Address
United States Capitol
First St SE, Washington,
DC 20004, United States
Directions: Google Maps
Support
Phone: 202-226-8000 (general)
Phone: 202-593-1768 (education queries)
Email: groups@visitthecapitol.gov (group reservation)
Email: education@visitthecapitol.gov (education queries)
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About United States Capitol
Located in Washington D.C. at the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol is the legislative seat of the United States Congress, and is popularly called the Capitol Building. Former US President Thomas Jefferson, initiated the need for a legislative building, and had 11 architects to work on the design and construction of the building, at various stages.
Aged over 200 years old, and built over a period of 20 years, George Washington laid the foundation of the Capitol Building in 1793. The building is one of the highly visited structures in Washington D.C. and is a national historic landmark of the United States. Designed by architect William Thornton, the Capitol Building is an American Neoclassicism architectural structure, and neared completion in 1800.
The Capitol Building is the 5th tallest public structure, in Washington D.C. with a height of 289 feet, and has 5 floor levels, namely the basement, the 1st floor (Ground), the 2nd floor (Primary), the 3rd floor (Gallery), and the 4th floor (Attic). Guided tours are available in English, and are about 90 minutes, to tour the historic site, and the exhibition hall.
Built with a floor area of 16.5 acres, the exterior Capitol Building grounds measure 274 acres for walkways, gardens, driveways, monumental sculptures, trees, and streets. The primary building materials for the exteriors and the interiors of the Capitol Building, are brick-clad sandstone, cast-iron, and marble. On the interior, works of stone carving, wood trim, ornamental iron and bronze sculptures adorn the walls and hallways of the building.
The Dome of cast-iron at the rooftop, and the Rotunda depicting the paintings and historic events, are the striking features of the Capitol Building. Visitors are allowed to see the Hall of Columns, Crypt, National Statuary Hall, Brumidi Corridors, Botanic Garden, and the Capitol grounds. The Capitol Building has an East Wing, West Wing, North Portico, and South Portico on all the 4 levels, and has underground subways with stairs of steel.
Open from 8:30am-4:30pm from Monday-Saturday, the U.S. Capitol remains closed during Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the New Year’s Day. Admission is free for all, and visitors should arrive 45 minutes earlier, for guided tours. Visitors need special passes to watch the sessions, in the 3rd floor, and to access the Senate Chambers, and the Galleries. Booking of tours is online, using advance reservation, through their official website, or requested through the Member of the Congress. The website also has information on the ongoing exhibitions, events and educational resources for students and teachers.
