The Capitol building is open to visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Self-Guided tours are available during operating hours each day our Capitol Visitors Brochure will help you get started.

Free one-hour guided tours Monday through Saturday are available beginning by 10:00 a.m. for walk-in visitors (or 9:00 a.m. for groups by appointment) and continue throughout the day, with the last tour offered at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, guided tours are available beginning at 1:00 p.m., with the last tour offered at 4:00 p.m.

In addition, self-guided tours are available during operating hours each day.

The Capitol Building is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Indoor guided tours last about one hour and include two newly restored rooms that were not previously on tour. In addition to the Rotunda, Old House and Old Senate chambers, tour groups usually see one of the 1906 legislative chambers located in the wings (when the General Assembly is not in session).

For more information on arranging guided tours, contact:

Tours are available daily of the underground extension and newly restored Capitol.
Tours are available daily of the underground extension and newly restored Capitol.

Capitol Square Guided Tours

capitoltourguides@house.virginia.gov

Capitol Guided Tours
c/o tour supervisor
Post Office Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218

Call our main voice number 804-698-1788 to verify daily tour schedules and make group tour appointments for groups of 10 or more people.

Please Provide the Following Information When Arranging:

  • Group name, tour coordinator, main telephone number, cell phone number, fax or e-mail.
  • Preferred date and time of visit (have alternate dates available if possible).
  • Total number in group, including chaperons. (Note: appointments for groups larger than 90 people are subject to availability of guides.)
  • Age/grade level of students.

House Chamber Presentations

Jay Pearson (LEAD Office) provides an interactive experience for the Commonwealth’s students in the historic setting of the House Chamber.

Recent renovations, restoration and expansion of the Commonwealth’s Capitol can be seen from the outside of the building all the way into the House Chamber. We welcome school students from across Virginia to a experience a “hands on” educational presentation in the House of Delegates Chamber.

If you are interested in scheduling a legislative presentation for your group you may contact the Legislative Education and Development Office at:
LEAD@house.state.va.us
804-698-1500, or
877-391-FACT

Please note that chamber presentations may not be scheduled during the legislative session, which runs from the second Wednesday in January through mid-March.

Senate Chamber Presentations

Are you a teacher looking for an innovative way for students to better understand and interact with state government while at the same time covering SOL topics in Civics such as explaining the legislative process, defending positions through discussion and debate, and the responsibilities of citizenship? Are you a member of a group that would be interested in learning more about state government and the role of your state Senator? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, then the Senate of Virginia Chamber Presentation is the answer for you.

Presentations are given by appointment only in the newly renovated Senate Chamber in the State Capitol. The Chamber is located on the west wing of the 2nd Floor. All visitors will be required to enter through a metal detector at the Bank Street entrance of the Capitol building. Students should not bring backpacks.

What is covered in a Chamber Presentation? Participants will actually become ‘Senators’ during the presentation. The presentations are led by a member of the Senate Clerk’s Staff. Individuals are invited to sit at the members’ desks and feel what it is like to represent the voice of approximately 180,000 constituents from that seat. The presentation will use the format of a mock session to better inform the visitor on the legislative process.

The presentation begins with a brief history of the Senate and the Chamber, political demographics of the body, organization and role of the Lieutenant Governor as President of the Senate, as well as the role of the Senate Clerk and finally, “How-A-Bill-Becomes-Law.” After an interactive exercise on elections and the civic importance of each individual’s vote, the newly elected ‘Senators’ are sworn into office and learn what a “day in the life” of a Senator is like during the General Assembly Session. A bill is then presented, and ‘Senators’ discuss and debate the piece of legislation (using the microphones at the desks) before taking a Passage vote using the electronic voting equipment. Staff has created mock bills which cover a range of topics geared to the age and interest of the group. If you have a particular bill topic that your group would be interested in debating the merits of, please make that known when scheduling your presentation. The presentation closes with a question-and-answer period.

Please note that chamber presentations may not be scheduled during the legislative session, which runs from the second Wednesday in January through mid-March.

http://publications.virginiageneralassembly.gov/download_publication/127