Last update: 04/15/2008

Individual, group and school tours

Individual tours

Guided public tours of the Washington State Legislative Building are offered seven days a week hourly between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tours are free and begin every hour on the hour and last 60 minutes. Groups can meet their tour guide at the foot of the rotunda steps on the north side of the building, just inside the main entrance.

The Legislative Building is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Group and school tours

The Washington State Capitol tour office accepts reservations for tours throughout the year. Please call (360) 902-8880 to make your reservation. Please have the following information available before you call:

  1. Name of school/group.
  2. Preferred date and alternate date with approximate arrival time.
  3. Number of students/people in group.
  4. Number of chaperones/teachers.*
  5. Grade or age level (if applicable).
  6. School/group address, including zip code.
  7. School/group phone number.
  8. Special needs and/or accommodations.
  9. Mode of transportation.


*To ensure that your tour experience is a positive one we ask that there be 1 certificated staff member per class as well as one adult chaperone for every 10 students.

Please see the Teacher Information Packet for additional planning assistance and helpful hints.

Other useful links for school tour:

How much time do you need for your visit?

This will vary depending on the number of people, type of tour requested, and the time of year that you visit. Plan on a three hour tour if you are scheduling a school tour, one or two hours for all other groups.

What is available?

There are several tour options available for your class and/or classes during their field trip to the State Capitol:

Legislative Building:

The Legislative Building is the crowning piece of the Washington State Capitol Campus and is home to the Washington State Legislature and the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. Completed in 1928, it boasts one of the tallest free standing masonry domes in the world and houses the largest chandelier ever made by the Tiffany Lighting Company! Your tour may include a visit to the offices of the elected officials, Rotunda, State Reception Room, and the Public Galleries, which look down on the Senate and House Chambers. The tour of the Legislative Building will include information about its history and the legislative process. If you plan to visit us during the legislative session (January-April), legislators from the school’s legislative district will be notified of your group’s upcoming visit.

Temple and the Supreme Court: (school tours only)

The Temple of Justice is home to the Washington State Supreme Court and the State Law Library, and was the first of the "Capitol Group" of buildings to be constructed on the Capitol Campus in 1912. Tours of the Temple include the entrance foyer and courtroom.

Mock Court Hearing: (school tours only)

In this exercise, students participate in a mock court hearing while role playing as Supreme Court Justices, attorneys, and court bailiff. Tour Guides lead students in a brief introduction to the Washington State Court system prior to the exercise. Please note: The mock court hearing is available October-May only, and is dependent upon room availability.

Executive Mansion Tour:

The oldest standing building on the Capitol Campus, the red-brick Georgian style Executive Mansion has been home to Washington’s governors since 1910. Fully restored and furnished with many antiques from the American Federal period, the mansion is open for public tours on most Wednesdays by reservation only. Morning and afternoon tours are available, but group size is limited to 25.

Please note: School group tours of the mansion are limited to a 15 minute walk-thru if part of an educational tour. Available for grades 5th and up only.

Monument and memorial sites:

The Washington State Capitol Campus is home to many veterans memorials including the Winged Victory, POW-MIA, Medal of Honor, Vietnam Veterans, WW II, and Korean War monuments.

Story Pole:

Chief William Shelton’s story pole honors Northwest Native art. Unlike totem poles, which were often associated with individual tribal families, the story pole was associated with tribal communities and was used to teach children about cultural attitudes and community responsibility through the use of animal symbols and legends. Standing 71 feet tall, the story pole is carved with 17 unique animals and tribal figures and is located north east of the Legislative Building near the sunken garden.