The Capitol of Virginia is open for Indoor Tours

New and important information about the resumption of indoor tours of the Capitol appears below.

New hours: Open 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday (first guided tour at 9 AM, last tour at 4 PM) Open 1 PM to 4 PM Sunday (first guided tour at 1 PM, last tour at 4 PM)

Newly Expanded Capitol: the working space of the Capitol has increased by about one third by means of an underground extension. This new working space features many visitor amenities, including public restrooms and an exhibit gallery.

New Public Entrance: Commercial tour groups, school groups and the general public enter the restored and expanded Capitol from a new entrance plaza near 10th and Bank streets.

New Street Traffic Patterns: Bank Street has become a two-way thoroughfare between 9th and 14th streets, in order to make the new public entrance more accessible.

New Handicap parking: Private vehicles with handicap plates will be able to park and unload passengers on Bank Street near the new public entrance. There will be no public parking on the Capitol Square grounds.

New Expanded tours: 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 will usually see one of the 1906 legislative chambers located in the wings (when the General Assembly is not in session) and a newly created room next to the south portico.

New Gift Shop: "The Capitol Shop" is open to the public in the new extension Monday-Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM. (804) 698-7661.

New Food Service: "Meriwether's at the Capitol", a cafe with recently expanded seating (and carry-out) is open to the public Monday-Friday in the new extension, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. (804) 698-7438.

Self Guided Tours

Individuals, couples, families and small groups of friends (fewer than 10 people) are welcome to tour the Capitol building on their own. Please note that groups of ten or more visitors are expected to make prior arrangements to visit inside the Capitol by calling 804-698-1788. The grounds of historic Capitol Square, containing notable monuments and memorial trees dedicated to various leaders and citizens, are open to the general public daily from 7 AM to 11 PM.

Visitors touring inside the Capitol building on their own may visit the gift shop, cafe and exhibit gallery located in the new Capitol extension. They also may visit the Old House and Old Senate Chambers, the Rotunda containing presidential statuary, and the Jefferson Room located on the second floor of the original 1788 Capitol. The present-day House and Senate Chambers in the east and west wings on the second floor are not open to the public unless visitors are taking a guided tour. During sessions of the Assembly, visitors may watch the House or Senate from the public galleries in each chamber, accessible from the east and west mezzanine levels.

Visitors also may tour the gallery located on the third floor of the original Capitol, where portraits of the last 16 Governors of Virginia are displayed. Visitors in the Governor’s Gallery will be able to take a closer look at the unusual interior dome, which is not visible anywhere outside of the building.

Holiday Tour Hours

On state and federal holidays which occur during sessions of the General Assembly (Lee-Jackson Day, Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day) we will keep the regular weekday tour schedule in effect. We also remain open for tours on Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. We are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. On any additional state holidays granted by the Governor’s Office before and/or after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, tour hours may vary (call 804-698-1788 for details).

Parking

Motorcoach Parking: Three or four spaces are presently available on Bank St. between 10th and 12th streets. Buses should not stay on Bank St. longer than 2 hours. As of 2008 the former “Bus Loop” behind Old City Hall will no longer be available to school or tour buses visiting the Capitol. Overflow bus parking is available at the Virginia War Memorial, on 2d Street south of Spring Street. Group leaders will need to be in phone contact with their drivers.

Public Parking: there are four free handicap parking spaces (4 hrs) and four free general public spaces (1 hr) on the north side of Bank St., between 9th and 10th streets. Metered public parking spaces (2 hrs) are located on Bank St., between Governor and 14th streets and on the south side of Main St., between 9th and 12th streets. There are 5 metered spaces (2 hrs) on 12th St., between Main and Bank streets. Pay parking lots and decks are nearby (more details at www.ridefinders.com)

For more information, please call (804)-698-1788.