National Capitol

[Flying Pig]

Its been about 10-12 years since I was last at the Capitol.  What are those things next to the helicopter?  Are those pools? When I was there that was all a big parking lot.

[Cecil DP]

I seem to recall that the congress was opening an underground visitors center. If so it's probably skylights

[Eeyore]

It is in fact skylights for the new visitors center. When I worked there, they were just starting construction on the center and those skylights were just big holes in the ground.

[SarDragon]

Was at the visitor's center back in December. It's really nice.

Yes, those are two really awesome skylights. Not so impressive above, but very interesting underneath them.

[Gunner C]

Do people get to tour the actual capitol anymore or is the tour only of the visitors' center?

[SarDragon]

Do people get to tour the actual capitol anymore or is the tour only of the visitors' center?

Tours are still available, but they are "guided, stay in the group" affairs, and you don't get (IMHO) enough time to look at some of the stuff you might have additional interest in. There's no more "roaming around the public areas" any more. That went away with 9/11's aftermath. I think we actually spent more time looking at stuff in the visitors center than we did on the tour.