The Texas State Capitol, a towering icon in the heart of Austin, is a must-see for visitors from all around the world. Constructed between 1882 and 1888, this iconic landmark houses the legislative and executive branches of Texas government. Its grandeur and historical significance draw visitors from around the globe, offering a captivating glimpse into the state’s rich heritage.
While staying near Austin, we made a point to visit the Texas State Capitol. We’re so glad we did! The Capitol building is a stunning architectural marvel that offers something for everyone, regardless of age. It’s both beautiful and educational. If you are looking to visit this capitol building, I am detailing everything you need to know before you go.
Exploring the Texas State Capitol
During our visit to the Texas State Capitol, we weren’t sure what to expect. Since our family had already been to a few other state capitol buildings (like Kansas), we knew the building would most likely be in the center of downtown Austin. And, it was. That meant parking was a bit tricky, but thankfully, Austin does a great job of placing enough signage to the nearby parking garage that is free for up to 2-hours for folks wanting to tour the state capitol building.
When we finally headed over to the capitol building, we were surprised to find that the capitol in Austin actually had two buildings to visit, not just the capitol building itself. In the first building we came to, it had a museum, the Texas State Capitol gift shop, and a huge Lego replica of the state capitol. While you are not required to visit this building before visiting the Austin State Capitol, I would recommend checking it out, as we found some of the stuff inside pretty cool.
Like many other capitol buildings, the Texas State Capitol also requires you to go through a security check before allowing you to enter. If you’re traveling with kids, the process is easy and should take less than a few minutes.
Once inside the capitol building, you immediately come to the center dome area and can look above and see all 10 stories of the building. Guests are allowed to walk around the capitol building and tour all 10-stories either through a self-guided tour, or free guided tour.
We did the self-guided tour and made it to level 4 before we started to feel a little dizzy looking down into the capitol dome. The fourth floor was so high, that I couldn’t imagine going clear up to the 10th floor. This capitol building is not for the faint of heart! And, if heights scare you, you may want to use caution before going the entire way up. Just don’t look down! 😂
While most of the rooms inside the state capitol were closed, or off-limits, we enjoyed our visit to the Texas State Capitol Building in Austin. It was a great experience. If you are planning on visiting, be sure to bring your walking shoes and plan on being there for around an hour.
If you plan on visiting all 50 capitols in the USA, be sure to purchase this cool Passport to the US Capitol Buildings and collect your stamp when you go!
Last Updated on 2 years ago by Crystal Carder