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Visit DC

U.S. Capitol

East Plaza of the U.S. Capitol 

First Street and East Capitol Street, N.E.
202-226-8000

The U.S. Capitol, home to the U.S. Congress and its two legislative bodies, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, offers visitors a close-up look at democracy in action.  Your visit to the historic U.S. Capitol begins as you enter the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) with its soaring spaces and skylight views of the Capitol dome.  Through films, exhibits and tours, you will learn about how Congress works, how this magnificent building was built, and how citizens can participate in this extraordinary experiment called representative democracy.

Capitol Visitor Center
The Capitol Visitor Center opened in 2008 and allows visitors an easy and accessible way to learn about the U.S. Capitol.  The CVC is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Inauguration Day.  You do not need a reservation to tour just the Capitol Visitor Center.

To tour the U.S. Capitol, you must be on a guided tour.  Tours of the Capitol begin in the Capitol Visitor Center and are offered from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.  Capitol tours are free, but reservations are required.   You can learn more about the Capitol Visitor Center and schedule a Capitol tour at www.visitthecapitol.gov.

Senate Visitors’ Gallery
The Senate visitors’ gallery is open any time the Senate is in session and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday when the Senate is in recess or adjourned.  The Senate visitors’ gallery is not included in a tour of the U.S. Capitol, and Senate gallery passes are required.  

You may pick up both Senate and House gallery passes from my office, room 269 of the Russell Senate Office, just across Constitution Avenue from the Capitol.  The closest entrance to my office is on the corner of First and C Streets, N.E.  Many constituents prefer to visit my office prior to their scheduled tour to pick up gallery passes.

If you have any questions, please call my tour coordinator at (202) 224-6221.