U.S. Capitol

Areas beyond the visitor center are only accessible by guided tour. Options include group or private tours of Washington D.C. that take in the Capitol Building and include reserved tickets. The Capitol also offers official tours; booking far in advance is highly recommended—passes are available 120 days in advance—though a limited number of same-day, guided-tour passes are offered at the visitor center. You can also book reserved entry via a VIP experience.

• Areas beyond the visitor center are only accessible by guided tour.

• Reservations are recommended, but not required.

• Separate passes are required to view a session of Congress or a Congressional committee hearing. US citizens can obtain one from their state senator or representative; foreign visitors can try at the Capitol’s House and Senate appointment desks.

• When Congress is in session, a flag is raised above the appropriate wing (either the Senate or House). The spectacle is especially impressive when both are in session simultaneously.

• Capitol tours are family-friendly.

• No food, drink, or bags larger than 18 inches (46 centimeters) are permitted.

• A wide range of accessibility services are available to visitors. There is an on-demand shuttle service for those with limited mobility.

The U.S. Capitol is at the far eastern end of the National Mall in Washington D.C. Enter via the visitor center on East Capitol Street at First Street NW. You can easily get to the Capitol by foot, bike, car (though there is virtually no parking nearby), bus, or Metro. The nearest Metro stations are Union Station, Capitol South, and Federal Center SW.

The Capitol Visitor Center is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day. Visit in spring to see cherry blossom blooms or in winter to avoid the crowds. Same day Visitors without reservations are encouraged to arrive as early in the day as possible, when US Capitol ticket passes are more likely to be available.

Aside from the Capitol Building’s opulent chambers and impressive rotunda, the site overlooks the National Mall and is in close proximity to many other sights of great historic and cultural significance. Many Washington D.C. tours combine a Capitol Building visit with stops at other major landmarks such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the US Supreme Court Building, and the Library of Congress.

Yes, although tours of the US Capitol are not easy to book, they are free and absolutely worth it. The tours start with a historical orientation film in the visitor center and continue to the Capitol Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall.

Tours of the US Capitol typically last one hour, although they can run as long as 90 minutes. If you also want to explore the visitor center, which has an exhibition, gift shop, and café, add another hour. Visiting the voting chambers requires an additional 30 to 60 minutes.

No, you cannot visit the US Capitol without booking a tour. You can, however, visit the Capitol Visitor Center without any prior arrangements. There, you can view exhibits about the history of Congress and the Capitol, and purchase souvenirs from the gift shop.

Tours of the Capitol include the Rotunda (the large, domed, circular room located in the Capitol’s center); the National Statuary Hall (home to a collection of 100 statues contributed by each of the 50 states), and the Crypt, which is filled with Doric columns and more statues.

No. While Capitol workers and staff must follow a dress code, there are no dress regulations for visitors. That said, be mindful that the US Capitol is a place of work: dress appropriately and behave in a respectful manner. Also, large bags and purses are not allowed inside.

Technically, yes. Visitors can walk into the Capitol Visitor Center without booking a tour. Exploring the Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall requires booking a free, tour-guide-led tour. These can be booked online or through members of Congress.