Whenever our family visits another state, we make an effort to visit the State Capitol Building when possible. State Capitol Buildings are not just government offices, they are fantastic examples of public art and definitely worth touring. Here are five great reasons to include a trip to a State Capitol Building on your next road trip.
Unique architectural styles. I used to think that all Capitol buildings were patterned after the Capitol Building in DC. Was I ever wrong! Each of these beautiful buildings has its own architectural style which reflects the state where it found.
The Capitol Building in Wyoming,
for example, has a Western flare right down to its checkerboard floors and a mounted Bison in the west hall. Iowa's Capitol Building is filled with 29 different types of marble with stunning mosaic patterns while the New Mexico Capitol has a distinctive Native American feel.
A storehouse of public art.
From murals to sculpture, stained glass, fine arts, and more, most State Capitols have amazing collections of local art on display for visitors to enjoy. This public art not only gives us a sense of the state's history and geography but also the kind of people who populate it.
A mini museum.
Many of the State Capitols we visited on our trip were filled with historical murals, museum artifacts, battle flags, and other state treasures that brought a state's history alive for us. Some of the more unusual things we saw were fossils in the floor tiles in Wyoming, working oil derricks on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol, and an amazing doll collection in Iowa outfitted in the inauguration gowns worn by each of the governor's wives.
Great open space.
When my kids were small, I use to take them to our State Capitol building during the winter as a way for them to burn off some energy by climbing up stairs, sliding through the Rotunda, or by walking around. For families on a road trip, a Capitol building is a safe, sheltered place to stretch one's legs and give the kids some exercise. If the weather is nice, the grounds themselves are a nice place to take a walk.
It's free.
Unlike art galleries and museums, there is never a charge to view a State Capitol Building which makes it a great and affordable attraction for families to enjoy. The buildings also tend to be open 7 days a week from 8:30-5 which means that when everything else in town might be closed, the Capitol Building is generally open. Most Capitols offer free guided tours or for those who like to explore on their own, offer self guided tours as well.
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