WOW! The Law Library looks straight out of a fairytale. I swear it looks like the inspiration for Belle's library in Beauty and the Beast. The gorgeous murals and senate chambers were also impressive. We stopped here on a whim during a recent road trip and were pleasantly surprised by its grandeur and beauty. They offered a free tour, but we opted for a self guided tour instead so we could go on our own pace. We came on a Friday afternoon and someone who worked there told us it's the best day to visit since the place is so busy Mon-Thurs when legislators are in session, that it's often difficult to find a parking spot. But on this quiet Friday morning, we parked in the front row and had no line in front of us as we went through the security metal detector. read more

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My visits to state capitols are few and far between, but after visiting the Iowa State Capitol, I want to make a point of visiting more whenever I travel to other states. My son started attending law school in Des Moines and so I was trying to see what the city has to offer. Visiting the capitol building was one of the things that kept popping up on things to do. We decided to check it out on a Saturday and luckily they do guided tours which I highly recommend. Completed in 1886, they have done a remarkable job preserving this place and showcasing it's beauty. It sits on top of a hill and offers great views of the city from every side. One of the first things you notice from the outside is the gold dome. The ornate outside facade carries inside where it is just as beautiful. You'll notice intricate wood decor as well as marble, gold and other beautiful materials. You can visit the historic supreme court chambers and see all the offices of state officials. The law library is by far my favorite part of the building. I felt like I was in some movie like Harry Potter or something. You have to see it in person to really comprehend the beauty. The wood and gold along with the spiraling staircases and law books stacked to the high ceiling was cool to see. If you aren't afraid of heights, you can take a long winding staircase at the top of the dome. We were one of the last tours so we didn't really get to really take our time and soak in all this place has to offer. I will most definitely come back next time I am in town visiting the kiddo. It was absolutely something I did not expect to see deep in the Midwest. read more

By far the most ornate state capitol I've visited and unlike most capitols, they have free tours on Saturdays! You can also get your free US state capitol stamp that marked with the date here as well. I climbed 294 steps from the second floor to reach the viewing area / observation deck inside of the Iowa State Capitol building with our tour guide. That's not even including all of the steps to go from the street to the ground level, the ground level to the first and then second floors! Our tour guide was incredible and focused a lot on the artwork inside. There is so much incredible artwork and detail, their Instagram could make a post a day on just the gorgeous architecture in the building. The law library looks like something out of Beauty and the Beast. It would take them years to get through all of the special things in the 109 rooms inside the building. The flag inside of the dome is suspended on wires 19 feet below the top of the dome and I found out that I'm not so good with heights the closer I got to the flag! Visited November 2025 read more

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This building is absolutely stunning! So much architectural detail and all the gold leaf is amazing. From tile mosaics and grand staircases to House and Senate overlooks, this is really a beautiful place to visit. The sculptures and memorials on the grounds are really cool too. The Law Library is a must see! It was the reason we stopped in and are so happy we did! read more

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What a gorgeous Capitol building Iowa has!!! Wow! We were honored to be guests here. My wife and I took a self-guided tour. We heard a few things on the actual tour we encountered a few times. They were friendly. The tours are lovely. We just didn't have that much time. The law library is stunning! Don't miss it. The Secretary of State's office was so cool!! We saw the original Iowa state constitution. They let us see the ground floor of the 3-story vault too. Very cool! The grounds have so much to see too. What a place!! read more

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The Iowa State Capitol is genuinely impressive and far more beautiful than I expected, in a way that makes you pause and say wow out loud without meaning to. The architecture is grand and detailed, and everything feels thoughtfully designed, from the soaring spaces to the smaller decorative touches. Walking through it made me feel equal parts inspired and slightly underdressed, which I think is the sign of a really good capitol building. It is both awe inspiring and oddly calming at the same time. Definitely worth the visit and proof that Iowa is quietly showing off in the best way. read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Beautiful capitol building! This is probably one of the most opulent state capitols that we've visited so far! They are open Monday through Saturday for self-guided tours, however, I would highly recommend taking their guided tours which leave every hour starting at 9:30 AM. On Saturdays the last tour leaves at 2 PM. Not only is the tour super informative, but it's also free with no reservations necessary! You even get to visit the whispering gallery at the top of the dome as long as you can stomach a 294 step narrow/winding staircase up and down. read more

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Planned to self- tour the Capitol but asked the information desk about if there was any tours that day with the docent and they told us we could join a tour that was planned so we tagged along. The library is a must to see (think of the library from Beauty and Beast.) Knowledgeable docent, got to see some of the closed to the public rooms, beautiful chandeliers and after the tour group left, my wife and I climbed the 91 stairs with the docent to the Whispering Gallery (very worth it!) Impressive marble work and gold leaf throughout the Capitol, don't forget to see the Liberty Bell outside near the street and you can ring the bell! read more

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Open Monday to Friday to the public, closed Sunday and holidays. Step inside history and see the Iowa legislator at work. Completed in 1886, this structure took over 15 years to complete. Its domed roof is reminiscent as a smaller version of the United States capital. Beautifully finished, maintained the gilding is second to none. Mosaics, glass tiles, marble finishes are exquisite. Enter at the lowest level and you can sign up for free tours of the building. Not up for a tour? Check out the Action on the house and Senate floors from their respective galleries, which is also open to the public. Cafeteria is open to the public as well during legislative sessions Monday to Friday (the tenderloin sandwich sandwiches, which should be considered The state sandwich, were pretty darn good here!). Monday to Friday when legislature is in session, you can expect many lobbying efforts inside the rotunda. Definitely worth a stop, even if only to stretch your legs. read more

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Lots of parking outside. Lovely historical views. Lots of historical information and views inside. When you take the guided tour it's very informative and the staff is friendly and definitely understanding of the prior events. You learn a lot and it's free. read more

Being born and raised here in Iowa I'm probably slightly biased... We have one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings in the country! The capitol itself (exterior and interior), the surrounding grounds and sculptures, etc. are really something to see! Try not to get vertigo as you tip your head back to look up into the dome... Don't miss the many murals on the walls. If you have some spare time catch one the tours and learn about the rich history of Iowa's current state capitol building (yes...it was not the first). There is a platform at the bottom of the stairs to the South of the capitol that overlooks downtown Des Moines and it's skyline. This platform is probably one of the most photographed places in the city. Homecoming, proms, senior pictures, and weddings... A classic view and background. And yet while I am there often enough I always notice something new... I moved to Des Moines in 1992 and it's funny how much we take the spots we see every day for granted. I still do now and then too. We look for something more spectacular and exciting... And further away. I think it's really important to recognize the beauty we have right here in our own backyard whether you're taking pictures or just going for a walk. Take some time... Look around... Enjoy the mundane. Stop and smell the roses...so to speak. read more

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The exterior has 5 domes. The main one is covered with 23-karat gold. We took a self guided tour and walked around briskly. My favorite part was the rotunda with the 12 statues and 8 half moon shaped paintings. The marble grand staircase was also nice. U.S. National Register of Historic Places read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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On a recent road trip with Gayle and my Dad, we stopped in at the Iowa State Capital to look around. Our time here was limited by some walking paid that Dad was dealing with, and many thanks to the 2 guys at Security that engaged him and helped him move forward. The Iowa State Capital building is stunning both inside and out. I love the rotunda, but will need to come back to see the Library as our time was short. The beauty of this place unfortunately disguises the currently weird (and sometimes ugly) Iowa politics underneath. Where's Robert D. Ray when you need him? But that's another story or future review....... read more

Beautiful building, artwork, architecture and library. The grounds are neat, even when covered with snow. The building is impressive. The library is awe inspiring! I loved walking around looking at all the artwork. We got to see the constitution as well and learn about the earlier editions (interesting!). We should have gone on the tour but we didn't time it right. Next time. Everyone was so nice. Loved our visit. read more

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We've now toured 36 State Capitols and this one in Des Moines is in the top 10. It's elaborate, but not over the top. You can easily spend between 1 and 2 hours going through. What really made this visit more enjoyable was the welcoming and friendliness of the people working the visitors desk and gift shop. They are certainly proud of their state! read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Did you know that Iowa's capitol building has the largest gold dome of all the state capitols? The dome is covered in gold leaf There is also gold leaf on the walls inside the capitol and all of the wall paper has been hand painted. I learned this and many more facts during the free group tour that I had attended with my husband on a Friday. On the morning of our visit, there were many elementary schools visiting that day and so we just ended up joining one of the tours (as an employee had said we were welcomed to and that there were no more tours after 1 pm that day). The tour we took lasted ~90 minutes. Beside learning about the history of this state's capitol, you also are able to go up higher to the dome. Typically you can only access this part of the dome (it isn't all the way to the top, but higher up) through a tour or if you know someone who works at the state capitol are are willing to take up you there. The docent we had was very good at providing numerous of facts and had a good pace. She was also incredibly patient with the numerous of questions the children had (the group we joined had about 20+ kids). I appreciated that they had kept her eye on both my husband and I during the tour. She had asked if we wanted to see another tour after this tour was over, if we would have liked to have a tour with adults only, lol. I was surprised she asked since another employee earlier had said that 1 pm was the last tour of the day. And that employee said we could catch a 2 pm tour. But we declined and thanked her. I liked that there was a small exhibit regarding the gold dome and the restoration. I also really enjoyed the visit we had to the law library. It really is beautiful and open for the public the visit (not just those who take the tour). It is nice that there is plenty of free parking available all around the state capitol. Please note that you are required to go through a security check when you come in, so do plan accordingly. read more

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Wow! Hands down one of the most beautiful buildings you will find. If you are looking for a free glimpse into the history of Iowa, visit the capital! Perched on a small hill you'll find the capitol building. It will offer some amazing views of downtown Des Moines. Once you're inside you can participate in a free guided tour or a self guided tour. The employees are able to provide you a map of all the areas you can visit. The coolest part is you can enter both the house and senate viewing rooms. You can also see the library. Which truly is one of the most remarkable libraries you'll ever visit. This is something that you need to visit and it's free. read more

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We always enjoy visiting state capitols. Living in Iowa, we like to take our friends who have never been to the capitol and have lived in Iowa for years! It was a busy place today since we are in session. Although it is a really beautiful building architecturally, I wish there were better exhibits about the history of the building and more about Iowa as a state. It's unfortunately that visitors have to enter through the ground level which is a not very pretty eating/working area. Not impressive. Plus, I wish there was more historic art. The dolls representing the Governor's first ladies and first man are creepy - time for that to go. read more

Amazing. I've been to several Capitol buildings, but this one takes the cake. The inside can be toured with a paid group or by yourself. We chose the latter as we were short on time and wanted to see more. Let's start with the exterior, which includes a famous gold dome, overlook to Des Moines, many sculptures and some beautiful views. The interior gets even better. The domed center area from the first floor is amazing. It's here that you realize how grand the building is, and how amazing the dome area is. Even the staircases, walls and woodwork are exquisite. There are four floors to tour, each containing different views and exhibits. The large-scale USS Iowa ship is amazing, as were the two massive rooms on either side of the dome veranda. A French stairwell takes you from the 3rd to the 4th floor, don't miss that. Views outside get even more spectacular while you're upstairs. After viewing each of the four floors we moved outside and viewed some of the statues, sculptures and artwork to the south side of the Capital building. If you have the time I highly recommend heading over here. The best part..it's all free. Cheers! read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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This is my very first Capitol visit and the Golden dome was just mesmerizing. The entire building is amazing. There are plenty to look at and quite a lot to take in but it is definitely worth a trip. The gift shop had just what we were looking for since we are magnet collectors on all the places we've been so I got the Iowa Capitol to add to our magnet travel wall and also a Tee Shirt for my son which he loves. Plenty of parking outside and it is free to visit. The tour is free but we did a self tour instead. The library is beautiful and you can actually check out the library books if you have an Iowa library card which unfortunately we do not have one. You just can't visit Des Moines without visiting the Iowa State Capitol Building! read more

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Stunning! Don't miss the law library. We did a self guided tour, but we saw guided tours taking place. Plenty of parking available. read more

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This is one of the coolest capitals I have ever been to! They give free tours, and everyone here is so nice and so helpful and seem like they really love being there! I wasn't able to see the outside part because it was winter when I went. But I definitely wanna go back during the summer to see all the exhibitions and statues outside of the capital. The dome is really cool it's made out of gold, and you can also walk up these really cool winding stairs to pretty much the top. But make sure you go on a free tour, otherwise you don't get to go into certain rooms without a tour guide . You get to see the house of representatives and the senators of Iowa rooms. The library is so cool! It reminds me of Harry Potter, and Belle from beauty and the beast. The winding staircases and the way it's all set up is one of the coolest things here. Art on the wall is really nice too and part of it looks like art but its really glass tile! So cool! This is definitely the number one thing to do in Des Moines and you shouldn't miss it. read more

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Every single person here at the capitol was so kind and so friendly from the moment we went through the checkpoint at the entrance. If you take a guided tour, which is nice because you get to go into the library, House, and Senate, be ready that it is wordy. Even I said aight fam let's get to the point. Highs: THE LAW LIBRARY! Gold! The postcards at the gift shop! You can lay on the floor for great pictures and on that note: A dome! Did you know the same blueprint was used for both the Iowa capitol and the Illinois capitol? Also there was a fire in 1904 and the same engineer that had the idea to save the building fell off a beam on his way back from doing just that. What can I say, not all facts are fun. The end. If you need a great way to treat yourself to happiness in Iowa, do visit the capitol! read more

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Go! Just Go! If you are in Des Moines, or even near, just Go! I am no fan of capitols. I usually just skip right by them. The few I have been to are usually meh. The Iowa State Capitol is the exception to the rule! The exterior and the interior are gorgeous! We were drawn in by the flashy gold domes we saw while passing, and decided we would visit the next day. So glad we did - the place is beautiful. And even better, the staff there is so incredibly friendly from security to the visitors desk to the librarian. My list of don't miss are: the dome, the murals, the battle ship model and the library - see my pictures. I especially liked that they open at 9 am on week days! Great place to start a visit to Des Moines. read more

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Beautiful. Was greeted and offered a tour which we are thrilled to have taken. Will go back and just take photos when not on a tour and by myself. Very relaxing experience. Nice surprise to not have to pay a dime:) did not label any photos as many on here have already done so. Next time I visit I will take the self guided tour as well. read more

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The Iowa capitol is an amazing building. It is free to roam around in yourself. If you want to see a few places you can't see on your own, call and get your times. The tours are free! We had Lawrence He was great. We learned that originally the building was lit with gas lamps but in 1905 they electrified the building. It cost $2.9 to build And lots of other interesting facts read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Very nice! How much? Serious money in here. The tour is worth it. My buddy wanted to see it. I somewhat reluctantly went along. We got there on a Saturday when most of the stuff that is normally accessible to the public Monday through Friday is not on Saturday unless you do the tour. So we did the tour. It was a long and boring ninety minutes with two exceptions. First, we wanted to see the Law Library and the only way to do it on a Saturday is with the tour. Wow! What a majestic room. Hard to not appreciate the architecture and beauty. Second, the only way you can get to the top floor at any time is with the tour. Super fun being up near the roof you were taking pictures of from many stories below not that long ago. Tour guide said it cost three million at the time they built it and today it would cost five hundred fifty million. Inflation is a bitch. read more

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I've been to a bunch of state capitol buildings and this one is one of the most beautiful. With 5 domes, stunning architecture, and wonderful murals throughout, I was so glad to able to join a tour group to see it all. You can do a self guided tour, but the 90 minute guided tour is well worth your time. You will learn a lot and be impressed with the building. As the saying goes, "they don't make them like this anymore". read more

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Free tour of the capital by a very knowledgeable docent. Learned a lot and saw many nooks and cranny's of a wonderful old building. A fair amount of walking and some challenging stairs for some older people or those with mobility issues. Otherwise I highly recommend. read more

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This is an exceptionally beautiful building! There are ornate mosaic floors, Italian stain glass windows on the ceiling, intricate details in every direction you look, and of course, many very fancy paintings of corn. Having been to other Capitol buildings, this one is on a whole other level. This is an absolute must see when in Des Moines! There are also many interesting exhibits on Iowa's history. Additionally, parking was a breeze! read more

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The Iowa State Capitol is truly one of the top most beautiful architectural examples of a capitol building in the United States. Created under what we know as the American Renaissance period, the main dome is adorned in actual gold leaf that is reapplied every 10-15 years. The Hawkeye state really takes much pride in this symbol of the state's rich heritage. There are self-guided and docent-led tours available for the interior sections. Just a simple stroll inside will certainly be a delight for the eyes for the architectural will continue to wow your senses with all its grandeur and details. The Rotunda itself is breathtaking as you look above to spot stain glass and intricate details on the ceilings. The grand staircase is also another treat as it wraps around with wood and marble surfaces from the ground floor towards the 1st level where you will find rooms designated for various state official offices. As you approach the 2nd level you will find the very large rooms that house the Senate and the House. The furniture and other details continue to be mostly period accurate with modern amenities. Be sure not to skip the library for I think this may be the crown jewel of the various rooms. The woodwork is absolutely exquisite. You will also find some of the rarest books in the state that includes a text that Benjamin Franklin printed out of his original press. read more

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Beautiful Capitol for a beautiful state. read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

So bright at night; but at least the buildings are immaculate, there are 2 sides x 2 so consider the best way around the complex. read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I'm really glad I came to visit the Iowa State Capital building. It was built in the Renaissance style starting in 1874, with construction completed in 1886. A stunningly beautiful structure both outside and within, this very impressive Hawkeye State landmark contains five domes; the main dome is covered by twenty-three carat gold. Some stunning sites within are the grand staircase, which is the main floor's focal point, and the four-story law library; the library contains four floors of bookshelves and some truly spectacular spiral wrought iron staircases. I was particularly impressed by the exhibit with Iowa's First Ladies, dressed to the nines in the garb of their day - there's also one First Man (the husband of Iowa's current governor). We very much enjoyed our visit and learned quite a bit by just exploring on our own, but next time I'm going to take things up a notch and try the guided tour. read more

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Iowa lot of money, but not to this state. That would be Capitol offence. The Iowa State Capitol is pretty but then so is your mother when she has no clothes on. It's not the most impressive or famous or large capitol (notice, no Capitol Letter) in the country but it impressively towers over the pretty city (not to be confused with the Pretty Kitty) of Des Moines and I definitely enjoy coming around here when I'm in Iowa. read more

Iowa State Capitol - I must be a yuppie because I'm all about Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

With a bit of free time on my hand, I went to investigate the fantastic beautiful building in down town. It's a hard to miss landmark, what with the huge gold dome. But it was after hours and there wasn't much going on with the legislature not in session. The plus side of course is that there was plenty of free parking and lots of quiet to walk around the grounds, examine the statues and grab some amazing pictures at sunset. Note that there is a nice Holocaust Memorial on the grounds. I wasn't expecting that. Though lots of Iowans were there at the camps being liberated and lots of those refugees eventually moved here to the Buckeye State. I'm collecting State Capitols, adding Des Moines to my list of Providence, Boston, Columbia, Charleston and Montgomery. How many have YOU visited? read more

Iowa State Capitol - The best picture I took, of the State Capitol at sunset - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I'd highly recommend stopping by the Iowa State Capitol if you find yourself in Des Moines, Iowa. You can see the dome of the capitol building from most of the city, and it's also free to come in and walk around. They also offer free tours during certain times in the day. My coworker and I stopped by on our way to the airport, and the security guard at the front entrance was nice enough to allow us to leave our luggage in the coat rack area. They have a quick metal detector you go through when you enter. We didn't have enough time to do the full tour, and walked around the building on our own; however, we were lucky enough to run into the tour group when they entered the law library, which was amazing to see. It's worth taking the tour just to see the library, since you can only see it on the tour. They have a large parking lot available only a short walk away (since you can't park too close to the building). read more

Iowa State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Dear Pinterest, Thank you for bringing this beautiful structure to my attention. To too it off the experience was a first for my boyfriend who lives just 2 miles away from your ornate and dreamy law library. When in Des Moines, you must check this place out! Free admission and quite possibly the most beautiful library I have ever encountered- spiraling staircases from floor to ceiling on each end of the intricately-detailed room. Bonus: they have free wifi and plenty of desks if you want to sit and stay awhile;) A few other highlights from our lunchtime visit include the borderline creepy yet entertaining first lady dress doll collection. A wild spin on the Smithsonian's First Lady dress collection. Be sure to take in the ideal view of downtown and courtroom with rich wallpaper, curtains and carpet. Bring your camera! read more

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I attended a guided tour with Yelp's Festival of Firsts. I never even knew the State Capitol was open for tours until this event. I was very excited to get to attend a tour and I also brought my almost 10 month old daughter along. This is honestly one of my favorite things I've done since living in the Des Moines area! I'm a sucker for old architecture and this building is gorgeous and full of so much history! I loved the details in each of the rooms and corridors. I was in awe every time we entered a room or passed back under the dome. I could have just stared at that dome for a long time (well, except that my neck would be very sore). Our tour guide, Jim, did a wonderful job! I was impressed with all of his knowledge and thoroughness. He also had a lot of patience with the group as we took our pictures. I noticed that our overall group was a bit larger than some of the other groups but that didn't seem to bother him. He also interacted with the children on the tour, including my daughter. My only disappointment about the tour was that I could not go to the top of the dome because my daughter was too young. Children must be over 6 years old. I respect their rules, just sad I could not go up. My husband was not able to join us so we will be coming back to give him this experience and also so that I can go to the top of the dome! I highly recommend you go sometime too! read more

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If you are a photographer, you need to check this place out. There are so many great places to explore here, and the staff is very helpful. You can't use a flash, but feel free to bring a tripod. The tours are free, last about an hour and will really show you some of the best parts of the building. Everything here is carefully restored and well cared for. Even if you aren't into history or architecture, you will enjoy the building and the tour. read more

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