Welcome to the U.S. Senate Online Visitors Center
The United States Capitol is one of the most recognizable symbols of Democracy in the world. Serving as both a legislative office building and a monument, the Capitol draws in thousands of tourists each year. This online Visitors Center is designed to provide you with the latest information to help you plan your trip to the Capitol, the Senate, and to the Washington, D.C. area.
The general visiting hours of the Senate and Capitol are:
Monday through Saturday
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Visitation guidelines will change due to security concerns as well as Capitol Visitor Center construction progress. We encourage you to call the Capitol Guide Service Recorded Information Line at 202-225-6827 for the latest tour information and to hear a list of items prohibited in the Capitol (PDF list) before your visit. The Information Line is updated as frequently as necessary.
Watching the Senate in Session
Visitors can watch Senate proceedings from the gallery whenever the Senate is in session. For information on entrance to the gallery, see Visiting the Capitol Galleries. The essay The Senate in Session is a good introduction to Senate floor proceedings.