The Capitol
East Plaza of the U.S. Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues
202-226-8000

Your visit to the historic U.S. Capitol begins as you enter the Capitol Visitor Center. With its soaring spaces and skylight views of the Capitol dome, the Visitor Center welcomes you on a journey of discovery. The Capitol is home to the U.S. Congress and its two legislative bodies, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. 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.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

• You do not need a pass to tour the Capitol Visitor Center.
• The Capitol Visitor Center is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day.
• To tour the U.S. Capitol building, you must be on a guided tour. Tours are free, but tour passes are required. Tour hours are 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
• Advance reservations for Capitol tours can be booked at Book a Tour of the U.S. Capitol.
• Some same-day Capitol tour passes are available at the tour kiosks on the East or West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.
• My office also offers tours of the Capitol to Michigan residents. Please use the Contact Center or call my Washington office at 202-224-6221 if you would like to schedule a staff-led tour.
• The Capitol tour pass does not get you into either the House or Senate Gallery. To visit either Gallery, you will need a House Gallery pass and/or a Senate Gallery pass, which you can obtain from my office in room SR-269 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
• The House and Senate Galleries are open to visitors whenever either chamber is in session. In addition, the House Gallery is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, when the House is not in session.
• The Senate Gallery line and staging area is located in the Capitol Visitor Center, Room CVC 139 on the upper level. Access to CVC 139 is through the main door of the Capitol Visitor Center.

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER WEBSITES

Capitol Visitor Center - Start your tour of the U.S. Capitol with a visit to the Capitol Visitor Center website.

Book a Tour of the U.S. Capitol - Tours of the Capitol are free, but passes are required. You can book your tour online through the Capitol Visitor Center advance reservation system.

LOCATION AND HOURS

The Capitol Visitor Center, the new main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located below the East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues.

Visitors: The Visitor Center is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day.

Official business: Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.

GUIDED TOURS OF THE CAPITOL

Guided tours of the Capitol begin at the Orientation Theaters on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. Out of Many, One, a 13-minute film, illustrates how this country established a new form of government, highlights the vital role that Congress plays in the daily lives of Americans, and introduces you to the building that houses the U.S. Congress

Tours are free, but tour passes are required.

Tour hours: 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday

Advance passes: Tours may be booked in advance online at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center website (click on "Book a Tour" under "Quick Links" in the right hand column or click here to go directly to the online reservation system), through the office of your senators or representative, or through the Office of Visitor Services by calling 202-226-8000.

Same-day passes: A limited number of passes are available each day at the tour kiosks on the East and West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.

WATCHING CONGRESS IN SESSION

Hours: The Senate and House Galleries are open to visitors whenever either body is in session. In addition, the House Gallery is open 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, when the House is not in session.

Passes: Passes are required to enter either gallery at any time. Visitors may obtain gallery passes from the offices of their senators or representatives. Senator Levin's office is located in room SR-269 of the Russell Senate Office Building. Gallery passes are available for international visitors at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the Upper Level.

Staging area: The Senate Gallery staging area is located in Room CVC 139 of the Capitol Visitor Center on the upper level. Access to CVC 139 is through the main door of the Capitol Visitor Center.

DINING AND GIFT SHOPS

Restaurant (Lower Level): Freshly made soups, salads, specialty entrees, pizza, sandwiches, desserts and beverages reflect the diverse bounty of America. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

Gift Shops (Upper Level): A unique selection of merchandise inspired by the Capitol's art and architectural treasures, fun and educational gifts, books, jewelry, and custom-designed products make excellent souvenirs. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday.

EXHIBITION HALL (Lower Level)

Here you can explore the only exhibition in the country dedicated to telling the story of Congress and the construction of the U.S. Capitol. Exhibit highlights include rarely seen historic documents from the National Archives and the Library of Congress, artifacts from around the country, and an 11-foot-tall touchable model of the Capitol dome. You may also watch the action on the floors of both chambers of Congress at the House and Senate theaters when Congress is in session. Numerous interactive stations allow you to discover more about Congress, its members and the Capitol. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ACCESS

Visitors have direct access from the Capitol Visitor Center to the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, one of the nation's greatest treasures, via the Library of Congress tunnel. The entrance to the tunnel is located on the upper level of the Visitor Center near the House Appointment Desk.

VISITOR TIPS

All areas of the Visitor Center are smoke free.

Strollers and baby-changing: Strollers are permitted in the Visitor Center and baby-changing stations are available in each family restroom.

Public telephones and ATMs: These are located outside each gift shop.

Foreign languages: Visitors may request listening devices for foreign-language versions of the films and the exhibition at the Information Desks.

Visitors with disabilities: Visitors may request wheelchairs from the Capitol Visitor Center staff wearing red vests or at one of the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall. Sign language interpreting for tours is available when booked in advance. Listening devices with audio description of the films and exhibition are available at the Information Desks. All films have captioning.

Service animals: Service animals are allowed in the Visitor Center of the Capitol

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Before entering the Capitol Visitor Center, all visitors are screened by a magnetometer and all items that are permitted inside the building are screened by an x-ray device.

The following items are strictly prohibited:

• Any bag larger than 14" wide by 13" high by 4" deep
• Aerosol containers
• Any pointed object e.g. knitting needles, letter openers, etc. Note: Pens and pencils are permitted.
• Cans and bottles
• Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices
• Food or beverages of any kind
• Guns, replica guns, ammunition and fireworks
• Knives of any size
• Mace and pepper spray
• Non-aerosol spray (prescriptions for medical needs are permitted)
• Razors and box cutters

The following items are allowed in the Capitol Visitor Center and the Capitol, but not in the Senate and House Galleries:

• Battery-operated electronic devices. (Medical devices are permitted.)
• Cameras
• Creams, lotions or perfumes
• Strollers
• Video recorders or any type of recording device

RESPECTING CAPITOL ART

During your visit, please help preserve the Capitol's statues and other works of art. Enjoy looking at them, but don't touch them. Each touch does some damage.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EVACUATION AT THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

• Proceed to the nearest exit - exit up stairs
• All emergency exits at the Visitor Center are located on the Upper Level
• Follow direction of U.S. Capitol Police
• If assistance is needed, seek U.S. Capitol Police help