Mobile Menu - OpenMobile Menu - Closed

Building Access & Hours

U.S. Capitol & U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

The public entrance to the U.S. Capitol is through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

The U.S. Capitol is open to the public for tours Monday – Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. It is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Inauguration Day.

Visitors with official business appointments may enter the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center beginning at 7:15 a.m.



Congressional Office Buildings

House Office Buildings (Cannon, Ford, Longworth, Rayburn)
Open to the public Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Doors close at 5:00 p.m. when House is in recess)

Senate Office Buildings (Dirksen, Hart, Russell)
Open to the public Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Doors close at 6:30 p.m. when Senate is in recess)



House & Senate Galleries

Visitors wanting to watch the proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate in person must obtain a pass for the House or Senate galleries. Passes are required to enter either gallery at any time.  Visitors may request a gallery pass by contacting or visiting the office of their Representative or Senators. International visitors may inquire about gallery passes at the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the upper level of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

The galleries are open when the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are in session.  

When the U.S. House of Representatives is not in session, visitors with passes are admitted to the gallery Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. The last entry into the gallery may be earlier than 4:15 p.m., based on demand. Visitors are advised to arrive prior to 4:00 p.m. for the best opportunity to view the gallery. The House gallery is closed on holidays and is subject to unplanned, temporary closures when the House is out of session.

The U.S. Senate gallery is open during scheduled recesses of one week or more, and visitors are admitted to the gallery Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On recess days, the gallery closes at 4:30 p.m. The Senate gallery is closed on weekends and holidays (unless the Senate is in session), and during any recess or adjournment of less than one week. 

Entry to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate galleries is through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on the upper level.



Library of Congress Buildings

All buildings are closed to the public on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Madison and Adams buildings are closed on all other federal holidays. 

Thomas Jefferson Building
Open to the public Monday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

James Madison Memorial Building
Open to the public Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Entry after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays is reserved for researchers, staff, and those attending special programs.

John Adams Building
Open to the public Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Entry after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays is reserved for researchers, staff, and those attending special programs.

Please visit https://www.loc.gov/visit for more information on visiting the Library of Congress.



U.S. Botanic Garden

Conservatory
Open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, including all weekends and holidays.

National Garden 
Open 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, including all weekends and holidays.  This gated outdoor garden has extended evening hours; staying open until 7 p.m. from April 1 to September 15 each year.

Bartholdi Park 
Open dawn to dusk, daily, including all weekends and holidays.

Visit https://www.usbg.gov for more information about visiting the U.S. Botanic Garden.



Accessibility Services

The Office of Congressional Accessibility Services (OCAS) provides a variety of services for individuals with disabilities. Services include, but are not limited to, wheelchair loans, sign language interpreting services, and adaptive tours. The OCAS can assist with questions regarding accessibility issues in the U.S. Capitol, U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate.

For detailed information about the many services available and/or questions, please visit https://www.aoc.gov/accessibility-services or contact OCAS at (202) 224-4048 (Voice) or (202) 224-4049 (TTY).