Tours of the U.S. Capitol

The United States Capitol is open for tours six days a week and is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Tours are offered every ten minutes from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Visitors are asked to enter the building through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol (this is the side that faces the Supreme Court and Library of Congress). Since September 11, 2001, the Capitol has made a series of necessary changes in visitation procedures. Please keep in mind that when visiting the Capitol Building, certain items will be prohibited.

Tour hours - Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Advance Passes – Tours may be booked online at www.visitthecapitol.gov, by calling the Office of Visitor Services at (202) 226-8000, or through our online tour request form.

Same-Day Passes – Each day the Capitol Visitor Center sets aside additional passes for people who want to walk in and take the next available tour. These 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.

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.

Watching Congress In Session – The Senate and House Galleries are open to visitors whenever either body is in session. Unlike the Senate Gallery, which is closed unless the Senate is in session, the House Gallery is open from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. The Senate and House Gallery "Staging Areas," which is where you will enter the Galleries, are located on the upper level of the Visitor Center near the Orientation Theater exits. Passes are required to enter either gallery at any time. Visitors may obtain House Gallery passes from Congressman Doyle’s office by contacting the Tour Coordinator at 202-225-2135. Gallery passes are available for international visitors at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level.