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District of Columbia (DC)
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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

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See all things to do
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
4.5
1,027 reviews
#43 of 499 things to do in Washington DC
Visitor Centers
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8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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About
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
  • Capitol South • 7 min walk
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1,926 within 3 miles
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US Capitol Visitor Center Restaurant
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Attractions
577 within 6 miles
U.S. Capitol
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0.1 miGovernment Buildings
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0.2 miLibraries • Government Buildings
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0.2 miGovernment Buildings
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0.3 miNeighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
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See what other travelers are saying
  • ssmarc
    Wheaton, Illinois60 contributions
    Capitol Tour highly recommended
    I was in DC in late Feb. 2023. I visited many of the museums and historic places but on the day I was leaving I had not gone to the Capitol. I did not have on line reservations but I was let right in and was able to join a tour. It was a great experience and the tour only last a little less than an hour. I would image during spring break and the summer months the place is packed and you might not get in. Or you would have to wait for a while. A few things to note. The visitor center where you get on a tour is on the backside or east side of the building. You will see signs pointing you in that direction. I like the view of the capitol from this side better as the front side was under renovation when I was there. Also, don't bring a lot of items in as there is an extensive security check. Tour guides were very friendly. Cameras are allowed and they encourage you to take pictures.
    Visited February 2023
    Written February 25, 2023
  • Ajkpsu
    Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania43 contributions
    Contact your local Rep for a Capitol tour!
    The Upper St. Clair girls lacrosse team appreciated the personal tour of the US Capitol from the staff of MiKe Doyle. They were very knowledgeable and shared many facts with us including the statues from PA and how John Quincy Adams could heat across the floor. The girls and chaperones learned a lot from them. Unfortunately, the gallery was closed but everything else was worth seeing.
    Visited March 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written March 14, 2020
  • David H
    Bury, United Kingdom1,642 contributions
    Amazing experience
    Although booked online, you still have to go to the Visitor desk and obtain a ticket, with queues for both this and entry to the tour. Once it was time for our tour we took the elevator to the main building. It was fascinating to see the enormous dome with all the statues and paintings around it. The tour continued to the main Senate hall after which we were free to wander back into the main building. The restaurant was busy but well organised and fast moving with a good selection of food and drink. Overall quite an effort to book in advance, and to queue several times but worth doing to see such an historical venue.
    Visited April 2023
    Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,027 reviews
Excellent
576
Very good
307
Average
87
Poor
32
Terrible
25
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,157 contributions
Ann was brilliant
Sep 2023 • Couples
Amazing and well worth a visit. The tour is excellent and very well organised. Ann was brilliant as a guide. Also they don't allow any food or drink, but you can take an empty water bottle and fill it up inside. We took sandwiches and consumed them just before going into the visitor center. We also booked the tour to the Library of Congress just afterwards which can be accessed via the underground tunnel
Written September 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand3,612 contributions
Access to the Capitol Building!
Sep 2023 • Solo
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is where most people's tours of the Capitol Building begin. I found the staff to be helpful and courteous, despite the obvious need to maintain security (these days, perhaps more than ever!). There are a few displays to see while awaiting your tour and the Capitol Restaurant is just off the Visitor Center.
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanne D
Wellington, New Zealand1,457 contributions
Helpful staff
Jan 2020 • Family
This is where you go to start and end your tour of the Capitol building. The staff here were very helpful. There is a good restaurant to eat at. Something for all the family and good prices. There are lots of clean bathrooms and two coat check places. They have an informative guide to the statues that are around the main hall. Love the one of Helen Keller amongst others.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CrazyBelgianTraveler
Toronto, Canada101 contributions
Amazing experience! Ask for Garet as you guide!!!
Feb 2020 • Family
The highlight of our DC trip. Really worth the visit, however do book in advance to make sure you can go. We had Garet as our guide, he’s truly a historian and knows EVERYTHING about the Capitol and general US history. Great guy and great experience. Must do when in DC 👌
Written March 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScandiMum
9 contributions
Capitol visitors tour
Aug 2023 • Family
A great visit to the Capitol, guided by Mary-Ellen from the visitor centre. Mary-Ellen was such knowledge and approachable guide and her enthusiasm and pride really shone through her 45min tour of the history of the Capitol. Before the tour started, we were shown a 15min film in the auditorium. Restroom, cafe and water fountain facilities available indoors.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phvi2617
Anaheim, CA495 contributions
Decent but short tour of the Capitol
Jun 2023
We took the basic Capitol tour, which starts with a film and then takes you to the crypt, rotunda, and statuary hall. Our guide was good, and the building is beautiful and monumental, but the tour was pretty short and rather crowded. Our original tour reservation got cancelled, but thankfully we ended up finding an opening for the next day.

We wanted to visit the House and Senate galleries, which involves getting passes from your Representative's office, but we ran out of time after our tour. As we learned, the galleries are managed directly by the House and Senate (not the Visitor Center), so their hours can be different than the Visitor Center and subject to sudden changes.

Aside from the tour, the Visitor Center has some nice exhibits about the Capitol building and Congress. Overall, it was still a nice visit and worth the time.
Written July 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Norristown, PA272 contributions
Incredible
Mar 2020
The U.S. Capitol building is one of my favorite places in Washington DC. I've had the privilege to have been there twice and would easily go again. As other reviews have noted, book in advance. You can also request tickets from your congressman/woman or one of your Senators. I was able to book tickets through my former Congressman. To see where are laws are debated and formed is an amazing experience. You can even see the old chambers where they used to debate. It truly is an amazing experience.
Written April 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
billyboy07
hampshire50 contributions
Excellent
Aug 2022 • Family
Really informative. It's changed a little since our last tour. There's a short 10 minute film for starters now. Then, a trip to the Rotunda. Wow factor eveytime. The statues room, and The Crypt. You're given headsets to hear the tour guide. Our guide Jacob pitched it perfectly. He was very patient. Photography encouraged. You can breeze through security. No food/drink etc. Tge queues are for the desk where you exchange your reservation for the passes. Gift shop - good. Restaurant- excellent and not badly priced.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam
Auckland, New Zealand26 contributions
Great tour
Sep 2022 • Couples
Book the free tour and you’ll get a great experience of this place. No sugar coating history and tells it as it is. Really amazing building and our guide Andrew was informative and funny. Well with the time to do this one!
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen W
Ely, UK280 contributions
Amazing tour
Oct 2022 • Family
This was an amazing experience. Our tour guide Stephanie Vickers was really engaging and interesting. The tour was a highlight of our visit to Washington DC and must be on everyone’s list.
Very well set-up for wheelchairs.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is open:
  • Mon - Sat 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking U.S. Capitol Visitor Center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 U.S. Capitol Visitor Center tours on Tripadvisor

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Information

Excellent Reviews

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Very Good Reviews

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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Photos

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