The Dome Tour

(the view from the very top)

Here is the start of a recap of my past three weeks in DC.


This next adventure all started because Congress was out of session for a week. This means all of the staffers come to work in jeans and there really isn’t much going on. Basically, since the recess occurred right after the Stimulus was passed, everyone in the office used the time to catch up on emails and letters and go home early….all much needed after the craziness that is a major piece of legislation being passed (another story for another time)

One afternoon my scheduler asked if I had any plans the following afternoon. He got the interns…A TOUR OF THE CAPITAL DOME. This is where I am lucky that I am not afraid of heights.

As you may know, there is this HUGE dome that tops the Capital. It is so tall you can fit the Statue of Liberty (off her platform) inside the Rotunda of the Capital. Believe me, I have done my fair share of Capital Tours and each time I do I can’t get close enough to the artwork of the dome.

(our trek up the dome)

All we were told was to bring a coat (it’s still winter here), not to wear heels, and a camera is a must. This is a very unique opportunity since only 8 people are allowed on this tour every hour. (8 is the largest amount Capital Police can safely handle in an emergency situation.) A Member of Congress them self has to request the tour, but the loophole is a Chief of Staff can when Congress is not in session. (this is how we lucked out!)

So for the tour you walk in between the metal outer shell of the dome and the inner shell which is what you see when inside the rotunda. There are 2 circular balconies inside the rotunda as you make the climb, giving an awe inspiring view of the artwork of the rotunda.

The best part of the tour was at the very top you get to go outside. (See picture) You stand on this balcony with 360 degree view of DC. Since the Capital was designed as the center of the city with streets branching out from it, you can see the layout of the city quite well. You can basically see everything in DC. It was SO COOL. It was very windy (hence the horrible hair in the pics), but this same wind made it possible for spectacular views. It is definitely something I will remember as a highlight from my trip since it put a lot of things in perspective….

(me at the top)