Virginia Capitol Building
Virginia Capitol Building
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Inside the white, columned state capitol building, designed by Thomas Jefferson to resemble a first-century Roman temple in France, is the only sculpture of George Washington produced in his lifetime.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,079 reviews
Excellent
775
Very good
255
Average
41
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Traveller
New York City, NY3,190 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I visited the Virginia State Capitol Building in October 2023. Walking around the grounds was very interesting including a George Washington monument / statue and some other statues. I got an excellent photo of the building. I then went inside and took the guided tour which was very interesting and informative. I liked the rotunda which had another statue of George Washington, busts of the eight US presidents who were from Virginia and the portraits of many of Virginia’s governors. The history of the building including its relation to Thomas Jefferson is fascinating.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
usnamom2001
Bellport, NY236 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Cool place to go to in order to get a peak at the Virginia government digs. Beautiful building that holds so much history. The tour guide was really informative and made the tour super interesting.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
86MissyJ
Wheelersburg, OH838 contributions
Jul 2023
We took a tour of the capitol on our visit to Richmond. We had an excellent guide that covered a lot of the history of the state and of Thomas Jefferson. After the tour, you could see other parts of the building, as well as, the rotunda. Well worth the stop if visiting the area.
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luigi
Virginia Beach, VA15 contributions
Nov 2022
We have lived in VA for over thirty years and had never visited the state capitol building. We were surprised to learn the influence Thomas Jefferson had on the design of this most impressive center of state legislation. All Virginians should visit for a better understanding of our state's history.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pfm11
Kennesaw, GA151 contributions
Sep 2022
While there were several major construction projects ongoing around the exterior of the building, the tour of the inside of the Capital was not affected and was excellent. We were very fortunate to have Mr. Knight as our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and he did a great job of telling us about the history of the building and the events that took place in the building. It was an hour very well spent.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodi H
100 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
This capital building is unlike any I have ever been in before now. It resembles the White House more to me than a capital. There is a great deal of construction going on and we were told it would probably be years before everything was finished. The rotunda is very intricately painted. It is beautiful. Of course you can visit The House and The Senate and see many historical things. Great stop when touring Richmond.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kghudson
Houston, TX456 contributions
Sep 2022
We took a docent tour of the Capitol Building with Mrs. Snell - she was fantastic - full of stories, history, facts and fun information. She was patient with all our questions and we were able to see her again after we went up to the third floor on our way out and she was gracious and fun. Definitely recommend a docent tour - the staff are proud of their Virginia history and building and it was really informative and interesting!!!
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimJ
Gainesville, GA8 contributions
Sep 2022
This is a beautiful and historic building. There is an excellent free tour. There have been so many historic events in this building. Read up before you go or ask questions of the tour guide.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy W
Bahama, NC93 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Tours still being given, in spite of major construction. These tour guides love telling the history of this oldest continuously used Capitol building in the country. See the models that Thomas Jefferson sent from France while he was an Ambassador there. Get your Capitol book stamped at the Tour Desk. If you don’t yet have a book, get one. It’s fun.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fantajan
Pretoria, South Africa325 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
You can't beat a free tour, especially when it takes you back in history. The Capital grounds and many of the buildings are in the midst of an extensive renovation process but it is still worth a visit. The Capital doesn't open until 1pm on Sunday, so plan accordingly. Be sure to spend some time walking around the extensive grounds to take in the sculptures, landscaping and other buildings including the governor's mansion. I believe the tours are offered every hour (but could not verify that on the website). You don't need to reserve a spot ahead of time unless you have a big group. We had a wonderful tour guide who clearly loves history and sharing her knowledge and is a proud native Virginian. She takes you from room to room of the original part of the Capital that was designed by Thomas Jefferson (based on a building in France) and explains American history as it relates to the building. She explains the paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts. It's humbling to know that you are standing in the same place where American history was made by many of our founders. While you can't visit the current chambers of the Senate and House of Delegates, you can take a peak through the windows.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
momziekins
Leavenworth, WA128 contributions
Hi Skink & everyone. I'd like to visit/tour on a Wed. morn. Can you advise where to park & which side has the entrance plaza for visitors? Thanks!
sanju_222323
New Jersey14,127 contributions
we parked at the street right in front of it. it has visitor parking.
RinggoldRandy
Ringgold, GA27 contributions
What is the contact phone number to set up a tour of the capital building?
Michael B
Dayton, OH71 contributions
I don't think you have to prearranged tours. They take place at various times throughout the day.
rkg4562
Dumfries, VA4 contributions
Where should we park for touring the capital?
bcrodick
Mechanicsville, VA4 contributions
Metered parking (two hour maximum) is available on streets adjacent to the state capitol: Broad St, Grace St, 14th St, Main St, 10th St, and Bank St near the capitol visitor entrance. Pay lots are available on Grace St, 3 blocks west of the capitol, also at main and 14th streets. Commercial parking decks are available on 8th St between Grace St and Main St.
Vickie S
Dillsburg, PA132 contributions
Does the building close over the Thanksgiving holiday? Are there tours available Friday and Saturday of the holiday weekend?
greatauntie27
Prior Lake, MN58 contributions
Check their website. Hours, etc. are posted. We had a guided tour on Easter Sunday, so I would guess that they would be open on Thanksgiving weekend. You could also call the capitol.
Emily M
Durham, NC1 contribution
Are there tours available?
SandysHonestTravel
Walnut Creek, CA28 contributions
Yes, and they are free. Get there early and check for times and if there's space, they only take about 10-12 at a time.
metalhead
Virginia326 contributions
Regarding the tour, is it just for groups? Or do you go as a group if there are just 2 of you?
labsnbeagles
Springfield, MO272 contributions
While we were leaving there was one person taking a tour with a guide. I think they'll do groups of any size.
Andy f
shropshire14 contributions
Can we book tickets in advance and what are the opening hours?
MLSuit3
Bristol, VA124 contributions
It's a free tour. However, call in advance to set up a time for the guided tour. The tour last about 1-1.5 hours. It's educational with Virginia History, which is early American history. Guides are extremely nice. Come early so you can get through the security check.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Virginia Capitol Building
- Hotels near Virginia Capitol Building:
- (0.04 km) Heart of the Arts District King Bed Suite - West Broad near VCU/MCV New Condo
- (0.11 km) Linden Row Inn
- (0.32 km) The Jefferson Hotel
- (0.29 km) Quirk Hotel Richmond
- (0.43 km) Hilton Richmond Downtown
- Restaurants near Virginia Capitol Building:
- (0.06 km) Barcode
- (0.07 km) Perly's
- (0.13 km) Tarrant's Cafe
- (0.07 km) Chez Foushee
- (0.12 km) Parterre