe the events in American history illustrated on the walls.

Next, you’ll move on to the Crypt, (named only for its crypt-like columns, I promise!) and Statuary Hall, where your tour guide will describe the many pieces of art and exhibitions on display. Finally, you will return back to the main visitor area.

Visiting the Senate and House Galleries

You’ve probably gathered at this point that the standard tour routes do not include any areas actually used by lawmakers. The Senate and House Galleries are open to the public for observation, as long as you have a gallery pass. When not in session, there is the option to enter with a pass any weekday between 9 am and 4 pm.

For the galleries, check with your local representative’s office if they are open and admitting visitors on your desired date.

Government is finicky, and unplanned closures are frequent.

How to get a pass to the Senate and House Galleries

To get a pass, you’ll need to go the route outlined above of contacting your senator or congressperson.

International visitors can check with their country’s U.S. Embassy for pass information. Or, they can obtain a pass from the Senate Appointment Desk. This can be found on the top floor, across from the coat check.

Prohibited items in the Senate and House Galleries

Notably, some items that you can bring on the standard tour of the U.S. Capitol are not allowed in the galleries. Those include cameras and video recorders, any cans or bottles, strollers, and nearly any bags, briefcases, or backpacks.

Luckily, you can safely store these in Room CVC-139 in the Visitor Center.

US Capitol Tour FAQ

How can i book a tour of the us capitol.

You can book a tour of the US Capitol through your congressional representative or senator’s office. You can also book a tour through the Capitol Visitor Center’s website or by calling their information line.

Are children allowed on the US Capitol tour?

Absolutely! There are even activity books available to keep the kids engaged during the tour.

Are US Capitol tours free?

Yes, tours of the US Capitol are free of charge.

What will I see on a US Capitol tour?

On a US Capitol tour, you will see the Rotunda, the National Statuary Hall, and the Crypt. You will also visit the Old Supreme Court Chamber and the Old Senate Chamber.

Am I allowed to ask questions on the Capitol tour?

Yes! Questions are encouraged throughout the tour. Even the simplest question might have an answer you and the rest of your tour group never knew. We like to play “stump the tour guide,” but haven’t been successful yet.

How long does a US Capitol tour last?

The tour typically lasts about an hour.

Are there any restrictions on what I can bring with me on a US Capitol tour?

Yes, there are restrictions on what you can bring with you on a US Capitol tour. You cannot bring large bags, food or drinks, weapons, or any type of pointed objects.

Can I take photos during the tour?

Yes, you are allowed to take photos during the tour, but flash photography and tripods are not allowed. Note that you can NOT take photos or video in the Senate and House Galleries either.

Is the US Capitol accessible to visitors with disabilities?

Yes, the US Capitol is accessible to visitors with disabilities. The Capitol Visitor Center offers special accommodations for visitors with disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible tours and sign language interpretation.

What are the hours of operation for the US Capitol Visitor Center?

The hours of operation for the US Capitol Visitor Center vary depending on the season. Typically, the Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. The Visitor Center is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Can I visit the US Capitol without a tour?

Yes, you can visit the US Capitol without a tour… sort of. The Visitor Center has several exhibits and films about the history and architecture of the building, and there are also guided walking tours available.

Additional reporting by Cybele Mayes-Osterman

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The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC: Tours & Visiting Tips

Explore the meeting chambers for the Senate & the House of Representatives

 TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

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, D.C. Located at the opposite end of the National Mall from the Washington Monument, it is a prominent landmark and an impressive example of 19th-century neoclassical architecture. A complete restoration of the Capitol Dome was finished in 2016, fixing more than 1,000 cracks and giving the structure a beautiful polished appearance.

With 540 rooms divided among five levels, the U.S. Capitol is a massive structure. The ground floor is allocated to congressional offices. The second floor holds the chambers of the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing. Under the dome in the center of the Capitol Building is the Rotunda, a circular space that serves as a gallery of paintings and sculptures of American historical figures and events. The third floor is where visitors can watch the proceedings of Congress when in session. Additional offices and machinery rooms occupy the fourth floor and the basement.

Visiting the U.S. Capitol

Capitol Visitor Center: The facility opened in December 2008 and greatly enhances the experience of visiting the U.S. Capitol. While waiting for tours, visitors can browse galleries displaying artifacts from the Library of Congress and National Archives, touch a 10-foot model of the Capitol Dome and even watch live video feeds from the House and Senate. Tours begin with a 13-minute film exploring the history of the Capitol and Congress, shown in the facility's orientation theaters. The center is currently closed with tentative plans to reopen to a limited number of guests on May 30, 2022.

Guided Tours: Tours of the historic U.S. Capitol building are free, but require tickets which are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The hours are 8:45 a.m - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday. Visitors can book tours in advance at www.visitthecapitol.gov . After more than two years, tours resumed in a limited capacity on March 28, 2022. Groups are limited to 15 people and tours must be reserved online in advance. Tours run Monday through Friday and visitors will be following pre-approved routes.

Watching Congress in Session: Visitors can see Congress in action at the Senate and House Galleries (when in session) Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Passes are required and may be obtained from the offices of Senators or Representatives. International visitors can receive Gallery passes at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center. This offering is currently unavailable with no announced date to resume.

Capitol Complex and Grounds

In addition to the Capitol Building, six Congressional office buildings and three Library of Congress buildings make up Capitol Hill . The U.S. Capitol grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (also known for designing Central Park and the National Zoo), and include more than 100 varieties of trees and bushes and thousands of flowers that are used in seasonal displays. The U. S. Botanic Garden , the oldest botanic garden in the country, is a part of the Capitol complex and is a great place to visit year-round.

Annual Events on the West Lawn

During the summer months, popular concerts are held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Thousands attend the Memorial Day Concert, A Capitol Fourth and the Labor Day Concert. During the holiday season, members of Congress invite the public to attend the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree.

The main entrance is located on the East Plaza between Constitution and Independence Avenues. (across from the Supreme Court). See a map of the Capitol.

The closest Metro stations are Union Station and Capitol South. See a map and directions to the National Mall

Key Facts About the U.S. Capitol

• Construction of the U.S. Capitol began in 1793. The original building, completed in 1826, was made of brick clad in sandstone. The north and south wings and connecting corridors added in the mid 19th century and the replica of the East Front constructed in the 20th century, are made of brick clad in marble. The dome is made of cast iron. 
• The Capitol is 88 feet above sea level (the top of the Washington Monument is 209 feet higher than the top of the Capitol Building).
• There are 100 statues in the Statuary Hall Collection , two from each state.
• The largest statue in the Statuary Hall Collection is the statue of King Kamehameha I, donated by the state of Hawaii. It is 9'-10" tall and stands on a 3'-6" granite base.
• The Rotunda is a circular room in the center of the building beneath the Capitol dome. It is the tallest part of the building, 96 feet in diameter and rises 180 feet from the floor to the canopy.
• Atop the U.S. Capitol dome is the Statue of Freedom , a classical female figure with long, flowing hair wearing a helmet with a crest composed of an eagle’s head and feathers. She stands on a pedestal on a globe encircled with the motto E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one).
• Official Website: www.aoc.gov

Attractions Near the U.S. Capitol Building

• U. S. Botanic Garden
• The Supreme Court
• The Library of Congress
• Union Station
• Eastern Market
• Folger Shakespeare Library & Theatre

Related Articles

More related articles.

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The Ultimate Guide To Booking a Tour of the U.S. Capitol

Michael Y. Park

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Jessica Merritt

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Table of Contents

How to book a tour of the u.s. capitol building, how to get to the capitol, what to do inside the visitors center, what to expect from your tour, final thoughts.

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The U.S. Capitol Building is the center of government in the U.S., an instantly recognizable symbol of democracy, and a byword for everything that various people think is right or wrong about America today. (And, yes, this is where that … unpleasantness … took place in 2021.) Since its beginnings, the U.S. Capitol Building has been a public space where citizens and curious visitors alike can revel in the aspirations — and transparency — of the arrhythmically beating heart of the great American experiment.

But how do you actually get to take a gander inside the U.S. Capitol Building?

Don’t worry: We’ve gotcha.

The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s below the East Front plaza of the Capitol on First Street and East Capitol Street between Constitution and Independence avenues. The visitor center is the main entrance for the public — don’t try to walk through the front door of the Capitol Building, as it’s strictly off-limits, and you’ll likely be intercepted by security.

To see the U.S. Capitol beyond the Visitor Center, you must be on an official tour — you can’t just wander around on your own. Tours are available from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. , and the Capitol is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day. You’re free to hang out in the Visitor Center all you want without a tour guide while it’s open, though.

You’re strongly advised to make an advance reservation for a Capitol visit, but if it’s a last-minute decision, you can try to see if there are any limited same-day tickets still available at the Capitol Visitor Center. The earlier you go, the better. You won’t get any same-day tickets if you arrive after 2:30 p.m.

You can either make an advance reservation yourself or get tickets through your U.S. representative or one of your U.S. senators, if you’d like to go old school or if you like to spend as little time on the internet as possible and you’d rather have them take care of the details and minimize you having to go through the Capitol scheduling calendar.

Remember: Tours of the U.S. Capitol are free!

It’s a good idea to reserve your tour weeks or months in advance.

Getting a Capitol Tour Through the Capitol Website

You can make Capitol tour reservations yourself by heading to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center website . You need an account to use it, so if it’s your first time, fill in the necessary information and wait for the activation email to be sent to whatever email address you used.

Activating the account is almost instantaneous — the whole process should take less than 5 minutes.

Now that you’ve got your U.S. Capitol Visitor Center account squared away, you can navigate to the reservations page. It’s an interactive calendar that shows which tour times are available, which are fully booked, and which have a limited number of open spaces left.

Find the date you’d like to visit, find a tour time that works for you (there are tours every 10 minutes), and click through.

That takes you to the actual ticket reservation page, which helpfully shows you how many open tickets are remaining, reiterates the date and time you chose, and offers you a pulldown from which you select how many tickets you need.

You also have to agree to the fine print and agree or disagree with getting a questionnaire about your visit.

Finally, enter the code to verify that you’re a human being and hit Reserve Now to make your reservation.

There are tours available in Mandarin and Spanish, which you can reserve 3 days in advance of your visit by emailing [email protected] . There are only 50 slots for each of these tours, and there’s only 1 of each tour per day, starting at 8:40 a.m. You can get more details, including in both languages, on the foreign language tours  page.

Getting a Capitol Tour Through Your Congressperson

One of the services that your congressmen or congresswomen, whether U.S. representatives or senators, should provide you is to give you access to the Capitol.

The exact layout and details may vary from congressperson to congressperson, but the basics should be the same. First, go to your representative or one of your senators’ official websites and look for the tab for U.S. Capitol or White House tours.

Once you’re on the tour request page, fill in the necessary details, including your name and contact information, the date and time you’d like a tour, how many tickets you need, and so on. They may ask for information you won’t necessarily need for the tour, such as the number of children and everyone else’s name. You don’t need identification at the U.S. Capitol to enter or for a tour.

Once you’ve submitted your request to your congressperson for a tour reservation, it can be a matter of days, weeks, or months before you hear back. You’ll either get an email confirming the date and time of your tour reservation or an email explaining that they were unable to fulfill your request.

The U.S. Capitol doesn’t have a street address! Think of it as the point from which all U.S. streets originate, or at least as the political center of the American universe. If you’re somehow having trouble finding it on a map of Washington, D.C., look for where First Street meets East Capitol Street, between Constitution and Independence avenues at the end of the National Mall.

Walking around Washington, D.C., but can’t figure out where the Capitol Building is? It’s the one with the biggest dome on top. (And, no, that’s not the White House.)

The U.S. Capitol’s pretty obvious and easy to find. The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center isn’t as simple. It’s underground, so you need to head over to the East Front plaza of the building — on the opposite side of the main U.S. Capitol Building from the National Mall or across First Street NE from the U.S. Supreme Court — and go down a couple flights of stairs. The U.S. Capitol Building is big, so if you’re coming from most of the other Washington, D.C., attractions on the National Mall side, you need to factor that in to give yourself enough time to make it around.

You can enter the address for the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center into maps to get directions: First St SE, Washington, DC 20515 .

Once you’re down the stairs on the right side of the Capitol Building, you may ask yourself: “Is this it?”

The entrance plaza to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is underwhelming and nondescript. The line to get in, however, can get long and usually snakes up the stairs to the west, and you have to wait out in the open under the sun or in the rain. Security lets people through a few at a time.

What You Can’t Bring Into the U.S. Capitol

Once you’re inside the front doors to the center, you have to go through security, including a metal detector and bag checks.

Here’s what you’re prohibited from bringing inside the U.S. Capitol:

• Liquids, including water, though you may bring empty water bottles to fill inside
• Food or beverages of any kind, including fruit and unopened packaged food
• Aerosol containers
• Nonaerosol spray (prescriptions for medical needs are permitted)
• Any pointed object, such as knitting needles and letter openers (pens and pencils are permitted)
• Any bag larger than 18 x 14 x 8.5 inches
• Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons
• Guns, replica guns, ammunition, and fireworks
• Knives of any size
• Mace and pepper spray
• Razors and box cutters

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center opened in late 2008 and sees 3 million visitors a year. It’s big, it’s busy, and it’s where you go to get into the U.S. Capitol proper. Once you’re inside the big space, head inside and join the lines for tours on the left.

If you’re early, or if you’ve already done a tour and want to hang around, you can move about freely in the visitor center, which has a decent number of attractions for you to explore on your own.

Exhibition Hall

The exhibition hall is a free-to-visit space that features interactive exhibits about the history of the Congress and the Capitol. Part of the hall is dedicated to demonstrating how the legislature works by guiding visitors through the process of how bills become laws. (No, none of the docents are despondent, talking scrolls .)

Other parts of the hall show how the Capitol was built up over time. A display shows you what it looked like when Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated a second time, while other displays take you on virtual tours of the rooms and halls of the Capitol you don’t get to see on the tour.

Some of it is hands-on, including the Democracy Lab , intended for children aged 8 to 14. Here, kids collaborate in educational activities meant to teach them about the Capitol and the democratic process within. (Adults must accompany the kids.)

Capitol Cafe

There is a public cafeteria in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center with a salad bar and food stations that will instantly be familiar to anyone who’s been to the biggest museums in Washington, D.C., or New York City (like the American Museum of Natural History). You get all the greatest hits of any major school field trip destination, including but not limited to burgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, pizza, a rotating “ethnic food” station, and crowd-pleasing but easily mass-produced desserts like Key lime pie and cookies .

Members of Congress have separate cafeterias, restaurants, and coffee shops in the wings of the Capitol that the public isn’t allowed in.

There are 2 gift shops in the visitor center where you can buy Capitol- and D.C.-related knickknacks, including, yes, astronaut ice cream, just like in every other museum gift shop anywhere in the capital.

Tours begin every 10 minutes from morning until 3:20 p.m. You should try to get to the visitor center early, allowing for plenty of time to race down the Mall, if need be, and get through security. Don’t count on them being loosey-goosey with the schedule. We were 2 or 3 minutes late because there was a snag at security ahead of us, and we missed our tour. We only got to take a Capitol tour because the man at the ticketing desk took pity on us and gave us same-day tickets for the next tour. All tours are led by professional tour guides — you’re handed a clunky listening device on a lanyard and a pair of headphones that are tuned to your specific guide’s frequency. That’s the only practical way you get to hear what they say, since the cavernous halls of the Capitol echo so loudly with the sounds of the thousands and thousands of people inside. You have to give the listening devices back when the tour’s over.

A typical tour takes you to the crypt, the rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall but never goes into the  Senate and House galleries . You must arrange gallery visits by contacting your U.S. representative (for the House) or senator (for the Senate).

A Capitol tour usually lasts around an hour.

The crypt doesn’t actually have any dead people in it. This relatively cozy space was built to be the permanent resting place of George Washington — who had already been buried for years and whose family, it turned out later, had no intention of digging him up. (Note to Capitol builders: Maybe check in with the widow before building a crypt for someone.)

It’s also where you get to see, close up, a number of the rotating statues that each state has sent to represent the important people in their histories. You may find some of these choices obvious, some of them baffling, and some of them infuriating. And there will be at least a few where you give your traveling companions the “Who the hell is that?” look.

Capitol Rotunda

The dome is in many ways more awe-inspiring on the inside than the outside. As the guides explain to visitors, the massive dome and the intricate details and artwork are the result of 2 centuries of painstaking work, setbacks, resets, and arguments — lots of arguments.

National Statuary Hall

The main display space for those state statues, the National Statuary Hall , looks both grandly majestic and like an extra set from the director’s cut of “Caligula.” Your guide will have more information about the statues in the hall during your visit — probably with some sort of quiz — but this, apparently, is a busy space for congresspeople to go whizzing by as they rush to make a vote. (Yes, even that one.) In fact, the outer door to the current speaker of the House and third line to the presidency, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, is so close that it looks like it could be National Statuary Hall’s cloakroom.

Want a Specialty Tour?

Was the hour-long vanilla tour not enough to quench your congressional thirst? Go to the specialty tours page to see when and where to join deeper-dive tours on specific subjects (women’s rights, Indigenous peoples, the grounds, etc.).

The U.S. Capitol is one of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the world (even if so many people get it mixed up with the White House) and is a symbol of American democracy, America’s foibles, and everything that’s both right and wrong with the country. Its history, both as a building and an institution, is remarkable, and taking a tour of it should be on the bucket list of anyone interested in American history, politics, or astronaut ice cream.

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Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours

Tour Information

Capitol & library of congress, capitol & library of congress highlights.

• Supreme Court Building - the legislative center of the US Government.
• stand where the four quadrants of DC intersect to learn about DC history.
• an interior tour of the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building to see the beautiful artwork and mosaics of the Main Hall of the Library of Congress
• view a rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible
• see Thomas Jefferson's Library collection
• the best photo of the US Capitol Building
• the National Statuary Collection (over 52 statues from US States and territories) at the US Capitol
• Capitol Building - on the US Capitol tour, for which we have arranged tickets, your docent will take you to the Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall

Our Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours bring you to the top of "the Hill."

A trip to DC would not be complete without a visit to the seat of our legislative and judicial branches.

CAPITOL & LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (TICKETS INCLUDED)

Our tour is about the history, architecture, and workings of the Capitol Hill complex, but we have timed tickets to enter two federal buildings.

We'll take you on a tour of the Library of Congress, and we have arranged advanced courtesy tickets for our guests to take the US Capitol Building docent-led tour after our tour concludes.

Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours cover:

Your licensed, professional tour guide will take you to:

Want to visit the Capitol Building on your own? Check out our guide to touring the US Capitol.

Tour information

We enter the Library of Congress and the US Capitol on our ticketed tours.

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve .

Where:  Our tour starts at the intersection of 1 Street NE and Constitution Ave NE.

Purchase a guaranteed parking spot in advance near the tour’s starting point with  SpotHero .

Duration:  Approx. 2 hrs and less than a mile.  This tour does include stairs and is not accessible for wheelchairs, scooters or strollers. Due to security procedures, please do not bring strollers on this tour.

Allow an additional hour after our tour for the US Capitol tour.

When:  This tour runs daily except Sundays and Mondays. (You can take our self guided tour whenever!)

What Should I Bring?

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A water bottle
• Appropriate clothing / umbrella - tours are rain or shine!

What's Included

• Professional Historian/Tour Guide
• Recommendations for the best food, music and museums
• Advice on must-do experiences

CAPITOL HILL SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR

This self-guided audio tour takes you around Capitol Hill at your own pace.

We discuss the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the US Capitol.

The audio tour includes a Google Map to help navigate through the area.

PURCHASE AUDIO TOUR HERE .

And much, much more

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

• America Unscripted
• Lincoln Assassination Unscripted
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Capitol Hill
• Off Menu Union
• Get the Book

Capitol Hill Tour

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Meet the Sponsors: Hale

Live, Virtual Capitol Tour

Join one of our knowledgeable guides for a live, virtual tour of the Capitol. The tour includes the Crypt, Rotunda, National Statuary Hall, the Old Supreme Court Chamber, and the Old Senate Chamber. The tour will have live video and audio with time for questions and answers.

These online tours are available upon request by emailing [email protected] . Tours are 45-60 minutes, including time for questions and answers. Tour participation requires a device that plays sound and video. Participants will not be on camera and will submit questions via the chat feature.

To request an accommodation to participate in a Virtual Capitol Tour, please email your request to  [email protected]   at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour.