This was my first time exploring any capitol building, but it was really beautiful! They offer free tours so I joined in on one, and it was very informative. There were a lot of kids on the tour and the tour guide did a great job of explaining things for them. He also made a lot of jokes and was very friendly. The marble throughout the building is really pretty and cool to see. It's a lot of stairs but they do also have elevators. The observation deck at the top is definitely worth the climb also and offers a really pretty view of Madison. read more

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While I do not spend much time in State Capital buildings, I would like to spend more time here, as the Wisconsin State Capital building is absolutely beautiful, a great space to learn about history, marvel at the intricate details of the stonework, look over Madison from the mezzanine level or take in the phenomenal artwork on the rotunda ceilings! The capital building is located in the heart of the city and is a perfect backdrop of any day, no matter the season. While great from the exterior, wandering around inside is way more fun. It is open to the public and free to roam, however you can get guided tours that get you access to the more restricted areas, including the floors. We wandered around for well over an hour and could have spent more time if we had more access. The mezzanine level was the best, as it allowed you to see lots of history as you made the circle indoors, then let you get every angle of Madison and the lake from the outdoor area. Parking is all public and street, so plan accordingly, but if you are staying anywhere in or near downtown, then you have easy access with a quick walk. Overall, the building is gorgeous and the staff were helpful from entry to exit. Lots to see, whether politics or history are your things, it is definitely worth a visit! read more

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**June 2025: Weekday Morning Visit** This State Capitol was very impressive and I'm so glad that I did made room in my trip to do a tour. Guests can enter in one of four entrances and start at the help desk for a free one hour tour. Our guide was super knowledgeable and engaging. We visited six areas of the Capitol: the Rotunda, the Assembly, the Senate, the North Hearing Room, the Governor's Conference Room, and the Supreme Court. She told lots of stories and I learned so much about Wisconsin history. There's also a Museum and an opportunity to get a bird's eye view of the city at the dome. you'll take the elevator up and then take some narrow stairs. I think my friend and I spent allotted 2 hours for the State Capitol which would be sufficient time to take it all in. Overall I thought this was a worthwhile visit! Some Helpful Info! https://legis.wisconsin.gov/about/visit Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm Weekends and Holidays: 8am - 4pm Free tours are offered daily, Tours start at the information desk -Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 am and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm -Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m read more

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Those who know me, know I'm a history buff. I enjoy museums to include Presidential libraries and even state capitols. And the Wisconsin State Capitol was one of a few I visited on my recent road trip. Start off with parking. Had I know that not far from the steps, you could park for free in the residential areas, I still would have opted to pay for street parking. The weather was a little warm and humid so not having to trek back to the car too far, was nice. I don't remember how much - just know it's metered unless there are/were parking garages I missed. Or lots. It's free to enter and to take the tour. A guide takes you to several chambers and shares history and stories of the capitol as well as members and more. I love how the architects and designers were so thoughtful with how everything was put together. Makes the statement that - we don't build them like we used to - rings so true when you learn about how even the variations of materials were chosen. There's an opportunity to visit the Museum Dome and even wander outside. You have a 360 degree view of the city and you can learn more history about the dome itself. If you enjoy history and knowing different, random things - this needs to be on your list of things to do and see when you're in Madison. read more

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I came to Madison, Wisconsin during the summer of 2024 to attend an engineering conference, and one of the fun things I wanted to experience while visiting the area was to check out the Wisconsin State Capitol building. In addition to being an engineering nerd, I also love architecture and history, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to check out this historical and architectural marvel while I was in the area. I visited the Capitol building several times over a one week period, and I'm really happy that I did. The building is a remarkable display of craftsmanship. The Wisconsin State Capitol houses both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. The Capitol is the tallest building in Madison at 284 feet from the ground floor to the top of the dome. This Capitol building is actually the fourth Capitol building built in Wisconsin. Construction of this Capitol began in 1906 and was completed in 1917. While here, over several visits, I walked all around the building multiple times. I also walked all around inside, on every floor and in several of the rooms. In addition, one day I noticed that a Wisconsin State Capitol building employee was providing a group tour, so I followed the tour group to receive a wealth of knowledge and fun facts about this building. By doing this, I was also able to check out some of the most significant rooms in the Capitol that are usually closed-off to the general public. It is an absolutely beautiful building, filled with precise workmanship in every detail. In addition to this review, I encourage you to check out all my pictures and videos taken at this location. If you would also like to access more photos or have a virtual tour, you can access these on the official website at https://tours.wisconsin.gov. Several other details are also available on this site if you're planning a visit and/or if you'd just like to know more about the Capitol building. If you're in the area, I highly encourage you to stop here for a visit. read more

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Madison, Wisconsin, what a gorgeous Capitol and city. I wish we had more time for a tour, but what we saw was just beautiful and awe inspiring. Highly recommend visiting this architectural and artistic treasure. The pictures speak for themselves... read more

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We were visiting & are so glad we prioritized coming to the Capitol for a tour! Stunning architecture, beautiful murals, and panoramic views of the entire city from the observation deck!! Our tour guide was a brilliant historian and I learned a lot! We were there on a Friday and there was a lot of school children on field trips, the staff were generous enough to break up the tours and do a separate one for us adults. Highly recommend!! read more

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I have a thing about capitol buildings. I hope to check out each and every one in each and every state. Thus far, I've seen several state capitol buildings and Wisconsin is one of my faves. From the guarding badgers (you'll have to go inside to see these but they're worth the gander) to the dome reminiscent of the capitol dome in DC, it's beautiful both inside and out. That said, definitely go inside. It's worth the gander. The interior is definitely the star of this state capitol show. I also love that they're open to the public. I'm not sure when they close but I've been here on a Saturday as well as a Sunday and they were opened both times with plenty of folks wandering around taking snaps. During the summer, there's Saturday on the Square which is a pretty epic farmers market that takes place on the tree lined sidewalks surrounding the capitol building. It's one of my favorite farmers markets ever. Get to it! read more

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We had a great time touring this place! The architecture is stunning, the free guided tours for about an hour were very engaging, and this place definitely has a lively ambiance that welcomes you in. We did partake in a guided tour and I learned so much and really enjoyed how engaging our tour guide was. I loved seeing the different art work, carvings, and architecture throughout this place. At the end, I bought a few postcards up front that were so cheap (only 25 cents a postcard; best deal I have ever seen). Definitely recommend checking out this capitol building! read more

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The Wisconsin State Capitol is absolutely beautiful. It was amazing to be able to go on a self guided tour and view the architecture and history of the building. You will be nothing less than impressed while spending time at the State Capitol. Located in the center of the city it's the perfect place to spend a day and easy to find a close restaurant to enjoy a meal at after! read more

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Took my first tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol this week. John was our tour guide and he shared a wealth of information about the building's variety of stone, the artists and the stories about the paintings, the badgers throughout the building and the Wisconsin state seal on all doorknobs. A tour of this beautiful building is a must next time you are in Madison. read more

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A Masterpiece of Architecture and History The Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison is nothing short of breathtaking. From the moment you approach its majestic dome (one of the largest in the world!), you're struck by its timeless beauty. The building seamlessly classical design with intricate details--think marble from across the globe, stunning mosaics, and beautiful murals. Free guided tours offered. Free to visit, and impeccably maintained building. read more

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We've now toured 36 State Capitols, and the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison is among the best. It's elaborately designed and decorated, but not over the top. We lucked out and found nearby parking for our 24 foot long RV without a problem. We did a self-guided tour and followed along with a paper guide that was provided. Definitely worth 1-2 hours of your time! read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is thee best Capitol in the country! Beauty. Art. Size. History. Such a great place to visit and experience the features of Wisconsin. Check it out in the holiday times to see the holiday tree. The Capitol is open to everyone. The observation deck has one of the best views of Madison and the lakes. Make sure to take one of the free tours to see all of the neat rooms and features and fun facts! A great showcase of Wisconsin! read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Holiday tree - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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On a trip to Madison, Wisconsin, my husband and I made a visit to the Wisconsin State Capitol. Located in downtown Madison, the Wisconsin State Capitol is the host of a very large farmers market. There are a wide variety of vendors and things to do. The Wisconsin State Capitol is open during the farmers market. There are many restaurants, art galleries, and attraction around the state capitol. Downtown Madison is a fun and lively place to be and the Wisconsin State Capitol is one of the places you should visit while you are there. I highly recommend the Wisconsin State Capitol! read more

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Very beautiful inside. Very friendly staff. Beautiful balcony view. Would definitely come back here again. read more

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Free tours are given daily one the hour, or group tours available. Many groups come to tour or protest/demonstrate so there is always going on. Building is beautiful inside and out. Rotunda circle outside on roof can be visited and has a great outside viewing deck in al directions of the city for free. read more

We attended the free one hour tour of the Capitol at 2 o'clock on a Friday. They offer these tours every day on the hour until 3 o'clock. The tour started promptly at 2 and was very informative. The tour guide provided plenty of information about the building, as well as a few jokes. We also went into the hearing room, the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the overlook. read more

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As a life-long Iowan, I can't say I have ever set foot in our current State Capitol in Des Moines. (Though I have toured our old capitol in Iowa City.) I feel like I need to change that after checking out Wisconsin's. This building is over 100 years old! Wowza. The most obvious, and cool thing about the Wisconsin State Capitol is that it is the tallest building in Madison. That isn't by mistake-- there is legislation that prohibits buildings taller than the columns surrounding the dome. We perused the Capitol and got a chance to go up to the observation deck (though the outside portion was closed off) it was cool to see the dome and rotunda from above. The mini museum up there as you walk to the deck is also great. (NOTE: While much of the Capitol is handicapped accessible, the Observation Deck is not.) Every person we encountered that worked at the Capitol was very knowledgeable to helpful. (Even the random senators we looked in at on accident, in their office. :)) If you're in Madison, the Wisconsin State Capitol is worth a stop in. read more

What a beautiful experience visiting the capital this is my first experience visiting any capital except for St. Louis Missouri. That was nice but this wow you got to see it for yourself. You can't just drive around the capital it's need to look on the outside but to be hold. The majesty on the inside is just breathtaking. It's such a wonderful place to experience a nice time with family friends or even by yourself they do tours and they're free I recommend them there's so many different statues and buildings and paintings and sculptures. And there's even crustacean fossils inside the building itself there's so much to see read more

A brief stop in Madison as I'm driving from Seattle to Charlotte. It was not out of the way and I lucked out with finding nearby metered street parking that still had time left. Bonus! This building is the fifth to serve as the Wisconsin State Capitol since Wisconsin joined the Union in 1848. It is the tallest building in Madison, located on the Madison isthmus. The building stands with wings north-south and east-west which is even more impressive since the streets are diagonal. It is an impressively large structure, projecting the power of the State of Wisconsin to all. As with many state Capitols, the property is studded with statues and monuments and memorials. It is also surrounded by restaurants, bars and eateries. This is my 40th state capitol! Ten remaining - Juneau, Honolulu, Boise, Springfield, Baton Rouge, Jefferson City, Carson City, Salem, Pierre and Olympia. [Review 17179 overall - 190 in Wisconsin - 696 of 2022.] read more

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Awesome! Couldn't get in but took a picture from the outside Definitely seems like a good place to visit while in Madison read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Highly recommend visiting state capitols! We walked to the building in Madison and were able to visit on a Saturday. Tours were being offered but we opted to walk around independently. If you ask at the desk, they have a stamp available. read more

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I'll be honest, I wasn't super thrilled to go visit the State Capitol, but I'm glad I did! When I got there, I was surprised it was pretty packed even though it was midday on a random Tuesday. There are tours that start on every hour. They're about an hour long and it's a nice way to get to see the rooms and observation areas we're allowed to be in while getting a peak at the history of the place. The tour guides are knowledgeable and informative too; they were answering a lot of questions. The interior of the building is gorgeous. The architecture is a marvel and makes this place worth a visit even if you're not into history! It wasn't part of the tour, so don't forget to visit the observation deck on the fourth floor. The only issue with the observation deck is that it didn't seem to be handicap accessible as we had to climb a decent amount of stairs. read more

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Beautiful building, we are not sure whether we could take our dog in, so we went in anyway. No one actually stops us on the 1st floor. The receptionist on the 1st floor are super nice. We went up to 4th floor then go by stairs to the observation deck, there are policeman there, dog are not allowed, even small little dogs. So i went up there. Pretty good view. Worth the visit! read more

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The State Capitol is a magnificent building, and well worth the hour-long tour. The visit included stops at chambers of two of the three branches that are housed there (Executive was occupied, and therefore not open to the public). Our tourguide, Moira, was marvelous and so knowledgeable. There are wonderful details of the building's history as well as history of Wisconsin and how the state government works that she shared with us. At the end of the tour, if you choose, you can go up to the observatory level just below the crown of the rotunda and look around at the view outside, as well as a marvelous view from the "Trumpeter's Railing" inside. read more

I've been here to lobby (on behalf of public higher education and humane treatment of animals), to visit my state assembly representative and state senator, to protest, to pay my respects at the state police memorial, and once to use the restroom because I really had to go (diuretics for hypertension, coffee, and Wisconsin winter). Never gets old. I've visited a lot of state capitols and this is one of the best. The working staff from janitors to the Capitol police are absolutely the best government workers. It's a venerable and stunning building art and architecture wise, if you're in Madison you really must visit. read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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STUNNING. I have always loved our Capitol building, and I always will. A beautiful spot for a walk, a picnic, or even senior pictures!! you should definitely go on Saturday mornings in the summer when the farmers market is in town! Great fresh food & fun stands to look at ! (see if you can find the fossilized starfish in one of the stairs!! I'll give you a hint.. North wing, second floor.) read more

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I have been around the capital for years and I never thought to go in until my buddy says let's walk down and go in, I didn't even know that you could that. I was surprised by the lack of security or metal detectors at the entrance for such an important place, hell you have to remove your shoes and get molested to fly. The building is absolutely beautiful/gorgeous at just before sun set with great natural light casting on the beautiful craftsmanship of the walls. All the surfaces were hard stone and wood with a detail that has a museum like quality that you don't see in government architecture from the outside to the inside. A cool art gallery was on display, Youth art month 2020 with a great variety of talent and vision was very cool and unexpected to see. This was a neat place to take in all the beautiful craftsmanship from a time long past. read more

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You can argue all you want but it's without a doubt that Wisconsin has one of the most beautiful capital buildings in any state! I only wish I lived in Madison I would have a morning walk in the capital everyday! My favorite parts got to be the capital lawn as it is filled with wildlife and trees for everyone to enjoy, and the huge Pride flag ‍ and outside the capital! A must see for all residents and visitors! read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I've visited 16 state capitols. This one is the best. Daily tours available. You can go up the spiral staircase and go out on the area at the base of the rotunda for great panoramic view of Madison and the lakes. Beautiful building. Forward! read more

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Not to be confused with the Skate Capital, which is the town in America which has the most skaters, per capita. Although you never know... it could be Madison (it's not). The Wisconsin State Capitol is one of the most spectacular beautiful buildings in the country. It dominates the entire city of Madison and can be seen from miles away. In many ways it is as beautiful as the ones in places like Washington DC and Austin. I could not really love it any more than I do. I first saw it when I was 18 and will hopefully see it many times read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - I Thought I'd Use Capitol Letters For This One - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I have been in at least a dozen state capitols around the US and the Wisconsin one is the best. A beautiful building and truly open to the public without onerous security checks common at most other government facilities. I have wandered through many times especially at Christmas to see the tree but I had not been on a tour in decades, perhaps when I was a Cub Scout, so we decided to do so last week on a Friday morning. Our young tour guide (Andrew?) was very good and knew his stuff. I really liked learning about all of the different stone used in the building - stunning. We then went up to the observation deck which gives a great view of the city and the two lakes. The museum is also very interesting and packs a lot into a little area. And all of this is FREE! A must do. read more

While visiting Wisconsin on a recent trip to the Midwest, my husband and I decided to stop in Madison to check out the state capitol before driving back to Minneapolis (where our midwest trip started). For parking, we ended up parking less than 1 mile away in a residential street (free) and then just walked to the capitol. We came on a Wednesday afternoon around 2 pm. We were just in time for the 2 pm tour (which is free and highly recommend that you catch one of the daily free tours), which last about an hour. On this tour, we learned a lot about the history of how Wisconsin came to be, construction on the state capitol, a fire occurring and then reconstruction beginning again, which makes up what you see today. During the summer months, take advantage of checking out the observation deck and the museum on this 6th floor (which shows the information regarding the construction and rebuilt of the capitol. It also includes some information about Wisconsin, the bronze statue on top of the capitol dome). Please note that the observation deck and museum is only open during this time and does require that you walk up narrow flights of stairs. It is very doable but if you need wheelchair access then this wouldn't be available to you. Also if you have trouble walking up a spiral stair case, you may just have to admire the observation deck through the many photos on this Yelp page. As the big nerd that I am, whenever my husband and I travel to other states, I love visiting the state capitol. It is always nice to see how each capitol is decorated inside and out and also to learn significant history that came about and to be aware of where that state come from. I love how there is so much natural lighting in this capitol. Our tour guide had mentioned how that was well thought out when the capitol was built so that the electricity bill could be kept down to a minimum. Also the way rooms were built, it helped encourage air flow to help keep rooms cool during the summer and warm in the winter. If you happen to be visiting Wisconsin, consider making a visit here. I do also want to mention that because the badger is Wisconsin's state animal, you will see badger sculptures/ statues throughout Madison. There are a few outside of the capitol (some directly outside in the national mall) and a few inside in the rotunda. Each badger is decorated to a different theme and may be fun for you to be on the look out while you visit this state. read more

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Remarkable building... it was a beautiful day out, people were in the grass area enjoying themselves. The flowers and gardening around the building were really nice. Masks are recommended inside, you can do a self tour, which we did but we couldn't find out way to the outside area up top. The inside is so pretty, the architecture and paintings. Cool piece of history. read more

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Great tour !!! So much to see. Great historical landmark. The tour was free. If you can make the walk, definitely go to the observation deck. Great views of Madison for up there. read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Observation Deck .... cold but worth it - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Wisconsin State Capitol building was overall nice and pleasant place to visit overall, I like how the streets from all eight angles lead to the building and it definitely makes it very easy to get to, the inside had paintings and memorial statues as well as a brief history of the State of Wisconsin, definitely a nice place to visit and check out. read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Unlike every other State Capitol building I've ever entered, this one has no security at any door, so anyone can walk through. No guards, no metal detectors, no x-rays, nothing. I was extremely caught off guard. It's seemingly easy to get lost inside the building, but if you just think of the blueprint of the building, it's not too difficult to find your bearings. It's simply a cross with the dome at the intersection of the two hallways. All the main chambers have gorgeous stained glass and the natural lighting makes the electrical lighting completely unnecessary. There are also fossils visible in the marble in many parts of the Capitol and many of the paintings have a fun story behind them. If you have time, I'd recommend going on a free tour to learn of all the fun facts. Finally, the observation deck is also free to the public and provides a great 360-degree view of downtown Madison. The elevator only goes up to the 4th floor while the observation deck is on the 6th (or 7th?) floor so you'll have to be physically able to climb some steps. This was definitely ranked in the top 5 of all the State Capitol buildings I've visited! Probably top 3! read more

No lines no tickets - just a few steps up to enter and open to the public... absolutely breath taking inside read more

Wisconsin State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This is open to the public, including, in our experience, access to the Senate floor. The building is gorgeous and at the time we were there, choir singers on the second floor added a zen and beautiful experience to our self tour. We went because on two previous UWM college tour visits, we never made it inside and honestly, out of things to do that Friday. If I had realized how stunning it is on the inside, and accessible to anyone, I would've made it a first-stop for sure! Really worth your time, plus some of the best restaurants are right outside so we hopped off to dinner afterwards. (Graft, Graze and Canteen.. pick one) read more

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