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
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Monument - Historical
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
Review by Balti-most, USA, April 2013
Doing what: Washington DC Segway Night Tour
We loved this tour. Two of the four people had never been on Segways before and we're really nervous. However, they are SO easy to ride, it is amazing. Everyone was comfortable within about 5 minutes. Grace, our guide was super-friendly and knowledgeable. The tour was timed perfectly to be in front of the Capitol and looking back at the Washington Monument right at Sunset. We also made stops infront of the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial and others. Riding the Segways down the bike lane on Pennsylvania Ave was also fun! What a great way to see DC.
Review by Dan, USA, October 2012
Doing what: Washington DC in a Day Tour
The tour is excellent. The morning was spent at The Capitol. We were dropped off and walked to the Capitol where we had a guided tour. Our next stop was The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum;. A tour was offered and there were restaurants in the area for lunch. In the afternoon we visited WWII Memorial, MLK Memorial, FDR Memorial and finished the day at The Museum of American History. A full day and a lot of territory and sights covered. Our guide Bob was excellent and shared many insights and facts along the route.
Review by Amitabha G, September 2012
Doing what: Washington DC Segway Tour
Touring DC on a Segway was one of the best things we did. Our tour guide Melissa was wonderful and very informative. The Segway took us to all the major spots in DC, including the Washington Monument, The White House, Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, etc. It takes hardly 5 minutes of training to get used to the Segway and then you never want to get off. We had taken the 10 am tour which lasted for about 3 hours. The tour also gives you enough time to take pictures, stroll around, and take short breaks if you are tired. One of the best parts of the tour was when we rode the Segway on the Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Capitol Building. It took us about 20 minutes, and on our way we saw the streets and most of the famous buildings on the Penn Avenue. In summary, if you have just a couple of days in DC, or even otherwise, if you just want to have a lot of fun in an unconventional way, Segway is your best choice!
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.
