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Nothing in the United States symbolizes democracy more than the U.S. Capitol Building. For nearly two centuries, it has been home to both chambers of Congress and has evolved and expanded as times changed and the nation grew. The building itself has more than 16 acres of space and 540 rooms. The Capitol Grounds cover about 274 acres with sloping lawns, splashing fountains and beautiful terraces.
Capitol Visitor Center: Visitors are welcome to tour the U.S. Capitol Building. Capitol Service Guides lead public tours, which usually include 40 or 50 people at a time and last 50 to 60 minutes. Tours are free, but passes are required. Visitors can obtain timed passes on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Capitol Visitor Center. Distribution of passes begins at 9:00 am daily. Tours can also be reserved online at visitthecapitol.gov. Another option is contacting your representative or senator in Congress and request passes for constituent tours, which are limited to groups of 15 and conducted by congressional staff, who may take you to notable places in the Capitol beyond those seen on the general public tour.
