Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Gateway to Congress
Imagine a space so massive it's the largest project in the U.S. Capitol's more than two-century history. That's the Capitol Visitor Center. Opened on December 2, 2008, this nearly…
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Imagine a space so massive it's the largest project in the U.S. Capitol's more than two-century history. That's the Capitol Visitor Center.
Opened on December 2, 2008, this nearly 580,000 square foot facility was built entirely underground. Why? Because the designers didn't want to detract from the historic grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted back in 1874.
Today, it serves as the main public entrance to the Capitol, designed specifically as a welcoming, educational space focused on art, architecture, and the workings of Congress. Whether you're here for the exhibition hall, the gift shops, or a meal at the 500-seat restaurant, it's the modern front door to American democracy.
Updated June 2026