Video and Pictorial Tours of the Capitol and Capitol Grounds

A WARM WELCOME to visitors of all ages from the Tour Department. Enjoy your Internet pictorial tour of the Iowa State Capitol. Questions may be directed to: IowaCapitol.tours@legis.iowa.gov, or you may contact the Tour Department by phone at 515.281.5591.

Tours of the Capitol last about 75 to 90 minutes. Tours are available Monday through Saturday. Saturday tours are every hour starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday tour times may vary. Groups of ten or more must schedule in advance. Groups fewer than ten please call for tour times 515.281.5591. Schedule a tour online!

The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, signifies the prodigious spirit of Iowa. Built between 1871 and 1886, this magnificent building represents, both inside and out, one of the nation's finest examples of 19th century architecture. Inside, the building features an array of majesty including many different types and colors of marble, works of art, fixtures, and carvings in both wood and stone. One of the most commanding features of the building is the towering dome. The dome, constructed of steel and brick, is externally gilded with 23-karat gold leaf. A belvedere on top of the large dome features a golden lantern. In addition, four smaller golden lanterns are each attached to copper-covered domes at every corner of the building. These four domes are decorated with vertical lines of intermittent gold, giving each a braided look. The State Capitol is truly an impressive Iowa landmark. Each year the State Capitol is visited not only by Iowans, but by people from all over the world. The Capitol's golden dome can be seen for miles, symbolizing representative government for the citizens of the state.