Visiting the US Capitol
The US Capitol is one of the most visited buildings in Washington, DC. Home to both the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the US Capitol is the legislative body of the United States.
The US Capitol complex serves as a meeting place for joint sessions of Congress, presidential inaugurations, state funerals and its grounds hosts an annual Independence Day Concert, a Memorial Day Concert, a Christmas tree lighting and much more.
Standing at the Washington Monument and looking in the opposite direction of the Lincoln Memorial, the US Capitol is located at the opposite end of the National Mall. Historic rooms like the Old Supreme Court and the Old Senate Chamber are among the 540 rooms (five floors) in the complex.
Visitors will be impressed with Statutory Hall where they can find two statues from each state, representing the most important people in the state’s history. Additionally, you won’t want to miss the Capitol Rotunda and the beauty of its mural.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Capitol Visitor Center- This new addition opened its doors in December 2008 and has really made the experience more enjoyable. Instead of waiting in a seemingly endless line waiting for a tour, the Capitol Visitor Center allows visitors to watch feeds from the House and Senate Floors; browse through artifacts from the Library of Congress and the National Archives. There are two 250-seat theaters where visitors get to screen a history of the Capitol entitled E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One, a congressional auditorium, a restaurant, and gift shops. The entrance is on the east lawn.
Tours - Tours are free and occur between 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Tickets are required and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Book tours in advance at www.visitthecapitol.gov or call your representative or Senator's office at (202) 226-8000 and ask their office to arrange a tour for you. If you are interested in watching floor when Congress is in session, you can also ask your congressional representatives’ offices for tickets.
Getting There
Visitors have several options of transportation. There are always plenty of taxis on the Hill. Or you might want to take the Metro. The closest Metro stations are Union Station and Capitol South. Depending on where you are staying, walking is also a great way to get to the Hill.
Official Website
For more information visit www.aoc.gov.
