Explore Your Capitol with a Guide

Capitol Building Tour

Take a guided tour on any weekday from now until November 28 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Capitol tours start at the state seal in the rotunda. Knowledgeable guides share information about the history of Oregon, the State Capitol, and the legislative process. Walk-in visitors are welcome. Capitol tours can also be combined with tower tours, where you can visit the Oregon Pioneer atop the Capitol up close and personal. Call 503-986-1388 for a current schedule. When guided tours are not available, you can take a self-guided tour of the building.pdf or use this discovery guide.pdf to learn more.

For a list of tour stops, see the bottom of this page.

Tower Tours

Learn about the Oregon Pioneer statue and enjoy amazing views of Salem and the mountains beyond. Tower tours are available from mid June through late September at 10 a.m, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays, weather permitting and capacity controlled. Your guided tour departs from the rotunda on the first floor and climbs 121 steps to the observation deck atop the Capitol.

If the tower isn’t open or you can’t climb the 121 steps, you can take a virtual tour of the observation deck.

School Tours

Guided tours of both the building and tower are available for fourth-grade and older school students. Call 503-986-1388 to inspire your classroom to get involved in the future of Oregon.

Holiday Closures

The Capitol building is closed on the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day and the following day 
• Christmas Day

Explore Your Capitol Yourself

Watch Your Legislators in Action

Learn how ideas become laws. During legislative sessions, observe House and Senate floor sessions and committee meetings in person, or watch them live online. Click here to find out when the Oregon Legislature is in session.

Self-Guided Building Tours

Explore the State Capitol on your own from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday year-round. Pick up a brochure of building highlights, as well as information about exhibits and artwork, at the information kiosk on the first floor.

List of Capitol Tour Stops

• Capitol Rotunda
• Oregon Senate and House chambers
• Senate and House 3rd floor public galleries
• Senate history room (behind the chamber)
• Governor’s Ceremonial Office
• Governor’s balcony, overlooking the rotunda, with a view of the Capitol Mall
• Governor’s portrait hallway, 2nd floor
• Capitol front steps and murals, facing the Capitol Mall
• Tower staircase and observation deck, during guided tower tours
• Hearing rooms
• Galleria exhibits
• State Capitol State Park and the Capitol Mall

State Capitol State Park

Oregon's State Capitol State Park is owned by the people of Oregon. The grounds tell a story of Oregon's history, through architecture, botany and art. Statues of historic Oregon figures, the Walk of Flags, WWII Memorial, Medal of Honor Memoiral, Liberty Bell replica, marble intaglio sculptures, special plantings and commemorative markers all create a sense of history and place in the grounds surrounding the Capitol.

View Self-Guided Walking Brochure [pdf]