We encourage you to include a visit to Capitol Hill on your trip to Washington. Take a few moments to stop by our office, Suite 356 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The main visitor's entrance is located on Delaware Ave., NE and Constitution Avenue, NE.
Our office is located just a few block from Union Station on the intersection of Delaware Ave., NE and Constitution Avenue, NE.
From Union Station Metro (Red Line):
Exit Union Station and walk across the plaza (Columbus Circle) toward the ring of state flags. Cross the street encircling the plaza and continue south on Delaware Ave., NE. (You will be heading toward the Capitol.) Continue on Delaware Ave. and cross over C Street.
The Russell Senate Office Building will be on your right. The most convenient entrance to the public for the Russell building is on Delaware Ave. and Constitution Avenue.
The senator's office is suite 356 in the Russell Senate Office Building.
From Capitol South Metro (Orange Line):
Follow 1st St. approximately 3 blocks (you will pass the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court on your right) until you cross Constitution Ave. Turn left on Constitution and the Russell Senate Office Building will be on your right.
Visitor Entrances:
It is our pleasure to offer passes to the Senate Chamber Gallery free of charge to our constituents. Passes are always required to visit the Galleries. These free passes are available in our office, suite 356 of the Russell Senate Office Building. If your party requires more than 20 passes, please call ahead to our office so we can have them ready for you. PLEASE NOTE: Children under the age of six are not permitted in the galleries. Furthermore, all electronics including, but not limited to, cameras, video recorders, key chains with electronic functions, cell phones, Blackberrys, as well as strollers, must be checked before entrance to the Gallery.
Senate Gallery
The line for entry to the Senate Gallery is at the North side of the Capitol. From the Russell building, you can walk on First Street and walk to the corner of First Street and Constitution Avenue.
Houses of Representatives Gallery
The line for entry to the House of Representatives Gallery is found at the South side of the Capitol. Passes for the House Chamber must be obtained through your Representative's office.
International Visitors to the Gallery
International visitors are always welcome to view a session of the Senate or House, and should enter through the House of Representatives Gallery line. Capitol Guide Service personnel issue international gallery passes inside the South Screening Facility.
LOCATION AND HOURS
The Capitol Visitor Center, the new main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located below the East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues.
Public tours of the United States Capitol and the Capitol Visitor Center are available Monday through Saturday, 8:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day. Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.
Visitors: The Visitor Center is open to the public 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.
Official Business: Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.
GUIDED TOURS OF THE CAPITOL
Guided tours of the Capitol begin at the Orientation Theaters on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. “Out of Many, One,” a 13-minute film, illustrates how this country established a new form of government, highlights the vital role that Congress plays in the daily lives of Americans, and introduces you to the building that houses the U.S. Congress.
Tours are free, but tour passes are required.
Tour hours: 8:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Saturday
Advance Passes: We are able to schedule a tour of the Capitol for families from Florida. Please email your request to tour_request@martinez.senate.gov or call 202-224-3041 to contact our Tour Coordinator and book a tour during your stay.
The following information is required to book a tour. Please make sure to include all of the following when emailing or calling our office to book your tour:
Prefix:
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone Number:
(Cell or hotel phone in DC)
Email Address:
Number in Party:
Requested Dates:
Special Needs:
Same-Day Passes: A limited number of passes are available each day at the tour kiosks on the East and West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.
Tours may be booked in advance online at www.visitthecapitol.gov, through the office of your Senators or Representative, or through the Office of Visitor Services by calling (202) 226-8000.
*Please note that visitors to the Capitol are not permitted to bring any of the following items: aerosol sprays, liquids of any kind (including water bottles), unsealed foodstuffs, oversized suitcases or backpacks, knives of any kind, razors, mace, pepper spray, matches or lighters. However, Capitol police are authorized to make exceptions if the prohibited item is deemed to be necessary and required to serve child care, medical, or other special needs.
You may also want to consult the Architect of the Capitol website.
The Architect of the Capitol is responsible to the United States Congress for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol, the congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, the Supreme Court building, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol Power Plant, and other facilities.