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Lying in State of President George H. W. Bush


The public is invited to pay their respects to President George H. W. Bush from 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 3, to 7 a.m. Wednesday, December 5. Please enter through the Capitol Visitor Center.

On Monday, December 3, Tuesday, December 4, and Wednesday, December 5, the Capitol Visitor Center will be closed for normal operations, and all Capitol tours are cancelled.

If you have a tour reservation and would like to reschedule, please visit our website at www.visitthecapitol.gov or contact the Visitor Services Office at (202)226-8000.

On Thursday, December 6, the Capitol Visitor Center will reopen for normal operations 8:30 a.m.

Plan A Visit

The United States Capitol is a monument, a working office building, and one of the most recognizable symbols of representative democracy in the world.

Visitors are welcome to enter the building through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. You can begin your Capitol experience at the Visitor Center by visiting the Exhibition Hall, perusing our Gift Shops or dining in our Restaurant. Please review the U.S. Capitol prohibited items list before your visit.

The Capitol Visitor Center, the main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located beneath the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol at First Street and East Capitol Street.

Tours of the Capitol Book a Tour Make, Modify, or Cancel a Reservation.
Prohibited Items Prohibited Items In order to ensure the safety of visitors and staff and to preserve the collections, facilities and historic buildings and grounds, some items are prohibited at the U.S. Capitol.
Explore More of the Capitol Specialty Tours and Activities There are a number of special activities you may take advantage of at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Getting To The Capitol Getting To The Capitol Located at the center of Washington, D.C., the U.S. Capitol and other buildings on Capitol Hill are easily accessible via multiple public transportation centers.
Visitor Hours & Info Visitor Hours & Info The Capitol Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Inauguration Day.
Accessibility Services Accessibility Services The Capitol Visitor Center provides a variety of services for individuals with disabilities including sign language interpreting services and wheelchair loans.
Emergency Evacuation Info Emergency Evacuation Info In the event of an emergency, please follow the guidance of U.S. Capitol Police Officers
Watching Congress in Session Watching Congress in Session Get passes for the Senate and House Visitor Galleries where you can watch Congress in session from your Representative or Senators.
Where To Eat Where To Eat Freshly-made soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees are available at the Capitol Cafe on the lower level.
Where To Shop Where To Shop You’ll find a unique selection of merchandise inspired by the Capitol’s art and architecture at two Gift Shops on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center.
Suggested Itineraries Suggested Itineraries Have an hour? Have an afternoon? Make a day of it!
U.S. Capitol Map U.S. Capitol Map Map of the Capitol campus
Capitol Visitor Center Indoor Map Capitol Visitor Center Indoor Map Capitol Visitor Center Indoor Map
Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions Answers to questions like how to cancel a reservation
Student Orientation Video Student Orientation Video “A Capitol Moment” videos are bite-sized talks about the artwork and exhibits in the Capitol Visitor Center.