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What an incredible day at the US Capitol. Still warm but just a slight hint of Fall in the air, especially to Florida's. I've never approached the Capitol from the front. I've always walked up the opposite direction. Incredible experience to walk across the entire front lawn coming from the Supreme Court. I couldn't take my eyes off this incredible edifice, framed perfectly by a perfect crystal clear blue sky. Walking around the entire front of the Capitol takes your breath away. The only drawback was we were unable to go inside. The inside rotunda is amazing, but I was unable to see it like on previous visits
It is a must see if you're in town, but the lines are long, even if you booked a ticket to do a tour. So if possible, come early. Otherwise, prepare to wait outside, and make sure you look up what is or isn't allowed in. I did not pre-book a tour, but there are still exhibits worth seeing inside. There's an exhibit on the Capitol and Congress, a couple videos on how the two branches work, and right now a temporary exhibit on how America celebrated some of its previous anniversaries. The exhibits were very engaging and probably take an hour of time if you're into it. The line could also take about an hour. So come early and try to book a tour beforehand online or else take your chances on site. It's one of the most important buildings in the city, so it's worth the time, even if it's a bit of a wait.
You have to make your reservation well ahead of time...at least a week or two, maybe more. You have to be vetted. They check to see who's coming. Leave your backpack at home. The tour itself is just about an hour, so you and your kids won't go crazy. The guides are amazingly knowledgeable and interesting. They clearly love their job. They talk a bit about the architecture, a lot about the statues inside. I'd like it if they talked a bit more about just the super simple basics of what happens in there, but overall a worthwhile tour.
This place was great! Beautiful building to take pictures at. The visitor center offered free entry, there was a small line, then had to go through security. They don't allow any food or drinks, however I had my one year old with me and had a small water and snacks for her which they did allow in. The tour is free! I couldn't believe it they definitely could charge a fee. The first part of the tour is a historic video there was another portion of the tour after that but we decided to leave because we were on time restrictions.
Not to be missed. I highly recommend booking a tour that includes timed tickets to the US Capitol. I used DC by Foot. Reason for using a tour guide is It's extremely crowded at the Visitors Center, and constant crowds of students on field trips to learn about our branches of government. The DC by Foot guides are very knowledgeable, they know where to go in the Capitol. The guide I had got House Gallery passes for our group and the commemorative 250 yr (US Semi quincentennial) admission tickets. I learned you can tell if the House or Senate is in session by looking to see if the flag is raised or not on the House or Senate side. The other part of the tour is watching a presentation then going with the US Capitol guides in red jackets and using audio to view the art and history. I also liked the souvenir shop there too so I got commemorative 250 items.
The U.S. Capitol tour was excellent! The building is absolutely beautiful, and learning about its history and seeing it from the inside was a great experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept the tour interesting. My only complaint is that I wish the tour had been longer. There is so much history and so many incredible spaces that I would have loved more time to explore. Even so, it's a must-do if you're visiting Washington, DC.
Such a great experience learning so much about our country's history and significant events that impacted the Capitol. I thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour and would happily do it again.
Plenty of clear signage and staff to direct visitors to the appropriate queues for tours. Lovely main hall where tours originate and several noteworthy statues to view during the brief wait for tours to begin. Safety precautions are in place and screening process to enter via metal detectors at entrance is quite stringent. Staff are professional and efficient. Photography is allowed.
17 years. I am not proud of it but it is the truth. I have been in this town 17 years and never did the Capitol tour until now. When I was in business school, I did visit the house and senate chambers but the main tour was something that had eluded me. Thankfully, out of town friends is the best excuse the remedy the circumstance. I don't want to belabor the obvious - you should do this. Everyone should do this. This is our nation's capitol. It is the foundation of the greatest experiment in self government in the history of the world. I do not want to spoil some of the genuinely wonderful surprises in store. Take a tour and marvel. Citizen well, my friends.
Definitely ask your elected official to get a tour! Such amazing history. Schedule a morning tour, and then go to the restaurant when it opens about 11 AM. Surprisingly, this restaurant actually was good, and the desserts were excellent. It was better than trying to find someplace to eat. They also had one of the best gift shops I had seen all week. The tour guide was extremely helpful with tips of other places to go, pointing out that we had direct access to the Library of Congress. This is definitely a must see. I had no idea you could walk to it from the capital, and then it actually was an active library.
The capitol visitor center is so beautiful and informative! I highly recommend taking the free tour. Our tour guide, Pamela, was incredible!
No trip to DC is worth it without visiting the US Capitol! We visited the Capitol in late March of 2025 and the weather was pleasant with temps in the low 60's. It was also cherry blossom season and the grounds were speckled with these flowering trees adding picturesque beauty to the landscape. Due to time constraints, we were unable to enter the visitor center grounds. We were only there for a few days and were on a tight schedule. Like most buildings in the area, monuments like the Capitol are grand and massive! If you are visiting, set aside 60-90 minutes to leisurely walk the grounds and take pictures.
While visiting Washington, DC, I had the chance to see the U.S. Capitol from the outside--and it was absolutely stunning! The architecture is so grand and powerful, and just standing there made me feel the weight of the history and decisions that have shaped this country. Even without going inside, it's worth the visit. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and it's a great spot to walk around, take photos, and admire one of the most iconic buildings in the U.S. I hope to come back one day for a full tour!
21 days ago
The United States Capitol is absolutely beautiful and a must see when visiting Washington, D.C. The architecture is breathtaking, and knowing the history behind it makes it even more meaningful. Learning about the enslaved craftsmen who helped build parts of the Capitol, including many of the stone columns and intricate details, adds an important perspective to the experience. The House of Representatives and Senate chambers were especially impressive. Phones aren't allowed inside, but seeing them in person is something to experience at least once. Be prepared to go through security, and make sure you leave items like pocketknives or pepper spray behind... I learned that lesson the hard way! I highly recommend reserving your tickets ahead of time so you can avoid extra trips through security and make the most of your visit. A beautiful piece of American history that is well worth the time. Hungry? The Thomas Jefferson Baked Macaroni & Cheese is AMAZING! It's a big enough portion to split between two. read more
What's nice is that they provide free tours even without reservations. Although we came a little earlier than the reserved time, the friendly employees told us to get in the line without reservations so we could partake in the next tour. The next tour ended up starting in under 10 minutes. Like the other reviews mentioned, I do wish the tour was a little longer. You start off with a brief movie giving a quick overview in an auditorium prior to getting in line with a guide. You're given headsets and follow along a rather big group as there are many tours going on simultaneously. Then you visit and learn about the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. The whole tour felt under an hour for sure. Very educational, historic, and definitely worth checking out if you've never done so before. After that you're free to explore with limitations. Didn't get the chance to see the Exhibition Hall. The bathrooms were exceptionally clean, very nice gift shop, cafe, and there's even a 5 minute passage over to the Library of Congress if you want to explore that after. read more
28 days ago
What an incredible day at the US Capitol. Still warm but just a slight hint of Fall in the air, especially to Florida's. I've never approached the Capitol from the front. I've always walked up the opposite direction. Incredible experience to walk across the entire front lawn coming from the Supreme Court. I couldn't take my eyes off this incredible edifice, framed perfectly by a perfect crystal clear blue sky. Walking around the entire front of the Capitol takes your breath away. The only drawback was we were unable to go inside. The inside rotunda is amazing, but I was unable to see it like on previous visits read more
3 months ago
It is a must see if you're in town, but the lines are long, even if you booked a ticket to do a tour. So if possible, come early. Otherwise, prepare to wait outside, and make sure you look up what is or isn't allowed in. I did not pre-book a tour, but there are still exhibits worth seeing inside. There's an exhibit on the Capitol and Congress, a couple videos on how the two branches work, and right now a temporary exhibit on how America celebrated some of its previous anniversaries. The exhibits were very engaging and probably take an hour of time if you're into it. The line could also take about an hour. So come early and try to book a tour beforehand online or else take your chances on site. It's one of the most important buildings in the city, so it's worth the time, even if it's a bit of a wait. read more
You have to make your reservation well ahead of time...at least a week or two, maybe more. You have to be vetted. They check to see who's coming. Leave your backpack at home. The tour itself is just about an hour, so you and your kids won't go crazy. The guides are amazingly knowledgeable and interesting. They clearly love their job. They talk a bit about the architecture, a lot about the statues inside. I'd like it if they talked a bit more about just the super simple basics of what happens in there, but overall a worthwhile tour. read more
This place was great! Beautiful building to take pictures at. The visitor center offered free entry, there was a small line, then had to go through security. They don't allow any food or drinks, however I had my one year old with me and had a small water and snacks for her which they did allow in. The tour is free! I couldn't believe it they definitely could charge a fee. The first part of the tour is a historic video there was another portion of the tour after that but we decided to leave because we were on time restrictions. read more
Not to be missed. I highly recommend booking a tour that includes timed tickets to the US Capitol. I used DC by Foot. Reason for using a tour guide is It's extremely crowded at the Visitors Center, and constant crowds of students on field trips to learn about our branches of government. The DC by Foot guides are very knowledgeable, they know where to go in the Capitol. The guide I had got House Gallery passes for our group and the commemorative 250 yr (US Semi quincentennial) admission tickets. I learned you can tell if the House or Senate is in session by looking to see if the flag is raised or not on the House or Senate side. The other part of the tour is watching a presentation then going with the US Capitol guides in red jackets and using audio to view the art and history. I also liked the souvenir shop there too so I got commemorative 250 items. read more
3 months ago
The U.S. Capitol tour was excellent! The building is absolutely beautiful, and learning about its history and seeing it from the inside was a great experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and kept the tour interesting. My only complaint is that I wish the tour had been longer. There is so much history and so many incredible spaces that I would have loved more time to explore. Even so, it's a must-do if you're visiting Washington, DC. read more
Plenty of clear signage and staff to direct visitors to the appropriate queues for tours. Lovely main hall where tours originate and several noteworthy statues to view during the brief wait for tours to begin. Safety precautions are in place and screening process to enter via metal detectors at entrance is quite stringent. Staff are professional and efficient. Photography is allowed. read more
17 years. I am not proud of it but it is the truth. I have been in this town 17 years and never did the Capitol tour until now. When I was in business school, I did visit the house and senate chambers but the main tour was something that had eluded me. Thankfully, out of town friends is the best excuse the remedy the circumstance. I don't want to belabor the obvious - you should do this. Everyone should do this. This is our nation's capitol. It is the foundation of the greatest experiment in self government in the history of the world. I do not want to spoil some of the genuinely wonderful surprises in store. Take a tour and marvel. Citizen well, my friends. read more
7 months ago
Definitely ask your elected official to get a tour! Such amazing history. Schedule a morning tour, and then go to the restaurant when it opens about 11 AM. Surprisingly, this restaurant actually was good, and the desserts were excellent. It was better than trying to find someplace to eat. They also had one of the best gift shops I had seen all week. The tour guide was extremely helpful with tips of other places to go, pointing out that we had direct access to the Library of Congress. This is definitely a must see. I had no idea you could walk to it from the capital, and then it actually was an active library. read more
3 months ago
The capitol visitor center is so beautiful and informative! I highly recommend taking the free tour. Our tour guide, Pamela, was incredible! read more
No trip to DC is worth it without visiting the US Capitol! We visited the Capitol in late March of 2025 and the weather was pleasant with temps in the low 60's. It was also cherry blossom season and the grounds were speckled with these flowering trees adding picturesque beauty to the landscape. Due to time constraints, we were unable to enter the visitor center grounds. We were only there for a few days and were on a tight schedule. Like most buildings in the area, monuments like the Capitol are grand and massive! If you are visiting, set aside 60-90 minutes to leisurely walk the grounds and take pictures. read more
While visiting Washington, DC, I had the chance to see the U.S. Capitol from the outside--and it was absolutely stunning! The architecture is so grand and powerful, and just standing there made me feel the weight of the history and decisions that have shaped this country. Even without going inside, it's worth the visit. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and it's a great spot to walk around, take photos, and admire one of the most iconic buildings in the U.S. I hope to come back one day for a full tour! read more
4 months ago
Cool place and the tour guide was cool. I think his name was Robby? Amazing paintings and statues. read more
I highly recommend booking a tour of the Capitol through your local rep or Senator. private tours with staff are such a fun experience! It's so humbling to hear about the history and to stand where our government operates. No matter your politics, there is something inspirational and powerful about this building. read more
7 months ago
A really well organized visitor center. They are able to process you and your guests really quick. Before you go on the tour they bring you into an auditorium to watch a video discussing the establishment of American Government. read more
I booked a 3:10 pm time slot for 5 people for the capitol tour the night before. I highly recommend booking the tour online in advance to guarantee the tour since it can be pretty crowded inside, and the tour is the only way to enter the capitol publicly. The visitor center entrance was very hard to find since we accidentally walked to the back side and it took an extra 10 mins to get to the visitor center. We were 10 mins late so they put us with the 3:20 group. We had to go through security and no food or drink was allowed. I had to throw away my bottled water and I wasn't able to drink any water inside since I didn't see any fountains or places selling water. Once inside even though the tour time was 3:20 we had to wait until 3:35 to be let into the auditorium where we watched a video on the formation of the government and the history behind it. If you took US history in school this will not be any new information but may be more interesting to foreigners. I personally found it pretty boring and the auditorium was very cold. One done, our tour guide gave us headsets so we can hear what they were saying. We went to three locations total, all very very beautiful. We were not allowed to enter other areas or wander. We stayed in each location for about 20 minutes which was mostly looking around while the tour guide told us facts and history. There was extremely minimal seating so we had to stand for the full hour and the escalator up was broken so we had to walk the stairs. read more
1 year ago
We had an awesome visit to the Capitol on our last visit to DC. We made advanced reservations as recommended through Rick Scott's office. It took about nine days for their office to set up the advanced reservations. I recommend you to get to the visitor center line at least 30 minutes prior to your tour. It is below the ground level and centered on the Capitol. The visitor center is quite thorough in reviewing all visitors so you want to arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour time. As we entered the main lines, we noticed that there were additional lines for anyone without reservations. Not making a reservation would have allowed a lot more flexibility in our schedule; but, making a reservation ensures that you're 100% going to be able to go on a tour. In retrospect, I would do the reservation thing during the high-demand time of the Capitol (not necessary on this trip). Our tour guide, Catherine, was absolutely amazing, informative, humorous, and just made the experience an epic one. Kudos to her. You get headphones, so it's easy to hear her and follow her directions. I would definitely recommend a visit to the Capitol for anybody who is visiting DC. It's also free. The tunnel was closed to the Library of Congress so we passed on a visit there. Don't forget to stop by the South Gift Shop on your way out. read more
2 years ago
Cross your fingers and hope you get Mr. Cristian as your guide! He was spectacular! He was so incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and answered every question with ease. I was able to go with an earlier scheduled time tour due to arriving a bit early. They were very accommodating. They tour guide provides you with headsets that allow you to hear his every word clearly. The tour was set up so well. We got to see within the dome, got history of all the paintings, sculptures, and carvings. There are so many state statues to view and paintings to observe. I highly recommend making this tour a party of your DC visit. I came out so much more understanding of the US Capitol and its journey to being what it is today. Going through security was smooth but allow yourself about 15 minutes when busy. read more
I am able to visit DC once a year for work but don't usually do anything too touristy. We had meetings at the capital and since it was pouring rain when it was time to leave, we decided to wait it out a bit and take a tour to kill time. We were able to get our free pass right away and get on one of the later tours of the day. Our guide was knowledgeable and funny. read more
We came without reservations which you can do ahead . We only had to line up and it was quick on a Monday at around 2 pm. No food or drink allowed inside. You also can go around by yourself or go with a group for a free tour by going to the visitor center. We were taken to about 3 rooms which were the most popular and the guide would answer your questions. The architecture was amazing including the painting in the rooms. There is so much of History that i had discovered in that short tour. You can also reserve timed tickets but we found the line to move really fast as the people were all organized. read more
Visiting the Capitol was a great experience. If you are really interested in learning more about the history of our country - make the trip. My friend and I visited and she was able to reserve our time slots about a month in advance. We Uber'd there so I am unsure of the parking situation. The tour is cost free as long as you book it in advance. It starts with a short film, and then you are led through with a guide for insight about the history. The architecture alone is worth the trip. Wonderful executio at The Capitol Visitor Center. Xoxo. read more
2 years ago
Overall, a great tour to connect more with US history! This is an actively working building. Tour: It begins with a 13 minute video of the history of the US Capitol. After that, you are taken into several lanes and given headphones so that you could hear the tour guide. The tour is typically in English but there are follow-along pamphlet guidebooks in other languages. It's a quite packed and popular tour but the headphones made it very easy to follow along. We were taken to 3 different rooms: 1) The Crypt (a tomb). It is named the tomb because they had build a tomb in 1826 for George Washington; however, George Washington died earlier and ended up being buried at Mt. Vernon near his home. The statues (made of bronze or marble) around the tomb are representative of the 13 original states. Each state could send 2 statues, but only 2 decided to make the statues in bronze. Unfortunately, we cannot see the actual tomb since it's not part of the public tour. The center of the room has a compass stone on the ground, which represents the center of DC. 2) Rotunda/Dome. It was inspired by St Paul Cathedral in London and Pantheon in Paris; however, the material was different. This dome was made out of 100% cast iron. It weights 900 million pounds. The panting on top is made out of Fresco. This was the most impressive room to look at. The way the light illuminates the paintings at the top is absolutely stunning. 3) National Statuary Hall. Contains over 30 statues from all of the states. In the mid-1800s, people would gather here to discuss the issues of slavery. My favorite stature was Rosa parks, who had refused to give up her seat to a white man on the bus. She initiated a spark for the civil rights movement. The architecture of these columns are intricate and the ceiling is covered with gold decor. The tour was a total of 1 hour. No food/drinks allowed. -- Tickets: you could book ahead of time via your representative or just show up! The wait time for just showing up was only two minutes! To find your representative: visit https://www.congress.gov/members. Through them, you could also reserve a tour for the White House and FBI headquarters. Tip: If you're booking via your representative, you could also grab passes to the House of Representatives and Senate for an additional tour. read more
We came on a weekday, during the off season. We had reserved our tickets ahead of time and went straight to check-in. One thing we noticed, were large groups of students on field trips. We didn't think it would be much of as issue, but we kept encountering them throughout the various stops of the tour. Although well behaved, they were loud and it took a while having to wait for them to move from place to place. You are also required to wear headphones that they provide during the tour, but you can easily bring your own since the device uses a standard headphone Jack. The building and statues around the building were gorgeous. The ceilings were pretty amazing too. It was interesting learning more about the building itself, and I'm glad we came, but I'm not sure we would return with so many other sites to see around D.C.. It is definitely worth checking out for a first time visitor though! read more
2 years ago
Our tour guide was the best! He answered questions quickly with in depth knowledge. It was a horror historical experience. Give that man a raise. He works hard he deserves it! When I bring my kids next time, I'm gonna request Robbie Walsh. Thank you! Our tour guide was the best! He answered questions quickly with in depth knowledge. It was a honor and historical experience. Give that man a raise! He works hard he deserves it. When I bring my kids next time, I'm gonna request Robbie Walsh. Thank you! read more
8 months ago
It was one of my favorite museum type tours ever! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. It was an overall great experience! read more
2 years ago
This was also a part of our tour package. State Capital. We went through the tunnels. I can't even begin explaining how nice and inspiring, informative this tour is. I can't remember everything exactly. I can say it's worth the trip. I'm going to load the pictures. I'm going to just say that security is tight . Staff provided a great tour . John was very knowledgeable. read more
An amazing experience and a must do if you're in DC! We visited The White House earlier in the day and we didn't have a reservation to the U.S. Capitol so we weren't sure if we could get in, but we decided to try anyway! We went to the basement floor of the Visitor's Center and go through basic airport level security and they also have a coat check if needed as well. There are two lines when you get there, one for if you have a reservation, and the other if you don't. If you don't have a reservation, they provide you with a timed ticket, our tour then departed maybe 5-10 minutes after we got our ticket. The tour starts with a 10 minute movie, then you meet your Red Coat guide that takes you around the various rooms and gives you a history lesson of the facilities as well. The tour takes about 30-45 minutes in total and it's really cool to see all of the different areas of the Capitol! You don't walk on to the Congress or U.S. House floor- you do have to have a separate ticket for this, but it can also be easily arranged from your Congress rep or House of Representatives rep. These tours are separately led by their office interns. The tours led by the interns didn't seem quite as in depth, so I would recommend really both tours because they seem to see and highlight different things. No matter which tour you take, all of them are free! If you're in the area, definitely take the Capitol tour, so cool to hear about our nation's history! read more
2 years ago
Reserved ticket the day prior and arrived 30 min before my scheduled time as recommended, but didn't need to. By the time i got through security and to the line "with reservations," I was able to get in an earlier tour. The tour begins with a 13 min video and then meet your red coat tour guide with a headset. I was quite impressed with the quality of sound. Ron Johnson was fabulous! Learned lots in the rotunda about statues, paintings, etc. the tour flew by! read more
3 years ago
You have to get approved by your senator in order to schedule a visit. I'm so happy I did because this place was incredible to see in person. I loved that it was a guided tour and we learned the history of the building. Unfortunately you don't get to visit the house of reps or the senate but it was still a great experience. I highly recommend coming if you're in DC! read more
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