Our office hopes to provide you with helpful information and resources as you plan your trip to Washington. Please feel free to contact our Washington office at (202) 224-4944 for assistance. If you would like to receive a Washington Tour Information Packet, please click here: submit tour requests
We recommend that you start planning your visit to Washington early. Tours at many locations fill up quickly, so it is important to reserve tickets and tours as soon as possible. We suggest that families and groups of 10 people or less submit requests at least two months in advance of a visit, and that large organized groups submit requests at least six months before a planned visit. Please note that tours fill up even faster during holiday times and in the spring and summer months. Also, because tour and security information can change frequently and without notice, we recommend you contact each attraction before your trip for the most up-to-date information.
When planning how you will get here and there in the capital, it is important to pay attention to the quadrant at the end of an address. The District of Columbia is divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. All numbered streets run north and south, and lettered streets run east and west. Streets with state names, such as "Tennessee" or "Pennsylvania" are diagonals.
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 Avenue, NE. (You will be heading toward the Capitol.) Continue on Delaware until you reach C Street, NE, and turn left.
As you walk east down C Street, you will pass the Russell Senate Office Building on your right. Continue on C Street and cross First Street. On your right will be the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The most convenient entrance to the public for the Dirksen building is on C Street, NE, between First and Second Streets, NE.
The Dirksen Senate Office Building will be on your right. The senator's office is SD-455, room 455 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Visitor Entrances:
We hope you enjoy your visit to Washington, and viewing a session of Congress. The galleries of the Senate and the House of Representatives are open to view whenever either body is in session. The galleries are also open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM when the House and Senate are not in session. Passes are always required to visit the galleries. These free passes are available in our office, suite 455 of the Dirksen 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.
Senate GalleryOur office is happy to schedule a United States Capitol tour for you, Monday through Saturday. Please go to submit tour requests or call Senator Alexander's office at 202.224.4944.
You may also want to consult the Architect of the Capitol website or the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
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.
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