Tours

View our Civic Education Tour information.

Daily Public Tours of Legislative Building

The Legislative Building is home to the Washington State Legislature and the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. Completed in 1928, the Legislative Building is crowned with the tallest freestanding masonry dome in North America. The interior is decorated with Tiffany chandeliers and clad in marbles from five countries. The tour of the Legislative Building includes the North Foyer, Rotunda, State Reception Room, and Legislative Galleries.

Free, guided public tours of the Washington State Legislative Building (Capitol Building) are available daily and are open to everyone. Tours begin at the Tour Information Desk, which is located on the second floor of the Legislative Building, just inside the main entrance doors. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a group of 10 or more, please reserve space in advance by calling the State Capitol Tour Office at 360-902-8880. Advanced reservations are limited to 20 spaces per tour.

Public tours last approximately 50 minutes and begin on the following schedule:

Day Tour Starting Times
Mon – Fri 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m.
Sat - Sun
and holidays
  11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.  

 

The Legislative Building's weekday hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Legislative Building is closed on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Governor's Mansion Tour

Public tours of the Governor's Mansion resume September 13, 2023. Tours are offered on select Wednesdays. Please check back to make a Governor’s Mansion tour reservation.

Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance and space is limited. To reserve space, submit a reservation request. Please note that public tours of the mansion are subject to change or cancellation based on current COVID protocols and guidelines.

The Governor's Mansion is the oldest standing building on the Capitol Campus. This redbrick, Georgian-style Executive Mansion has been home to Washington's governors since 1910. It has been fully restored and furnished with many antiques from the American Federal period. Governor's Mansion tours are managed by the Governor's Mansion Foundation. For additional information, please visit the GMF website at https://wagovmansion.org/ or contact the State Capitol Tour Office at 360-902-8880.

Botanical Tours

Most of the West Capitol Campus is a National Historic District, featuring landscaping originally designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers. The West Campus contains many magnificent tree and shrub plantings, many of which have stories waiting to be shared. Both East and West Campuses provide examples of sustainable landscape practices. Learn about these practices as the grounds staff continue to pilot projects with a goal of integrated ecological management.

Botanical tours of the Capitol Campus grounds are available by appointment only. Please email the Capitol Campus Horticulturist or call 360-972-0753 to arrange a botanical tour. Botanical tours can be for individuals or groups of up to 25 people.

For more information about the trees on campus, you can view a Trees of the West Capitol Campus Brochure.

Monument and Memorial Sites

The Washington State Capitol Campus is home to many veterans memorials including the Winged Victory, POW-MIA, Medal of Honor, WW II, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans memorials. Self-guided memorial brochures are available at the Tour Information Desk and at the Visitor Services Office, or you can use the Memorials & Artwork layer of the interactive map on your mobile device.

Self-Guided & Virtual Tours

If tour times do not align with your schedule or you prefer to go at your own pace, you are welcome to take a self-guided tour. View a digital brochure about the Legislative Building (Capitol building) - English version. Additional translations:

Additional self-guided materials are available for school groups who are unable to attend a civic or public tour. For more information about these materials, please contact visitor services at 360-902-8880 or email us at tours@des.wa.gov.

Temple of Justice tour (in person)

Completed in 1912, The Temple of Justice houses the Washington State Supreme Court and the State Law Library. The Temple of Justice is currently closed to the general public.