United States Capitol

The United States Capitol is the seat of Congress and the building around which the plan of Washington was laid out. George Washington laid the cornerstone on 18 September 1793, and Congress first met here in November 1800. The original design was by William Thornton, Benjamin Henry Latrobe rebuilt the interiors after the British burned the building in 1814, and Thomas U. Walter designed the cast-iron dome that was finished around 1866. The Statue of Freedom was raised to the top in 1863.

Visits start at the Capitol Visitor Center, which opened in December 2008 underground on the east side of the building. The Exhibition Hall there is a good place to begin, with displays on the history of Congress and the building. Guided tours then take you through the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. In the Rotunda, look up at Constantino Brumidi's fresco The Apotheosis of Washington inside the dome. Statuary Hall, the House chamber until 1857, holds statues sent by the states.

Tours are free. Reservations are recommended and can be made online, and walk-in visitors are placed on the next available tour if there is space, provided they arrive by 2:30pm. Self-guided tours of the historic rooms are not offered. The tour does not include the House or Senate galleries, which have separate arrangements, so check the official site if you want to watch a session.

Security is thorough, and there is a list of prohibited items on the visitor site, including food and drink, so travel light and allow extra time at screening. The Capitol Cafe inside the visitor centre is useful for lunch before or after your tour. Confirm visiting hours on the official site or by phone before you go.

The tour suits older children and adults with an interest in politics and history, and the visitor centre is a good option on a wet day. Allow about two hours including security, the exhibition and the tour itself.

The Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building is just across First Street and also needs a free timed pass, so the two combine well in a morning. From the Capitol there is a long view west down the National Mall towards the Washington Monument, and Eastern Market is a pleasant walk to the south-east through the Capitol Hill neighbourhood.