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Emancipation Hall

The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) is a large underground addition to the United States Capitol complex which serves as a gathering point for up to 4,000 tourists and an expansion space for the U.S. Congress. Opened in 2008, it is located on 1st Street East below the landscaped tree-shaded grounds of the East Front of the Capitol and included the development of the surface plaza. Additional, transparent skylights also punctuate the surface plaza to allow light into the center.

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EatAmerican restaurant
Members' Dining Room
US US Capitol
SeeAttractionCapitol Hill
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.
Mon-Sat 8:30AM-4:30PMFree · Built 1800 · Wheelchair accessible
SeePublic artCapitol Hill
Statue of Freedom
A classical female figure stands prominently atop the Capitol Building's dome. Her right hand rests upon the hilt of a sheathed sword; her left holds a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with 13 stripes. Her helmet is encircled by stars and features a crest composed of an eagle's head, feathers, and talons, a reference to the costume of Native Americans. She would, no doubt, be an iconic emblem of America, were it not so hard to make her out without binoculars.
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Old Senate Chamber
United States Capitol