Hours and days of operation of the Capitol and Contact information
The Capitol building is open to visitors Monday
through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Guided tours are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, with the last tour commencing at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, guided tours are available from
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the last tour commencing at 4:00 pm. In addition, Self-Guided tours are available during operating hours each day.
Mailing Address:
Capitol Guided Tours
Virginia State Capitol
Post Office Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone:
804.698.1788
Fax:
804.698.1906
E-Mail:
capitoltourguides@house.virginia.gov
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.
To obtain more information on Chamber Presentations
If you are interested in scheduling a legislative presentation for your group you may contact the Legislative Education and Development Office at:
(804) 698-1500,
toll-free 877-391-FACT,
or by e-mail at LEAD@house.state.va.us
Capitol Use Policies
The Virginia Capitol, one of the most historic structures in the Western Hemisphere, every year welcomes thousands of Virginia citizens and visitors from around the country and throughout the world.
The Virginia Capitol is unique among historic sites because it also is a working government building. It is important to respect and safeguard the historic nature of the Capitol as well as preserve the
public’s access to their government without impeding the day-to-day operations of state government and the conduct of the people’s business.
In accordance with local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, interim rules regarding the Capitol and the House and Senate galleries have been established jointly by the Clerk of the House and the
Clerk of the Senate at the direction of the General Assembly’s Committee on Joint Rules.
Groups interested in holding an event on Capitol Square will need a permit.
Please see the Commonwealth of Virginia's Division of
Engineering and Buildings (DEB) webpage
for information on obtaining these permits.
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.
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.
Handicap Parking:
Private vehicles with handicap plates are able to park and unload passengers on Bank Street near the new public entrance. There is no public parking on the Capitol Square grounds.
Motorcoach Parking:
Three or four spaces are presently available on Bank Street between 10th and 12th Streets. Buses should not stay on Bank Street longer than 2 hours. As of 2008 the former “Bus Loop” behind Old City Hall is no longer available to school or tour buses visiting the Capitol. Overflow bus parking is available at the Virginia War Memorial, on 2nd Street south of Spring Street. Group leaders will need to be in phone contact with their drivers.
Public Parking:
There are four free general public spaces (1 hour) on the north side of Bank Street, between 9th and 10th Streets. A limited number of metered public parking spaces (2 hours) are located on Bank Street, between Governor and 14th Streets, on the south side of Main Street, between 9th and 12th Streets and on 12th Street between Main and Bank Streets. Pay parking lots and decks are nearby on 8th and Grace Street and 7th and Marshall Streets.
Pay parking lots and decks are nearby on 8th and Grace Street and 7th and Marshall Streets.
Downloadable maps of nearby parking lots and decks are available, as well as rates for these areas.
A Guide to Virginia Protocol and Traditions is a publication designed to serve as a guide for state agencies as well as the general public in how to interact with government officials.
The publication contains information on a wide variety of topics including formal and informal communications, order of precedence, and proper seating arrangements for government officials in social situations. It also outlines some of the ceremonies and traditions in the Commonwealth.
This publication is available on the Publications page of our website.
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