Visiting All 50 US State Capitols

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I’ve recently (ok, just days before I wrote this) decided to make visiting all 50 state capitals and their respective state capitol buildings a bucket list goal of mine. It’s not too much of a stretch since I already want to visit all 50 states. Although perhaps it’s a little ambitious when you consider at the time of writing this I had already visited 30 of the states, but only one of the state capitol buildings… (I’m up to four now!)

The great thing about visiting the state capitols is that they not only have a lot information and exhibits about the state, but best of all they are often free to visit and many offer free guided tours!

I’m including the hours and tour information to the best of my ability, but I’ve also linked to the sites to find the most up to date information. I would always recommend calling in advance to check the date you wish to visit in case special events or changes to schedules will affect your visit.

Capitols by State

Alabama – Georgia
Hawai’i – Maryland
Massachusetts – New Jersey
New Mexico – South Carolina
South Dakota – Wyoming

Alabama

600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104

The Alabama State Capitol was completed in 1851 and among its most distinct features are the twin cantilevered spiral staircases that were designed and built by architect and freed slave Horace King. 

Open to the public Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm and the capitol welcomes guests to take self-guided tours during these hours. Guided tours can be arranged in advance for groups of 15 or more. 

Alaska

120 4th Street
Juneau, Alaska 99801

Originally built in 1931 as a Territorial and Federal building, the Alaska State Capitol building isn’t as large or grand as many other states’ capitols as much of its funding came from local residents.

The capitol is open Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm, and during these hours visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour. When the legislature is in session, guided tours can be arranged through the Senate Sergeant at Arms.

Arizona

1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Constructed of mostly materials from Arizona including the copper dome over the rotunda,  the 1901 Arizona State Capitol building now houses the Arizona Capitol Museum while the legislative and executive branches have moved into later additions to the complex. Fun fact: this is the only state capitol building in the US with no cornerstone.

Open Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. Visitors can take self-guided tours during the capitol’s open hours. Groups of 10 or more can book a guided tour in advance.

Arkansas

500 Woodlane Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Interestingly the Arkansas State Capitol was built on the site of the state penitentiary utilizing prison labor in its construction. While the capitol building itself is impressive, visitors should also take the chance to enjoy the 51 varieties of roses found in the capitol’s test gardens.

Building hours are 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday and 10:00am-3:00pm weekends. Free tours of the capitol building are offered weekdays from 9:00am-11:00am and from 1:00pm-3:00pm. The Visitor Center on the first floor has brochures available for guests to take a self-guided tour.

California

1315 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

While the California State Capitol building is designed after the nation’s Capitol and crowned by a dome as many other state capitols, the ornamentation atop the dome is a gilded gold ball intended to evoke the state’s Gold Rush history.

Open Monday through Friday 9:00am-5:00pm, closed weekends and on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Free public tours are currently only offered for Capitol Park on Wednesdays and Sundays. Group tours for 10-35 people are by reservation only.

Colorado

200 E Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203

As Denver is known as the Mile High City, it’s only right that there’s a marker on the steps leading up to the capitol building showing where visitors are standing at exactly one mile above sea level. Another unique feature of the Colorado State Capitol Building is that its interior used all of the known supply of Colorado Rose Onyx in its construction which is a beautiful pink hue.

Free admission during public opening hours 7:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday, but the capitol is closed weekends and holidays. Guided tours offered at 10:00am and 11:00am weekdays with dome-only tours offered at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. The full guided tours include seeing rooms for the state legislature, gallery of presidential portraits, Mr. Brown’s attic, and dome with panoramic views over Denver (markers identify where significant locations are). The guides provide plenty information on the history of Colorado and the capitol building. Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours, but will be unable to visit the dome without joining a guided tour.

Connecticut

210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

From before the American Revolution until after the Civil War, the meeting of the General Assembly of Connecticut alternated between the cities New Haven and Hartford. Eventually Hartford was chosen to be the single state capital and the current Connecticut State Capitol was completed in 1878.

Tours are offered Monday-Friday (excluding state and federal holidays) at 9:15am, 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm and 1:15pm. Begin the one-hour tour at the neighboring Legislative Office Building (300 Capitol Ave.). Visitors can also take self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. A Visitor Information Center is located in each building.

Delaware

411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, DE 19901

Delaware holds the honor of being the ‘First State’ as it was the first to ratify the Constitution of the United States. The Delaware State Capitol is known as Legislative Hall and replaced the Old State House in 1931.

Legislative Hall is open to the public 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday (closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). Free tours are offered Wednesday-Friday between 10:00am-1:00pm as well as the first Saturday of each month 10:00am-3:00pm. Tours should be arranged in advance to make sure there’s sufficient staff available. 

If visitors are interested, the original Old State House built in 1791 is located across the Legislative Mall from the newer Legislative Hall and also offers free tours.

Florida

400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Florida’s first capitol consisted of three log cabins with a brick capitol building constructed in 1845. Since then the Capitol Complex has been expanded to include the modern legislative chambers, offices, and a 22 story executive office building.

Open to the public Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm and visitors can use the brochures from the Welcome Center to do a self-guided tour. Large groups can arrange guided tours during weekdays as well.

Georgia

206 Washington Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

Though the construction of the Georgia State Capitol building was completed in 1889, a 1958 restoration added the gold leaf to the exterior of the building’s dome using gold native to Georgia where the first Gold Rush occurred in the 1830s. This addition has lead to media outlets across the state referring to legislative business as what’s happening “under the Gold Dome.”

Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm using brochures from the Capitol Tour Desk. Guided tours are available for groups of 5-30 people with advance reservations.

Hawai’i

415 S Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813 

Not only is the architecture of the Hawai’i State Capitol unlike any other state capitol, but the legislative chambers were designed to resemble a volcano to represent the formation of the Hawai’ian Islands. 

Self-guided tours can be taken using brochures from Room 415. Hawai’ian residents can arrange a guided tour through their district legislators.

Idaho

700 West Jefferson Street
Boise, ID 83702

To commemorate its addition to the Union as the 43rd state, the inside of the dome of the Idaho State Capitol has 43 small stars in addition to 13 large stars to represent the original 13 colonies. The outside of the dome is topped by an large bronze eagle.

Open 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday and 9:00am-5:00pm on Saturdays. Visitors can take self-guided tours between the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm during weekdays. Guided tours are available by advance reservation for groups of 5-50 people and American Sign Language tours are also available.

Illinois

401 S 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62701

During the excavation for the foundation of the Illinois State Capitol building, an eight inch seam of coal was discovered and mined briefly on the grounds. The coal mined was utilized to heat the construction headquarters on the site. 

The capitol opens its doors Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm and weekends 9:00am-3:00pm. On weekdays tours are offered every half hour 8:00am-4:00pm (except 12:00pm-1:00pm) and every hour on Saturdays and Sundays 9:00am-3:00pm (except 12:00pm-1:00pm). Groups of 15 or more will need to make an appointment for a tour in advance.

Visitors can also visit the Old State Capitol (1 Old State Capitol Plaza) which is open daily 9:00am-5:00pm (closed on holidays) where they are asked to make a donation. Thirty minute guided tours are available or guests have the options to watch the fifteen minute orientation video and explore on their own.

Indiana

200 W Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

The Indiana Statehouse was completed in 1888 and is one of the few in the country that houses all three branches of the state’s government. Constructed of Indiana Limestone and white oak the building also features the original, stunning stained glass rotunda window that was made from German glass.

All tours are free and are offered Monday through Friday 9:00am-3:00pm and on Saturdays at 10:15am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm. It’s recommended to schedule a tour ahead of time as walk-in visitors will be accommodated around the day’s pre-scheduled tours.

Iowa

1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319

The Iowa State Capitol, also referred to as the Iowa Statehouse, hosts the annual World Food Prize laureate award ceremony each October in the House of Representatives chambers. If you plan to visit, don’t miss out on seeing the Victorian-style Law Library which is open to the public on weekdays and features four stories of balcony shelving.

Open weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm. Visitors are asked to call in advance for the tour times and to schedule a guided tour. Groups of 10 or more are asked to schedule their tour in advance online. Self-guided tours are available anytime during business hours of the capitol building. Be sure to also check out the Victorian-style Law Library which is open to the public on weekdays and beautiful enough to warrant a detour.

Kansas

300 SW 10th Street
Topeka, KS 66612

The Kansas State Capitol building’s construction began in 1866 and took 37 years to complete! This lengthy construction period might be partially due to the original brown stone used in the construction of the foundation crumbling during the harsh winter of 1867. A harder limestone was selected to replaced the foundation and continue construction.

Open weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm and 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturdays, visitors can take free guided historic tours or do self-guided tours. Historic tours are offered January through May on weekdays on the hour 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm. Then June through December on weekdays at 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm and on Saturdays at 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm. Groups of 10 or more are asked to make tour reservations in advance.

Kentucky

700 Capital Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601

Despite having been completed in 1910, the Kentucky State Capitol is still sometimes referred to as the ‘new’ capitol as it replaced the 1830 capitol building in downtown Frankfort that the state government had outgrown.

The new capitol is open weekdays 8:00am-4:00pm. Visitors can call ahead to schedule a tour or join one of the guided tours offered throughout the day.

Louisiana

900 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

The Art Deco-style Louisiana State Capitol was completed in 1932 and holds the honor of being the tallest capitol building in the US as well as the tallest building in Baton Rouge.

The capitol is open 8:00am-4:30pm daily and the observation deck on 27th floor offers fantastic views over the capital city of Baton Rouge when it’s open. Free tours are offered by advanced reservation.

The Old State Capitol located at 100 North Blvd is a free museum that visitors can also enjoy while in Baton Rouge.

Maine

210 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330

The Maine State House was completed in 1832, which was just one year after Augusta officially became the state capital. Of the original structure only the front facade remains after many additions and remodels over the years.

The state house is open 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday with guided tours offered hourly from 9:00am-12:00pm. Groups tours can be arranged by contacting the Maine State Museum. Visitors can stop by the tour kiosk in room 132 for brochures and information on taking a self-guided tour if they don’t wish to take the guided tour offered.

Maryland

100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

The Maryland State House holds the distinction of being the oldest state capitol building in continuous legislative use in the country and is also the only state house to have served as the nation’s capitol (1783-1784). 

Except for Christmas and New Year’s Day, the state house is open daily 8:30am-5:00pm. Free guided tours can be arranged in advance and information for self-guided tours can be found in the Office of Interpretation on the first floor.

Massachusetts

24 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02133

The Massachusetts State House is steeped in history as Boston was one of the colonial cities at the center of the American Revolution. The cornerstone of the building was laid by Samuel Adams in 1795 and the dome was coppered by Paul Revere in 1802.

Overlooking the Boston Commons from Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts State House is open weekdays 8:45am-5:00pm. Docents lead free tours lasting about 45 minutes from 10:00am-3:30pm with advance reservation.

Michigan

100 N Capitol Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933

Don’t forget to look down when visiting Michigan State Capitol, the floor of the rotunda is made of glass blocks that appear to be a bowl shape when viewed from above to mirror the dome above. Throughout the rest of the first, second, and third floors the black tiles in the floors are actually limestone that contain fossils of marine animals and snails. 

Building hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm with free guided tours offered hourly 9:00am-4:00pm. There are also tour booklets available for self-guided tours at Capitol Tour and Information Services. Groups of 10 or more will need to make advanced reservations for tours.

Minnesota

75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55155

Built 1896-1905 the Minnesota State Capitol boasts the second largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, only trailing Michelangelo’s iconic dome at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. 

Open weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm and from March-December on Saturdays 10:00am-3:00pm. Guided tours are offered hourly Monday-Friday from 10:00am-2:00pm with additional days and times available during certain months of the year. Tours are free, but visitors are encouraged to make a $5 donation. Groups of 15 or more are asked to make a reservation at least two weeks in advance.

Mississippi

400 High Street
Jackson, MS 39201

The current Mississippi State Capitol building is the third capitol built in the city of Jackson, Mississippi and was paid for with the back taxes owed by the Illinois Central Railroad at the time. 

The capitol is open 8:00am-5:00pm weekdays except for holidays. Free guided tours are offered at 9:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm on weekdays and visitors are welcome to do self-guided tours during open hours.

Missouri

201 W Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101

It’s hard to miss the front doors of the Missouri State Capitol as they’re each 13 by 18 feet (4 m by 5.5 m for those using metric), making them the largest bronze doors cast since the Roman era.

The building is open Monday through Friday 7:00am-5:00pm and from 8:00am-5:00pm on weekends. Free guided tours lasting about 45 minutes are offered on Monday-Thursday on the hour from 9:00am-4:00pm (except for 12:00pm), Fridays on the hour from 9:00am-11:00am, and weekends at 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Groups of 10-60 people will need advance reservation. The capitol also houses the Missouri State Museum on the first floor which is free to visit 8:00am-5:00pm daily.

Montana

1301 East 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601

The planning phase of the Montana State Capitol was fraught with controversy as the first Capitol Commission formed was accused of planning to scam money off the project so it was disbanded and a second Capitol Commission had to be formed. Completed in 1902, the capitol building is built of Montana sandstone and granite.

The capitol building is open Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm and weekends 9:00am-3:00pm. Visitors can pick up a booklet at the information desk on the first floor to take a self-guided tour as well as a scavenger hunt for kids.

Nebraska

1445 K Street
Lincoln, NE 68508

When the current Nebraska State Capitol building was constructed, it was the first state capitol to use an office tower design instead of emulating the nation’s capitol as many other states did. 

The capitol is open weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm, Saturdays and holidays 10:00am-5:00pm, and Sundays 1:00pm-5:00pm. Complimentary guided tours are given weekdays hourly from 9:00am-4:00pm (except at noon), on Saturdays and holidays from 10:00am-4:00pm (except at noon), on Sundays from 1:00pm-4:00pm, and begin at the North Entrance on the second floor. The capitol also boasts an an observation deck on the 14th floor which is open (weather permitting) during the same hours as the rest of the building.

Nevada

101 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701

Built of native sandstone in 1870, the Nevada State Capitol is the second oldest state capitol west of the Mississippi.

The capitol opens its doors to the public Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours during opening hours and may request a guided tour at least two weeks in advance by calling the Education Program at the Nevada State Museum at 775-687-4810, ext. 237. Located on the second floor is The Battle Born Hall which exhibits the history of Nevada before and after its statehood.

New Hampshire

107 N Main Street
Concord, NH 03303

Concord won the honor being New Hampshire’s capital in 1816 and soon commenced construction of the New Hampshire State House which was completed in 1819. The state legislature still occupies the original chambers making it the oldest state capitol to do so. 

The State House is open weekdays 8:00am-4:00pm. Visitors should stop at the Visitor’s Center for information regarding guided and self-guided tours. Groups of 10 or more should request a tour in advance.

New Jersey

125 W State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608

As it was built in 1790, the New Jersey State House is among the oldest state capitols in the country and is the most historic building in New Jersey. 

Free tours require reservations and are offered Monday-Friday (begin at the State House Annex at 145 W State Street) on the hour 10:00am-3:00pm. A separate in-depth Artwork Tour is usually offered at 1:30pm on Fridays, but is currently suspended. Groups of 10 or more should call in advance to make a reservation. Limited free parking available weekdays in the capitol parking garage.

New Mexico

490 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Known as the Roundhouse due to its unique round design, the New Mexico State Capitol building is only round state capitol in the US. 

Visitors are welcome to enjoy self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 7:30am-5:30pm and Saturdays during the summer (Memorial Day through the last Saturday in August) 9:00am-5:00pm. For a guided tour, visitors will need to call during business hours to make an appointment.

New York

State Street and Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12224

It took 32 years for the New York State Capitol to be constructed as its solid masonry was all built by hand. 

Monday through Friday the capitol is open 7:00am-7:00pm, with guided tours offered Monday through Friday at 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:00pm. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Visitors are also able to take self-guided tours during the capitol’s open hours. The New York State Museum is also open to guests Tuesday through Sunday 9:30am-5:00pm and is free to visit (although donations are encouraged).

North Carolina

1 East Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC 27601

Throughout much of the colonial era, North Carolina’s government was migratory and it wasn’t until 1788 that the current site in what would become Raleigh was chosen to be the capital. The North Carolina Capitol you can see today was completed in 1840.

The open public hours of the capitol are Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-5:00pm. During the week visitors can take self-guided tours. Groups of 10 or more will need to schedule a guided tour at least two weeks in advance by calling the Capital Area Visitor Services. 

North Dakota

600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505

North Dakota’s original statehouse burned down right at the beginning of the Great Depression which meant that the current state North Dakota State Capitol building’s construction occurred while the country was in the throes of the Great Depression. The economic restraints resulted in the original design having many of the exterior ornamental elements removed to save money during the course of its construction. 

Tours are offered hourly Monday-Friday 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm with additional tours available on weekends during the summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Visitors should check-in at the information desk on the ground floor and large groups are encouraged to call ahead to schedule a tour.

Ohio

1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215

The Ohio Statehouse is constructed mostly of Columbus limestone and took about 22 years to complete. After only one year of construction there was an eight year lapse during which no work was completed (due to the expiration of the legislation making Columbus Ohio’s capital) and Capitol Square was used as a pasture. 

The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm and weekends 11:00am-5:00pm. Guests are welcome to take self-guided tours or cell phone tours during the buildings open hours. Free guided tours are offered Monday-Friday every hour 10:00am-3:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm-3:00pm. Tours depart from the Map Room which can be accessed from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more need to make a reservation two weeks in advance to ensure there is a guide available.

Oklahoma

2300 N Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Holding the honor of being the only capitol building in the world surrounded by working oil wells, the Oklahoma State Capitol was built 1915-1917 with the dome from the original plans completed in 2002. 

The capitol is open weekdays 7:00am-7:00pm and on weekends and holidays 9:00am-4:00pm. The free guided tours are currently suspended as the capitol building is undergoing renovations. Visitors can contact the Tourism Information Center for information and brochures for self-guided tours.

Oregon

900 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301

After a few capital city changes (Oregon City to Salem to Corvallis and back to Salem again) as well as a few capitol buildings burning down, the current State Capitol building was completed in 1938. Instead of a dome as many other state capitols have, the Oregon State Capitol is topped with the Oregon Pioneer representing the independent spirit of Oregonians. 

The capitol is open for guests to take a self-guided tour weekdays 8:00am-5:00pm. Visitors should call in advance to check the schedule for guided tours as the capitol building is undergoing renovations. Tower Tours are sometimes available (weather pending) weekdays mid-June through late September at 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm, but these are not for the faint of heart as you’ll be climbing 121 steps up to the observation deck on the top of the capitol.

Pennsylvania

501 N 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Topped by the 272 foot, 52 million-pound dome that’s covered in green glazed terra cotta tiles, the Pennsylvania Capitol stands out amid the skyline of Harrisburg. 

Guided tours are offered every half hour Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm as well as weekends and some holidays at 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm. Groups of 10-40 people will require an advanced reservation and groups larger than 40 will need to be booked into multiple tours. Self-guided tours are available on regular weekdays as well if you’re not interested in or not able to join a guided tour. 

Rhode Island

82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903

Despite being the smallest state in the US, the Rhode Island State House is one of the grandest state capitol buildings with the fourth largest self supporting marble dome in the world (only behind St. Peter’s Basilica, the Minnesota State Capitol, and the Taj Mahal). 

The State House is open to the public Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm with free guided tours at 10:00am and 1:00pm. Groups of 10 or more will need to make advanced reservations. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the State House Visitor Center, State Library, and the Gift Shop or visitors can scan the State House audio tour QR codes that are posted throughout the building.

South Carolina

1100 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29208

Appropriately the South Carolina State House is constructed primarily of blue granite which is the official state stone. This fireproof stone construction also allows the State House to safely store many important state documents. 

January through May (while the legislature is in session), tours are offered every half hour beginning at 9:30am-3:30pm (except at 12:00pm or 12:30pm). June through December, tours are available every hour on the half hour beginning at 9:30am-3:30pm (except at 12:30pm). The State House also offers tours on Saturdays at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm or you can use a brochure for a self-guided tour between 10:00am-4:00pm. Groups of 10-50 should call ahead to make a reservation.

South Dakota

500 E Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

When in the planning and design phase of building the South Dakota State Capitol building, the plans for the Montana State Capitol were purchased and used with some variations to save the money an original design would cost. 

Tours are provided daily, but must be scheduled at least 48 hours (business days) in advance. Visitors will need to call to schedule their tour (605)773-3688 or they can do a self-guided tour using the Self-Guided Tour and Activity booklets that are located inside the North entrance near the Annex as well as in the Rotunda on the second floor. The capitol is open Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm and weekends 8:00am-5:00pm.

Tennessee

600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37243

Completed in 1859 the Tennessee State Capitol is one of the oldest working capitols in the US as well as one of only 12 that do not feature a dome. The tombs of President James K. Polk and First Lady Sarah Childress Polk are also located on the grounds of the capitol building. 

The capitol is open Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm with free guided tours provided hourly 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm. Self-guided tours are also an option with informational packets available at the Information Desk. Groups of 10 or more will need to schedule tours in advance.

Texas

1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701

The Texas Capitol was constructed of Texas Sunset Red Granite after the limestone originally planned to be used discolored when exposed to the elements. Being that ‘Everything is bigger in Texas’ (or so the saying goes), it should be no surprise that Austin is home of the largest state capitol building (by square footage) in the US. 

Free capitol tours available Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm and weekends 12:30pm-3:30pm. Groups with 10-40 people will need to call ahead to make reservations. Visitors are also welcome to take self-tours Monday-Friday 7:00am-8:00pm or weekends 9:00am-8:00pm.

Utah

350 State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84103

After years of funding struggles the Utah State Capitol was completed in 1916. The five percent inheritance tax from the widow of the Union Pacific Railroad president in 1911 provided a huge boost for the project’s funding. 

Open Monday-Thursday 7:00am-8:00pm and Friday-Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm. Free guided tours offered hourly Monday-Friday 10:00am-3:00pm. Just inside the East doors on the first floor of the capitol is a desk with self-guided tour brochures available. Groups of 10 or more will need to make a reservation in advance. 

Vermont

115 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633

Located in Montpelier which is the smallest capital city in the US, it’s only appropriate that the Vermont State House is also the smallest state capitol building in the country.

Open to visitors Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:15pm. Guided tours are currently suspended. Self-guided tours are offered year round with brochures available in the Main Lobby or audio tour wands that can be signed out.

Virginia

1000 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Designed in 1785 by Thomas Jefferson with help from Charles-Louis Clérisseau the Virginia State Capitol was first public building in the New World based on the form of a classical Roman temple. 

Open Monday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Sundays 1:00pm-5:00pm. Guided tours lasting about an hour are offered for free Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm and Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm. Self-guided tours are available during the capitol’s open hours. Groups of 10 or more will need to schedule a group tour in advance with the Capitol Tour office. 

Washington

416 Sid Snyder Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98504

To commemorate Washington’s addition to the Union as the 42nd state, the North entrance features 42 steps and the state displays their American flag with 42 stars in the State Reception Room. Fun Fact: the 42 star flag was never an official flag of the US since Idaho was granted statehood less than a year after Washington. 

The Washington State Capitol is open daily except Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The capitol building is open Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm, and on holidays not listed above 11:00am-4:00pm. Free guided tours begin on the hour from 10:00am-3:00pm Monday-Friday and on the half hour 11:30am-2:30pm on weekends. Brochures are available at the Tour Information Desk or Visitor Services Office for those who wish to take a self-guided tour. The Governor’s Mansion and Temple of Justice (Washington State Supreme Court and State Library) are also located on the Capitol Campus with tours  and public hours available.

West Virginia

1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25317

Visitors to the West Virginia State Capitol should really admire the building’s dome as the entire dome is gilded in 23½ karat gold leaf which was applied to the underlying copper and lead roof in tiny 3 3/8” squares.

Open Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am-5:30pm, and 12:00pm-5:30pm on Sundays and Holidays. Guided tours are offered 9:30am-3:30pm Monday-Friday and on Saturdays 1:00pm-4:00pm. Reservations are recommended for all visitors.

Wisconsin

2 East Main Street
Madison, WI 53703

Although the current Wisconsin State Capitol was completed in 1917, the dedication was postponed due to WWI and it wasn’t officially dedicated until 1965. 

The capitol building is open 8:00am-6:00pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am-4:00pm on weekends and holidays (closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas). Free tours offered daily Monday-Saturday on the hour 9:00am-11:00am and 1:00pm-3:00pm and Sundays on the hour 1:00pm-3:00pm. Groups with 10 or more people need to make advanced reservations. During the summer months there is an additional tour offered weekdays at 4:00pm as well as a museum on the sixth floor and observation deck.

Wyoming

200 West 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001

When the cornerstone of the Wyoming State Capitol was laid in 1887, maps, a roster of territorial officers, and other papers were placed inside and remained there until the 1987 Centennial of the Capitol when they were removed and replaced with contemporary versions. 

Visitors are welcome to take self-guided tours during the capitol’s open hours Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm or call in advance to make arrangements for a guided tour.

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