Visiting the Capitol Building
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 12:00PM For any first time visitor, and even for many repeat ones, a visit to the Capitol Building is one of Washington's must see stops. Fortunately, while the White House is virtually off limits to the casual visitor, the Capitol remains somewhat more accessible to the public. Tours are still given on a daily basis, and a visit to the Capitol is a great way to kick off a day on Capitol Hill.
Now last year if I was asked about visiting the Capitol, I would have cringed, averted my eyes, and muttered something about "calling your Congressman". What's changed? The brand new Capitol Visitors Center. While we can continue to debate if it was worth $600+ million dollars, that money is gone and spent and we have a bright, shiny new Visitors Center to show for it. It has a great little museum; a good, if overpriced cafeteria; restrooms as far as the eye can see; and a plethora of other Visitor Services. But hands down, the best thing about it is the expansion from one security line with two metal detectors, to two with a total of eight detectors. This has reduced the wait to get in to a few minutes, down from, I kid you not, up to two hours. You still have to deal with the security guards, er um, I mean U.S. Capitol Police (a humorless lot who no doubt will find new ways to search me once they read this), but it's a pale shadow of the near-traumatic event visiting the Capitol was for me last year. It's now as quick and painless as possible, and even more so if check out this list before you come. Hint: don't even bother bringing food or drink, including bottled water, with you. I've had to throw away baby bottles full of milk before, with the screaming baby in tow.
The next greatest thing about the Visitor's Center is that the Visitor's Center staff , freed from herding folks into lines and enjoying their air conditioned splendor, has really come into it's own in terms of customer service. They tried hard before, but the difference this year is palpable. They really work with visitors to arrange a tour now, and because of this, I don't hesitate to recommend to folks, or at least small groups of them, to pop in without a reservation and try your luck. I've routinely been able to get busloads of schoolkids in, thanks to their help. While I still recommend booking a visit ahead of time; if circumstances don't allow or you manage to be a greater procrastinator than I, give it a shot.
The tours are now almost, but not quite entirely, done by Capitol guides, which results in a much more consistent product. Personally, I'll miss the intern led tours, where your Congressman's intern leads you about the building, having hastily read up on the history of the place on the ride over from the airport that morning. They added a little charm, and more importantly to me, some variety on a tour I take weekly. I'll miss their urban legends, but fine, I'll take the properly led tour. And no interns, the chandelier on the Senate side did not come from a bordello.
But for all that, I don't think it is particularly necessary to go in the Capitol. If you just want to get a feel for the Capitol, I'd say head up to the Hill, poke into your Congressman's office, and have a picnic on the grounds. Maybe even duck into the Visitor's Center and see the museum. It's a nice tour, but I wouldn't list it as a must see on your trip to DC.
Now, if your visit happens to be on a Monday, you might want to take advantage of the Capitol Historical Society's exterior tour. This is one I highly recommend. There's no security lines, no dealing with hordes of school kids, no straining to hear your guide packed in a group of twenty five of your not so close friends. Unfortunately, their website doesn't directly address it, but here's the info:
This is a great, concise history of the Capitol which avoids a lot of the stress of the "real" Capitol tour. Bummer it's only offered on Mondays....
THE MOST FAMOUS BUILDING IN THE WORLD, walking tour of the U.S. Capitol's exterior; sponsored by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Meet at the Union Station Metro station, Massachusetts Ave. exit, 40 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Mondays at 10 a.m.; to Nov. 26. $10. (202) 543-8919.
Reader Comments (14)
As a long-time DC area resident, I've been really enjoying your blog. But I'm really bothered by your joking description of the U.S. Capitol Police as "security guards". This is a touchy subject for many people who work on the Hill and are quick to mention the 1998 shooting deaths of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
Obviously your encounters, as a tour guide, with the police are different than mine, a journalist covering Capitol Hill. I've always found the police to be fairly friendly although, yes, focused on security. Perhaps the difference is that I have mainly dealt with the police in the congressional office buildings where things are a bit more relaxed than at the Capitol proper, where, admittedly, security seems to get tighter every year.
Lara,
Thank you for your comments, and for the compliment. I appreciate them.
My remarks were flippant and irreverent, but I stand by them, or as much as one stands by sarcasm. I have had near uniform poor experiences with the Capitol Police and feel that they are unnecessarily brusque, even by the standards of DC security. They bark at the school kids and are dismissive with guides and teachers, even when attempt to get the kids in order. Or I should say especially when we do so. I had one officer be so rude and abusive to a teacher this year she ended up in tears in front of her students.
I do refer largely to those who work at the main entrance to the Capitol Visitor's Center. I've had better experiences at the office buildings.
I don't want to diminish the sacrifice of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson. Their heroism saved lives. And we all have had the necessity of professional security reinforced at the Holocaust Memorial Museum this year.
Thanks again for your comments. I hope the readers of this blog appreciate a diversity of viewpoints on this, and other topics. I do.
I cannot believe that you will go out of your way to disrespect the work and efforts of the Capitol Hill Police Officers. These are the officers that makes us feel save to work on the hill. Well i know it is your opinion, but i will like to suggest that you do a lil research before you make fun of others. The officers on the hill are bunch of highly-trained men and women who are committed to keep the members of congress and their staff save as they conduct the business of the people of the United states.
You might have some experiences with them, maybe you feel like you should be treated like a Senator, or you think they should allow anyone in without proper check, or maybe you feel like there is no threat to the Capitol building. All that is your opinion. But i will like to believe that you are not just jealous of these fine men and women with a good career and good paycheck. i can only hope that you are not taking out your fustration on the guys because you are not making as much as them and because you don't have a career as good.
I will advice you to just talk about the beauty of the Hill on your blog and have respect for others and their profession. it is not like you have a stellar profession. Last time i checked, you are a tour guide.
Bob,
I think I've addressed this before, but I'm happy to do so again. I find, and the experience of many other tour guides and local residents concur with me, that the Capitol Police can be overly brusque and difficult to work with. I should note that I've had quite a few positive experiences with them and anytime you paint with a broad brush, as I have done above, details and nuances inevitably get left out.
As to my life, I'm not going to go into extensive details of it, but suffice it to say I am jealous of neither the career nor the paycheck of a Capitol Police Officer, although I have respect for both. It's not the path I would choose for myself, but I wish them well on it. I myself am quite content in my chosen profession, stellar or not. I am doing this because I want to, and because I enjoy it. I wish you the same sort of success with your life.
If you wish to continue this discussion, feel free to send me an e-mail at comments@dclikealocal.com
I second your opinion that a change needs to be made in the attitude of the Capitol Police. I've watched them be so rude and abrasive to all ranges of visitors including the elderly. Their attitude has begun to bother me so much that I'm going to start documenting their bad behavior and writing congressmen. The point of this building is that it be open to all. I understand that security is a major issue, but when those that guard the building are so aggressive in doing so that it borders on intimidation, then an adjustment is needed. You can protect and still be polite.
Bob, what happens when we ASSume? You go into several speculations about the author's opinions and feelings, then tell him your speculations are authentic. All after you cleverly advise him to "do a lil research before you make fun of others." He stated his opinion, you over-reacted. Seems to me you may be a little over-sensitive. As an actual police officer, your senator comment was telling. Of course he should be treated as a senator. So should you. So should every 10 year old kid that visits. Lastly, I particularly like your line about having respect for others and their profession, followed shortly by a derogatory remark about being a tour guide. Grow up, Hypocrite Bob.
I might have offended you guys about saying that you dont have a stellar career, but guess what? no apology. Until you apologise to the men and women of the Capitol Police that are just doing their job according to the way they are required to do it, then you will get no apology from me. Stop crying folks. How do you think those officers feel about your comments about them? Have a nice day.
Bob, Apologies? Really? I have not been offended nor have I been offensive. There's no need for that.
Frankly, I'm bored with this conversation, so this will be my last response to you. If you want the last word, than by all means take it, if not, I'm sure you have lots of work patrolling the Rayburn Building or whatever Capitol Police do on the night shift when there's no tourists to yell at.
I am happy that you are now coming to your senses, realising that it is better to let this go than to keep trying to justify your ignorance.
Feel better about yourself now? Everyone but you realizes the true ignorance on this blog (since you're so oblivious, I'll spell it out for you: B-O-B). You've got mall security rent-a-cop written all over you.
The day after Christmas is on a Saturday this year. Does anyone know how busy it will be at the Air & Space Museum or Capitol Building? Do I need to make reservations to visit the Capitol Building, if I go this day? Thanks!
K,
It'll probably be somewhat busy, if not the crowds you'd see the day after Thanksgiving or around Cherry Blossom Time.
I'd say if your schedule is tight, go ahead and book a tour for the Capitol Visitor's Center (http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/Visit/Page%20-%20Tour%20Information.html). However, if you don't get around to it, don't let that stop you. You'll probably get lucky, I just wouldn't guarantee it.
Wish I would have read this article before visiting the Capitol "Visitors" Center - I had a great experience at my Congressman's office, and the security to get into his building was tight but reasonable, dare I say even friendly. However, the guards at the Capitol Visitors' Center security entry point were just as described above by the author (main article and subsequent posts). As a result, I will not be visiting the Capitol proper on any future trips to DC.
I just made an attempt to visit the Capital Visitor Center this afternoon and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the security officers are absolute jerks and it doesn't just border on intimidation and harassment, it IS intimidation and harassment. They need to be reminded that it never acceptable to treat another human being that poorly. It's like they have a little bit of authority and they go mad with the power. That said I also volunteer at the USBG and those Capitol Police have always been professional and courteous. Perhaps to qualify for this particular post being a terrible human being is an entry level requirement?