This realistic Texas Capitol Self-Guided Tour Review helps you plan your next visit to this historic landmark.

The Texas State Capitol is a seat of the Texas Government in Austin. This 1885 landmark houses Texas Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives chambers.

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Sights & Places of Interest

The Texas State Capitol is a magnificent building in the center of Austin, Texas. The sunset red Texas granite is the main building material. This stone gives the Texas Capitol its pink color.

It is the largest capitol building in the United States. While it is not the highest capitol, the Texas Capitol is higher than the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

This fact is a constant source of pride for Texans all over the state. It is also a great trivia fact for your next bar adventure.

This Texas Capitol Self-Guided Tour Review follows a typical visitor path. It starts from any Lobby, goes to the Rotunda and Chambers before finishing in the Extension.

1. Lobbies

You could enter the Texas State Capitol via any of its four lobbies. The South Lobby faces Congress Avenue. It has the shortest path from the entrance to the Rotunda.

Both West Lobby and East Lobby involve the longest walks. You will pass a handful of offices that are off limits to the general public. You could still explore historic details, such as doors and plaques.

If you need an accessible entrance, you have to enter via the North Lobby. It is closest to 15th Street and the Supreme Court of Texas. Each lobby has an elevator that connects it with other floors of the building.

2. Rotunda

Once you clear security, you should head directly to the Rotunda. It is the highlight of the Texas State Capitol. The Rotunda is 218 ft (66 m) high. It goes over four levels to a massive dome.

Each floor of the Rotunda has portraits of Texas Governors. You could go from portrait to portrait and learn about the politicians that led Texas at any point of time.

The reverse side of the Seal of Texas is at the center of the Rotunda’s floor. There is a shield with the Alamo, a cannon, and a bridge. Six flags over Texas frame the shield on both sides.

It is quite difficult to get a good picture of the seal. Other visitors will likely be in the way. Whenever you get a clear look, you have to deal with the light fixtures’ reflections.

There is a reason why so many visitors to the Texas Capitol choose to stand on the seal. This position gives you the best look at the Capitol’s dome. You could see the Star and Texas engraved at the very top.

The dome will always be off center at every other viewpoint in the Rotunda. It does not matter whether you are admiring it from the upper-level balconies or at a different first-floor spot.

3. House Chamber & Gallery

Once you had a chance to explore the first floor of the Rotunda, you should visit other floors. Elevators are the easiest way up. The closest lifts are in the North and South Wings in the corresponding Lobbies.

The fourth floor is the highest level of the Texas Capitol open to the public. A Rotunda balcony is the main thing to see on this floor. All other offices on the fourth floor are off limits.

Take a scenic staircase down to the third floor. This level gives you access to both the House Gallery and the Senate Gallery. These balconies are open to the public whenever the Texas Legislature is in session.

Both the House and the Senate are in session every two years. Each session takes place between January and June of the odd year. Therefore, you cannot visit the Galleries during most of the time.

4. Senate Chamber & Gallery

You should head to the second floor to enter the chambers when the Texas Legislature is not in session. Both chambers are identical in size. Yet, the House Chamber fits 150 Texas State Representatives.

The Senate has just 31 senators. As a result, the Senate has far fewer desks. They are more spaced out than in the slightly crowded House.

Both chambers list the current representatives and senators. There are portraits of the historic figures, as well as young kids and grandchildren of the current elected officials.

Only a small part of these chambers is open to the public. You cannot roam in-between the desks, approach the podium, or sit in a chair. You might want to take the stairs back to the Rotunda soon.

5. Extension

You will be on the first floor again after visiting both chambers. A few visitors finish their self-guided tour of the Texas Capitol at this point. While you have seen the main sights, there is more to the building.

The Texas Capitol Extension cannot compete with the main building in beauty. But it gives you plenty in terms of utility. It houses a gift shop, Capitol Grill, and most offices of representatives and senators.

A tunnel connects the Extension with the main building. It starts from the ground floor, or the basement level, of the Texas Capitol. Keep in mind that all but the South Wing elevators go to the basement level.

6. Open Air Rotunda

A walk in the tunnel looks a bit similar to the Casa Loma in Toronto, Ontario. You will be going through a narrow passage with posters and framed documents. Numerous closed doors will be next to your path.

It is reasonable to wonder whether this walk is worth the trouble. What if you do not plan on buying a keepsake from the gift shop or dine at Capitol Grill restaurant?

The Open-Air Rotunda is the reason to go to the Texas Capitol Extension. This two story structure is one of the most beautiful parts of the 1993 addition to the historic building.

Continue with this Texas Capitol Self-Guided Tour Review. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Texas Capitol

The Texas Capitol is in the heart of Austin, Texas. It is impossible to find a more central location in the city. As a result, you have a handful of ways to reach this historic landmark.

A car is the easiest transport for visiting the Texas Capitol. You should park at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage. It takes a block between San Jacinto Boulevard, Trinity Street, 12th Street, and 13th Street.

The garage is open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day. The first two hours are free. You need to pay $1 for each hour after the free limit expires. 2 hours is more than enough to see most of the Texas Capitol.

If you feel like exploring the Capitol for longer, you should park along San Jacinto Boulevard on a Sunday. Free street parking on Sunday gives you 3 hours to visit the Texas Capitol and its grounds.

You have to pay at a meter on all other days of the week, including Saturday. You could pay by app, credit or debit card, and coins. The Capitol Visitors Parking Garage is a better deal on most days.

A handful of bus routes stop near the Texas Capitol. Buses 2, 7, 10, and 5 stop on San Jacinto Boulevard. Buses 1, 3, 20, 801, and 803 have a Capitol stop at Lavaca Street and 13th Street.

If a bus route works for you, you should not overlook this option. At $1.25 (single ride) and $2.5 (day pass), a bus is the most cost effective way of reaching the Capitol.

You could ride a bike to the Texas Capitol. The building is next to a few bike lanes and bike friendly routes. But it might be a hassle to find a bike rack nearby unless you use a MetroBike.

Where to Stay near Texas Capitol

The Texas State Capitol complex is near a lot of places to stay. You could choose from a handful of hotels within a walking distance of the landmark.

Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin and The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel are three blocks south. The Driskill, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is another couple of blocks away.

You have options north of the Texas Capitol, too. Check out Hampton Inn and Suites Austin University Capitol and Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District.

It is not a secret that Downtown hotels could get quite expensive. You are unlikely to get free parking or breakfast either. As a result, it might be worth it to search for a place to stay in other neighborhoods.

Hotels along Interstate Highway I-35 and in the Domain come to your rescue. Drury Inn & Suites Austin North is 10 minutes from the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage.

Places to stay in the Domain and Arboretum are a bit further away. But you could reach the Texas Capitol in 15 to 20 minutes without traffic.

Consider Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin North/Near the Domain, TX and Residence Inn by Marriott Austin Northwest/The Domain Area. Your hotel budget travels further at these places to stay.

You could also have a great stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton Austin NW near The Domain. A similar description applies to SpringHill Suites by Marriott Austin The Domain Area.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

The Texas Capitol is open on most days of the year. But the building, grounds, and visitor center are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Days.

The Texas Capitol grounds are open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. You could visit the Texas Capitol building during the same time on the weekdays. Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Capitols Visitor Center has shorter hours. They are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Keep these hours in mind if you would like to get expert advice on the ground.

The Texas Capitol Gift Shop is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Head there between 10 a.m. (Saturday) or 12 p.m. (Sunday) and 5 p.m. on the weekend.

Capitol Grill is only open on the weekdays. Texas State elected officials, employees, and members of the public could dine there from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tours

There is a security checkpoint at every entrance to the Texas Capitol. There are usually no lines when visiting this landmark. But you should budget a couple of minutes to clear this TSA style security.

It is free to explore the Texas Capitol building and grounds. You are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the Texas Capitol at any point during the opening hours.

There are also guided tours of the Texas Capitol complex. These free tours run between 9:30 a.m. (weekdays) or 12:30 p.m. (weekends) and 4 p.m. The last tour of the day departs at 3:30 p.m.

A guided tour is a great way to learn about the history of the building first-hand. The tours start at the Rotunda near the South Lobby. Meet a tour guide there after inquiring at the Capitols Visitor Center.

There is only one downside of a guided tour. You will be exploring the Texas Capitol at your tour guide’s pace. This could be a reason to opt for a self-guided visit.

Takeaways: Texas Capitol Self-Guided Tour

The Texas State Capitol is a must-visit place of interest in Austin, Texas. You will see this pink granite building from a handful of central neighborhoods in the city. The Capitol is visible all over the Downtown.

You could take a self-guided tour of the Texas Capitol any time it is open. The building and its grounds are free to explore. Get ready for a security screening when you enter the Texas State Capitol.

The Rotunda, Dome, and Chambers are a sight to see. The number of historic details inside is certain to wow you. You could even get breakfast or lunch there if you visit the Texas Capitol on a weekday.

Consider joining a free guided tour of the Texas Capitol. This is your chance to learn about the myths and legends that surround this building.

Congress Avenue has some of the best views of the Texas Capitol. Just pay attention to the cars while you are trying to get a picture. In the end, Congress Avenue is a busy street.

Take a look at this Texas Capitol Self-Guided Tour Video Review. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

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