The DC Traveler

For over 200 years, the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC has been the seat of American government and it’s open to the public for guided tours only.

The Capitol’s 500+ rooms serve both the House of Representatives and the Senate, plus staff.

On the third floor, when Congress is in session, visitors with passes can watch a couple minutes the proceedings where lawmaking, speech making, voting and typical partisan posturing occurs.

Afterwards, visit the Rotunda, with frescoed paintings of major events in American history, the Crypt, and the National Statuary Hall (rub the the shoes of Will Rogers for good luck). And don’t miss the Old Supreme Court Chamber and Old Senate Chamber.

For the most comprehensive tour, including the House visitor’s gallery, contact your local Senator or Congressman or woman in advance, and request a tour or gallery ticket, depending on what’s available. Or take your chances and drop in at their office and see if any passes or tours have openings. Your best results in person will be to try early in the morning or request tickets for a time on another day.

The Capitol Building has countless works of art, paintings, frescos and statues all over the building, and much is visible to tourists. In the Statuary Hall, each state is allowed to place two statues of people of prominence from each state.

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If you can’t get tickets through your congressional representative or Senator, you’ll need to get tickets at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk and wait in line (often for 3+ hours).

Yet if you can score a pass from your Rep, you might get on a tour led by a knowledgeable Congressional intern or staffer. And if you’re extra lucky, your tour might include a ride on the Capitol’s rarely seen underground tram.

U.S. Capitol Building
E. Capitol and First Streets, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-225-6827 (recorded info line)

Dates and Times - Daily except Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Best to call ahead to avoid any tour cancellations due to heightened security issues or special events.

Tickets - FREE, but first-come, first-served tickets are required. Tickets available at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk southwest of the Capitol (near the corner of First Street, S.W. and Independence Ave.) Or contact your representative for passes.

Ticket distribution begins at 9:00 a.m. daily. Ticket holders then proceed to the South Visitor Receiving Facility, located on the south side of the Capitol, where their tour will begin. Maximum tour size is 40 people. Waits can be long during peak periods, especially on Saturdays. Best to arrive before the kiosk opens.

Restricted Items - There’s a long list of items that are not allowed on either the tour or in the Senate or House galleries, so check before going. Plan on passing though at least one, and up to four security checks.

Nearest Metro Subway Station - Capitol South, Blue and Orange lines, then a 4-block walk or use the DC Circulator.

Parking - Very limited metered street parking is may be available, but watch for restricted parking signs on streets close to the Capitol. Most near by residential neighborhoods limit parking to non-resident drivers to only two hours, so parking lots may be the safest (and lowest cost) option. Parking lots and garages can be found in the area, on Independence Ave, in Capitol Hill. Parking can also be found at Union Station.

Images - Statue of Freedom, State of the Union address, map - Architect of the Capitol, other from personal collection - ©2008, Jon Rochetti

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