The tours have to be scheduled through a lawmaker and are limited to small groups.

Visitors to D.C. will soon have a chance to see the halls of congress in person again. The U.S. Capitol has announced public tours of the building will finally resume on Monday, March 28.

Tours were halted at the beginning of the pandemic to protect the health and safety of the legislators and staff working in the building.

Visiting and touring the Capitol has always been a popular activity for tourists, bringing nearly three million people to the building each year. To help bridge the gap, the U.S. Capitol has been providing online virtual tours several times a day.

Now that most of the restrictions have been lifted in the city, almost all of the museums and monuments have returned to normal operating procedures. Initially, tours of the Capitol will be restricted to small groups of 15 people or less and will be held by lawmakers or members of their staff. To book a tour, you must contact your congressmen or senator.

Emancipation Hall, facing east in the U.S. Capitol; Courtesy of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center

The Capitol Visitors Center is a three-level, 580,000-square-foot space located below ground at the Capitol. It has two theaters, a 530-seat restaurant, and an exhibition hall. It serves as a place for visitors to book tours, pick up tickets, learn about the history of congress, and enjoy a meal.

Daily virtual tours include a live look inside the Rotunda, Crypt, National Statuary Hall, old Senate Chamber, and old Supreme Court Chamber. Tours are available four times a day, Monday through Friday, and last about an hour.

Visit the visitors center page to book your tour.

Are you excited the U.S. Capitol is resuming tours? Sound off in the comments below.