Pennsylvania State Capitol Reviews

Enjoyed tour. Gift shop upstairs closed early which was a disappointment. Beautiful building and fountain.

It's a mere half-hour, but the capitol is gorgeous and the guides add enough without overdoing it in 4 stops along the way. The capitol is also convenient to other worthwhile tourist stops. This is time well spent, and I hope this review was helpful. Thanks for noting if it was.

My company was present to support an Act that the Senate was attempting to pass for ABA Therapy at the Capitol. Architecture in the building and the surrounding neighborhoods was gorgeous.

As you will be going through a security check, make sure that you understand this before you visit. Public parking is available. Download the app ahead of time. You may take photos. The building and artifacts are really something. The length of the visit correlates to your level of interest.

Unexpectedly beautiful capitol complex on hill overlooking the Susquehanna. Citizens should marvel. Many details should inspire more people to public service.

Have been here many times just to walk through the building. Have also been in one wing for a wedding and reception. Fun to look at the old tiles, statues, climb the big staircases, etc... Worth a stop for anyone interested in architecture or government seats of power.

The capitol building was open, so we took advantage of a “self-guided” tour. This building is very ornate. One of the prettiest capitol buildings we've seen.
The main dome area is the most beautiful area in the Capitol. Soaring over 6 stories from the ground floor, it is very ornate and beautifully done.
We visited the House of Representatives and the Senate Chamber. Gorgeous.

Being a resident of Pennsylvania and living not far from the capitol it's unbelievable that this was overlooked as a top experience of our area. It truly is a magnificent building and worth all the time taken to tour it. Free tours are given and are extremely informative. So many visitors to our area tour Hershey, Lancaster County, and Gettysburg. Please don't miss this gem during your travels to PA.

It is all nice and good in here. The mosaics and arts are there to delight to your eyes and give you hope, maybe, the policies they enact in her will be equally hope giving and delightful.

Tours are available so call ahead for a reservation. You don't want to miss seeing the inside of this beautifully restored structure. The tour takes you into important and amazingly decorated rooms. It also offers up lots of historical information.

We were in the Harrisburg area and made it a point to stop and tour the capital. We caught the last tour of the day with very small crowds. The tour of this spectacular building was amazing. Highly recommend taking the time to see and learn about this beautiful piece of architecture!

It's an amazing building. So over-budget that the architect went to prison! We declined the tour, as it was full of school children, but I think you can comfortably see this on your own. The public spaces are the main lobby and the Senate and House chambers. Every surface is carved and gilded to the max. It's a feast for the eyes. There's a parking garage behind the complex. We paid $10 to park, but the tour is free, so not a bad price. The area is somewhat run down, but certainly safe enough. Some of the negative reviews should be deleted - they are not based on what the building offers.

We were lucky enough to have a guided tour with only 2 of us. The tour guide was excellent. The Capital is very impressive, clean and quiet. The tour lasted about 1 hour.

This is a magnificient building both inside and outside. To see the interior, you must join a tour. We didn't sign up in advance but they just let us join the next tour anyway, which included the Senate Chamber, the Supreme Court, and the House Chamber. The tour guide mentioned of the liberal use of gold in the decoration and it costs $13 million when it was built in the early 20th century. It was beautiful and well worth a visit.

Lovely time at the guided-tour of the Capitol Building.

Free 30-minute guided tours are available throughout the day between 8:30am and 4pm on weekdays, but are less frequent on weekends an holidays. Be sure to check their website to reserve a spot.

After entering through the Rotunda area on North 3rd Street you will have to go through a TSA-style metal detector. You can then wait in that area for your tour to begin.

There are bathrooms and a coat rack in this area if needed.

Our tour guide was great. She took us through the building, offering some interesting facts of the different sections: main rotunda, House of Reps, Senate an Supreme Court.

Photography is allowed but video is NOT.

Great experience. Highly recommended to all visiting the area.

We parked down the block in the evening after dinner. We ran around the building by ourselves. There were pretty lighted paths and gardenscapes. The fountain was beautiful at night. Totally free and a nice way to spend 30 mins with the kids running around.

Have lived in Pennsylvania all my life and this was our visit to the Capitol! We started with plenty of street parking, met with an incredible tour guide and the building is really beyond words. I was really interested in the Mercer tiles, and was thrilled to see so many along with a brochure listing every one with pictures. But the tour showed us so much more. We also learned a lot about the structure itself and had plenty of free time to wonder. Every one was extremely helpful and friendly and the outside of the building is almost as spectacular as the inside.

Take the free tour of this beautiful building. It doesn't take long and it's worth it. Reserve in advance on their website.

We are trying to get to all fifty Capitols and the Pennsylvania State Capitol was worth getting to. The building has been called "A Palace of Art" and that is a true statement as there is beautiful art and craftsmanship everywhere in this building. I don't remember the name of the hostess who greeted us at the information desk but she could not have been more welcoming and added to our enjoyment of stopping to visit.

It was easy to find parking and hop into a free tour. I wish the tour lasted longer, but the guide was well knowledged. Newer addition of the building contains restaurant, interactive visitor center meant for kids, and a small gift shop.

We took the tour and it was well worth it, especially since it is free. Our tour guide was very informative and interesting. The art, stained glass and marble are all gorgeous. The amazing thing were all the mosaics constructed into the tile floor. Well worth taking the time to visit.

Small things are beautiful and this Penn State Capitol is one of the examples. Nearby parking, gorgeous views, and almost zero tourists. We really enjoy this visit. Be careful...it is completely closed late afternoon.

Toured the Pennsylvania state Capitol building with friends recently. It is a beautiful building with beautiful stained glass , gorgeous woodwork and beautiful marble . Our tour guide a female was excellent. We got to go c the house and senate chambers . The tour was free but u had to make a reservation. We also walked the Capitol grounds and saw the fountain in the back. Great place to visit and State Museum is right next door! Great place to tour if you are ages 9 and older

It was built to impress, and it does. The guide was very knowledgeable about the local architecture and history as well as the kind of history that you don’t read in books.

This is second PA Capitol as the first one was destroyed. This one took 4 years to build and is much the other brand building from the gilded age. 23 carat gold covers a lot and the mosaic tiles that make up the floor are true art. The senate and house chambers are beautiful and make sure to see the Governor’s Reception room for a pictorial story of William Penn. The inside and outside are simply beautiful and truly a historic landmark and priceless work of art. The stained glass, French marble, chandeliers, and art work are worth the free tour for sure. Make sure to visit the welcome center for some interactive fun for the kiddos.

I had a wedding to attend in Hamburg so I decided to stop by and take a look. Very impressive building very ornate. Would have been nice to go in for a tour but it was to late in the day

The grandeur of the state capitol. Truly is a beautiful building with statuary, gold leaf, staircase, murals, etc. I recommend a guided tour, but you can do a self tour. Senate and House chambers are great.

Beautiful building with hostorical background that is worth learning more about... Take a guided tour, they can share a lot of details regarding the building, renovations, and history of what has transpired as the building has been the center of leadership for this commonwealth

We got a chance to visit the Capitol Building in PA just recently. We took the tour with a guide and got to go to the different chambers of the building. We also got a chance to see the Governor's Office. What a treat to see.

Pennsylvania State Capitol houses the Legislative Chambers, such as the State Assembly for the House representatives and Senate besides the chambers of the Supreme Court and Superior Court of the Pennsylvania state. The State Capitol complex also houses the offices of Governor and Lt Governor besides other important government offices. It is believed to have more than 450 rooms spread across four floors. The guide allotted by the office apprised us of many historical facts on the design and construction of this marvelous building. The exterior of the complex was very impressive but when we entered the building, we were mesmerized by the beauty and design of the interiors that we have not even observed in the palaces of Rajasthan in India. The dome is topped by the glided brass statue which is considered as the personification of Commonwealth. It is also known as the Huston Capitol after the famous architect Joseph Miller Huston who designed and completed it in 1906, when it was dedicated to the nation by President Roosevelt. The interiors of the Main rotunda, House of Senate and Assembly hall are designed according to Beaux-Arts style with sculptures, decorative Renaissance themes and stained glass windows. murals and paintings depicting several historical incidents. The main rotunda is believed to be after St Peters Basilica in Rome. The central hall is about 270 feet high and four medallions around the base of the top dome represent four forces of civilization- Arts, Science, Justice and Religion. The stair case are also beautifully designed with paintings. Two of the four chandeliers in the assembly Hall weigh about 4 tons each and the other two chandeliers weigh 2 tons each as seen in the attached photos. To summarize, I shall name this great building as the Palace of Arts. A must visit place for every one, particularly, the lover of arts.

Our son had told us that we should add this place to our “must see” list of places to visit. Yesterday, we did and we were far from disappointed!
Our capitol building is truly a gem. Our tour guide was wonderful. She had a comprehensive knowledge of the capitol’s history, it’s numerous works of art (including it’s paintings, incredible light fixtures, original mahogany desks, intricate tile work spelling out quotes surrounding the upper walls and the Moravian tile, made right here in Doylestown, PA, that adorns the floor).
We were definitely “wowed” by the entire experience!
The whole Capitol complex is totally impressive.

Ok, I get it COVID, but there’s no reason we the people shouldn’t be able to access or capital. (It’s a Tom Wolf shutdown nothing to do with threats) Our capital has been closed for over a year- which is a travesty since you can cram into Walmart or other places but not see your capitol rotunda, which was always open, let alone visit your reps office- so 2 stars off but that said the grounds are amazing. I enjoyed walking around and seeing the keystone, and views from the front, but man I wish I could get back inside.. But the grounds are definitely worth a visit and the signs give you a bit of history.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol is a functional seat of government of Pennsylvania. Visitors can explore the Capitol building, the Interactive Welcome Center and Capitol Gift Shop. We impressed with its wealth of art, its outstanding architecture, and its strong connection to the vision of the Commonwealth's founder William Penn...

Great tour & beautiful art, woodwork & marble - The tour was nice however seemed a little short for all the history of this capital

The free tour of the State Capitol Building was great. We were returning from a 5 week cross country road trip and stayed in Harrisburg so the next morning decided to take the tour. You did need to reserve in advance.

The architecture is amazing; the rooms are spectacular. What a wonderful place to work in for the politicians and the staff.

Well worth a visit.

Absolutely amazing. My son enjoyed it to. Something to look at everywhere you look. Could easily spend hours there.

I will have to visit my state's capitol building. This is a gorgeous building with beautiful windows and walls. The floor on the first floor is vey interesting!

Live in the HBG area and take in visitors often. The whole ground area is nicely done and the other buildings are alos beautiful.

Amazing place. Beautiful and full of history Must see if in the area. Learned a lot while there on how our government operates. Very educational for kids.

The rotunda was incredible, and laid out very nicely. Seeing the rooms where the state makes its decisions was unlike most things I've seen (and that right there is a statement). Wow.

We ended up very close by so decided to take a quick look. Great old building that is easy to see why they are so proud of it.

Took a tour. It was spectacular. We are from NJ but love architecture so decided to stop. The House of Representatives blew me away when I walked through the doors. So extraordinary and beautiful. The rotunda was stunning. This tour took 45 minutes but it’s a definite must see.

This amazing building is occupied by politicians. Such grand art and architecture, and politicians get to enjoy this? They have no respect for this building.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol is a must place to visit when in Harrisburg. An American Renaissance style building is sitting prominently on top of the plaza and is overlooking the River Park. If you have time, take a tour of the building and it is free. If you do not have time, just walk-in (through security detector) and enjoy the Dome and many piece of arts in the main area. I was glad to spend time in the building with my siblings from overseas.

We Pennsylvanians are blessed to have one of the most beautiful Capital buildings in the Country. A must see.

My husband and I have visited almost a dozen state capitols, and this one was certainly one of the most impressive. I recommend the guided tour; we had a great tour guide and learned details about the building that we probably would have missed on our own. If you don't have the time or inclination for a guided tour, though, there are informative pamphlets and booklets available also. What I found most interesting was that a woman, Violet Oakley, did much of the artwork there.

Well worth the hour or so to see one of the most beautiful capitals in the nation. We have been to around 15 and this one is definitely a top 3. If you go on the tour make sure and take the time to go to the 2nd floor and look at the governors reception area. Not on the tour and it is worth the walk.

Magnificient structure, wonderful steps, decorated dome, wonderful nature and fountains outside. Our whole family loves to visit this place from time to time.

This is a must see it was very beautiful and full of history/. Te tour was very well done and free of charge.

The interior is very ornate. There are not much written things you could learn from. We were given all the information and history by the security guards. It should not be this way.

Our family chose to tour the PA state capital (as well as other locations in the area) and found it to be very interesting as well as educational. The architecture is amazing and extremely well kept/maintained.
Security was right as expected but very polite and explained everything so the kids knew what was happening and why.

We parked on State St. down directly in front of the Capitol about ½ block away.
It was meter parking and paid $3 for one hour. Then it was an easy walk to capitol but lots of stairs up to Capitol entrance. You can also walk up and around the road which is sloped.
Walking up the street with this building in view is majestic and grand.
No real issue entering and there was security there.
One can take tours but we didn’t have time to take one and we were just interested in seeing the rotunda.
The rotunda of course was lovely as was the entrance area and all the gold guilding everywhere. All of this area was super clean.

Very interesting side trip. I was surprised at how much you could roam around through the building on your own. We did the free tour and it was fascinating to learn about the various rooms and artwork. It was very well done and I would schedule a visit if in the area again.

If you have never visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol building, it is definitely worth a tour. There is no cost to tour the Capitol and it is self-guided. A book detailing the Capitol is available in the Rotunda. The architecture is magnificent, especially in the Rotunda area. You don't have to necessarily stay long, but it is a gorgeous building.

Whether your traveling through Harrisburg or visiting central PA....the State Capitol is a MUST SEE....gorgeous historical building....half hour tours are offered....ENJOY!

Kids age 8, 11, 16 loved all the marble stairs, surprisingly they ran up and down the back hidden stairs.

My family had a Saturday reservation to go on a tour of the PA State House.

We found ourselves lost outside the capitol building and not sure where to enter. Frustrated and confused, I called the tour desk from the car and an absolute MISERABLE and CLUELESS lady answered the phone.

I frankly thought it was a teenage intern on the other end since she was quite flustered and unaware of how to direct me around the corner to the front of the building. I asked where to go in relation to where I was located and she kept repeating the address (which I already had) with no further assistance. I told her my location and she told me she was too busy to stay on the phone but I’d better hurry up or the tour would leave without us. She repeated 4 times “if you’re not here I will start the tour without you.” She then hung up on me mid-sentence.

Within 5 minutes we found the front door to the building. My husband dropped off the children and I and we went racing up the steps of the capitol and through the metal detector. The policeman scanning us asked why I was out of breath and I jovially replied I was running to get there because the lady on the phone said she was going to start the tour without us.

As the policeman and I exchanged peasantries, a booming voice echoed through the rotunda. It was a woman seated at the tour desk. “PATTY” read her nametag and she shouted out from across the desk….“I never said that!.” To my surprise the person who had answered the phone was sitting at the front desk. She was not an inexperienced teen but an older woman with apparently no phone etiquette or sense of direction.

She repeated again “I never told you that you couldn’t come to the tour!” “ Yes you did, four times” I replied. “No, no, no, You’re making me upset” she retorted.

She then proceed to say she didn’t like my tone and walked over to the state police man and informed him that she didn’t want me on her tour! I was shocked. My kids were shocked. The policeman was shocked. We were kicked out before we even started!!! My husband, who had been looking for parking, walked in to discover the aftermath.

The policeman apologized profusely and told me THREE times to file a complaint against her. He said nothing I said or did warranted that kind of reaction.

I guess she was having a bad day and decided to take out her ills on us!! In any case, She certainly should NOT be the face of the Pennsylvania government!!

Sadly, We never got to tour the state house and were very disappointed. Too bad one lady could ruin a family outing with her attempt at a power trip. If YOU go for a tour and see written on the name tag “Patty”…..run in the opposite direction!!

Unfortunately, we happened to visit on a day with tons of school kids shouting and taking a tour. Not fun! The building is beautiful and perhaps on a quieter day it would have been more enjoyable.

The building is exquisite and the overview on Pennsylvania’s history at the start of the tour was fascinating.

The Pennsylvania Capitol is not just a uniquely beautiful building, it is also filled with years and years of history. The beautiful Mercer tiles which cover the first floor halls are one of a kind and should not be overlooked. The House and Senate Chambers where the people's business is conducted are more than worth a visit. Statuary and decor is also memorable. Sweeping marble staircases and flag exhibits, which hide behind the stairs are bonuses.
Take time to just stand and gaze upwards at the magnificent dome. Do take a guided tour as you will learn so much more than just wandering.

My wife and I visited the Harrisburg area on vacation and as we usually do in capital cities, we visit the State Capitol. We have been to state capitols in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Wyoming, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arizona, Kansas, Arkansas, and of course our native Texas, but this State Capitol building outshines them all. It is extremely large and the decorations and style of the architecture are fantastic. We had Tammy for a tour guide and she was very thorough and informative. Only drawback to our visit was that we wished the area had free parking for visitors. Downtown Harrisburg parking meters are steep ($3 an hour). If you visit Harrisburg this is a MUST see.

This Capitol building is the most ornate and beautiful building in the world, yes, better than the large US Capitol and the Texas State Capitol. I have toured this facility now three times. Yesterday’s tour was by extremely knowledgeable guide Karen. She provided a complete overview from all the major perspectives—historical, architectural abs artistic. A sight not to miss when in Harrisburg! Your only takes 30-45 minutes. Book in advance to score a spot!

Do you like history? Architecture? Art? Photography? The Pennsylvania State Capitol is the perfect place for you. Take a free tour and learn about this most incredible building that President Theodore Roosevelt claimed, "The handsomest building I ever saw." on October 4, 1906 when the current state Capitol was dedicated. The interior of the building is simply incredible. Every which way you look, there is something more beautiful to see. The gorgeous staircase, the Moravian tiles that cover the first floor under the Great Rotunda and the adjacent corridors. Probably the largest piece of folk art in North America, the floor has 400 tile mosaics illustrating the state's many industries, wildlife, history, occupations and modes of transportation. Truly amazing to see. Make sure to take a free tour which will show you the Senate, the Supreme Court, the House of Representatives, and the great dome of the Rotunda. Artwork literally everywhere, in every corner and on every wall. Mosaics, gorgeous chandeliers in each chamber and throughout. If you enjoy art history, you can spend all day here. Stained glass as well will greet you in each chamber. Make sure to take particular note of The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania, the largest mural in the Capitol, located behind the Speaker's podium in the House Chamber. Very much worth the visit, make sure to confirm with your guide that pictures are ok. You'll past through security upon entering the building from 3rd Street. When the tour is over, make sure to ask your guide how to get to the Governor's Office to take a look around. And yes, you can get there by yourself. Take one of the elevators to the second floor. The Governor's secretary is there and she welcomed us in to take a look around and even welcomed us to take pictures as well. Very friendly and welcoming. This was a wonderful experience and both my son and I enjoyed ourselves very much exploring all of the wonders of the Capitol. Our guide Patty was also fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and willing to answer questions and provide additional information. Once you register, you will get a confirmation e-mail as well. After the tour, I received a survey about our experience. When you are done inside the building, take a walk outside around the complex, including by the Veterans' Memorial Fountain. If the weather is nice, prepare for some amazing photo opportunities. This is most certainly a worthy visit when in Pennsylvania's capital city.

Visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol building as part of a museum tour group. This is a must for fans of early 20th century American art. I was totally blown away. Some important art works to note include the Moravian tile floors on the first floor and the Violet Oakley murals in the Governor's Reception Room, Supreme Court Chamber, and the House of Representatives Chamber. If you are unfamiliar with the work of Violet Oakley you will be amazed. Even though I knew something about her I came away deeply impressed and wondering why she isn't more well known. The Moravian tile floors have a strong PA connection have been produced in Doylestown PA. They are excellent examples of the Arts and Craft movement. This experience is definitely worth a special trip.

I spent about an hour here on a hot and humid July day, wandering about the building (possible on a weekday, on weekends there are certain restrictions). The architecture and design are very imposing and monumental, and you can take a 30minute long (free) educational tour about the building, getting to see some of the paintings and decorations up close, and getting access to see the Senate room, etc. Really, the whole experience was surprisingly informative and engaging, was expecting something a lot more 'dry'. I would highly recommend stopping by here to learn more about Pennsylvania!

Spur of the moment stop, pleasantly surprised to find the building open and we timed it right to even get a tour.
So glad we stopped, it’s so gorgeous!

This place is absolutely stunning. We always try to visit a state capitol building whilst in the US and I have got to say all the others are going to pale into insignificance after this one. We were so lucky to catch the final tour of the day, you can do a self guided tour but would really recommend the half hour guided tour, gives a building soul! Just me and hubby on the tour and the lady was really nice and definitely knew her stuff, what a beautiful place to work. The paintings are amazing as are the glass windows and dome, I have seen European palaces less glitzy than this! Make sure you pick up the A4 size free brochure as a souvenir on your way out. 100% recommend a visit here. Parking outside on the streets is on a meter and is $4 an hour.

This state capital building is one of the most beautiful and home of spectacular decorations that you must visit!! We took one of the free 30 minute tours visiting the house, senate and Supreme Court. Each room is breathtaking in its decor, from the lighting, murals and art work you just don’t know what to look at first. Our docent was super and we ask all sorts of questions. There is a small gift shop. Building is handing accessible so all can enjoy. You have to pass through metal detectors for security reasons. There is also a food court. Restrooms are clean and well maintained. This is a must see!!

I recently got married on state street in may of 2017. As many couples do after they get married in the area, we went to the capitol steps to take pictures. The pictures turned out great and it was a nice convenient spot.

I’ve been to several state capitols for my work, and the Capitol in Harrisburg ranks high on the list. I ended up going on a tour, and the docent was really good.

The Capitol has a lot of great art and amazing architecture, and it is worth your time to come in for a visit.

Our antique car club from Waynesville, NC was in the area for the car show in Carlisle. We had booked a tour of the capitol building. There were 32 of us and we had a guide. She was an awesome young lady and very knowledgeable. This is truly a beautiful Capitol building and lots of gold leaf throughout. I have been to the Capitol and White House in Washington, DC and really can't say they are any more gorgeous than this place. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Booking the tour was very easy also and the lady I spoke with was helpful and followed through with an email confirming our tour.

The Pennsylvania capitol in Harrisburg is a true gem---architecturally and historically. There a free, daily guided tours (at noon, I think, but it is good to double check this since I visited quite a while ago) which gather outside the building and are conducted by volunteers. It is a noble and rich building, and parking is not too difficult on the streets around it and in some near-by parking garages. The legislative chambers are very impressive and quaint (they even have elegant versions of the old school desks for the legislators in the chambers, or at least one of them). The glass and marble works are museum quality. Young people should be able to enjoy this visit as much as adults.

This is a beautiful building to see
There was no expense spared when this was constructed
There is art work, sculptures, quotes from individuals, precious metals, imported materials,etc
The tour includes viewing the House and Senate chambers as well as the Supreme Court
Tour is free
Limited tours on Sunday so plan accordingly

We stopped here last week on a Friday afternoon. The House and Senate were not in session so the building was vacant.

We were able to walk unhindered through most of the capital building which was really neat. After walking around on our own we decided to take one of the guided tours. I highly recommend the tour. Our tour guide was excellent. She provided a very detailed history of the building and it’s paintings. We were able to go into the Senate gallery, the House gallery and the Supreme Court courtroom.

This is a very interesting historic building that shouldn’t be missed.

We went on a Saturday afternoon tour to see this architectural gem. It is a lovely building. I loved the paintings throughout and the decorative tiled floor on the first level.

The art,architecture,staff and story of this building is outstanding. Took the tour and it’s the only way to go. We learned so much on the tour. The guide was great

Visited with our local representative; wonderful work of art; historically a good place to visit; free; handouts about Pennsylvania History

Harrisburg tends to get the wrap of an ugly stepsister in a fairytale being that it is wedged between New York to the Northeast, Philly to the Southeast, Washington DC to the south, and Pittsburgh to the west Despite the off putting green colored dome, the capitol building interior including the attached Ryan office building which was formally the state library compensates. The Ryan office building is done in Italian Architecture. When taking a tour of the capitol you can definitely ask lots of questions. As someone who grew up coming here since my mother worked there and now I am employed there, I am still amazed at the beauty of the infrastructure as well as the detailed intricate design throughout many of the offices The grounds are also well landscaped and spring is the best time to come to the capital and see all the beautiful array of pink flowers in bloom. In addition, the archives department does an amazing job of preserving much historical information as well as artifacts that the public can view

The Capitol Building is generally excellent, especially the underside of the dome, which is almost as impressive as the Capitol Dome at Washington, D.C.

Our only complaint is the inadequate signage in the building. There are too few places where the respective floor is displayed on any wall or free-standing sign. We had to ask an employee: "What floor is this?"

We visited the 5th floor gift shop, which was unnecessarily difficult to locate because the location is on only the gift shop's door. There are no notations on any of the many 5th floor hallways that point to the gift shop's location.

We also did not appreciate that almost all of the close by parking spaces in all directions are reserved for government employees.

Make sure you see the paintings of William Penn. They alone are already worth a visit. We like to always visit the capitol when driving through, it's a good way of learning somethings about the states. The tours are always free, there is a booklet and you can collect the stamps of the capitols you have visited.

Wasn't expecting to be wowed by a capitol building--WOW! Treat yourself to a free tour and spend an hour in this magnificent place!

This was a very nice visit to the capitol. Very beautiful building not only on the outside but also inside.

This is the most amazing capitol we have ever visited. We had a very helpful guide who knew all the answers. We visited the Rotunda, both Legislative chamber and the Supreme Court chamber. Each one was exquisite and almost outshined the last. The murals, portraits, sculpture, chandeliers, and stained glass just goes on and on. I think the Supreme Court chamber with the artwork of Violet Oakley is the most impressive.
Come and be amazed.

Start early! DC has a lot of fun attractions for adults and nice bars and restaurants to stop in while you walk around. Definitely recommend going when the wet is good. This way you can find parking and your the city on your own.

You can reserve your free hour-long tour online, but there are standby spots available even when tickets are not. I've gone without reservations twice, and both time waited no longer than 15 minutes. Impressive film and access to the dome (rotunda), statue hall, as well as the crypt and other interesting areas.

I have to admit, as we walked towards the building the exterior lacked beauty. Once we opened the door and entered, we could not believe our eyes and each room was more ornate and stunning compared to the last. Incredible tour with Tammy.

The Eddie Murphy movie "The Distinguished Gentleman" was filmed in this state Capitol building because it's far more photogenic than the federal one is. If you just go see one, this is the one to see. Built (rebuilt from scratch) in 1906 with an East Wing added much more recently.

Participated in a group tour of the capitol. Our tour guide was wonderful. Tour lasted about an hour and we saw the legislators and senate chambers along with the supreme court. The building is quite opulent for funding with tax payers dollars. Lots of paintings, statues, marble, gold inlay everywhere.

What a delight to see this amazing state capitol building! It is filled with marble and stained glass and amazing artwork. One of the most impressive things in the building is the artwork by Violet Oakley is astounding. Not only is it beautiful, it is wonderful that it was a female artist in a male dominated society.

High recommend for history buffs, architectural enthusiasts, feminists and political aficionados.

This tour more than exceeded our expectations. It took us a minute to figure out how to get into the tour, but as you drive around all sides of the capitol, you enter via the front steps of the capitol and request a free tour at the desk after passing security. Very informative tour guide! Lovely lovely building. It rivals some of the top buildings in our nations capitol except maybe just a little smaller. Don’t miss it! You won’t be disappointed!

Majestic, sacred, and beautiful rolled into one building. Allow an afternoon or morning to visit and see this elegant masterpiece in Harrisburg. You will not be disappointed but do take a tour to focus on unique special details. Worth the time!!

We've seen the original sweeping marble staircase in the Paris Opera, and this one certainly has large similarities. But this is just the start of the grand building, the statues and the rooms in lovely detail. From another era but a grand and inspiring place to visit. Better than most churches.

There is always something happening at the Capitol in Harrisburg. Outside, front and back, all kinds of civic groups gather to speak out on their issues, and quite a few protest marches are held. Inside, more groups gather to present their causes, and many display helpful information about what they do. They welcome inquiries. It is rarely crowded, but some school groups can get a bit raucous. There is a fine cafeteria with a good range of excellent food at moderate prices. Customers include legislators and staff, state workers, and visitors. The building is elegant period art, much in gold and marble, with displays from the state's history. Recent restorations have kept it looking shiny and new. Before retiring from the State, I walked through or past the Capitol almost daily and loved the whole experience.

We were fortunate to tour both the GOV’s mansion and the PA STATE CAPITOL. The mansion was beautifully decorated for the holidays. We were able to visit both chambers of the govern. The architecture and the historical artifacts are exquisite and beautiful. Thoroughly enjoyed learning some PA state history.

For those who did not know, the Pennsylvania State Capital building was copied after the Nation's Capital in Washington DC. A must see when visiting Harrisburg.

We have visited quite a few state Capitol buildings but the one in PA is just stunning in its’ beauty and aesthetics. The architectural details, furnishings, and artworks are phenomenal. The many, many murals, paintings, and even floor brickworks graciously displays the history and expels of early Pennsylvania. The Quaker heritage is beautifully illustrated in a series of paintiings in the governor’s reception hall. The industrial might of this commonwealth is illustrated as well as many whimsical details of such creatures as the household fly in brick floor tiles. We often bring out of state visitors to show off this amazing Capitol where the spiritual is celebrated as well as the physical. An amazing resource.

The Pennsylvania Capitol building is located in downtown Harrisburg. The tours are free and an absolute must see. What a magnificent building built between 1902-1906 in the Beaux Arts & Rennaissance Revival style. There are 475 rooms on 4 floors with a grand staircase and a rotunda with paved tiles. Take time to look at the 377 mosaics. The legislature was not in session so I was able to see both the chamber rooms. On the National Register of Historic Places (1977) & in 2006, it became a Historic Landmark.
Only a visit can justify the building grandeur.

I am quite fond of touring state capitols in order to get a combination vibe of history and architecture (notice I didn’t mention politics). I have visited a half-dozen of these buildings so far, and this is one of the better ones. There is so much to see in the way of marble, art, décor, furnishings, lighting and glasswork. Overall = amazing. I will let the photos do the explaining.

Some notes:
* Tours (~30 minutes) are free, and are offered every half-hour from 0830 to 1600. There are even tours on the weekends (fewer in number, so check the schedule).
* You’ll have to go through security screening to enter. Similar to an airport.
* Parking in the area is tough, but there is on-street parking that is inexpensive. If there’s a demonstration at the capitol, it’s tougher due to the number of the attendees plus the media.

Beautiful capitol building, especially with the running fountain. The State Street overpass bridge approach to the building is majestic. No free parking to be found though.

We enjoyed visiting Pennsylvania's capital. Busy city with a lot of old architecture. Since we aren't from the area, we felt a little uneasy. Big city, but drove through some struggling neighborhoods.

We recently visited Pennsylvania and made a stop at the capital building. We walked all around and explored it's a beautiful building and a gorgeous structure.

One of the best and most architecturally beautiful capital buildings in US. Paid parking on the streets nearby. Good cafeteria. Visit the fountain in the backside.

We were at the state Capital on a few occasions for graduation ceremonies and we were surprised at the beautiful art and design within the building. We had lived so close to this venue and never took the time to go see it until we had graduations to attend and we were pleasantly surprised that we missed out on that local beauty for all that time. Go see it and just enjoy the beauty in its detail.

This a good stop to make if visiting the city. If able tag along on one of the guided tours. They schedule them about every half hour or so, from 0830 thru 4 PM. The guides offer nice little pieces of information throughout. Once done you can explore alittle on your own. It has been retored only a few years ago and looks great.

Wow we happened upon this place and boy were surprised, happy and amazed! We were in Harrisburg for a restaurant and we drove by the Capitol building. My 18 year old knew what it was and wanted to go. We parked and walked along the lovely city street to the Capitol building. My husband and I, didn't think we could go in, but our kids kept going and we followed them in! Just as we walked into this amazing building a tour guide asked us if we were there for the tour. She said it is free and about a half hour. So we happily joined. The part we could see already was beautiful and grand! The cathedral ceilings and marble staircases! The guide took us up in the elevator and we got to see the room where the Senate meet and then also the room where the House of Representatives meet. Everywhere we looked we saw beautiful paintings, murals, woodwork, marble and stained glass. Oh and the chandeliers and lights! It was truly one of the most magnificent buildings I was ever in. The guide was so knowledgeable. I highly recommend going to this building and experiencing this. We went to Hershey on this trip, and my whole family (my husband and I and 5 kids ages 8-18)loved this 1 hour side trip just as much. You should go!

Even though I have visited the capitol building many times over the past 30 years, I was amazed at the new information that I gained on the guided tour. The Guide was quite knowledgeable and added a new dimension to viewing this spectacular building.

A stunning setting for a wedding Ceremony inside the Capitol Rotunda. There are some pretty regal and stately rooms available for getting ready. Endless photographic opportunities inside and out for the bride, groom, bridal party and families.

Fantastic facility worth the stop. We enjoyed the free tour making stops at the PA senate, PA house, and PA Supreme Court Chambers. We were in awe of the detailing, gold leaf, and history inside. Highly recommended.

Magnificent place. Great tour guide. Gorgeous marble, gold leaf, paintings, wood! Worth a visit! Be sure to get a guide. 20 minutes.
Excellent.

I really do recommend taking the time to visit the capitol if you can; it really is an extraordinary one. Between the amazing interior of the dome and the outstanding arts & crafts tiles on the floor beneath it, you may think you've seen it all. But I really do recommend booking a tour to see more of the building. The tours are free.

You can pre-reserve a tour, but we walked in and picked it up. Their web site shows how busy they are, so you can check. Tour was excellent, guide was pleasant. They allow photos, and have a free handout book. Be aware you will have to pass through security before the tour (because courts, senate and governor are here).

Did the guided tour our guide Belinda was very, very knowledgeable. The building is one of the most spectacular I have ever seen.

I used to give tours at the Pennsylvania State Capitol building so this place as a special place in my life. It is one of the most beautiful capitols in the country. There is a great story of graft during its construction - what would a building housing lots of politicians but without it! You’ll start your tour where Theodore Roosevelt stood to dedicate the building in 1906 and said “This is the handsomest building I ever saw!” But you really need to see this for it’s beautiful artwork done by Violet Oakley, the gorgeous Moravian tile and enormous chandeliers. Enjoy your visit!

Great day visiting the Capital. Lots of people; very busy. Security checkpoints to get in. The building is beautiful with murals & real gold in the paint. Take the time to visit the Supreme Court chambers.

Decided to do a walking tour of Harrisburg and ended up at the State Capitol. Made it just in time for the last tour of the day on Saturday March 10th. This building is "rich" with history. A must see if you are in the area or want to make a trip to Harrisburg. Tour is free and is 30 minutes. Our tour guide, Dan, was very knowledgeable and shared many "facts" about the building. You do have to clear security to enter the building so it's best to travel light.

The capital is definitely a must see for anyone visiting the area! Even just popping in and having a quick look is amazing but the full tour is breathtaking. It's a free and short tour and definitely worth it.

Definitely one of the prettiest capitol buildings in the US! What a gorgeous building. Take the time to do a tour!

Who would have believed that such a handsome building existed for all to visit - free! This building is beautiful. Its architectural highlights are jaw-dropping. The guides are very knowledgeable and enjoy sharing the details of the history of this statehouse. The chandeliers, the colorful ceilings, the floor tiles, the stained glass windows, the paintings - what a wonder! Plan to spend time here. Every corner is worth exploration. And when you leave, be sure to pick up the blue-cover booklet that details all that you have seen. A true keepsake. WOW. On a scale of 1-10, this is an 11.

We spent a sunny afternoon in Harrisburg seeing the sights and the Capitol building was the highlight of the day...hands down! This building is an architectural treasure. The majesty of this structure has to be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. Bottom line, we went with a mixed bag of tweens, teens, young adults and parents and EVERYONE enjoyed it...’nuff said.

Tour capital BLD and got in as last people cause someone did not show up. Important to plan ahead and get on list. We would have waited 3 tours. Great information and details

Beautiful! Tour consists of pointing out the artwork... mostly artists from the area. Even the floor is beautiful and local. Not much history though.

This is the best one capitol we have ever visited. Holistically collection of old Architecture. We had a very helpful guide but knew all the answers. Each one was exquisite and almost impressive. The old art murals, portraits, sculpture, chandeliers all are excellent.

Not much to say about this but that it's a fun and historical day thing to do when you are bored. Beautiful interior with lots of history and artwork

this building is worth seeing. it's stunning. we took a free tour and our guide was knowledgeable and did a very good presentation. we would have preferred to be with a smaller group instead of a group of 30 high school students. i would like to visit again and spend a little more time in the building.

...for the building, that is. Admission is free. This ornate building, which has stood in for the US Capitol in movies like Eddie Murphy's "The Distinguished Gentleman," opened in 1906. President Theodore Roosevelt was the guest speaker. No expense was spared, which became a scandal at one point. The tours are generally informative, although they won't always tell you the sexy details.

You can take a scheduled guided tour or just walk around the building on your own. There is a visitor center and small store kiosk. There is also a cafeteria and coffee cart open to the public with good food and variety. A nice way to spend some time, especially on very hot or very cold/bad weather days.

capitol building was great to see staff were very friendly and helpful with answers . Took the train to get there best idea I have had for a long time , station is only two half blocks from capitol building . a lot of good places to eat with in a couple of blocks and the river walk is also close

Visited on a Tue in January - perfect! No crowds, neither house in session, and a tour guide just for us😊 What a beautiful and interesting building. Our tour guide, Diane, was extremely knowledgeable and had a super personality. Yes, I would like to have seen more outside, including the fountain, but if crowds aren't your thing, you might at least want to consider an "off season" visit. Oh, and be sure to pick up one of the free Capitol booklets on your way out to help remind you of all the wonderful things you saw but can't remember because there were so many!

If you have the time to visit this magnificent structure do go. Wildly elaborate, enormous and intricate spaces, and you can see the legislature at work when they are in session.

The architecture is amazing, inside and out. I haven't seen its rival as a state capitol building anywhere else in the United States.

From the marble , to the stained glass, to the paintings to the chambers, you cannot go within 50 miles of Harrisburg without stopping. The best state capitol I have seen.
It is free. Including the tour.

The State Capitol in Harrisburg is awesome. It is easily located (it sits higher than most buildings) and there is street parking outside ($3 per hour).

The outside architecture with the green-topped dome is great, but inside it gets even better. The marble lobby is stunning and the architecture throughout is great.

You can take a tour or walk around yourself. And it's all free. Great.

The Art and Architecture is spectacular.

The history of Pennsylvania is inspiring.

Too bad the building is infested with politicians.

I took a guided tour of the capitol building - it is really worth it to book the free tour ahead of time so you can really learn about the art and materials used in the building. The Capitol is stunning and the artwork is simply amazing. Sharnee was my guide and she was friendly, knowledgeable and I really enjoyed my tour with her. If you are in or around the Harrisburg area, this is a very worthwhile place to visit.

I lived in Pennsylvania for years and always promised myself a trip to see the State Capitol. Over a decade after leaving the state, I finally returned to do just that. The building is absolutely breathtaking -- grand staircases, beautiful domes, and the paintings by Violet Oakley a thrill to see. I booked a tour and then roamed freely through the building. If you go, do take the time to visit the governor's reception room, one of the grandest rooms I've ever seen, and Oakley's paintings surpass any to be found in most public and government spaces.

The State Capitol of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg Pa is a must see . It is an educational event for both adults and children . You will go through metal detectors for security reasons but you will be able too visit your state legislator or talk with their staff. You will also be able to see your state legislators in session and keep up to date with the latest legislation, legislative committee or express your concerns directly to your legislator . It is a very beautifull builfimng with great architectural design, painting and class.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol is a gem! It takes about 30-45 minutes to view the rotunda and the wings. Views from the Senate and House of Representatives galleries are great! Don't miss the round stained glass windows. Dome in spectacular! Even the terracotta floors merit careful consideration. All this for FREE! $3/hour parking nearby.

Went here on official business, specifically on the North Building. The vibe is unmistakeably 'government-ish'. The halls are clean and the floor is made of marble. The doors are still of the 50's era where an opaque-type glass dominates the entire door. Pretty cool.

If you are in Harrisburg, PA don,t miss to visit this capitol state building, very beautiful inside and they provide a free house tour aswell

one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the US and it is free to tour good eats nearby a excellent stop for a downtown tour

This State Capital Building has a long history, some unique architecture and painting. It is worth the time to take a visit.

What an impressive building. Group of buildings, actually. The place is so large, one is reminded of Washington. DC. Not to be missed if you're visiting Harrisburg.

Pa State Capital is beautiful! Take t by e tour and you get to step inside the Senate and House of Representatives. Tour guide tells you about each mural, Chandler, piece of furniture. Great history for your children and grandchildren. A must see in Harrisburg!

We took the FREE tour of the PA Capital. The building is just simply amazing. The painting and details. Honestly probably the best capitol I have even been inside.

A very grand capitol building compared with most others. The building is very big. The inside is decorated beautifully with paintings and gold leaves. You have to see it to understand.

Although they give guided tours on weekends, the tour allows you to see only the senate and the representatives room. The rest of the building can be viewed only on weekends (of course, on Sunday parking is much easier)

We were very surprised to see this beautiful building. The tour is really interesting. We learn the details and meaning bwhind the art work and what takes place in each of the chambers we visited.

Spectacular building, one of the top ten most beautiful state capital in the US. Be sure to take a tour, the house and Senate are magnificent architectural interiors

I have toured as real times and each better than the last.
This free tour is amazing. Our Capital building is modeled after DC. Don't miss this!

My husband and I took a guided tour of The Pennsylvania State Capital. We were shocked and pleasantly surprised how beautiful it was. The Capital tour guide was wonderful as she explained the Capital’s history. The Capital is more beautiful then our United States Capital.
That is quite a statement because our United States Capital is beautiful. However the workmanship and the design of the PA. Capital is breath taking. The designers spent many years working on finishing it. The materials are like no other state building in the United States. The tour is senior friendly. Definitely a must see for everyone of all ages.

I recently was at the Pennsylvania state capital for work. It was my first time visiting the building. I was amazed at how beautiful the interior rooms are. The Supreme Court room, the assembly room and the interior hallways and spaces are incredibly beautiful and well worth a visit. I was also surprised at how many tourists and student groups were in the building, while the courts and legislature were in session. People in Pennsylvania or nearby who have not yet visited this building are truly missing a historic gem

Also has a nice food cafeteria for lunchtime break

We brought a group of 35 Seniors from Shannondell at Valley Forge to the Capitol Building for a tour and lunch with Senator Rafferty. He was most gracious in offering us some of his time and that of a few from his staff. We were able to sit up in the gallery and watch an hour long senate session, during at which time we were introduced as his special guests. Everyone was thrilled. The Building itself is impressive and tour guide was exceptional. She spoke loud and clear so everyone could hear and understand her. We learned quite a bit about the history behind the structure itself and also about what takes place there every day. What a fascinating trip.

A very impressive building that has been restored to the highest standards. Outstanding architecture, priceless artwork, and a breathtaking Rotunda as you enter the Capital. We decided to add this tour at the last minute as we were leaving Harrisburg for Cleveland....allocated about 20 minutes to see it all.....spent over an hour because it is so impressive. We opted for self guided tour but we were able to join a guided tour group after seeing the House and Senate and see the Supreme Court chambers. Truly a landmark and must see for the beauty inside and out that makes this building a great architectural marvel and an impressive place for the state's legislature to work.Only other state capital that is impressive as well is the Iowa State Capital in Des Moines.

If you are traveling through Harrisburg you have to stop and see this building! Its amazing! The fountains in the back of the building are illuminated at night which is a beautiful place to take some great pictures! You truly have to walk the entire property to understand how beautiful each portion is from the rose gardens, to the sidewalks to the beautiful staircases. Definitely one of the most unique and beautiful Capitol buildings.

The PA State Capitol is most assuredly one of the most beautiful legislative buildings in the US. The structure is awesome and the tours are well worth the time to visit. This is a must see in Central PA!

Just passing by and decided to pop in and view rotunda, from moment of passing through one ton bronze doors, we were entranced, the tour was breathtaking, history, paintings, mosaics, over the top design, gold, gold, and more gold.......stop and see this beautiful gem!

Cool place to show way buildings were made. Had the kids taking pictures and good to have a walk for everybody.

Recently, my very dear friend and her amazing partner held their wedding in the PA Capitol Rotunda. Having been to tons of weddings over the years, I can honestly say I've never been to one that was more effortlessly elegant and stunningly beautiful than this one. Even better - it was affordable and super easy for the happy couple!

My understanding is that facility fees run about $300-ish dollars, which includes $200 for Capitol Police and $100 for liability insurance. Chairs for guests can be rented for $1 a piece, and the capacity is 200.

But what makes it such a special location are the central staircase and the amazing architecture and décor of the Rotunda itself. The bride entered from a door at the top of the staircase and descended to her groom, looking every inch a goddess as she drifted slowly down to him.The wedding party stood on the staircase (I think there's a landing midway) during the ceremony, making it easy for everyone to see every smile and tear of happiness. It feels very much like a small cathedral, very reverent and still, and the richness of the surroundings lends an unmistakable sophistication to even the most simple of ceremonies. And for those of us who often end up spending hours decorating both ceremony location and reception hall - half of the job is already done!No time wasted on streamers and arches! Chairs and flowers and that's about it! So you can spend your time and energy on the reception hall, making it perfect for the celebration of the new couple.

One caution - I can't stress enough how awe-inspiring the location is. Make sure you bring extra tissues for your friends who will forget - you'll need a lot them.

We love history and visiting state capitals is a great way to take in some local historical facts!!
This capital building is absolutely beautiful and we had a GREAT tour guide. Highly recommended for older kids/teens/adults!!!

Particularly the oldest portions of the building. Decent lunch spot inside. Humming with the governing process when legislature is in session.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is one of the most ornate in the country. It is absolutely lovely and worth checking out. Book a free tour on the state capital website. It can get crowded and reserving a place is a good idea. The tour allows you to see rooms you would not be able to get to otherwise. In the weekend you have to use the main rotunda entrance which is on Third and state street. There is lots of street parking and there is wheel chair access. You have to go through security so get there a little early. There was no queue in the weekend but during the week it can get crowded.

The State Capitol is a gem! The staircase is beautiful and the dome is amazing to look at. Take a tour for some additional insight and be sure not to miss visiting this historical site.

It's such a beautiful building and going there and learning about history was wonderful!!! The architecture and the stained glass are magnificent and the tour was very impressive. They offered much information. The tour guide was very knowledgable.

My children didn't remember much of their previous visit to the Capital, so while traveling through the area to visit family, we stopped to visit again.

Capital is a beautiful building with amazing architecture and art work. We did a free guided tour (on-line reservation) and visited the House, Senate, and Supreme Court spaces. Self guided tours are possible, but the tour guide was great for the history and information she added to the tour.

Being a government building the usual security is in place at the entrances, but it was not difficult.

I have heard over and over again that the Pennsylvania state capitol building is the most beautiful capitol building in the country and I believe it! The architectural design of the building is beyond compare. Check out images, especially, of the interior. You will want to experience that in person. There are rooms with beautiful painted murals on the walls and amazing sculptures through out! Many of the floors are even painted. No wonder it is called the Palace of Art! Also it's free admission and free guided tours every half hour Monday thru Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm. It is a must see if you are in the area. And if you like museums check out our state museum. It is close by and it does not disappoint! I recommend parking in the Walnut St parking garage which is short walk to the capitol building. Rates are reasonable and it is connected to a really sweet indoor shopping area called Strawberry Square and another cool place called the Whitaker Center that has an IMAX theater. Also in the same complex there is a cool hands-on discovery science thing for all ages. Kids love it!

quick visit to get information for my students, helpful pamplets at information desk, not always open but a real help

The PA state capital building is one of the most beautiful of all the states. I have been to many of them and while many are nice, PA's is a leader.

One of the most beautiful buildings ever had the opportunity to see. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and answered all questions, including those from little children. The architecture was astounding.I could not believe it was free!! And from the front door, you can look straight down the street to the river. Beautiful!

Great tour with guide Tammy (been there 20+ years, fantastic). The building is ornate, stunning and enjoyed learning the history as well. Recommend it.

The two chambers and the Supreme Court under one roof. Very nice architecture and a lot of history. The tour is free, but make sure to go when they are not in session.

If you are in the area be sure to visit the State Capital. It is so impressive. If you take the free tour you will be able to see the Supreme Court. If you take a self guided tour you will not be able to get in to see the Supreme Court. Either way you will be impressed by the over all building. Inside and out.

I've been in & out of the Capitol many times over the years but I don't think I've taken the guided tour since 1965.It was long overdue & gave me a chance to relearn some PA history. I came with a group to study the Mercer Moravian floor tiles, but did the whole tour as well. Enjoyed eating lunch in the brightly decorated cafeteria too.

Joined the tour organised by the Capitol Staff Very interesting and a lovely guide who did not rush us and answered all our questions

We visited on a sunny weekday and thoroughly enjoyed the grounds and building. It must have the highest proportion of stone than any other state capital we have seen. Magnificent, really. If you get a guided tour that includes the House and Senate chambers you'll see magnificent HUGE paintings also. A must see if you can allocate a couple of hours to it.

Our tour guide said that the PA Capitol building is considered the most beautiful of all the state Capitol buildings. Read up on Violet Oakley before you go. At age 28, this extraordinary woman ended up with the largest public building art commission in the US up until that time. Her murals in both legislative chambers, Supreme Court and Governor’s Reception Room are stunning. We toured on a Friday afternoon when no legislative bodies were in session, no school trips, so we had the place to ourselves. Worth a stop if you are in the area.

It was a rainy day in Harrisburg, and I was looking for indoor things to do. The Pennsylvania State Capitol offers free tours, but I didn't want to lock in a time, so I just showed up for the 3:30 pm tour. (The website shows whether a time slot is full, which really helped.) The tour started right on time under the main dome. (I walked up the front steps, went through security, and was right there. Bathrooms are right after security.) Our tour guide was AMAZING! I went after the sessions were done for the day, so the guide was able to talk about the art in the House and Senate chambers. You also get to go in the elevator and the Supreme Court. I've been to several state capitols, and most are impressive, but this is truly a "Palace of Art"! So glad I went! Highly recommended.

This building is beautiful and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. It is definitely worth stopping in and getting the guided tour.

They were closed when we drove by so I didn't get to see the inside, but the outside is gorgeous! We stopped real quick to take some pictures.

After many years I finally took the PA State Capital building tour. It was great. The tour guide was full of great information and wonderful knowledge of the entire building. The tout only lasts about 30 minutes and moves fast. You are able to see both houses. Both rooms are wonderful and need to be seen. The tour also included the PA Supreme Court. Another wonderful room. The Governors office is on the 2nd floor and is usually open to the public. The artwork throughout the building is wonderful. This tour is well worth your time. I highly recommend it.

A short visit to the State Capital last week. What a beautiful building. Built in eary in 1900's. This Capital is one 3 in the country being in full time use. The fountain in from very nice. There was a small area with historical articles. Definitely would recommend a a visit. The civil war museum nearby.

Amazing building. Surprisingly free entry and at the end of the tour free to look around . So much gold! Beautiful design and very well maintained. Children will enjoy spotting the figures and animals in the floor tiles

We chose to take the Capitol tour on a Saturday, so our options were 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM. We chose 1:00 PM. Since we were so close to Christmas, the tour size was only about 16 people instead of the 80 allowed. (Make sure to make your reservation online before going.)

On street parking and garage parking are available nearby -- both for a fee. However the tour itself is free and well worth the time. You start in the rotunda, which is really magnificent with it's 52 million pound dome, a grand staircase, and intricate detailed architecture of white and 23 K gold. The floor is made of Mercer tiles, made in Doylestown, PA.

The tour guide takes you to the fourth floor where you get to see the Senate Chamber, the Supreme Court Chamber, and the House Chamber. Inside each the guide provides you the history of the artwork and stained glass windows.

The tour takes about an hour, but you do have to go through security to get in so leave a little time. Restrooms are available to the left and right of the main entrance just past the security checkpoint.

Don't miss the opportunity to take a well done book of the Pennsylvania Capitol available right past security. It has wonderful color pictures of all of the rooms and artwork, and gives the entire history of the building. It's free too !

The Pennsylvania State Capitol was designed by architect Joseph Miller Huston and completed in 1906 in a Beaux-Arts style. The project was the subject of a graft scandal costing 3 times more than what had been appropriated for the design and construction. The architect and four others were convicted of graft for price gouging.Today it is regarded as a "palace of art" because of its many sculptures, murals and stained-glass windows, most of which are Pennsylvania themed or were made by Pennsylvanians. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. A great visual experience and good place to stroll and explore.

We enjoyed seeing what the state does to celebrate other cultures that live there too. Minus the rude assistant guy to the Lieutenant Governer that held the elevator for 10 minutes and wouldn't let anyone else in it.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol is a Victorian gem, the most beautiful state capitol building in the USA. I think even most Pennsylvanians have no idea. You must see it for yourself.

This place is great. Great access and staff were friendly and supportive. It's great that they let you walk around independently and you can take your time visiting the place. Doesn't cost you a dime to see how beautiful it is. Also, visit the annex next door. It's really nice. The complex is great. The fountain is great to see and I like that where places to just stop and spend some time to just sightsee.

This is a must visit place. It is at the historical street where you find a row of different churches too. When I was there happen to come across candidates speaking on air about education, policy, etc. The entire building is fabulouus, so much to see and explore. I visited their Senate Library, museum, etc. A huge building with state of the art articture, etc. They do provide short tour around the building too.

Wow, what great capital building. It looks like they spared no expense building it with top notch material including marble from France and Ireland. Recommend the tour.

The food in the cafeteria is delicious. The professionalism of the staff is top notch. The servings are worth the value.

We went there as has been recommended to us, and I can only tell, that is a great building.
Very nicely maintained, and realy huge. Very nice fountain and gardens.

We had a blast in Harrisburg PA! We started out visit with a late afternoon tour of the gorgeous State Capital building then drove along the river and saw a the cool bridges. The next morning we toured the National Civil War museum which was very well done and informative. We had time to go to Hershey too before we headed to a car meet in Gettysburg.

I had read about this on line and was anxious to see it. It did not disappoint. We (4) participated in a tour and this is the only way to see this beautiful building. The architecture, adornments, paintings, light fixtures - even such simple things as the drinking fountains and fire hose enclosures, are all beautiful to behold. Anyone with an appreciation for architecture, art, and history should put the Capitol on the top of their list when in the area. Call the number on line to get tour information. Send the kids to Hershey Park as this is an activity that most children will not appreciate, but adults will savor.

This building is gorgeous. Stopped here for a tour on Sunday. Unfortunately only you can only go to a few rooms on the weekend. See where the house of representatives and Senate convene. It's a priceless building that should be seen.

A tour of this capitol several years ago inspired us to see all of the capitols in the lower 48. After seeing 40 capitols so far, we still regard this capitol to be one of the most beautiful and ornate capitols ever built in this country. Metered street parking was easy to find in front of the capitol.

Probably worth doing a tour. But rotunda open without a tour and a few exhibits are in the lobby area.

The whole family loved our visit to the Capitol and the tour we took. It was informative and friendly. When we were done the tour, we popped our head into our County Representative's office and they welcomed us and show us his office. The kids (ok, the parents) thought it was super cool! Check out the Visitors Center too!

This is, without a doubt the most extravagant Capitol I have ever seen.
It is beautiful and the art work is beyond belief

Everyone should visit the capital at least once.On the political side of things it's a great place to peacefully voice your opinions.Everyone needs to let there voices be heard and this is the place for good or bad where voters should go or at least visit to see it and go inside to see.

Loved the visit, but parking was confusing. Expectedly, you have to put your belongings through a scanner and empty your pockets and walk through a metal detector. No big deal. It's busy place. There was a press conference going on for a sports team that won a championship. There were demonstrators (very loud) for a raise in minimum wages. They offer tours every half hour from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the week and timed tours on weekends and holidays. The tour was informative and you can take all the pictures you like. It's a beautiful building, almost castle like. It's worth it just to walk through it.

We are on a quest to visit all 50 state capitols. This was, I believe, #22. This building rivals the Washington State Capitol for beauty and the tour was informative. Tour guide Joe was knowledgeable and spoke clearly. The building is impressive from the outside and immaculate and fresh on the inside. At this point, one of our favorite capitols.

Beautiful building and the free tour is interesting and allows you to take great pictures. We went at 1:00PM on a Saturday afternoon. You can also visit while the legislature is in session.

Any lovers of great architecture and art...and all citizens of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania...should visit this beautiful building. Take the tour with one of the friendly and knowledgeable guides...well worth it.

So glad I found the time to visit. We got there within an hour of closing time, so we had the place mostly to ourselves. It's breathtaking inside. The rotunda was gorgeous. Pictures don't do it justice. If you are in Harrisburg and have some spare time, make sure you visit. Just an extra note, but I found the area outside to be a little sketchy. I was a little scared of being downtown after sunset.

The history and architecture are worth exploring. The rotunda is a great place to stage a rally and news event. Heck, you might even meet your legislator in the hallway or elevator (whether that is a bonus is at your discretion).

The Capitol is a really impressive building. The tour was very nice, and the guide was very informative. It’s a free tour so it’s worth checking out while in the area.

The Capital is so beautiful. The tour guides are very welcoming and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the art on the walls, windows, ceilings and floors. Everyone should take a trip to Capital.

This is the prettiest state capital around, interesting tiles in floor , glass lights that are unique . Flags from Civil War . Fantastic paintings . Worth your while . Took our friends there every time they visited us .

My wife and I drove down to the state capital building in the evening after everything was closed but we figured we could walk around the outside and take a look. I wish we could have seen the inside and had one of their free tours but that didn't happen. Finding a parking space seemed to be a challenge. We circled the blocks and found some metered spots. Now the funny thing is as we left our car a capital state police officer pulled in behind us. We asked if we had parked in the right spot and told her we paid the meter and left a slip on the dashboard for anyone to see. See seemed confused. She said i think your fine and then said we could have parked in any of the empty state employee parking spots. I said i saw those but were just visitors she said it didnt matter. Well alrighty then. Who knows if that is correct. The other funny thing was as we walked around we saw other metered parking spots that had a huge sticker on it stating parking is free after 8pm. Ours didnt have that sticker. But from my pictures you can tell its a cool place to walk around in

This building is beautiful. We enjoyed the free tour and learning about the history of the building and seeing all the beautiful art. So glad we decided to see it!

A very interesting guided tour that allows you to learn a lot about the state capitol and discover it from the inside

We had no idea that it is such a beautiful building! We took a tour - free and took a half hour - with a very pleasant and knowledgeable guide. Then we walked around on our own and sat in on a live session of the senate. One disappointment was that we were unable to see the Supreme Court because that was in session. Don't understand why the public is barred then!

Parking around the building is at a premium but can be found. Definitely take the tour by a docent. This has to be one of the most elaborate capitol buildings I have visited. I highly recommend making the time to visit.

I have been to many state capitals and this is obviously the most beautiful I've seen. Roosevelt officially opened the building in the early 1900-s and the workmanship is not seen in any of today's buildings. The tour is free and on weekends had limited hours. We took the last one of the day and felt the tour guide wanted the tour to be over sooner rather than later. She offered just the basic information and did not ask for questions at every stop. However, the tour was still worth it and highly recommend it.

The Pa Capital is an absolutely stunning building, and I feel it’s one of if not the most beautiful Capital buildings in the U.S. You must take a tour if you are in the area.

The tour guide was excellent. Make sure you know the times of the tours. The interior of the building is exquisite. Our legislators get to work in a wonderful environmnet.

Regular tours are offered of the State Capitol (you can reserve online but no one checks to see if you've booked). We visited on July 4th and the tour took us to the fourth floor where we saw the Senate Chamber, Supreme Court room and House Chamber. The building is grand, as nice a state capitol we've visited (and we've been to many of them!) with beautiful murals, chandeliers and stained glass (particularly the windows in the two legislative chambers). Our tour guide was good if a little robotic and capably answered all questions directed her way. Do take time to wander the grounds particularly to see the fountain located on the back side of the building. On weekends and holidays you access the building from the main entrance off of 4th Street at State Street. There is plenty of street parking in the area.

Stumbled on this hidden gem quite by accident and were very pleased that we did. An incredible building with something interesting around every corner.

A stunning rotunda, soaring stairways, beautiful art, quirky mosaics, uplifting murals, gilt trimmings and lots of big, pithy quotes on the walls. All inside a beautiful beaux-arts building. Everything a state capitol should be. And it's free to visit.

So much to see at the Pennsylvania State Capitol - outstanding architecture, priceless artwork, breathtaking Rotunda as you enter from the Third Street entrance while the entrance from Commonwealth Avenue offers a view of the fountain. So much history contained within the walls of the Capitol building. Take a free tour with the Capitol tour guides or contact your legislator to arrange a behind the scenes tour.

We love to take a few minute walk around the building. Especially after they remodeled it. Take the time

I've lived in Harrisburg for 36 years and have walked around the campus many times and at all seasons. It is a great spot to take photos on the front steps and the tulips and blooming plants in the front are beautiful in the spring. Make sure you spend a lot of time out back though too! The fountain is beautiful and is a great place to sit on a sunny day. Patio tables in the back offer a great place for a lunch!

While on the grounds many times, I've sadly only been in the Capitol Building 3 times, but each time was WELL worth the visit! My most recent visit was June 2017. You can take a FREE 30-minute guided tour 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., & 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Sundays and most holidays. Check the website to reserve slots, although walk-ups are totally fine.

This building is beautiful. The intricate artwork captures the eyes of people who walk in here, and it is a good choice for a day trip.

Don't wear heels ladies. Well kept facility, informative history for for state and great place for kids to visit. Staff very welcoming.

The Pennsylvania Capitol is a great place to learn about the history of the Commonwealth. Check the paintings of the Governors going back to colonial times and realize the part many of these people played in the history of the country from the revolution thru the civil war and beyond. The architecture is great and the artwork is stunning.

The most beautiful city and bored at the same time in United States lot of great places to visit and to see

I took the free tour and was amazed at the art and the architecture. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Hershey or Harrisburg.

I have been to the State Capitol on several occasions. The tours are very informative and the inside of the capitol is very nice. The staff are very knowledgeable and personable.

The exterior of the building is stunningly beautiful. The rotunda ARA inside is quite nice.

Here are the areas for improvement:

There are, ironically, very few things to actually see inside - one suspects they do so to get visitors to the state museum

The gift shop closes before the building does to visitors - yet they don’t tell visitors that - we missed the gift shop because of this

When not in session, the floor should be open to visit and take photos

Just a few things to be aware of

This is a fantastic example of a state capitol from the turn of the 20th century. Renovated in the 90s the artwork is wonderful, as is the history of the building. Its well worth taking a free tour to learn more about the building, the art work, etc.

Words cannot be adequate to described the beauty of the State Buildings. One word. Go.
Staff was sweet and we had a tour. We were fortunate to meet the press secretary who showed us the office of the Governor. Stunning.
Must not miss this tour if you are in the city.
Agreed. Parking is not good. Otherwise, a gem.

This building is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. The marble is exquisite and the place is grand.

This tour was perfect! You need to register online and go through security. It was the perfect amount of history and information. Then you can walk around the building at your leisure. The building is amazing! Just beautiful inside and out!

If you like architecture and grand buildings, you'll love the Pa capitol. Especially wonderful is the floor tile, representative of the fine craft tile movement of that era. Look for animals, symbols and other assorted Pennsylvania elements embedded in the floor. A catalogue detailing the various decorative fixtures is well worth acquiring.

If you enjoy history and/or admiring old buildings this won’t disappoint. Sign up for a guided tour and take your camera. It’s really beautiful!

My friend had her wedding ceremony right inside the Capital Rotunda. The Rotunda itself is absolutely beautiful. Add the ambience of a wedding it truly feels magical. The only thing that really sucks here is the parking. It was a Sunday when she got married so we were lucky that the meters are off on Sundays. Otherwise you would be walking maybe a block or two for parking. Absolutely gorgeous place. You walk in and the staircase itself is just the “wow” factor. Truly beautiful.

If you are into history, government and architecture ( I am ) State Capitols are wonderful places to visit. This one is no exception. This Capitol has been called the most ornate in the State Capitol in the country. If it is not, it is certainly in the top 3 or 4. An absolutely beautiful building.

It is one of the few open on Sunday so we planned our trip back home to be in Harrisburg on a Sunday. The tour was fine, but seemed abbreviated. A security person followed the group around. I believe this is only on weekends that they do this. If I had to do it over, I would try to hit during the week.

A stunning, late "Gilded Age" era building (dedicated in 1906) , extremely ornate and symbolic -- European styling, art, stained glass, mosaics, crystal, amazing Moravian floor tiles made in PA, the list goes on. Make a free reservation online for the guided tour. We went on a week-end for a little easier parking while offices were closed (there's no reserved visitor parking anywhere). Also, don't miss all the free brochures and literature in the racks near the front entrance -- beautiful, free picture books with lots of photos of the art and so forth, a very nice memento.

We sauntered up to the Capitol grounds on a chilly Thanksgiving. The building is scaled monumentally, set on a hill in Harrisburg. It is more ornate and detailed then the average capitol, with some truly spectacular artwork. We were surpised that even on Thanksgiving, the front door was open for the general public to proceed through security. This allowed you straight into the atrium under the dome - where you could look up at the spectacular murals and artistry. There were some modest historical exhibits around the periphery and the beginnings of the Christmas tree and holiday decorations being installed. While we didn't get to go on a broader tour, even standing udner the dome is worth the effort, particularly if you can find easy street parking nearby, as we did on a holiday.

The PA Capitol building is stunning--love its thoughtful design and quality materials--truly an architectural jewel as public buildings go.

The building inside and out is a sight to see. The architecture is amazing and awe inspiring as soon as you walk in. There is a 30 minute tour that takes you all around including both the house and senate as well as the supreme court room - but only while they are in recess. You are allowed in the viewing gallery for each even while they are in session which is really interesting to watch, but not the supreme court, that is only for when they are in session. No cameras are allowed during session times. There is a small hands on museum type place in the visitor welcome center, do not miss -- especially with the kids, they really enjoyed that. There is a cafeteria if you get hungry. Ample street parking at $3/hr is available right outside.

Justifiably stated by Teddy Roosevelt at its dedication in 1906 “‘This is the handsomest building I ever saw”, The Smithsonian recent concurred. It’s amazing beyond words and the tour was exceptional. We were fortunate enough to join a group that included a charming Stare Rep from Daphine County, Sue Harmon.
A rare treat was a tour of the Lt Governors office ; highly unusual but most interesting.
Our tour guide Patty has spent large parts of the last 42 years in the building, the last 12 as a tour guide. Fascinating details were gleaned from her wealth of knowledge.
If you are anywhere close to here , it’s a MUST see. You’ll thank me.

Really Nice Building, Friendly Staff, lots to see its a work space for many as well as worth the visit to see the architecture.

great for out of town visitors with a history lesson and a sense of the absurb with too meny charactures

Be sure to take the free tour. I had a much greater appreciation for our State Capitol after the tour.

Wandering around the grounds when a woman said we would be crazy not to go in and take the free tour. She was so right. Stunning interiors with paintings, stain glass windows, hard wood and marble. Belinda our guide was very friendly and informative. Great place to spend a couple of hours

The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is an impressive structure with an imposing setting in downtown Harrisburg. But don't just admire the exterior because the inside has exquisite features that are not to be missed. We really enjoyed our tour and learned quite a bit about the artisans who contributed to the beautiful architectural touches throughout the building. Wonderful!

So much to see in the Capital area and surrounding areas. Seeing the senate and representatives was fascinating. The preserved history of the inside is well worth the visit and photos!

So glad that we stopped here on the way out of town from Hershey. Even on a Monday morning when the House and Senate were not in session, the Capitol was a sight to behold. The dome is so gorgeous on the outside -- and then you go in! Wow! There was so much to see on the ceiling inside, my kids actually laid down on the floor to see it all.
Be sure to go up to the 4th floor so that you can really take in all the artwork on the ceiling. We popped in to the House and Senate rooms -- original desks from 1906!
Very informative tours provided every half hour - just ask.

The capital build is full of history and beauty! I was there for business but quickly became a tourist as I marveled at the ornate architecture! It's certainly worth a visit!

the building is awe inspiring...the grounds are impressive as well...located in a cool section of town, good place to check out

Truly a landmark and must see for the beauty inside and out that makes this building a great architectural marvel and an impressive place for the state's legislation to take place. Make sure to stand in the rotunda and look up.Truly impressive!

Beautiful building. It has a green dome. If the sun shines at the right angle at the right time of the year, the dome looks golden. The fountain in the rear is fantastic. Inside the building is a guide and pamphlets concerning the building itself.

As Pennsylvania residents, we never realized how blessed we are to have such a marvelous Capitol building, until our senior citizen group recently made arrangements for a FREE tour.
The tour guide was incredibly informative, patient, and actually quite a hoot!
Fantastic edifice. Well attended to. Couldn't spot a single cobweb with all of those intricate pieces of artwork and chandeliers. Amazing. Something to be proud of, as Pennsylvanians.

Love visiting this historical landmark! Inside staff were great and very helpful. Later in afternoon seems to be best time to go inside because there is less foot activity and you can see more artwork.

This was the first place I visited during my maiden trip to Harrisburg. And it was quite an eyeopener. The exquisite view breaks the myth about Harrisburg being a sleepy little cousin to the bustling New York and New Jersey nearby. Do visit this spot and enjoy the places all around.

This capitol complex is huge. Parking is in short supply for visitors as most parking is reserved for state employees of one kind or another. Visitors park at street pay stations for $3 per hour.
The capitol is beautiful and rich in cost and craftsmanship. Take a guided tour or do a self-guiding tour. Floor 4 offers ready access to House, Senate, and Supreme Court. The Visitor Desk has a free, excellent, descriptive booklet describing the legislative process, art work, and furnishings, as well as a self-guiding brochure.
Nearby is a free Visitor Center Museum.

Our two 11-year old girls loved the tour! The friendly guide explained many things about the ornate rooms, artwork & history during the 35-minute tour. We plan to go back when sessions are taking place.

The capital buildings were designed to impress. They have undergone some modernization while retaining the original beauty and craftsmanship from so many years ago. This is a nice tour for adults and awe inspiring for youth. Take some pictures of the various latin phrases you will see inscribed and translate them with Google when you get home. Some are hilarious...

Came for business and ended up staying to take the tour. The building and artwork are beautiful. So much history too. An unexpected good time.

Make sure you sign up for a free tour online; otherwise, you won’t be able to go beyond the lobby. The Pennsylvania Capitol is breathtakingly beautiful, and the tour is well worth it for anyone traveling through the state. You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy the historical tour—it’s a captivating experience for everyone. Highly recommended!

This is a nice capitol that's free to visit with a nice exterior and interior. The interior is open Monday-Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday, Sunday + Holidays 8:45am to 4pm. They offer tours as well Monday-Friday 8:30am through 4pm. Outside there's a nice park and fountain with lots of places to exercise. Once you enter the entrance, the police are very friendly and after a quick security check, you're free to enter.

This is also the least crowded capitol I've ever visited.

Street parking on weekdays is free after 5pm

Went on one of the free walking guided tours. Guide had alot of information.
The building is very beautiful with alot of history. Seeing the rooms and being given details from the painting artists to how they change a light bulb in the big chandeliers is worth it.

Built with largesse from the now-defunct Pennsylvania Railroad, the PA Capitol Building is an architectural and artistic treasure. It would be impossible to reproduce at any price today. It is definitely worth taking the time to tour.

Walk the halls eat in the same cafe that lawmakers and staff eat.
See art works from school thoughout PA.
It's a beautiful place to meet your State Senior or House Representive.
Also the Governor's Office.

This Capitol is grandiose and shows the splendor of the Commonwealth when it was the worlds sixth largest economy. A few of the features: terracotta roof, 52 million ton dome, stained glass windows by a student of Tiffany's, grand marble staircase, and priceless artworks are everywhere. A must see for the lover of history, art, architecture, or Pennsylvania.

Visiting the PA Capital in Harrisburg is an awesome architectural experience. We have visited several times since moving here 2 years ago but the Christmas season was especially rewarding when the vocal groups were singing on the rotundra stairs.

Great Tour. Beautiful building!
Visited with out of town guests and they really enjoyed. Would recommend to anyone interested in history and local culture.

My wife and I recently toured The Pennsylvania state Capitol in Harrisburg, PA and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were driving close by on a recent road trip and wanted to visit. There are 11 state capitols with gold domes, but this one is fantastic, even though not one of the “11”. This dome is actually covered in green terra cotta tiles. Forget about that because the interior of this fantastic structure is a must see. The architecture, artwork, stained glass and use of gold leaf in the interior is phenomenal. Luckily, our tour guide was a very enthusiastic young lady who was extremely knowledgeable. We actually joined a group of 4th or 5th grade students from Ephrata, PA. Don’t be afraid to join one of these groups if you decide to tour a state Capitol. They were energetic, well behaved and asked mostly good questions!

The building is amazing inside and out. There is so much art inside the building.The tour gude was excellent. She packed a lot of knowlege in a short time. There is also a free color guide to the building that is worth takinghome as a souvenir. There is a lot to see and we were also able to see the House in action which added to the expereience of what the building is about.

Capitol complex is a must see. Tours of the main building are free and give excellent details on history of this jaw dropping work of art.

Great way to learn about the capitol and the nearby parks and monuments. It was interesting. Yiu can get a coupon on groupon.

I’ve been to a few state capitals and Harrisburg is definitely one if the best. I joined school tour and learned from our knowledgeable guide. I will be back!

One of the most beautiful capitol buildings we've seen and well worth a proper look round. The observation decks into the houses particularly.

Absolutely a must see. After our nation’s capital the most visited state capital. Amazing restoration

We got to the Capitol building around 4:30 on a Friday, just to see if we could get in. The security guards were nice and helpful with directions. Since it was late, there were not a lot of people around, but we got to roam around and look at everything on our own. We ran into the last tour group of the day, and they let us join to see the House chambers. The architecture, artwork, and detail are so intricate and breathtaking. Would recommend that you see the inside at least once.

Really fascinating to tour and it's free! Very impressive. From the marble walls and columns to the stained glass dome, it was a beautiful building to see! Would recommend checking it out if you're in the Harrisburg area.

We visited just after Christmas. The tour is informative and the guide is knowledgeable and answers your questions. The architecture is lovely and unexpected in an office building. I especially enjoyed the green stained glass ceiling panels.

We didn't go inside as you need a special appointment for a tour on a Saturday. It's a pretty impressive looking building and can be seen for miles.

I'm not sure how much you would get out of this without taking a tour. Admittedly you can go to the welcome center and see a couple of hands on exhibits that are worthwhile, but that isn't much. Take the tour, which is offered every 30 minutes. After that introduction you can wander freely. The tour center has several publications that are excellent, telling about how the state government functions, some history of the people and of the building. Had to laugh that a booklet with bios on the speakers of the house include several that went to prison. Thought I was in Illinois. Tour is free, parking is not.

If you are a capitol building enthusiast like myself, this one will catch your fancy! I was amazed at the color of this state capitol dome and that the renovation did not take away from the beauty. It is a must see in Harrisburg, PA!

Excellent architecture. Very ornate, decorative inside. Well worth the stop. Tours available. The PA state capital building is considered one of the most decorative quality structures of all the state legislature buildings in the 50th states.

The capital building is something everyone should experience at some point. It's amazing to see how much time and money we used to put into these works for arts. It's an amazing place to just see what goes on in a given day. Take some time to see our government in action.

It had been awhile since i toured the Capitol of PA. The building, art work and history is awesome. The tour is free and starts every half hour. This day though, seemed as if the guide rushed us through. It wasn't the best tour I've had of the Capitol building. Granted the house was in session, but the guide didn't have energy and enthusiasm. luckily I've been through the building and could offer myself and others info. With that said, is a bucket list for people to visit. Parking is downtown in lots not far walking from Capitol.

We had been to the Capitol one other time but didn't take the tour. My advice to anyone is TAKE THE TOUR! There is so much history and we big (old) kids enjoyed the Welcome Center. We had lunch there too. It wasn't expensive and had a good selection.

This building has so much history. From the chandeliers in the House chamber to the exquisite paintings throughout the complex.
The Rotunda is worth the visit in itself. Excellent guide

It is what it is. A government building, but the history and art and architecture is pretty awesome. 10 year old enjoyed it. 6 year old was bored. Area is clean but you can wander a block away and the area is kind of sketchy.

Loved the artwork here!
From the outside, the water fountain with the surrounding street lamps and stairs is so grand and gorgeous. I visited during the day - wished I could’ve seen it light up at night too~
Both the exterior and interior of the Capitol is wonderful.
The small museum inside is fascinating, too.

This has a similar design as many US capitol buildings, but the architecture is very elegant and beautiful. They close at 6 pm, but this is not too clear on the website. Parking can be difficult downtown but is well worth a visit.

What makes it one of America’s best Capitals? The stunning Beauty and is replication if St. Peter’s Basilica are strong influences to makes it rank high.
All the reviews are correct! Great tour guided or do it on your own...

The tour of the Pa State Capitol was very interesting. The tour guide gave a detailed explanation of the rooms that were available to tour. I would highly recommend this tour.

I know Washington Capitol is big and spectaculos, but Harrisburg PSC has special attraction-his history or maybe the guide was perssuasive. Anyway, my hears and eyes were very busy all the time during the tour. My head was moving every minute up/down-left/right because everywhere was something interesting to wonder. Kids,even they are small were captivated by pictures and colors, the shining objects. Tour is free and you don't need to set a date beforehand.Parking is $3 per hour on the street and on Sunday is free.
Also, don't skip the Pennsylvania State Muzeum-it's next to this place and it's wonderfull,too.

We've visited several state capitols but Pennsylvania's is quite spectacular. Tours are offered on the half hours. There were 4 in our party plus another couple so the group was quite small. The guide is very knowledgeable and we were also fortunate that neither the legislature nor the Supreme Court was in session so we could see all the spaces. There is so much grandeur to take in that you wonder how the legislators can focus on their jobs.

I was at a loose end and thought I would just walk around but by chance dropped in and asked at the information desk. There are regular free tours and the building is imposing and really interesting - not just the huge rotunda and dome but we got to visit the House and Senate Chambers and the Supreme Court room as well. I really enjoyed it.

The design of this building is really exquisite. Looking up and seeing the exquisite round dome, I was shocked. I can't imagine how to build this building.

Being in my state's Capitol, I wanted to see the water fountain dyed pink for Breast Cancer awareness month. It was absolutely stunning! This was my first visit to the Capitol in any aspect. I'm glad I had the chance to drop by.

Free - Nice informative tour. We enjoyed it. When we were done it occurred to me that we have 50 buildings like this across the country. The opulence and display of wealth caught me off guard. I suppose it's to make us look special and wealthy across the world but every country has the same thing. The gold in this building alone could pay off the national debt.

Okay, so these reviews are more for the ones who have been inside and took a tour, when we were there we were doing more or less sightseeing around the city. We slowly drove by the building just to see it along with the train station and this capitol building is beautiful! I have seen DC Capitol and have seen Maryland Capitol, so felt it was only right to see the Pennsylvania Capitol because of the many times my family and I travel to PA. Someday I'll be able to take a tour of the capitol here and I'll have another review to write.

I can’t speak for just going around on your own and visiting, because I got a guided tour. However, I was completely engrossed with the history and architecture. The murals are spellbinding. Try to get a guided tour like I had.

Went for a tour today in the capital building and it was really cool and interesting to learn the history of the building and to see where all the branches of government are taken place in Pennsylvania. Highly recommend

Pennsylvania's Capitol building is a beautiful building featuring a spectacular rotunda with amazing paintings. Paintings throughout the building are really fantastic. Free tours are offered and worth the time to learn more about this building that has marble features throughout. The building was dedicated in 1906. Stop by the Welcome Center to learn more.

First time there...very beautiful building! Had a walk through and it's beautiful inside too! Nobody ask us if we needed help finding anything...just walked around by ourselves...