United States Capitol
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United States Capitol - The U.S. Capitol is a place of enormous symbolic power and intense atmosphere. Even from a distance, the view is impressive, and up close the building appears even more majestic. I appreciate the well-maintained surroundings, the views, and the ever-present sense of history. For me, it is one of the most significant places I visited in Washington. We took very beautiful photos here.
I came to the Capitol with a group of Financial Aid Administrators last week. Security was a breeze to get through. Throughout the day, we met with various staffers of Senators who are on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee. We were also able to visit other Senator offices to drop off paperwork about bills we're hoping to get passed to support Higher Education. Between Hart and Dirksen, Hart was my favorite building because it had a more modern look and feel to it. I didn't realize how busy the building gets until we went to the cafeteria, where I saw endless tour groups on that floor and in the cafeteria. I hope to visit the House side of the Capitol in the future.
Well I revisited the capital and this time it was great I got the full tour and the tour guide did well. The only thing I didn't like is I couldn't take my bottle of water I hate to leave my deer park.lol but it was great though and I would recommend it if you are visiting the the district of Columbia the resturant was clean and the bathrooms.
The United States Capitol squats at the eastern end of the National Mall like a grand, slightly hungover Roman emperor surveying his empire five stars, no question. Construction kicked off in 1793 under George Washington's watchful eye, with the original sandstone core finished enough for Congress to move in by 1800, though expansions dragged on through the 19th century, including that massive cast-iron dome slapped on during the Civil War at about $1 million (the whole historical tab runs around $133 million adjusted from early estimates). It sits perched on Capitol Hill, lording over the Mall's long green axis toward the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, the undisputed boss of the lineup. Millions somewhere between 3 and 5 million a year trudge through its halls, gawking at the Rotunda's frescoes and the Statuary Hall whispers (stand in the right spot and secrets carry across the room like bad gossip). But here's the gritty bit most tourists miss: enslaved laborers built chunks of this symbol of liberty, quarrying stone and hauling timber, while Philip Reid, an enslaved man, cast the Statue of Freedom that tops the dome. It's a beautiful, brutal, endlessly contradictory pile of marble and iron raw American history you can walk through, flaws and all.
Well secured, well kept Visitor's Center, with statues presented from many states. Security and staff opened on a Sunday for a special event, Hawai'i on the Hill. We were fortunate to join the Lei Draping Ceremony for the statue of King Kamehameha I. A beautiful ceremony, attended by kama'aina living on the mainland, and the rest of us kama'aina who flew up for the week of meetings and special events. Tip: Highly recommend visiting during normal operating hours. Remember to read the visitor rules prior to arrival!
I've always loved the design of the Capitol building and it's a strikingly beautiful building, but I've never had a chance to tour it until this past spring when my wife and I were able to bring some students to DC. The tour is relatively short overall (around an hour with an introductory video) and you don't get to visit the Senate or House chambers, but you get to see the rotunda and the statuary room, both of which are beautiful and have a lot of very interesting history. Tickets are free and can be reserved online (have to create an account and then you can choose your slot) or you can try for walk-up tickets if they're available. I'd recommend coming early if you have advance tickets as the security line is quite long and you don't want to miss your slot. It's a wonderful building to visit and I'd highly recommend it as part of your visit to DC.
We went for the visitor center tour, made reservation at 9.40am, when we arrived, there's a long line and everyone has to lineup regardless you have reservations or not. This is unfair for those who make reservations, as we have to wait and enter same time with those walk in crowds. No drinks and foods allowed. The tour is free, not much things to see except the statues. Went to the capitol again at night, it's pretty, peaceful and less people, easy to take pictures
Beautiful building. Not as exciting perhaps as other sites in the DC area but worth visiting. The Rotunda is cool and if you are lucky you might even see a public figure you recognize from the news walk by although most of them office in another building. Um...observe good manners when visiting. That goes without saying. Ahem.
An iconic dome that speaks of hope, debate, compromise and potential for a better future. The Capital is a dynamic place. It is for all intents and purposes a place that is both half- empty and half-full when it comes to progress and addressing the most pressing issues for its citizens it serves. The truth is every citizen has a different set of issues that don't always align. Arguments may develop. That is normal. We all win when discussion and change is peaceful.
A trip to Washington DC is not complete without a visit to the US Capitol, one of the most monumental buildings in the country. Before heading over to the visitor's center entrance (on the side facing the Supreme Court), we went over to the front of the building for some photos. Keep in mind that if the "members" of Congress arrive, security fences off the area for safety reasons. On this particular day, the area was open in the morning, but they had blocked it off by 1:00PM. Similarly to any of the other government buildings, you can't bring in food nor water, and you'll go through a security scan. Once inside, we found our guide and off we went! Each tour may vary slightly, but will be informative and memorable nonetheless. We started in The Crypt which we learned was originally supposed to be George Washington's burial place before he was ultimately laid to rest in Mount Vernon. Our tour guide then took us to the room where the Dred Scott case took place, followed by a look into the Old Senate Chamber. As a fun fact, every state selected two statues of notable historical figures to donate to the US Capitol building. For example, Thomas Edison was displayed proudly with a light bulb to represent Ohio. It was a fun scavenger hunt trying to search for the statues from my home state of Washington. The main event was walking through The Rotunda which had the most spectacular architecture and murals - just look up! After our tour, we walked around the Exhibition Hall (tickets not required) where there are various exhibits that feature stories behind Congress and the US Capitol. There were replicas of the Capitol building showing how it changed over the years and an interactive game where you can attempt to pass a bill. We enjoyed exploring this area as a closing to our visit since it provided a quieter environment away from the crowds.
Happy 250th! Each year, my family goes up to the Capitol lawn with our dogs to watch fireworks. This year the police told us we are not allowed to enter the grounds. We are not only DC locals but also Americans. This is highly disrespectful to tax paying citizens. What a shameful update to the system. Instead of using taxpayer dollars on the fuel for the jets flying into today's show (what a waste) perhaps spend it on something more useful like more security if that's an issue. read more
1 month ago
The United States Capitol is one of those places that is hard to put into words even after I have been there. Standing in front of it for the first time, the scale and the history of what the building represents hit differently than any photo or textbook ever prepared me for. The exterior alone was worth the trip, but stepping inside was where it really got me. Tours are free and worth booking in advance through my representative's office if I wanted a more personal experience, though the general public tours are well organized and cover a lot of ground. Security moved quickly and the process for getting in was straightforward. The viewing gallery pass system is a separate step that felt a little clunky, so I factored that in and did not expect it to be seamless. Inside, the dome area is the centerpiece and genuinely one of the more impressive architectural spaces I have walked through in this country. The statuary hall has pieces representing every state, and the artwork throughout the building carries a lot of the same weight I would expect from a place this tied to American history. It did not feel exactly like a museum, more like a building that happens to have centuries of context built into every room. I would plan for a couple of hours at minimum to take it in properly rather than just moving through. Weekdays tend to feel calmer and the guided tours give a lot more context than wandering on my own would. read more
29 days ago
United States Capitol - The U.S. Capitol is a place of enormous symbolic power and intense atmosphere. Even from a distance, the view is impressive, and up close the building appears even more majestic. I appreciate the well-maintained surroundings, the views, and the ever-present sense of history. For me, it is one of the most significant places I visited in Washington. We took very beautiful photos here. read more
I came to the Capitol with a group of Financial Aid Administrators last week. Security was a breeze to get through. Throughout the day, we met with various staffers of Senators who are on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee. We were also able to visit other Senator offices to drop off paperwork about bills we're hoping to get passed to support Higher Education. Between Hart and Dirksen, Hart was my favorite building because it had a more modern look and feel to it. I didn't realize how busy the building gets until we went to the cafeteria, where I saw endless tour groups on that floor and in the cafeteria. I hope to visit the House side of the Capitol in the future. read more
1 month ago
Well I revisited the capital and this time it was great I got the full tour and the tour guide did well. The only thing I didn't like is I couldn't take my bottle of water I hate to leave my deer park.lol but it was great though and I would recommend it if you are visiting the the district of Columbia the resturant was clean and the bathrooms. read more
9 days ago
The United States Capitol squats at the eastern end of the National Mall like a grand, slightly hungover Roman emperor surveying his empire five stars, no question. Construction kicked off in 1793 under George Washington's watchful eye, with the original sandstone core finished enough for Congress to move in by 1800, though expansions dragged on through the 19th century, including that massive cast-iron dome slapped on during the Civil War at about $1 million (the whole historical tab runs around $133 million adjusted from early estimates). It sits perched on Capitol Hill, lording over the Mall's long green axis toward the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, the undisputed boss of the lineup. Millions somewhere between 3 and 5 million a year trudge through its halls, gawking at the Rotunda's frescoes and the Statuary Hall whispers (stand in the right spot and secrets carry across the room like bad gossip). But here's the gritty bit most tourists miss: enslaved laborers built chunks of this symbol of liberty, quarrying stone and hauling timber, while Philip Reid, an enslaved man, cast the Statue of Freedom that tops the dome. It's a beautiful, brutal, endlessly contradictory pile of marble and iron raw American history you can walk through, flaws and all. read more
Well secured, well kept Visitor's Center, with statues presented from many states. Security and staff opened on a Sunday for a special event, Hawai'i on the Hill. We were fortunate to join the Lei Draping Ceremony for the statue of King Kamehameha I. A beautiful ceremony, attended by kama'aina living on the mainland, and the rest of us kama'aina who flew up for the week of meetings and special events. Tip: Highly recommend visiting during normal operating hours. Remember to read the visitor rules prior to arrival! read more
I've always loved the design of the Capitol building and it's a strikingly beautiful building, but I've never had a chance to tour it until this past spring when my wife and I were able to bring some students to DC. The tour is relatively short overall (around an hour with an introductory video) and you don't get to visit the Senate or House chambers, but you get to see the rotunda and the statuary room, both of which are beautiful and have a lot of very interesting history. Tickets are free and can be reserved online (have to create an account and then you can choose your slot) or you can try for walk-up tickets if they're available. I'd recommend coming early if you have advance tickets as the security line is quite long and you don't want to miss your slot. It's a wonderful building to visit and I'd highly recommend it as part of your visit to DC. read more
Magnificent views of the capital building and courtyard mall area as we walked to the visitors' center. Very imposing and impressive sight to see in the distance and even more so when closer. Stark blindingly white building with detailed architecture unlike anything seen outside of DC. read more
We went for the visitor center tour, made reservation at 9.40am, when we arrived, there's a long line and everyone has to lineup regardless you have reservations or not. This is unfair for those who make reservations, as we have to wait and enter same time with those walk in crowds. No drinks and foods allowed. The tour is free, not much things to see except the statues. Went to the capitol again at night, it's pretty, peaceful and less people, easy to take pictures read more
9 months ago
6 months ago
Beautiful building. Not as exciting perhaps as other sites in the DC area but worth visiting. The Rotunda is cool and if you are lucky you might even see a public figure you recognize from the news walk by although most of them office in another building. Um...observe good manners when visiting. That goes without saying. Ahem. read more
An iconic dome that speaks of hope, debate, compromise and potential for a better future. The Capital is a dynamic place. It is for all intents and purposes a place that is both half- empty and half-full when it comes to progress and addressing the most pressing issues for its citizens it serves. The truth is every citizen has a different set of issues that don't always align. Arguments may develop. That is normal. We all win when discussion and change is peaceful. read more
2 years ago
A trip to Washington DC is not complete without a visit to the US Capitol, one of the most monumental buildings in the country. Before heading over to the visitor's center entrance (on the side facing the Supreme Court), we went over to the front of the building for some photos. Keep in mind that if the "members" of Congress arrive, security fences off the area for safety reasons. On this particular day, the area was open in the morning, but they had blocked it off by 1:00PM. Similarly to any of the other government buildings, you can't bring in food nor water, and you'll go through a security scan. Once inside, we found our guide and off we went! Each tour may vary slightly, but will be informative and memorable nonetheless. We started in The Crypt which we learned was originally supposed to be George Washington's burial place before he was ultimately laid to rest in Mount Vernon. Our tour guide then took us to the room where the Dred Scott case took place, followed by a look into the Old Senate Chamber. As a fun fact, every state selected two statues of notable historical figures to donate to the US Capitol building. For example, Thomas Edison was displayed proudly with a light bulb to represent Ohio. It was a fun scavenger hunt trying to search for the statues from my home state of Washington. The main event was walking through The Rotunda which had the most spectacular architecture and murals - just look up! After our tour, we walked around the Exhibition Hall (tickets not required) where there are various exhibits that feature stories behind Congress and the US Capitol. There were replicas of the Capitol building showing how it changed over the years and an interactive game where you can attempt to pass a bill. We enjoyed exploring this area as a closing to our visit since it provided a quieter environment away from the crowds. read more
1 year ago
was so amazing we were able to see so much! lots of kids touring. we did have pre-approved tour and you don't want to bring a bad and have photo id lots to see and lots of walking. we ate with all the kids in the cafeteria read more
I would recommend this to anybody! Such a cool experience, the history behind it and the architecture is amazing. Cool museum showing the build up over the early years! Your guide was knowledgeable and easy to understand. Everybody should go once! read more
The United States Capitol is majestic from the outside and breathtaking inside. The information in the exhibitions are in-depth and easy to understand for any one, even for kids 7 year old kids. There is a room for kids and adults to do interesting and inspiring activities like voting on an issue, and debating/discussing an issue that you strongly believe which will help the people. Such activities inspire kids to learn and understand how they could make US better. I highly recommend to go on the free tours. I gained more knowledge on the Capitol's architecture from the tours. The tours are free and are first-come-first-serve basis. The tour guides are very friendly and knowledgeable. Their explanations are wonderful too. I spent about 3hrs at The US Capitol which was a good amount of time to read and understand everything. read more
2 years ago
A trip to Washington DC is not complete until you see the US Capitol! To enter the US Capitol, you have to go down this set of stair and through the ground floor entrance and security. They made us dump our water but no worries, they have water fountains by the bathrooms. We booked a free tour online and went to the help desk for them to print our tickets. Everyone was really nice and friendly. We showed up a little early during our time slot so we explored the free exhibition hall (which does not require a ticket to visit). It had a cool replica of the Capitol, copies of documents like the Bill of Rights, furniture displays, explanations of the House and Senate on each side of the room. As it was closer to our tour time, we lined up and entered this theater to watch a introduction video. Then we formed 5 lines and were given headphones + small device to wear while we follow our tour guide. It's pretty cool because we could hear our tour guide better instead of other tour guides group around us. They took us to The Crypt where they had head statues of big figures like Abraham Lincoln. It also was the center of the building where they planned on burying George Washington (but didn't lol). My favorite part was the rotunda room. There were gigantic displays of historical paintings on the wall. It was absolutely mesmerizing looking at the art in the rotunda ceiling! Lastly, they took us to this room that displayed more historical figure statues (each state gets to pick 2 individuals that they think best represents their state and have it display there.) I think the coolest part was walking past the Speaker of the House's and then actually seeing Mike Johnson afterwards! read more
Beautiful structure with so much attention to detail. Fully rich in history. Nice to see the grounds of the republican lead insurrection that was quelled by the capital police. These hallowed grounds held strong. It was shameful. So pleased our nation held strong. read more
1 year ago
My kids and I had the opportunity to visit the United States Capital. We booked (free) tickets through our locks US Representatives office and they were great to work with, easy, fast and efficient! We happened to be visiting the first week of January, so there was a lot going on with the preparation of the change over with the new administration. A lot of meetings were going on and also the passing of former President Jimmy Carter caused even more event preparation to occur during our visit for upcoming events. None the less we still got to tour parts of the building. It was grandeur and incredible in person. The art and depiction of "history" that is displayed is sad to me, but I guess that's still part of "history." The tour groups were extremely large. They provided a headset for everyone so you could hear what the tour guide was saying. However, the mass amount of people they allow at once and really the smaller spaces doesn't allow for a lot of room to move about and truly appreciate the space. Another thing to note is make sure you read ALL rules on your ticket sheet. I failed to read they don't allow any food or drinks inside. This also means any unopened packages too. I had brought food and snacks for my kids as this tour was first on our list for the day. The snacks were to get them through the rest of the day. Instead we had to sit outside the front entrance and scarf down as much as possible and ultimately throw food away. I wish they had lockers we could have out our stuff in, but I'm sure that's a security precaution they take to not provide them. Overall, I'm glad we had the experience, but not something I would necessarily want to go back to do again. read more
A great additional to anyone's D.C. tour. The U.S. Capitol is magnificent and awe-inspiring. It's mind-boggling to think about all the history that took place in the very spot you're standing in as your tour the capitol. Make sure to book your free tour of the US Capitol Building in advance. They do have some free tickets for the day of, but you don't want to risk it. The amount of information and history you'll learn is incredible. A great way to continue on after your tour of the U.S. Capitol Building is to get tickets to the Library of Congress right after. There's a walkway that connects the Capitol to the Library of Congress - it was empty when we were there, we went through security, and then were let inside within minutes while the line outside the Library of Congress was long and backed up. Highly recommend while visiting D.C. read more
1 year ago
Amazing building! A++++ astonishing architecture. Loved seeing this part of dc. Bathrooms were great I heard but lines too long read more
We booked a tour online a few months prior, and there were more than enough available times during our trip. We arrived 10 minutes early for our tour. There was no line to get through security. The tour actually was going to leave 10min after our assigned start time, so we quickly went to the restroom. The restroom was marbled and in perfect condition. The tour starts off with a video in the lecture hall, going over US history and the role of Congress in representing their constituents. It definitely stirred my patriotism. I think all the congressman also need to watch the video, because they seem to have forgotten that they are supposed to represent the people in their district rather than their party. The rest of the tour was almost like a tour in an art museum, seeing the different statues and paintings. Overall, it was a highly educational and entertaining experience. I am not one for learning on a vacation (vacation is for eating in my opinion), but I am glad I came. We booked a Library of Congress tour directly after the Capitol tour, and the two buildings are connected via some underground passageway so that we didn't have to walk in the sweltering heat to get from one destination to the next. read more
1 year ago
No trip to DC would be complete without visiting the US Capitol. My family and I went on the tour twice: 1) through the congressional tour and 2) the tour through The Capitol visitor center. With the congressional tour, we went met our House of Representatives contact at the Rayburn building (House of Representatives offices are located here). They then escorted/toured us through the underground tunnels from the Rayburn House to The Capitol building. We had the opportunity to ask them questions about The Capitol during our walk. After our congressional tour, they got our family tickets to the House Chamber and The Capitol tour. We joined the Capitol Tour (same one as the tour offered online by the Capitol visitor center). After the tour, we then got in line to visit the House Chamber. To visit the House Chamber, you need to drop all your items in the bins at security (no cameras, cellphones, or smart watches are allowed in the House Chamber) and then proceed to a security screening once more. During our visit, there was no activity (House was on break), however it was cool to this historic room. If you would like to see the Senate chamber, contact your state senators for information. Tips: 1) NO food or beverages (including bottled water) are allowed inside The Capitol and 2) arrive early (at least 30-45 minutes) if you have timed reservations (our visit was in late March/ peak/ Cherry Blossom festival, so the lines were very, very long!). read more
It's very cool to tour our Nation's Capital. The history and beauty are awe-inspiring I did not realize it was built over the course of many years starting in 1800, with the dome not being added until 1866. We took a guided tour but you can also explore on your own The rotunda with its beautiful dome, frescos and large paintings was my favorite part. We saw the old senate and original Supreme Cort. If you write to your senator or representative, you can ask for an invitation to visit the current senate and floor. I didn't know that ahead of time. The model of the "Statue of Freedom" in the entry area is pretty cool too. The current visitor center has only been open since 2008 read more
2 years ago
The Cqpitol Bldg tour is one if the main highlights of any trip to DC. Buy your tickets ahead of time and take a guided tour. Expect to spend about 2 or 2.5 hours on the tour plus photos of the grounds and waiting in line. No tripods inside, and security will be extremely tight (xray, metal detector, no food or drink). Most of the lighting inside is great, I used a 55-200, a 18-55 and 10-24 lens and didn't struggle for selection. There are so many great shots outside, be sure to walk around the whole building and visit in the morning light for the best shots of the front. read more
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United States Capitol - landmarks - Updated July 2026
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