Book a Capitol Tour/Chamber Presentation

The tour guides and staff of the Virginia State Capitol are looking forward to your visit. In order that all visitors may have a pleasant and educational Capitol experience, please read carefully the following instructions.

Please provide the following information when making a reservation:

• • Group/school name, tour coordinator, main phone number, cell phone number, and e-mail.
• • Preferred date and time of visit (have alternate dates and times available if possible).
• • Total number in group, including chaperones. One chaperone is required for every 10 students.
• • Age/grade level of students.

Guided Tours of the Capitol

The Capitol building is open for Guided Tours 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 p.m. Tours last approximately one hour and are free.

For information and reservations, contact:

• Capitol Guided Tours
• Phone: 804.698.1788
• E-Mail: capitoltourguides@house.virginia.gov

Guided Tour reservations are required for groups of 10 or more people.

Chamber Presentations

This unique, one hour program invites students and groups into the Senate or House Chambers to sit at a legislator's desk. After an explanation and discussion of the legislative process, participants are led in a mock session to debate and vote on a bill. Chamber Presentations last approximately one hour and are free.

*Chamber Presentations are not available during the legislative session, which runs from the second Wednesday in January through approximately mid-March. Special legislative sessions also determine availability.

For information and reservations, contact either:

Senate Chamber
Senate Legislative Information and Constituent Services (LINCS)
804.698.7410
888.892.6948 (toll free)
Information@senate.virginia.gov

Senate Chamber presentations are designed for students in grades 4 through 12 who are studying history, government or civics. These presentations are also ideal for adult civic groups and professional organizations. A full presentation requires a minimum of 20 participants. We have 40 Senator seats, and two additional seats for someone to serve as Presiding Officer and Clerk.

House Chamber
House Information & Communications Services (ICS)
804.698.1500
877.391.3228 (toll free)
HICS@house.virginia.gov

Teacher and Chaperone Guide [PDF]

Please advise your group of the following guidelines:

• • Educational materials can be ordered in advance from Senate Legislative Information and Constituent Services (LINCS) and House Information & Communications Services (ICS).
• • All visitors are subject to security checks before entering the Capitol. Leave all non-essential items, including backpacks, on the bus. The Capitol Police will strictly enforce all safety and security guidelines.
• • Cameras are permitted in the Capitol (no flash photography).
• • If students need to use the restroom, please have an adult escort them.
• • One (1) chaperone is required for every ten (10) students.

Arrival, Parking, and Departure

• • Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Although we make every effort to be flexible with our guided tours and chamber presentations, your visit may be shortened if you are late.
• • Buses should proceed to the Capitol's Visitor Entrance plaza near 10th and Bank Streets for visitor drop-off and pick-up. Limited Bank Street bus parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• • Commercial tour groups, school groups, and the general public enter from the Capitol's Visitor Entrance plaza.
• • A group coordinator must check in with the Capitol Tour Guides.
• • Please have students and chaperones divided into pre-arranged groups upon arrival.

Decorum

• • The Capitol is a year-round working building and responsible and proper behavior is expected during your visit.
• • Keep your group together at all times — to minimize hallway and stairwell congestion, groups must stay to the right and in single file. Running is not permitted.
• • Conversation should be kept to whisper level and please set cell phones to vibrate.
• • Food, drinks, and chewing gum are not allowed in the Capitol tour area. If students are bringing bag lunches, they must be prepared to eat outside or on the bus.
• • Please monitor students' behavior and remind them to be respectful while tour guides or staff are speaking.
• • Failure to comply with any of the guidelines may result in notification to the Capitol Police and your group not being able to schedule future visits.

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 Senate and House galleries have been established jointly by the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House at the direction of the General Assembly's Committee on Joint Rules.

Supreme Court of Virginia

Presentations for groups are available by appointment in the main court chamber when the court is not in session.

Supreme Court of Virginia
100 North Ninth Street, 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
804.786.2251