Louisiana State Capitol
Louisiana State Capitol
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
This art deco masterpiece has been the site of a bombing, an assassination and the infinite machinations of state kingpins and politicos.
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Restaurants
209 within 5 kms
Attractions
100 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- GPaCalgaryCalgary, Canada2,282 contributionsAnother good TourOur guide Craig provided us with a very entertaining and educational tour of the state capital building. There is a lot of rich history in Baton Rouge and we felt that we learned a lot during this tour. Great job, Craig!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten November 25, 2023
- Darlene HAustin, Texas2,336 contributionsDEFINITELY THE TALLEST CAPITOL!My husband and I were in Baton Rouge for LSU basketball games and we were able to go to the Capitol. I was especially intrigued by the history about the assignation of Governor Huey Long! It was pointed out to us that there are multiple bullet holes in the walls where he was shot! Don’t miss the opportunity to go to the observation deck! The views are amazing!Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten March 14, 2024
- Shelly CAuburn, New York442 contributionsThank you free first SundayI thought I would only be able to see this building from the outside but thanks to free first Sunday, we were able to go in and explore. What a great experience and beautiful building. We tried to get up to the observation tower but no one was manning it. The pictures will do it more justice than anything I could say.Visited April 2024Travelled on businessWritten April 13, 2024
- MstqMI1,293 contributionsSpectacular view!This is a beautiful state capitol. Each step has the name of a state with the date it became a state. Hawaii & Alaska share a step as they didn't have enough steps for two more! Interesting information about Huey Long and his assassination at the capital, also a statue of him on grounds in front. We took the elevator up to the observation deck- spectacular view of the city!! I would recommend visiting here if you're in Baton Rouge.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten April 29, 2024
- Michelle G21 contributionsA must do!!We stopped at the state capital on a whim during a road trip. It was a fantastic experience for my husband and I. The grounds are beautiful, the inside is gorgeous and there’s a lot of history. The lady at the front desk was very helpful and gave us an amazing history lesson of the building. The observation deck was so cool.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten August 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
769 reviews
Excellent
435
Very good
263
Average
65
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Thekansaspyet
Middletown, CT712 contributions
Mar 2022
My husband and I try to see every state capitol on our vacations that we can. Louisiana was no exception. We visited on a day that a weather front was passing through Baton Rouge, so we didn't go up to the 27th floor observation deck. The tours only cover the first floor. That day, there was some sort of medical convention....many people all wearing white coats, with name tags and medical designations after them. Luckily, the visitor's center lady suggested we join a tour with some of the white coats. The guide told us that the House was then in session, so we could only see the lobby and the Senate chamber. It was so noisy with the convention people that we could hardly hear the guide. The Senate chamber was beautiful- I liked the rose-colored marble columns. The guide explained that the original Senate chamber had been bombed decades ago and this was the second design of the chamber, although the ceiling was original. She also showed us the corridor outside where former Gov. Huey Long was shot, and the bullet hole still in one of the columns. This is probably the wildest history of any state capitol we've seen, to date. Earlier in the week, we drove both the Lafayette and New Iberia Azalea Trails and were disappointed by the lack of significant blooms during peak season. The capitol grounds in Baton Rouge had the best displays of azaleas that we saw during our entire vacation except for possibly Tabasco's Avery Island's Jungle Gardens.
Written April 8, 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.
Georgia L
Dallas, TX1,245 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
During our day in Baton Rouge was learned about Huey Long and how he tore down the old capital using 85 prisoners overnight and then drained the swamp and filled in the land to build the new capital. It is the tallest State Capital in the US. It is a beautiful building reminiscent of the Empire State Building.
Written April 17, 2021
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.
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY1,985 contributions
Nov 2021
This was truly a fantastic stop. I went on a Sunday morning and had the place to ourselves minus a few people working there. The observation deck is closed on weekends, so keep that in mind when visiting if it is something you want to do. The gentleman at the information desk was informative and helped paint a picture of the building, the colorful characters who worked there, and offered suggestions for other places.
Note: You do have to go through a security checkpoint which also checks your temp.
Note: You do have to go through a security checkpoint which also checks your temp.
Written November 16, 2021
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.
TeeP
Calgary, Canada219 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The exterior of this building is imposing, opening up to an ornate entranceway flanked on either side by the house and senate chambers, which are impressive and elaborate. There are several statues and busts of historical figures throughout the entrance with plaques explaining their significance to the history of the state. These are interesting and worth the time to browse.
The views from the 27 floor observation deck, on a clear day is impressive and worth the visit.
The views from the 27 floor observation deck, on a clear day is impressive and worth the visit.
Written March 8, 2020
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.
susanwalsh
Glasgow, UK1,542 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The exterior of this Empire State type building is forbidding with its great statues but the interior is an Art Deco gem. The guides are most helpful and the views from observation deck on the 27th floor superb. Don’t miss it.
Written March 1, 2020
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.
Meredith S
Philadelphia, PA127 contributions
Sept 2020
Beautiful campus. The grounds offer a number of foot paths to wander around complex. The building can be seen from a lot of different areas of the city, but seeing it up close was really lovely.
Written September 8, 2020
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.
trhoward4321
The Woodlands, TX35 contributions
Nov 2021
Introduction to government through the grandeur of our state capitol. Review of states steps, finding the bullet holes in the wall, to learning about the mail shoots between floors, 6 year old and 13 year old alike found the time atop the capitol viewing the city informative and an immersive experience. Beautiful aerial view of the city - nice exchange for one not provided through airplanes or helicopters or through the majestic views offered in hot air balloons. Staff is always amazing and engaging with young and old alike.
Written October 23, 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.
icevet
San Antonio10 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This visit was an incredible opportunity for wonderful photo ops and to get familiar with the location's history. The drive into the Capitol grounds cuts through lush gardens, passing beneath moss-draped Live Oaks and in front of the beautiful Governor's Mansion. The 34-story Capitol building itself was the creation of the iconic Huey Long, controversial governor ofLouisiana from 1928 to 1932. He was later assasinated inside the Capitol building while a U.S. Senator. The exact site of the shooting is now a display with photos and plaques. An impressive statue of Long on the grounds now marks his burial site. The views from the 27th floor observation deck in the Capitol building are an absolute must-see. There is no admission to this marvelous, historical area and free parking is usually available.
Written May 6, 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.
doxieann
New York City, NY90 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Very interesting looking architecture which is quite unique among other capitol buildings I’ve seen in many other states. Not far from here to downtown, LSU and the Mississippi River. Baton Rouge is a nice town with many delicious restaurants and interesting places to see, the capitol area of the city is only one of them.
Written January 19, 2020
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.
F4981JCmichaels
Vancouver, WA2,731 contributions
Jun 2021
First, let's be fair. The building architecture is great. The grounds are beautiful.
But...
It isn't the easiest place to access. My wife needs handicapped parking. She can't walk too far, and as far as steps go, it depends upon how many and how steep.
We parked in a handicapped spot to the east of the building, on a Saturday morning. Still had to walk about a quarter block it seemed to get to the handicapped entrance. When we got up there, there was a sign stating that the entrance that was open was on the west side of the building! So, we opted to pass on seeing inside. Find a spot close enough to the entrance and then hope that it really was open? No thank you. And as far as heading through the main entrance (if it's open,) there are quite a number of steps leading up to it. I've seen inaccessibility problems with other great buildings. Do architects even think about practical usage of the building?
Anyway, I took some photos. It is an impressive building. Worth a stop to at least see it and the grounds. The grounds are filled with large live oaks and other nice shade trees.
But...
It isn't the easiest place to access. My wife needs handicapped parking. She can't walk too far, and as far as steps go, it depends upon how many and how steep.
We parked in a handicapped spot to the east of the building, on a Saturday morning. Still had to walk about a quarter block it seemed to get to the handicapped entrance. When we got up there, there was a sign stating that the entrance that was open was on the west side of the building! So, we opted to pass on seeing inside. Find a spot close enough to the entrance and then hope that it really was open? No thank you. And as far as heading through the main entrance (if it's open,) there are quite a number of steps leading up to it. I've seen inaccessibility problems with other great buildings. Do architects even think about practical usage of the building?
Anyway, I took some photos. It is an impressive building. Worth a stop to at least see it and the grounds. The grounds are filled with large live oaks and other nice shade trees.
Written August 24, 2021
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.
Was planning to visit this Monday 8/22 . If anyone is local wondering if the capital area has been impacted by the awful floods? I've tried to call, no answer which I completely understand. Thank you!
Written August 18, 2016
No, the state capitol was not impacted. Anything downtown Baton Rouge, the museums, etc, are good
Written August 21, 2016
Is it only open for tours on weekends? Do we have to buy tickets, if so how much? Are there student and teacher discounts?
Written June 2, 2016
It is open daily 9:00am to 4:00pm, except on major holidays.
There is no fee for admission.
Written June 2, 2016
There is a free parking across the street from building, on the corner of 3rd and Capitol Access rd
Written February 25, 2016
Hi, the Capitol is open from 8 to 4:30 on Sat. and Sun. There are no tourguides, but there are self-guided tours. Take the elevators to the top. Just follow the signs. Don't miss the basement because the bullet holes where Gov. Long was shot, are still visible in the marble walls.
Written January 22, 2016
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