U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Presenting the brand new Capitol Visitor Center set to open Dec. 2, 2008. This amazing and massive construction project took six years to complete and is expected to draw three million visitors annually. Architectural services were provided by RTKL Associates, Inc. The finished design located the Capitol Visitor Center below the East Capitol Grounds, so as to enhance rather than detract from the appearance of the Capitol and its historic Frederick Law Olmsted landscape. The Capitol Visitor Center contains 580,000 square feet on three levels and is approximately three-quarters the size of the Capitol itself (775,000 sq. ft.). The project footprint is actually larger than that of the Capitol by nearly 18,000 sq. ft.

Get a sneak peek of United States Capitol Visitor Center before it opens December 02, 2008. Visitors must obtain free tickets for tours on a first-come, first-served basis at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol (near the intersection of First Street, S.W., and Independence Avenue.) The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.

More information can be had by contacting the Capitol Guide Service.

Tel: 202-225-6827
Book a tour online now.