U.S. Capitol
- Address:100 Constitution Avenue NE, at 1st Street NW, Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.
- Hours:Open Mon - Sat 8:30am - 4:30pm. Closed Sun
- Admission:Free
12:48 AM Monday, May 28
Passing clouds. Mild.
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There's nothing quite like the majestic sight of the U.S. Capitol, with its towering 285 ft (86 m) cast-iron dome topped by the bronze Statue of Freedom, ornate fountains, and marble Roman pillars set on sweeping lawns and flowering gardens.
The political center of the U.S. government and geographic center of Washington D.C. itself, the Capitol of the United States overlooks the National Mall and the wide avenues flaring out to the city beyond. It houses the legislative branch of Congress and is home to the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Inside the grand halls and opulent chambers you really get a feel for the power-playing side of D.C. - the historical vibe is so strong it can be intoxicating. The centerpiece of the Capitol is the magnificent Rotunda (the area under the dome). A Constantino Brumidi frieze around the rim replays more than 400 years of American history. Look up into the eye of the dome for the Apotheosis of Washington, an allegorical fresco by the same artist. Other eye-catching creations include enormous oil paintings by John Trumbull, depicting scenes from the American Revolution.
Latest Reviews All U.S. Capitol Reviews »
This is a very good orientation tour. I thought we would only stop for photos, but we actually had time to visit the WWII, Jefferson, Vietnam Veterans, Lincoln, Korean and Iwo Jima Memorials. While we only toured the exteriors of the Capitol, White House and Washington Monument, our tour guide, Brian, provided interesting information at every stop. We also liked the cruise and lunch on the Potomac. We were very pleased with this tour.
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Funny, knowledgable tour guide. Got to see all the highlights and especially enjoyed seeing the Iwo Jima Marine memorial with the Lincoln Memorial, Wash Monument, and Capitol lit up in a line behind it.
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This is a great tour if you only have a limited time in DC. You get taken to all the major monuments including white house, capitol building etc. It also alows you to find yourself in DC in the event you want to revisit any of the monumnet's areas of DC. Tour was easy to find and left on time. Enough time was spent at each location and you had the flexibility to follow the guide or walk around at your leisure. Continue Reading »
Practical Info
The Capitol Visitor Center is located East Capitol Street, at 1st Street NW. Entrance to the Capitol is on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive early. Ticket distribution begins at 9am. The visitor center is an essential stop, as it provides visitors with a variety of amenities, including an exhibition gallery, cafeteria, and gift shops, as well as a 13-minute orientation film.
The House of Representatives meets in the south wing, the Senate in the north wing. When either body is in session, a flag is raised above the appropriate wing. Try to visit when both the Senate and House are in session.
