Minnesota State Capitol

Planning Your Visit to the Capitol

The Capitol building is worth seeing on its own terms. Designed by architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1905, it is known for its white marble dome, modelled in part on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and for the gilded sculpture group above the main entrance, often called the Quadriga. Inside, the building houses the chambers of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate, the Minnesota Supreme Court's historic courtroom, and the Governor's Reception Room. A major restoration completed in 2017 brought back much of the original artwork, decorative painting and stonework.

The Minnesota Historical Society offers guided tours of the building, and visitors can usually walk through public areas on their own during regular hours. Because schedules shift around legislative sessions, holidays and special events, check the official Capitol or Minnesota Historical Society information before you go.

Watching the legislature at work

If you want to see policy being made rather than just read about it, the legislative session is the time to visit. The public galleries above the House and Senate chambers are generally open when lawmakers are in session, and committee hearings, held in the Capitol and the nearby State Office Building and Minnesota Senate Building, are often where the most detailed debate happens. Agendas are posted by each chamber in advance, so you can pick a hearing on a topic that matters to you.

• Contact your legislators first. A short email or call to your own representative and senator before visiting can sometimes lead to a brief meeting.
• Expect security screening at entrances, and travel light.
• Plan transport. Parking on the Capitol campus can be limited during session; the METRO Green Line serves the area and links St Paul with downtown Minneapolis.

Civic engagement beyond the visit

Rallies, advocacy days and press events take place regularly on the Capitol grounds, and they are a good way to see how organised residents make their voices heard. To connect what you see at the Capitol with practical ways to get involved, read through our platform and look at the current volunteer shifts. For campaign gatherings across the Twin Cities, see the events page.