Unmistakeable on the Boise skyline, the state capitol building offers free, self-guided tours every day of the week. As far as state capitols go, it’s the best we’ve toured.
Self-guided tours happen whenever you like, but guided tours are also offered twice a day.
The capitol building is located on, wait for it, not Capitol Blvd. Nope, it’s at 700 Jefferson, but when you find Capitol Blvd, it will take you there.
Nearby parking is pretty plentiful and runs around $1/hour. Visitors enter through the basement via ramp on Jefferson. The basement is really a museum of everything you need to know.
State history is covered on the many displays, as well as an explanation of the legislative process, the history of the building and even cutaways showing how the faux marble pillars are made.
What’s refreshing is how the information on display doesn’t attempt to whitewash the state’s long, sometimes checkered history.
There’s also an educational room where a video is projected on a loop giving an awfully solid presentation. Actually it’s projected on a screen, but it repeats. You get the idea.
From there, head out to the rotunda and let your eyeballs do all the work. Floor after floor there is so much to see. Senate and House chambers are left unlocked. There are also statues on display. And there’s an elevator to every accessible floor if you don’t get along with stairs.
Everything you need to plan your trip can be found at the capitol tour information page.
