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Oregon State Capitol

4.4 (33 reviews)
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Oregon State Capitol Photos

Recommended Reviews - Oregon State Capitol

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Oregon State Capitol, Salem
Bruce K.

Number 48 in my quest to visit all 50 state capitols https://www.yelp.com/collection/ucwQvyGY8sZEDHaN49HU5Q/State-Capitols-I-have-been-to and it's very nice. Maybe not as beautiful and classic as Olympia (not very far away, donchaknow?) or some others. But it gets the job done. The current building is the third to serve the state after the first two burned down. This one was built in 1938 (and expanded in 1977). I did not have time to tour the building today though there are a number of monuments and artworks about including a replica of the Liberty Bell. 48 of 50 - I still need to visit Juneau and Honolulu. Neither of which I can easily reach in the Sprinter van. [Review 20931 overall - 21 in Oregon - 1915 of 2023.]

Lynn B.

Beautiful small little park. Perfect little place to have a picnic! There's plenty of paid parking lots available and parking meters available! Beautiful maintained!! Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Ike I.

This Capitol don't look like most of the typical ones in other states but that's actually a good thing because it's very easy to identify once you get use to how it looks, the park is actually bigger than I expect around the Capitol, they were doing construction but was still able to take some pictures, overall it's a nice unique facility and worth the visit.

Matthew H.

Oregon state capital is an awesome place to visit. Their is so much to see and so much history to learn. If you visit during business hours, you can take a tour. Your guide points out lots of cool things you would never learn on your own. If your lucky, you can sit in the Governor's chair and get a picture. Also, if your up to it, they will take you up a winding staircase to the roof to see the golden pioneer statue. They will even give you a certificate saying you went to capital roof. It's pretty cool. Your kids will love it. Mine did. Anyhow, this is a great family activity. I highly recommend it.

"Gold Man" also known as the "Gold Pioneer"
Jen K.

I'm of two minds about our State Capitol Building... While it is great to have the building so accessible to the public, I was a little surprised/concerned that there was no (visible) security. Really, you can just stroll on in? There are two tours available. One to walk to the top of the capitol and visit the "Gold Man" or "Gold Pioneer" on the roof. The other takes you through the Senate and House of Representatives chambers and the ceremonial office of the Governor. Be prepared to climb stairs (121 to be exact) to reach the roof. It is Salem's version of the Astoria Column, but the 360 degree views of the Willamette Valley are wonderful on a clear day. You can pick up a certificate of completion after the tour. I enjoyed the second tour a little more because there was more history of both the state and our legislative process woven through the tour. For example, all voting by our legislators must be done in person and our elected officials have to make a choice voting verbally in one house and by fingerprint scan in the other. They are not permitted to abstain. This is the third version of the Capitol Building with both predecessors destroyed by fires. That makes it the fourth newest capitol building in the nation. Built in the late 1930s, it appears that not much has changed. The carpets have been replaced, but with identical versions made by the same company in England that represent Oregon's three main industries at the time. The desks and other furnishings are very dated and the whole building makes Oregon seem like a very quaint and provincial place. That is a duel edged sword since there is a grain of truth in that assessment. One that I've been fighting to a certain degree ever since I moved here. There is a very short legislative season (35 days), so don't expect to see a lot of activity at the capitol. You are more likely to run into our governor or local representative in your own area. The most interesting part of the visit for me were the murals in the rotunda and various governor's portraits. The one of Tom McCall is fascinating since it is atypical and of a completely different tone and style than you would expect. A perfect portrait for one of our most outspoken officials. At the moment, the focus is on another governor who recently passed, Mark Hatfield. There is a bust of the former governor and a condolence book in the governor's ceremonial office. I've been wanting to take my boys to Washington D.C. for several years, but just couldn't do it in good conscience without visiting our own capitol first. I'm happy to report that it is an exceedingly easy process and FREE. Your government dollars at work.

Main Entrance
Michele R.

It was taking a tour of the Texas Capitol early this year that made me want to tour the Capitol building home to my state's government last month. The Oregon Capitol building is not as grand as the one in Texas, for sure. But it was just as much fun to tour for the opportunity to have reinforced that warts and all, ours is a pretty remarkable form of government by the people. See summary of the tour below with visitor TIPs inserted. Here's the first TiP: Amazingly, no security check is required to enter here. In TX we went through an airport type screening. TOUR BASICS Tours cover both information about the building and the Oregon State political process. They are free and start on the hour year round from roughly 9a until 4p. Check in 15 minutes early at the info desk. TIP: In summer season (roughly mid June to Labor Day) groups are allowed, at scheduled times, to also climb the 121 steps to the Golden Pioneer statue on the Capitol's roof. You do not have to take the tour to make the climb and vice verse. In addition to being able to get up close and personal with the Golden Pioneer, I hear the view of Salem is great from that roof vantage point. Check at the info desk for climb times. Tours start in the rotunda gathered around the bronze replica of the Oregon State seal in the floor and with a talk about four painted murals high on the walls featuring key points in Oregon's history. (I love history, but even if you don't this is something the tour guide made come alive.) The tour continues with stops at the Governor's ceremonial office and the House and Senate chambers. Oregon recently moved to annual sessions for our legislature with a long term year and a short term year alternating. The session convenes each February and runs no more than 160 days in odd-numbered years and 35 days in even-numbered years. You can use that calendar to figure out when a visit best suits what you're interested in seeing You'll have a more relaxed tour with greater opportunity to linger and ask questions at the House and Senate chambers if you choose out of session times. As we did in June. Or you'll see more the hubbub and humdrum of politics if you tour during the session. Who was it that said "There are two things people would do best not to witness in the making, sausages and legislation"? If you're inclined to see the latter and visit the Capitol during legislative sessions, you'll be welcome to sit in the upper galleries and watch. TIP: Elevators in the building make all floors and elements inside, including the galleries, equally accessible to folks who don't climb stairs. Given tour guides often make the experience, I'll say the man who led our tour did a remarkable job of interesting narrative and answering questions for a group of about a dozen people ranging in age from 10 to 80, from out of staters to life long Oregonians and from folks well versed in State level political process to those with no knowledge at all. TIP: If you can take a tour led by Chuck, do that thing. THE BUILDING The current Capitol is actually the third built in the same site. This one, completed in 1938 for only $2.5 million, replaced the previous building that was destroyed by fire in 1935. That building was the second, built in 1876 after a fire destroyed the original 1859. Given the construction date of this one, it is the fourth newest state Capitol. Construction details for the Greek architectural style start with the Vermont marble faced exterior with relief sculptural panels, highlighting key events in Oregon's history, on each side at the bottom of a wide flight of marble steps. Not in the tour, worth exploring on your own. TIP: The accessible entry for visitors who don't climb stairs is to the left (East) of the main entrance via a long ramp that parallels some of the adjacent park. THE GROUNDS Be sure to see the State Capitol State Park that surrounds the Capitol building. Paved paths lead through native plant gardens and historical markers, like columns salvaged from the building in the 1935 fire on the East side and on the West a fountain and a "Walk of Flags" plus a replica of the Liberty Bell. (The Liberty Bell is the only element that is not accessible to people who don't climb stairs.). THE BEST FOR LAST With all the wonderful art work in the building, perhaps the most delightful piece is something more modest but quite wonderful. An interpretation of the Oregon State Seal crafted out of a manhole cover and elements that the State worker who made it salvaged from sewers. It is worth a stop to look at it in detail. Seriously! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/yvgulgrjRTvSOQ9jTC-Ipw?select=wtN7jbYM8Pnfv_aRxriwhw#w9b31zyx5OK2Xj8BCBJjFw

Entrance
Ann N.

I am not political by any means but am glad I got to visit the capitol. This is by far, one of the most beautiful capitol's I've seen. Super clean, shiny, with tons of informative fresco paintings. The volunteers were extremely helpful as well. Spent an hour looking at different rooms and on grounds. Def a place to visit if you're in Salem.

Susy G.

Stopped by 10/27 on a fluke not knowing wha too expect. I was surprised at how awesome this place is! We came on a Friday mid day and we had no trouble funding parking. Such a gem! The grounds are equally beautiful. Posting several pics for you to see! Tip: check out Willamette University locates right behind the capital!

Howard L.

Marijuana was legalized July 1st in Oregon this year. Outside the Capitol building, I saw (and smelled) citizens of Oregon who were proud to exercise that new right. Unlike other state Capitol buildings, which tend to detail the history of the respective state, Oregon's goes a step further. On the first floor, there are numerous large displays about saving water, wearing bike helmets, and recycling. The state has agendas and wants to shove them down your throat. It was a bit off-putting. I will say though, the building and the lawn in front of it seemed welcoming and aesthetically pleasing.

Jeremy S.

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 - knowledgeable docent (though she needed to speak louder since all background sound echoes loudly off the marble walls) - highlights include getting to sit in on a House special session - also got to visit the Senate chamber whose session was about to begin - got to visit the Governor's office, photo op in the ceremonial guv's chair (his real office is behind doors on either side of this room) - art in the Governor's office is displayed on a rotating basis - be sure to sign the guest book - gift shop is selling pieces of old carpet to help pay for a new one - excellent, informative, free handout "Oregon Legislative Guide" - definitely recommend a visit, inspires one to get more involved

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This time was to celebrate Oregon's birthday, and it happened to be the day the Governor stepped down from office.

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Oregon State Capitol - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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