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Texas State Capitol

1100 Congress Ave · Austin, TX

Why you should go…

Completed in 1888, the Texas State Capitol is built from pink granite quarried in nearby Marble Falls and its dome rises higher than the US Capitol in Washington. Free guided tours cover the rotunda, legislative chambers, and the surrounding 22-acre grounds. Self-guided visits are welcome during open hours.

  • #capitol
  • #architecture
  • #free tour
  • #history
  • #downtown

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Texas State Capitol, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Texas Travel Information Center

    Free

    The state's official visitor center on the Capitol grounds, offering free maps, trip planning and travel literature.

    Right next doorMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Texas Historical Commission State Historic Sites

    Free

    Texas' statewide network of 42 state historic sites, from Revolution-era battlegrounds and forts to historic homes.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Bullock Texas State History Museum

    Under $25

    Three floors of exhibits trace Texas from Native settlement through the Space Race.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Blanton Museum of Art

    Under $25

    UT Austin's art museum holds over 21,000 works and a courtyard installation of colored glass.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Quirky Fun

    Museum of the Weird

    Under $25

    Sixth Street dime museum of oddities, with mummies, shrunken heads, and sideshow curiosities.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Mount Bonnell

    Free

    A short climb up 102 steps rewards you with Austin's best sunset view over Lake Austin.

    3.8 mi awayMore like this