The United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.: Top 5 Attractions
The monumental neoclassical building that houses the U.S. Congress holds plenty of architectural and historical interest for tourists, but visit when one or both houses are in session and you'll also have a fascinating opportunity to witness the Federal legislative process in action. Admittedly, day-to-day activities in the Senate and House chambers are not always exciting to watch, as the most intense debates typically take place in committee meetings that casual visitors rarely attend. Even so, there's something compelling about stepping into the legislative viewing galleries no matter how tedious the discussion on the floor.
Free 30-minute guided tours of the Capitol building (excluding the House and Senate chambers) are open to the public daily except Sundays from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Same-day timed-entry tour passes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 am at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk on the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, at First Street and Independence Avenue SW. During the busy spring and summer months, visitors begin lining up an hour or more before the kiosk opens. Passes are required for visitors of all ages, and only one pass is given to each person in line, so you don't have the option of sending a single early-rising delegate to collect passes for your whole party. More information is available online at www.aoc.gov.
If you want to view the proceedings in the Senate or House of Representatives, you'll need a separate pass available from the office of a Senator or Representative from your home district. Start by visiting the www.house.gov and www.senate.gov to find links to your local legislators' websites, which provide details about how to contact their staff and request advance passes. If you haven't acquired a pass in advance, you'll have to locate your legislator's Washington office and ask for a pass in person.
Strict security measures are in place for the Capitol and adjacent legislative office buildings, with airport-like security checks at all entrances. Prohibited items include sharp objects, cans and bottles, and bags larger than 14 inches wide, 13 inches high and 4 inches deep.
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