Welcome to the U.S. Capitol

The United States Capitol

The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.

Whether you are here to get information about an upcoming visit, to involve yourself in the workings of the Senate and House of Representatives, or to be inspired by two centuries of art and architecture, this site will be a gateway to your Capitol experience.

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Plan a Visit

Hours: The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.

Backpack Warning: Do not bring large daypacks, backpacks or luggage into the Capitol. Any bag larger than 14" wide x 13" high x 4" deep is prohibited. All bags will be subject to a lengthy search and security screening.

Book a Tour: Tours of the U.S. Capitol are free. Advance reservations are required.

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What's Happening at the Capitol

The exhibition at the Capitol Visitor Center has changed, and there are now 50 different documents on display at the Visitor Center’s Exhibition Hall. The new documents will be on display through October 1, 2009. The new items include the first draft of Senate Joint Resolution 119, a joint resolution adopted by the House and the Senate on December 11, 1941, declaring war against Germany. This first draft of the resolution shows that the Senate used the previous declaration of war against Japan, S.J.Res. 116, as the basis of the document, and replaced references to “Japan” with “Germany.”

The 1787 Constitutional Convention printed only two drafts of the Constitution for discussion. The second draft, which is on display at the Visitor Center, replaced a list of states with the phrase “We the People of the United States,” emphasizing that the national government represented the people rather than a coalition of states. Click here for more information about the new exhibit.