United States Capitol
Capitol Hill—sample rating
Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About United States Capitol
The United States Capitol has been the meeting place of the U.S. Congress since 1800 and is one of the most architecturally and symbolically significant buildings in the country. Its iconic cast-iron dome, completed during the Civil War, is topped by the Statue of Freedom, and the building's wings house the Senate and House of Representatives chambers. The Capitol contains an extensive collection of American art and history, including the Rotunda's historical paintings and statues in National Statuary Hall, contributed by each state. Public access to the building itself is only via guided tour through the Capitol Visitor Center; visitors can also request gallery passes to observe House or Senate sessions through their congressional representative's office. Admission and tours are free, though reservations are strongly recommended given high demand and limited daily tour capacity.
Why visit
It's the working seat of Congress and one of the most historically rich and architecturally stunning buildings in the US.
Best time to visit
Book a tour reservation online well in advance and arrive early for security screening; weekday mornings tend to be less crowded.
Recommended duration
Allow about 1.5 hours (90 minutes).
Opening hours
- Friday
- 08:30-16:30
- Monday
- 08:30-16:30
- Saturday
- 08:30-16:30
- Sunday
- Closed
- Thursday
- 08:30-16:30
- Tuesday
- 08:30-16:30
- Wednesday
- 08:30-16:30
Entry only via Capitol Visitor Center with a tour reservation; last tour begins 3:20pm; closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
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Stay near Capitol Hill
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