When is The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center open?
Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Sun closed. Hours checked on 4 November 2026.
58° · Mostly clear nowBest time: 10 amThings to do in Washington, D.C.
Nature centreCapitol Hill
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- 4.63.9k reviews
- Free
- Closed now
Underground visitor center under the Capitol's east side with exhibits, Emancipation Hall and a starting point for free guided Capitol tours.
Quick answers
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in short
When is the best time to visit The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?
It's at its best mornings and afternoons. Wedar also scores every hour of the next five days against the forecast; see the best time on this page.
Is The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center indoors or outdoors?
Indoors: a good pick when it rains.
Is The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center good for kids?
Yes, it welcomes children.
How much does The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center cost?
It's free to visit.
Do you need to book The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?
Booking ahead is a good idea.
More questions (3)Fewer questions
How long do you need at The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?
About 2 hours.
Where is The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center?
1st St SE, Washington, DC 20515.
Is The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible parking, wheelchair accessible restroom.
Status, rating and hours checked on 4 November 2026; kids, cost, booking and setting verified by the Wedar team. Where our data comes from
Right now · 8:30 am
Why it fits right now
Closed right now.
Opens today 9 am.
In its favour
- Best in the morning
- Indoors
Worth knowing
- Book ahead
58°
Mostly clear
- Feels
- 58°
- Rain
- 0%
- Wind
- 4mph
- 9am
60° - 10am64°
- 11am67°
The next five days
Best time to go
Scored on the forecast, its opening hours and when it's at its best. Tap a time to see it.
9a9 am12pNoon3p3 pm6p6 pm9p9 pm
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TmrwTomorrow
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Before you go
Plan your visit
Hours
Closed now- monday
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- tuesday
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- wednesdayToday
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- thursday
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- friday
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- saturday
- 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
- sunday
- Closed
Hours checked 4 Nov
Where and how
- 1 The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- 2 United States Capitol · 1 min
- 3 US Capitol Grounds · 1 min
- 4 Peace Monument · 5 min
- 5 Library of Congress · 6 min
Good to know
- Indoors
- Free to visit
- Book ahead
- Allow about 2 h
- Step-free entrance
- Accessible washroom
From visitors and the venue
What it's like
4.6from 3.9k reviews
Known for
- Capitol tour
- Emancipation Hall
- Exhibition Hall
- Rotunda
What people say
- People like:
- Knowledgeable guides, free tour, statues, rotunda and dome views
Around Capitol Hill
Nearby
Within about a 15-minute walk.
United States CapitolCulture · 1 min walk
US Capitol GroundsPark · 1 min walk
Good nowPeace MonumentLandmark · 5 min walk
Library of CongressLibrary · 6 min walk
On nearby
For the next three hours
What to wear to go there now
Leave with a light layer.
Light layerThe whole time
It's indoors, so this is for the trip there and back.