The United States Capitol, the national legislature’s meeting place, is open to the general public and can be relatively easily accessed.
Inside the building, there are many highlights, including the grand and elegant Rotunda and the Collection Hall, which houses statues of historical figures.
Here, we’ll introduce how to visit the interior of the United States Capitol, starting from the heart of Washington, D.C.
No advance reservation required for interior tours
When visiting Washington, D.C., one cannot miss the iconic White House, which also offers public tours. However, to visit the White House, one needs to apply through a United States Congressman or Congresswoman in advance.
The White House, the official residence of the President of the Unit...
On the other hand, to enter the United States Capitol Building, there is generally no need for advance reservations.
Inside the Capitol’s East Front underground, there are ticket counters set up on the north and south sides of the Capitol Visitor Center. By obtaining a free ticket from these counters, visitors can easily enter. However, keep in mind that while it is generally easier to enter the Capitol compared to the White House, it is still a popular spot, and availability on the day of your visit is subject to luck.
Booking online in advance is recommended
Alongside the White House, the United States Capitol Building is also a popular tourist spot that can be reserved online in advance.
All procedures are conducted in English. By selecting your preferred date and available time through the official website and registering your email address, you can complete the reservation. We encourage you to give it a try!
Once your reservation is confirmed, you can log in again to change or cancel your itinerary. As this is a popular destination, it’s advisable to make arrangements as early as possible.
After completing the reservation, print the confirmation and present it at the ticket counters located on the north and south sides of the Capitol Visitor Center. They will provide information about your entry time and location, so be sure to go to the designated place at the specified time.
Consider optional tours if you want to visit other spots
In addition to the Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. boasts various other attractions, such as the White House, FBI facilities, and numerous monuments like the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.
If you wish to explore not only the Capitol Building but also other tourist spots, consider taking a local optional tour. Many tours offer half-day or full-day options, and some may include a Capitol Building tour as well.
Inside tours are conducted in groups
Upon arrival at the designated time, you will be grouped with other visitors and assigned a guide. Groups typically consist of around 20 people, and the theater can accommodate approximately 10 groups.
A video about the history of the United States and the Capitol Building will be shown in the theater, enhancing the excitement of the upcoming tour.
After watching the video, you will be given an audio guide at the entrance to the Capitol, which will provide oral instructions and guidelines for the tour.
The guidelines are generally similar to those in museums and art galleries. Moreover, photography is allowed inside the Capitol, so be sure to bring your camera or smartphone with you.
The United States Capitol Building, a symbol of American democracy, ...
The chambers of both the Senate and the House of Representatives are also open for tours
The inside of the Capitol Building is captivating with its magnificent Rotunda and statue collection, but when Congress is not in session, visitors can also tour the chambers of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Whether these chambers are open for tours depends on the day, but you can check if Congress is in session before joining the tour. The method is to look at the flags displayed on the roofs of the buildings housing the Senate and the House of Representatives. If the U.S. flag is raised, it indicates that Congress is in session, and tours are not allowed. However, if the flag is absent, and only the flagpole is visible, it means Congress is not in session, and tours are possible.
On a day when the chambers are open for tours, you can go to the Member and Committee Legislative Rooms, located on the Senate and House sides of the Visitor Center, and show your passport to receive a free entry pass. After obtaining the pass, take the elevator to the second floor of the Capitol Building. However, when touring the House of Representatives, you will need to check all your belongings at the Visitor Center.
There is no need to deposit any belongings if you are going to the Senate, but in both chambers, photography is prohibited inside. Therefore, you should either store your camera or smartphone in your bag or deposit them at the designated location.
The United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. gover...
The United States Congress, which corresponds to the American nation...
Enjoy a full day exploring the Capitol’s inside
The United States Capitol is a precious place where anyone can easily tour the interior, in contrast to the White House, which requires advance arrangements.
In addition to the magnificent central area of the Capitol, visitors can also tour the chambers of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. It provides a valuable opportunity to witness where the politics of the United States take place.
Visiting the United States Capitol is a must-do when you’re in Washington, D.C.
