The Capitol Visitor Center was designed to enhance the visitor experience at the U.S. Capitol with an inspiring 13-minute orientation film and informative exhibits that tell the history of the Capitol along with the history of representative democracy in the States. United. As the largest expansion of the US Capitol, the 580,000-square-foot Visitor Center offers numerous amenities including an exhibition gallery, two orientation theaters, a 550-seat cafeteria, two gift shops, and restrooms.
The project took 6 years to complete and cost $ 621 million.
See photos of the Capitol Visitor Center
The Capitol Visitor Center is located on the east side of the historic building and was built partially underground so as not to detract from the appearance of the iconic building or its grounds. The planting of nearly 100 new trees, the restoration of historic fountains, lanterns and seating walls, and the addition of various water features in the East Front Plaza serve to revitalize the historic landscape designed in 1874 by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Tickets are not required to enter the Visitor Center. The complex was designed to provide an interior space for visitors to experience the Capitol in an attractive and comfortable environment.
Highlights and Unique Features of the Capitol Visitor Center
- Four skylights provide visitors with a unique peak on the Capitol dome.
- A plaster model of the Statue of Liberty, which was used to place the statue on the Capitol Dome, is the centerpiece of the Emancipation Hall, the Visitor Center’s main exhibition hall.
- A tactile model of the Capitol dome offers visitors a close-up view of the interior and exterior of the historic building.
- Twenty-four statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection represent the diversity of the United States.
- A Wall of Aspirations – A 186-foot-long marble wall houses historical documents from the Library of Congress and the National Archives.
- Six historic corners house artifacts, documents, images, and videos to tell the story of Congress and the establishment of American democracy.
- The 13-minute film, “One of Many, One” sets the tone for visitors to begin a guided tour of the Capitol.
Advance reservation system
Visitors can book tours of the Capitol in advance at www.visitthecapitol.gov. The tour hours are from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm from Monday to Saturday. Tours can also be booked through a representative or the senator’s office or by calling (202) 226-8000. A limited number of same-day passes are available at the tourist kiosks on the east and west fronts of the Capitol and at the information desks in Emancipation Hall.
Gallery passes
Visitors can see Congress in action in the Senate and House Galleries (in session) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. M. At 4:30 p. M. Passes are required and can be obtained from senators or representatives offices. International visitors can receive Gallery passes at the House and Senate appointment counters on the upper level of the Visitor Center.
Accessibility
The opening of the Capitol Visitor Center relocates the entrance of the United States Capitol Building to East Plaza between Constitución and Independencia Avenues. (in front of the Supreme Court) See a map
The closest subway stations are Union Station and Capitol South.
The Capitol Visitor Center has direct access to the Library of Congress through a tunnel. The entrance to the tunnel is located on the upper level of the Visitor Center, near the house’s appointment desk.
Hours
The Visitor Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
Read more about the US Capitol.
