Whether you are an Austin native or just making a day trip, everyone should go check out the Texas Capitol. Don’t let the towering dome and pletera of windows overwhelm you, truth be told the historic state house isn’t as daunting as you might believe it is!

Join us as we highlight our favorite features of the Texas Capitol and offer a local’s guide to the famous building!

 

Architecture & Gardens

Before even entering the building, the capitol offers visitors ornate architecture on the outside of the red Texas granite building. The massive three story building is the largest capitol building in the United States, giving evidence that everything IS bigger in Texas. The gardens outside of the capitol offer around 22 acres of  trees, monuments, and landscaping to offer an oasis in the heart of downtown Austin. When you enter the building, don’t miss the mesmerizing detailed handrails and the brass chandeliers inside the building, as well as the light bulbs in the House of Representatives Chamber that spell out T-E-X-A-S!

     

 

Outside Rotunda

Deserving it’s own recognition is our favorite piece of the Capitol building, the open-air rotunda located outside the capitol. Patterned after the inside rotunda, the design mirrors the inside rotunda’s ceiling. On the floor is the word ‘Texas’ spelled out in bronze letters with a star in the middle. The eye catching construction is connected to the main building by three pedestrian walkways.

Fun fact, the star in the middle doubles as a drain, stylish and purposeful!

Inside the Dome

Once your ready to tour the inside of the capitol there are two options: a self guided tour and a guided tour. The easiest way to tour the building in my opinion is to pick up a brochure on the first floor and take a self-guided tour. If you choose to do a self guided tour, give yourself plenty of time to take it all in (I gave myself three to four hours and it was just enough time to see everything!)

Once under the tall dome from the inside, you can look up to view  a star in the middle, around you are a plethora of exhibits, ranging from the construction of the Capitol to the history of Texas. Inside the capitol, take a look around both the house of representatives chamber and the senate chamber to see what it’s like working in the building. Also in the capitol is the supreme court courtroom, the room served as the heart of the Texas judicial system from 1888 to 1959, but now serves as a meeting room.

Fun fact, if a room has walnut furnishing in it, it means the room was very important either previously in history or currently!

If you want help finding the secret details, like ‘Texas Capitol’ engraved on door hinges, join one of the free guided tours. Tours are ongoing throughout the day and one departs every 30-40 minutes. Each tour last approximately 30 minute, and take you to key areas of the capitol and offer information on Texas history, the building, and the legislature. For group tours, make sure you call ahead!

Want to come see the capitol building with your own eyes, plan your visit here and let the magnificent building speak for itself, or check out the visitor’s center to learn more about the Capitol.

-K.J.

-edited by R.W.