As of December 2, 2008, the Capitol Building tour procedure has changed with the opening of the new Capitol Visitor's Center (CVC). This new facility offers many exciting opportunities for visitors to learn about the history of the Capitol Building and the Congress. For more information regarding the CVC, please click here.

What You Need To Know

If you are interested in a tour of the Capitol Building, please click here to make a reservation using the Advanced Reservation System (ARS). We recommend you allot at least two hours to explore this inspiring new addition to the Capitol Building.

If reservations for a Capitol tour are no longer available, the CVC is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A visit to the CVC does not require a reservation.

If you plan to visit the Capitol Building or CVC, certain items are prohibited from both facilities. Please click here to view the list of prohibited items. There is no storage available on the Capitol complex for prohibited items. Access will be denied to both facilities if you bring any of these items with you to the Capitol complex.

For school groups: Capitol Building tour reservations must be scheduled by school officials by using the Group Tour Link or calling (202) 224-8406.

The Office of Congressional Accessibility Service provides tours of the Capitol and assists individuals with disabilities. If your visit requires assistance, please contact the Office of Congressional Accessibility Service at (202) 224-4048.

If you are interested in visiting the Senate or House of Representatives galleries, please stop by my Washington office (Hart 330) for passes. For your convenience, we recommend calling ahead to find out what time Congress will be in session for the best opportunity to see legislative action.