Planning a trip to Washington?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Museum and Capitol Building
Capitol Hill, Washington
"The guided tours are great and people are friendly!"(15 Tips)
"... of going to one of the House or Senate office buildings or the restaurants along..."(2 Tips)
"one of the cafes in the surrounding office buildings."(2 Tips)
"tunnel to the Visitors Center"(2 Tips)
64 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- tours
- books
- films
- tourism
- well
- (13 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Gelly BApril 22, 2014No food or liquids allowed! So if you have a backpack, leave it at the cloak room at the library congress, Jefferson building. There is a tunnel connecting the two buildings.
HarjitApril 24, 2013Staff are very helpful and courteous. The guided tours are well done and well organized. They provide headphones so you can hear the guide speak.Upvoted Mar 21
Victoria CraigJuly 28, 2016The tour was limited and left you wanting just a bit more for 45 minutes. If you want to visit the house or senate you have to go to a completely other area and sign up. We skipped that hassle...
Danielle DaSilvaJuly 13, 2018The tour is a little short, but very fascinating. Really amazing to stand in the same room where many characters from our history once stood.Upvoted 4 weeks ago
J. T.December 13, 2015Take the tour. So much more than I expected. Spent more time here than I thought I would.
Jed ChristiansenOctober 3, 2014You can now bring empty water bottles in the building. (At least we were able to for our toddler)
Danielle C.December 25, 2019The weekend before Christmas is a good time to go. Not crowded and the tours are not busy.
M Squared Real EstateAugust 20, 2011Tours of the Capitol building can be arranged through the Visitor Center website (or by calling or emailing your Representative's or Senator's office a few weeks in advance).
Dan WaylonisMay 6, 2013Leave your drinks, food, and sense of privacy at the door. Less friendly than TSA guards will ruin your visit.
hanibal obaidAugust 24, 2014Get your pass ahead of tıme or prepare to waıt. Excellent experıence. Highly recommend!- The restaurant is expensive. If you can, get over to one of the cafes in the surrounding office buildings. It gives you an even better Capitol experience.
MonicaFebruary 14, 2010This is an awesome place to check out the state of US history and politics, esp if you have a short window to explore.
Ask me for a tour. If I'm going on break I'll take you around without the hassle and crowds. I'll be in the cvc orat the gallery doors.
Paul MampilliAugust 7, 2014Get off at the Smithsonian Metro if you are getting here. Any other station is too far.
Chuq YangSeptember 2, 2011Check out all the statues! Obviously, pose like some of them and snap a picture too!
Leave plenty of time to get through security. Don't bring any food, drink or sharp objects.
- At Senate gallery check in phones iPods cameras batteries car key clickers electronic accessories umbrellas spare shoes water backpacks large bags briefcases, but not purses. Read the signs please!
- Fred DelventhalDecember 28, 2009Enter the Visitors Center by first going to Library of Congress across the street. Use the the tunnel to the Visitors Center for shorter or virtually no lines.
- Justin MetzgerMarch 4, 2015Overpriced food here. Better of going to one of the House or Senate office buildings or the restaurants along Pennsylvania Ave.
Jo Wilson WadeMarch 3, 2011Security Guards are a bit over the top with not letting any food items in, even sealed items. Why here? Verses all the other security points??
Architect of the Capitol (AOC)December 29, 2011The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center provides a welcoming and educational environment for visitors to learn about the unique characteristics of the U.S. Congress and the history of the U.S. Capitol. Read more
C-SPANJune 21, 2010Approved to be built in 2001. Cost was $621 million. Opened in December 2008. 580,000 sq. ft. (larger than the Capitol itself).
Michael GassJune 14, 2011Advance tickets were easy to get from my U.S. Senator's office. Well worth the effort. No wait time at all.
- Eat the chocolate cake in the restaurant. Just do it.
- RevSeptember 10, 2016They have the pens that congress and the president use to sign things into law but they are about $8 each I had to get some make my writing official
- Chuq YangJune 23, 2011Don't bring your reusable water bottles. You can't take them inside whether they are full or empty.
Harass one of the tour guides by asking them questions about Dan Brown.
743 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
E Capitol Cir (at E Capitol St)
Washington, D.C. 20016
United States
Washington, D.C. 20016
United States
Open until 4:30 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
(202) 226-8000
Features
Credit Cards
Yes
See More
Places inside U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- 8.0
"Check out the first king of Hawaii statue lower level. You must request a pass to get into the Senate gallery. Ask the guy at tge desk avross from coat check for the pass."
Jeffrey R - 5.7
"May get a bit too scary or loud for sensitive kids or kids with special needs. Recommend the video for grades 3-4 and up."
Audrey A 
"The best statue in the whole building!"
Chad Murray
You might also like
- 8.6
"I love this museum but it was a 45 min wait every time we went by on 4th of July weekend."
Melinda Jackson - 7.9
"Great gift shop with a very interesting selection of. Architecture and Design books."
CJ Nicholson - 8.8
"Get their early.... order tickets online and you can start when you want .... they are extremely nice and good with kids"
Shannon Brott
Places people like to go after U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- 8.7
"Tours are not as extensive as they used to be and you must have tickets.If you can try to get a tour through your local Senator or Reps office.An intern will be your guide and will be less rushed."
Mark B - 9.2
"Cool,fun and interesting lots to see and a lot of gift shops"
Kiley K - 6.2
"$2 meals are the best deal"
Vincent Morris
Appears on 213 lists
Washington D.C.'s Best History Museums - 2012
Created by Best of Foursquare
10 items • 100 followers
Massive List of Tourist-y Things in DC
Created by Jared Payne
169 items • 85 followers
Created by Armie
198 items • 94 followers
