Capitol Building
The center of the legislative branch of America is home to the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as numerous impressive paintings, statues, historical exhibits, and one magnificent dome. The visitor center features an exhibition of the history of the Capitol and of Congress. Tours of the Capitol building are free and can be arranged online or by same-day walk-in and start from the visitor center. You may not bring food or drinks inside. Only the smallest and thinnest bags will be allowed. If lines for security are long, an alternative is to use the tunnel from the Library of Congress. When you are looking at this beautiful structure, remember that it was built during the era when slavery was legal in D.C., and enslaved laborers were used in the original construction that was completed in 1800 and the expansion that took place in the 1850s. The impressive rotunda is where deceased former presidents and other distinguished individuals granted the privilege by the U.S. government lay in state.
- Built 1800
- Wheelchair accessible
- Address
- First Street Southeast
- Hours
- Mon-Sat 8:30AM-4:30PM
- Price
- Free
- Phone
- +1 202-226-8000
Listing from Wikivoyage: Washington, D.C./Capitol Hill, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location and details from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.