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U.S. Capitol Guide Service

Guided Tours of the Capitol

The United States Capitol is a monument, a working legislative building, and one of the most recognizable symbols of Democracy in the world. You are planning your visit to the Capitol during a time of great growth, as we have now started construction of a Capitol Visitor Center. When finished, the Capitol Visitor Center - located under the East Front Plaza - will provide a dramatically improved educational experience for all visitors: an experience enhanced through exhibits, displays of historic documents, and documentary presentations. You will also be visiting the Capitol during a period of heightened awareness of security and safety. This concern is not simply for the security of Members of Congress and staff, but the security and safety of everyone who visits here.

Because visitation guidelines will be changing as the construction process goes along, we encourage you to call the Capitol Guide Service Recorded Information Line for the latest tour information before your visit. That number is 202-225-6827, and we update the information on it as frequently as necessary.

Hours | Tickets | Directions | Galleries | Useful Information | Tips | Accessibility

What are the hours of operation for the Guide Service?

The Capitol Guide Service conducts free guided tours of the Capitol Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The first public tour begins each day at 9:00 A.M. and the last at 3:30 PM. Tours last approximately thirty to forty minutes.

  • The Capitol is unavailable for tours on Sundays.

The Capitol is closed to the public on the following Federal holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • Occasionally, a special event—such as a visit by a head of state—may temporarily suspend guided tours.

Please call the Guide Service's recorded information line at 202-225-6827 for recorded information on any possible special events.

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Tickets

  • Tickets are distributed each morning beginning at 9:00 AM, for all public guided tours of the Capitol.
  • Tickets are required for all tours of the Capitol. Capitol Guide Service personnel distribute the tickets on a first come, first serve basis from the Kiosk at the Southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, across from the Botanic Gardens.
  • Tickets are distributed one per person, and at the current time, are for same day admission only.
  • During the busy months of Spring and Summer, the line for tickets forms quite early in the morning, so please plan accordingly.

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Getting Here (Directions)

An overview - During construction of the Capitol Visitor Center, the entire East Front of the Capitol will be closed to tour operations. Therefore, all tour operations have moved to the West Front, looking toward the museums, the Mall and the Washington Monument.

Mobility Needs - Capitol Guide Service personnel operate a shuttle service for visitors with mobility needs. Simply check in with a guide at the Kiosk at the Southwest corner of the Capitol grounds (where tickets are issued).

No matter how one arrives at the Capitol, there are three primary entry destinations or entry points:

  1. Capitol Guide Service Ticketing and Information Kiosk - This is at the Southwest corner of the grounds, next to the Botanic Gardens.
  2. South Screening Facility - This is found on the House of Representatives wing of the building, and is where House of Representatives gallery pass holders enter the Capitol.
  3. North Screening Facility - This is next to the Senate wing of the building, and is where Senate Gallery pass holders enter the Capitol.

How do I get to the Capitol by walking?

The United States Capitol is bordered by Constitution Avenue to the North, Independence Avenue to the South, and First Streets, East and West.

Visitors are welcome to wander the grounds of the Capitol. During construction of the Capitol Visitor Center, most of the East Front will be closed to visitors.

How do I get to the Capitol by car?

Please keep in mind that there is very little public parking available near the Capitol. The nearest public parking facility is in Union Station, to the North of the Capitol.

Metered street parking is found along the Mall to the West of the Capitol.

How do I get to the Capitol by Metro?

There are three Metro stops found within walking distance of the Capitol:

  1. Union Station - Located at the East side of First Street, Northwest, north Massachusetts Avenue (west side Union Station).
  2. Capitol South - Located at First Street between C & D Streets, Southeast.
  3. Federal Center, SW - Located at the Southwest corner of 3rd & D streets, Southwest. This is the nearest Metro station to the Capitol Guide Service ticket Kiosk.

How do I get to the Capitol by bus?

During construction of the Capitol Visitor Center on the East Front of the building, the public tour bus drop-off point will be on 1st Street, SW at Garfield Circle near the Botanic Garden.

The bus pick up area is at Peace Circle, 1st Street, NW.

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Visiting the Galleries

The galleries of the Senate and House of Representatives are open to view whenever either body is in session. The galleries are also open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM when the House is not in session. The Senate gallery is not open if the Senate is not in session. Gallery passes, different for each chamber, are obtained from the office of your Senator or Representative and are required to enter the gallery whether they are in session or not.

Senate Gallery - The line for entry to the Senate Gallery is at the North side of the Capitol.

Houses of Representatives Gallery - The line for entry to the House of Representatives Gallery is found at the South side of the Capitol.

International Visitors to the Gallery - International visitors are always welcome to view a session of the Senate or House, and should enter through the House of Representatives Gallery line. Capitol Guide Service personnel issue international gallery passes inside the South Screening Facility.

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Useful Information

Security Screening

  • Before entry into the Capitol, all visitors are screened by a magnetometer, and all items that visitors may bring inside the building are screened by an x-ray device.
  • Prohibited Items (PDF)* - Please review the list of items visitors are prohibited from bringing into the Capitol and/or Galleries. Please note that the Capitol Police are authorized to make exceptions if a prohibited item is determined to be necessary and required to serve child care, medical or other special needs.

Dining Areas

You will find several places to eat in the House Office Buildings during your visit:

Restaurants Open to the Public in the House Office Buildings

  • Cannon Carry-Out - Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Call 202-225-6230 for more information.
  • Longworth Food Court - Open 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday (located in the Longworth Building Basement). Call 202-225-0878 for more information.
  • Rayburn Cafeteria - Open 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call 202-225-7109 for more information.
  • Rayburn Pizza Plus - Open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Call 202-225-3504 for more information.
  • Ford Cafeteria - Open 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday (located in the Ford Building, first floor). Call 202-225-2238 for more information.
  • Ford Carry-Out - Open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday (located in the Ford Building, first floor). Call 202-225-2238 for more information.

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Tour Tips

Always Allow Enough Time
Remember that there is an enormous amount to see in and around the Capitol: taking a tour of the Capitol, visiting the office of your Senator and Representative, or sitting in to see the Senate and/or House in session just to name three possibilities.
Visit the Office of your Representative
Try to take time while you are visiting Washington to visit the office of your Representative
Their offices are found in the Cannon House Office Building, the Longworth House Office Building and the Rayburn House Office Building. This web site has a listing of all room numbers. When you are here, simply check with a Capitol Police officer or a Capitol Guide for directions on how to find their office.
Attend a Senate and/or a House Session
See section on "Visiting the Galleries" for further information.
Attend a Committee Hearing
Most committee meetings are open to the public. Local papers as well as this web site list the daily hearing schedules for House Committees and subcommittees.

Visit the Library of Congress, Supreme Court and the Botanic Gardens

Library of Congress
As noted on their web site (http://www.loc.gov/about/), "the Library serves as the research arm of Congress and is recognized as the national library of the United States. Its collections comprise the world's most comprehensive record of human creativity and knowledge. Open to those above high school age without charge or special permission, it is the world's largest library and a great resource to scholars and researchers."
They offer public tours at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Saturday public tours are offered at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Supreme Court of the United States
The building is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. They give lectures in the Courtroom every hour on the half-hour, on days that the Court is not sitting.
United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden recently reopened after a complete restoration. They display more than 4,000 specimens of plants, and, as described on their web site (http://www.usbg.gov), "we are proud to offer the citizens of Washington and visitors from across the nation a beautiful and fascinating living plant museum here on our Nation's Mall at the foot of the U.S. Capitol."
The Botanic Garden is open daily, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and is at the Southwest corner of the Capitol grounds—bordered by Independence Avenue and Maryland Avenue.

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Accessibility

The Congressional Special Services Office (CSSO) provides a variety of services for individuals with disabilities, whether they are staff or visitors. These include adaptive tours of the Capitol building, wheelchair loans, and interpreting services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. CSSO prepares and distributes several brochures and sensory aids for visitors with disabilities. CSSO can assist with any questions regarding access to the Capitol and the House.

Location: Crypt of the Capitol, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 224-4048 (Voice) 224-4049 (TTY) Fax: 228-4679

Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Assistive Listening Devices

Visitors that would like a sound amplification device may make use of an FM System. This is an assistive listening device that can be used for such things as a Capitol tour, a meeting with a Representative or staff, a committee hearing, etc. Use of an FM system can be arranged through a Representative's Office, or CSSO, depending on the nature of the event.

Audio Tapes, Brochures, and Maps

Brochures and maps are available in several formats, including large print, braille, ASCII disc and audio tape form for visitors who are blind or have low vision. These include: The Congressional Special Services brochure and the Washington Highlights: Tour Information for Visitors with Disabilities.

  • The Congressional Special Services brochure highlights information regarding CSSO services, maps showing facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities, such as restrooms, elevators, telephones, ramps, etc., and historical information.
  • The Washington Highlights: Tour Information for Visitors with Disabilities brochure highlights information regarding parking, accessible Washington area tourist sites, TTY phone numbers, and assistive services.

Congressional Special Services also offers an Audio Descriptive Tour of the Capitol, for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. We have designed this audio tape to be used either before or after taking a tour, and we have not intended it to be used as a self guiding tool.

Copies of these brochures and audio tape are available through either an individual's Representative or by contacting the Congressional Special Services Office directly.

Coin-Operated Public TTYs

Coin Operated Public TTYs are located in the Capitol and all buildings on the House Side of the Capitol Complex, their locations are as follows:

  • The Capitol Building - First floor, across from the Senate Refectory
  • The Cannon House Office Building - New Jersey Avenue entrance, first floor.
  • The Longworth House Office Building - Independence Avenue entrance, first floor near the elevators.
  • The Rayburn House Office Building - South Capitol Street entrance, to the right of the lobby.
  • The Ford House Office Building - Third Street Lobby.

Accessible Entrances at the Capitol and House Office Buildings

Accessible entrances to the Capitol and the House Office Buildings are as follows:

  • Capitol - Public Tours enter on the South or House Side of the Capitol, which is accessible. Official House business also enters on the South Side of the Capitol through an accessible entrance.
  • The Cannon House Office Building - Entrance on New Jersey Avenue, S.E. south of the terrace at intersection with Independence Avenue.
  • The Longworth House Office Building - Main entrance, Independence and New Jersey Avenues.
  • The Rayburn House Office Building - Main entrance, horseshoe drive off South Capitol Street.
  • The Ford House Office Building - Entrance on 3rd Street, S.E. near the intersection with D Street, S.W.

Accessible Parking at the Capitol and House Office Buildings

Public parking is very limited around the Capitol Complex. The closest public parking facility is Union Station. The District of Columbia does recognize accessible parking permits issued by the states and territories.

  • Parking is permitted at designated handicapped spaces or any metered/un-metered parking space (no fee required), within the hours allowed for general parking in that area. Visitors must display State issued handicapped tags or permits.
  • Parking is not allowed where stopping, standing or parking is prohibited to all vehicles, in spaces reserved for special vehicles (buses, taxis, etc.), or where is would clearly be a traffic hazard. If you have an appointment in a Representative's office, you may request accessible parking through that office.

Useful Phone Numbers

  • Phone numbers for Representative's offices are available by calling the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (voice) or 202-224-3091 (tty)
  • The House of Representatives Relay Service is available to receive calls for House offices. Call 202-225-1904 (tty). Incoming messages will be delivered to the appropriate office.
  • The Congressional Special Services Office: 202-224-4048 (voice) or 202-224-4049 (tty)
  • The Federal Relay Service: 800-877-8339 (voice/tty)
  • The Washington DC Relay Service: 202-855-1000 (voice) 202-855-1234 (tty)

Sign Language Interpreting Services

The Congressional Special Services Office has Certified Sign Language Interpreters on staff. Interpreting services are available for official activities including public tours, press conferences and constituents' meetings with Representatives and staff. Requests for interpreting services must be arranged through an individual's Representative.

The CSSO does not provide interpreters for committee meetings, unless requested by a Representative to enable a specific witness to communicate with committee members. Requests for interpreting services for audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing should be directed to the committee holding the specific hearing.

Tours

All public tours of the Capitol are accessible. Individuals with disabilities may also take a tour tailored to their individual needs, provided by the CSSO. The CSSO provides tours Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tours last approximately one hour. The CSSO accommodates walk-up tours as staff availability permits. Tours can be arranged in advance through a Representative's Office.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available for use by visitors in the Capitol Complex. Individuals on tour or visiting the House of Representatives Gallery may borrow a wheelchair upon entering the relevant visitor facility. Constituents visiting for other purposes may request the use of a wheelchair through their Representative's office.

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