About
The Texas Capitol building in Austin is impressive from the moment you see it on Congress Avenue.
The architecture is stunning, and as you walk around the exterior and interior, you’ll find various historical markers all around. I enjoyed taking my time to explore all of the historical present.
Stepping inside, the stunning entrance really makes an impression. You’ll feel like royalty stepping into a castle from the 1700s.
Outside, the grounds are well-maintained, and the gardens are lush and green.
If you like people watching like me, you’ll notice it’s a busy building with a lot of people doing important work here. You can only imagine the conversations people are having here.
Construction of the Texas Capitol building began on February 1, 1882, and the cornerstone was placed on March 2, 1885. It had its completion celebration on May 16, 1888. Designed by E.E. Myers, who was a well-known architect from Detroit, it took six years and ten months from the start to the official finish to build the Capitol.
Overall, the building and grounds encompass approximately three acres of space, with 18 acres of floor space within the area. In total, there are 392 rooms and 18 vaults located here.
Interestingly, the Texas Capitol is taller than the National Capitol in Washington, D.C. Fans of architecture will marvel at the red granite on the exterior walls. It came from Burnet County, which is part of the Highland Lakes region! The interior is made of limestone, and this impressive structure features a roof that spans 85,000 square feet, with a significant portion made from copper.
The Texas Capitol is well worth a visit, not only to learn about Texas' history but also for the incredible photo opportunities and outdoor viewing experiences.
Texas Capitol: Fun Facts & Cool Features
A fun feature to explore on your Highland Lakes vacation is the Capitol Extension. The four underground tunnels connect to the other buildings in the area, ensuring safe access regardless of the weather or time of day.
In 1993, this space was opened to the public and is definitely worth exploring. There are numerous skylights along the tunnels, which create a lot of beautiful sights.
There are 924 windows and 404 doors throughout this building. Take a tour of the building, if available.
Some of the most impressive rooms include the Senate Chamber, the House of Representatives Chamber, and the Governor’s Public Reception. Additionally, the Rotunda with its beautiful inlaid floor is also noteworthy.
Other spaces to explore include the Treasurer’s Business Office, which has a metal gate-like structure, and the South Foyer. The architecture here is also quite impressive.
And if you love to learn, make it a point to visit the Legislative Reference Library. This is a working library, but it is also an impressive space for those who want to see historical documents on display or learn about the area’s incredible history from a legal perspective.
The Secretary of State’s Office, if available, is also beautiful with its wood-paneled walls.
Getting There
The Texas Capitol is located on Congress Avenue, right at the start of the street. The architecture is sure to give away this stunning location.
Local Tips
- Because this is a working building, I recommend visiting on the weekend if you are hoping to take your time to see the details of the space.
- If you want to watch Congress and take in the political nature of the building, then you’ll want to visit while Congress is in session.
- Be sure to find out what type of exhibit is happening here when you visit. The Medal of Honor exhibit was going on when I visited, and it was truly interesting.
- Check out the Agricultural Museum, which is located at the Texas Capitol. It was established in the west wing and is super cool. There are lots of items on display here from the early 1900s.