State Capitol Building

Step back into the Victorian era with a visit to Michigan's award-winning Capitol Building. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, one of the foremost architects of public buildings during the Gilded Age (1865-1914), construction of the Capitol Building took six years and contains over nine acres of hand-painted surfaces. The building was dedicated to the citizens of Michigan in 1879. Every year the Michigan State Capitol welcomes over 115,000 people including tourists, schoolchildren, and families that tour the building with a guide or independently. Visitors have the opportunity to watch the legislature meet for session, they can admire the nine acres of hand-painted decorative art, and they learn stories from Michigan’s past. Most recently the $40-million, 40000-square-foot underground Heritage Hall visitors center and event space has opened featuring expanded tour orientation rooms, history exhibits, an artifact conservation space, a large meeting space and ample restroom facilities. Visitors can access the new Heritage Hall entrance on the north side of the Capitol Building on Ottawa Avenue. All tours will start in Heritage Hall. Tours of the public areas and the House and Senate galleries are available every half hour during the school year and on the hour during the summer months Mon.-Fri.(9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Please call to verify tour times 517/373-2353. Starting January 4, 2025, the State Capitol will be open from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm for guided tours on the first Saturday of each month. Public tours and visitor information will be available in the east wing of the Capitol’s ground floor.

A great option to explore during downtime between sports events.