How to Tour the Texas Capitol House Tour

The Texas State Capitol in Austin is not just an architectural marvel—it is the beating heart of Texas government, history, and civic pride. As one of the largest state capitol buildings in the United States by gross square footage, and the only one constructed from Texas pink granite, it stands as a symbol of the state’s independence and enduring legacy. For residents, students, tourists, and history enthusiasts, touring the Texas Capitol offers an immersive journey through 150 years of political evolution, art, and public service. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to plan, prepare for, and fully experience the Texas Capitol House Tour—ensuring you make the most of your visit with confidence, clarity, and cultural appreciation.

Unlike many government buildings that restrict public access, the Texas Capitol welcomes visitors with open arms. The guided tours—officially called the “Texas Capitol House Tour”—are free, educational, and designed to accommodate individuals, families, school groups, and international travelers. Whether you’re standing beneath the grand dome, admiring the murals of Texas heroes, or standing in the very chambers where landmark legislation was debated, this tour connects you directly to the soul of Texas democracy.

This guide is structured to eliminate confusion, answer every practical question, and enhance your experience with insider knowledge. You’ll learn not only how to book a tour, but how to navigate the building with ease, what to see beyond the obvious highlights, and how to deepen your understanding of Texas governance through context and storytelling. By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped to lead your own Capitol visit—or confidently accompany others—through one of the most significant public landmarks in the American Southwest.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Tour Format and Availability

The Texas Capitol House Tour is a guided, walking experience led by trained docents—often volunteers with deep knowledge of state history and architecture. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday, with limited availability on Sundays. There are no tours on state holidays, including New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Each tour lasts approximately 60 to 75 minutes and covers the main public areas of the building: the rotunda, the House and Senate chambers, the Governor’s Office, the Supreme Court chamber, and the historic underground tunnels connecting key offices. The tour is ADA-compliant, with elevators and accessible routes throughout.

There are no ticket fees, but reservations are strongly recommended—especially during peak seasons (spring and fall), school field trip periods, and major legislative sessions. Walk-ins are accepted if space permits, but securing a spot in advance ensures you won’t be turned away.

Step 2: Book Your Tour Online

To reserve your spot, visit the official Texas Capitol Tour website: capitol.texas.gov. The site is maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Capitol Preservation Committee, ensuring accurate, up-to-date information.

On the homepage, click “Schedule a Tour” or navigate to the “Visit” section. You’ll be directed to a calendar interface that displays available dates and times. Select your preferred date and time slot. You can book for individual visitors or groups of up to 50 people.

For group bookings (schools, clubs, organizations), you’ll need to provide additional details: the number of participants, age range, special needs accommodations, and contact information for the group leader. Groups of 10 or more are assigned a dedicated guide.

After submitting your request, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your tour number, meeting location, and a reminder of what to bring. Save this email or print it—though not required, having it on hand can expedite check-in.

Step 3: Plan Your Arrival and Parking

The Texas Capitol is located at 1100 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin. The main entrance for tour visitors is the East Entrance, marked by a large staircase and bronze doors. This is where all guided tours begin and end.

Parking is available in several nearby lots:

• Capitol Visitor Parking Garage (1100 Congress Ave) – Directly across from the East Entrance. First 30 minutes free; $1 per hour after, capped at $10 per day.
• City of Austin Public Parking Lots – Multiple lots within a 5-minute walk, including the one at 12th and Brazos Streets.
• Street Parking – Limited metered spots along Congress Avenue and nearby streets. Watch for time limits and restrictions.

Public transit is highly encouraged. The Capitol is served by Capital Metro buses (Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 30, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000

Use the Capital Metro app or website to plan your route. The closest bus stops are “Capitol/11th” and “Congress/11th.”

Step 4: Check-In and Security Screening

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. The East Entrance has a dedicated tour check-in desk located just inside the main doors. You’ll be asked to provide your confirmation number or name for verification.

All visitors must pass through a security screening similar to airport checkpoints. This includes:

• Passing through a metal detector
• Bag inspection (backpacks, purses, camera bags)
• Prohibited items: weapons, large tripods, glass containers, alcohol, drones, and amplified audio devices

Water bottles and small snacks are permitted. If you’re visiting with children, strollers are allowed but must be folded and stored in designated areas during the tour. Photography is encouraged—except in the House and Senate chambers during legislative sessions, where flash and tripods are restricted.

Step 5: Begin the Guided Tour

Your docent will greet your group and provide a brief introduction to the building’s history. The tour begins in the Rotunda, beneath the massive dome. This central space features a stunning 4,000-square-foot mosaic floor, 12 murals depicting pivotal moments in Texas history, and the statue of “The Goddess of Liberty” atop the dome.

The docent will explain how the Capitol was designed by Elijah E. Myers in 1881 and constructed using pink granite quarried from nearby Granite Mountain. You’ll learn why the building is taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.—a deliberate statement of Texas pride.

Next, you’ll proceed to the House of Representatives Chamber. Here, you’ll see the 150 seats where state representatives debate bills. The chamber is decorated with rich mahogany wood, brass fixtures, and stained-glass windows depicting Texas flora and fauna. Your guide may point out where landmark votes occurred—such as the 1973 passage of the Texas Equal Rights Amendment or the 2003 redistricting controversy.

Then, move to the Senate Chamber, a more intimate space with 31 seats. The Senate has historically held greater influence in Texas politics due to its smaller size and longer terms. You’ll notice the ornate ceiling medallion and the historic gavel used since 1853.

The tour continues to the Governor’s Office, where you’ll see the desk used by governors since 1906, including icons like Lyndon B. Johnson and Ann Richards. The room features a large portrait of Sam Houston and a replica of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

You’ll also visit the Supreme Court Chamber, a solemn space with dark wood paneling and marble columns. Though the court doesn’t hold public sessions during tours, you’ll see where justices deliberate and where landmark rulings were issued.

Finally, the tour concludes with a walk through the Underground Tunnels, connecting the Capitol to the Legislative Annex and other government buildings. These tunnels, once used for transporting documents and supplies, now serve as a reminder of the building’s evolving function over time.

Step 6: Explore the Grounds and Exhibits

After the guided portion, you’re free to explore on your own. Don’t miss:

• The Capitol Grounds – Walk among 22 statues honoring Texas heroes: Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Barbara Jordan, and others.
• The Capitol Visitor Center – Features interactive exhibits on Texas government, a 12-minute orientation film, and a gift shop with books, souvenirs, and local crafts.
• The Capitol Art Collection – Over 1,000 works of art, including oil paintings, sculptures, and historical documents. Highlights include the “Texas Rangers” mural and the “Alamo” diorama.
• The Capitol Library – Open to the public, this collection includes rare Texas legal documents and legislative records.

Take your time. Many visitors spend an additional 45 to 90 minutes exploring these areas after the tour ends.

Step 7: Post-Tour Engagement

After your visit, consider deepening your understanding:

• Download the “Texas Capitol Tour” app for audio commentary and maps.
• Visit the Legislative Reference Library website to read full texts of historic bills debated in the chambers you just toured.
• Attend a live legislative session (if in session) – Check the Texas Legislature Online calendar for open hearings.
• Share your experience on social media using

  TexasCapitolTour to connect with other visitors and state history enthusiasts.

Best Practices

Timing Your Visit

The best times to tour the Texas Capitol are early morning (9:00–10:30 a.m.) or late afternoon (2:00–4:00 p.m.). Midday tours often coincide with legislative activity, which can mean restricted access to certain areas. Avoid visiting during legislative sessions (January–May) unless you’re specifically interested in observing government in action—crowds increase, and some chambers may be closed.

Summer months (June–August) are hot and humid. Plan for indoor breaks, carry water, and wear breathable clothing. Winter (December–February) is mild and ideal for outdoor exploration on the Capitol grounds.

Dress Code and Comfort

There is no formal dress code, but comfortable walking shoes are essential—the Capitol spans over 360,000 square feet, and you’ll be on your feet for 1.5 to 2 hours total. Light layers are recommended, as indoor temperatures can vary between chambers and hallways.

While casual attire is acceptable, avoid clothing with offensive slogans or symbols. The Capitol is a seat of government and a place of civic reverence.

Engaging with Your Guide

Docents are passionate volunteers who often have decades of experience. Ask questions! Whether it’s about the symbolism of a mural, the story behind a statue, or how a bill becomes law in Texas, they’re trained to provide context beyond the script.

Don’t be afraid to say, “I’m not from Texas—can you explain why this matters?” Many guides tailor their responses for out-of-state visitors and students.

Photography and Etiquette

Photography is encouraged throughout the Capitol—except in active legislative chambers. If you see lawmakers or staff in session, pause and observe quietly. Flash photography is prohibited at all times to protect historic artwork.

Respect quiet zones. The Supreme Court chamber and the Governor’s Office are considered solemn spaces. Keep voices low and avoid loud conversations.

Bringing Children

The Capitol is family-friendly. Children under 12 receive a free “Capitol Explorer” activity booklet at the Visitor Center, with scavenger hunts, puzzles, and trivia. Many docents are experienced with young audiences and will adapt their storytelling for kids.

For younger children, plan shorter visits and prioritize the rotunda, statues, and gift shop. The underground tunnels can be intimidating for toddlers.

Accessibility and Inclusion

The Capitol is fully ADA-compliant. Elevators serve all levels, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on every floor. Service animals are welcome. If you have sensory sensitivities, request a quiet tour when booking—some days offer reduced audio and lighting.

Free tactile models of the building are available upon request for visually impaired visitors. Contact the Capitol Visitor Center at least 48 hours in advance to arrange accommodations.

Tools and Resources

Official Resources

• Texas Capitol Tour Website – capitol.texas.gov – Book tours, view maps, access educational materials.
• Legislative Reference Library – lrl.texas.gov – Search historical bills, legislative journals, and committee reports.
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – tsl.texas.gov – Access digitized photos, maps, and government records.
• Texas Historical Commission – thc.texas.gov – Learn about the Capitol’s designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Mobile Apps

• Texas Capitol Tour App – Available on iOS and Android. Offers GPS-enabled audio tours, photo guides, and real-time updates on closures.
• Google Arts & Culture – Features a virtual 360° tour of the Capitol’s interior, ideal for pre-visit preparation.
• Apple Maps / Google Maps – Use for real-time parking availability and transit directions.

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