Visiting Capitol Hill

Public Tour of the U.S. Capitol

Your visit to the historic U.S. Capitol begins as you enter the Capitol Visitor Center.  The Capitol Visitor Center is the newest addition to the Capitol, first opened to the public on December 3, 2008. With its soaring spaces and skylight views of the Capitol dome, the Visitor Center welcomes you on a journey of discovery.  Through films, exhibits, and a tour, 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. Please note that this is the same tour of the Capitol that is offered by my staff, but it is conducted by the Capitol Guide Service.

For more information about the Capitol Visitor Center and visiting the U.S. Capitol, please visit www.visitthecapitol.gov.

To book your tour through the Capitol Visitor Center’s Advance Reservation System, please visit http://tours.visitthecapitol.gov.

Lincoln Staff-Led Tour of the U.S. Capitol 
My office is able to schedule staff-led tours of the Capitol Building for families from Arkansas. For a guided tour of the Capitol led by my office, please fill out and submit this tour request form or call my office at 202-224-4843.  My office can typically accommodate Capitol tour requests Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Please Note: There is a 15-person limit per staff-led Capitol Tour.  Groups larger than 15 people should schedule a public tour of the Capitol (see Above).  When scheduling a staff-led tour, please give at least 2 weeks advance notice to my office.

Passes to the Senate Gallery 
It is my pleasure to offer passes to the Senate Chamber Gallery free of charge to my constituents.  Passes are always required to visit the Galleries.  Senate Gallery passes are available in my office, Room 355 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.  If your party requires more than 10 passes, please call ahead to our office so we can have them ready for you.  PLEASE NOTE:  Children under the age of six are not permitted in the galleries.  Furthermore, all electronics including, but not limited to, cameras, video recorders, key chains with electronic functions, cell phones, Blackberry(R) Smartphones, as well as strollers, must be checked before entrance to the Gallery.  The entrance to the Senate Gallery is in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Passes to the House Gallery
Passes for the House Chamber must be obtained through your Representative's office.  The entrance to the House Gallery is also in the Capitol Visitor Center.