Always Allow Enough Time
Remember that there is an enormous amount to see in and around the Capitol: taking a tour of the Capitol, visiting the office of your Senator and Representative, or sitting in to see the Senate and/or House in session just to name three possibilities.
Visit the Office of your Senator
Try to take time while you are visiting Washington to visit the office of your Senator.
Their offices are found in the Russell Senate Office Building, the Dirksen Senate Office Building and the Hart Senate Office Building. This web site has a listing of all room numbers. When you are here, simply check with a Capitol Police officer or a Capitol Guide for directions on how to find their office.
Attend a Senate and/or a House Session
See section on Visiting the Galleries for further information.
Attend a Committee Hearing
Most committee meetings are open to the public. Local papers as well as this web site list the daily hearing schedules for Senate Committees and subcommittees.
Visit the Library of Congress
The Library serves as the research arm of Congress and is recognized as the national library of the United States. Its collections comprise the world's most comprehensive record of human creativity and knowledge. Open to those above high school age without charge or special permission, it is the world's largest library and a great resource to scholars and researchers.
Go to the LOC website for more information on tours.
Visit the Supreme Court of the United States
The building is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. They give lectures in the Courtroom every hour on the half-hour, on days that the Court is not sitting.
Go to the U.S. Supreme Court website for more information.
United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden recently reopened after a complete restoration. They display more than 4,000 specimens of plants, and, as described on Botanic Garden web site, we are proud to offer the citizens of Washington and visitors from across the nation a beautiful and fascinating living plant museum here on our Nation's Mall at the foot of the U.S. Capitol.
Go to the Botanic Garden website for more information on tours.