Pennsylvania State Capitol
Pennsylvania State Capitol
4.5
About
Teddy Roosevelt declared that this Italian Renaissance-style building was “the handsomest building I ever saw”. Indeed, the State Capitol, with its vaulted dome and grand staircase and the murals and painted floors inside, is thing to behold.
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  • PaleoGypsy
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania2,140 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Worthwhile Stop
    As you will be going through a security check, make sure that you understand this before you visit. Public parking is available. Download the app ahead of time. You may take photos. The building and artifacts are really something. The length of the visit correlates to your level of interest.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 2, 2023
  • Holly O
    Columbus, Ohio21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Quick Visit to Harrisburg!
    We had a blast in Harrisburg PA! We started out visit with a late afternoon tour of the gorgeous State Capital building then drove along the river and saw a the cool bridges. The next morning we toured the National Civil War museum which was very well done and informative. We had time to go to Hershey too before we headed to a car meet in Gettysburg.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written May 29, 2023
  • Peggy T
    Singapore, Singapore844 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Harrisburg Artistic State Capitol Building
    This is a must visit place. It is at the historical street where you find a row of different churches too. When I was there happen to come across candidates speaking on air about education, policy, etc. The entire building is fabulouus, so much to see and explore. I visited their Senate Library, museum, etc. A huge building with state of the art articture, etc. They do provide short tour around the building too.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written July 2, 2023
  • ChemTeacherTraveller
    Ypsilanti, Michigan743 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Building is beautiful, tour worthwhile
    It was a rainy day in Harrisburg, and I was looking for indoor things to do. The Pennsylvania State Capitol offers free tours, but I didn't want to lock in a time, so I just showed up for the 3:30 pm tour. (The website shows whether a time slot is full, which really helped.) The tour started right on time under the main dome. (I walked up the front steps, went through security, and was right there. Bathrooms are right after security.) Our tour guide was AMAZING! I went after the sessions were done for the day, so the guide was able to talk about the art in the House and Senate chambers. You also get to go in the elevator and the Supreme Court. I've been to several state capitols, and most are impressive, but this is truly a "Palace of Art"! So glad I went! Highly recommended.
    Visited June 2023
    Written July 6, 2023
  • Michael K
    995 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    All that glitters is gold
    This is a magnificient building both inside and outside. To see the interior, you must join a tour. We didn't sign up in advance but they just let us join the next tour anyway, which included the Senate Chamber, the Supreme Court, and the House Chamber. The tour guide mentioned of the liberal use of gold in the decoration and it costs $13 million when it was built in the early 20th century. It was beautiful and well worth a visit.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 24, 2023
  • Rita S
    Stockport, United Kingdom273 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just stunning!
    This place is absolutely stunning. We always try to visit a state capitol building whilst in the US and I have got to say all the others are going to pale into insignificance after this one. We were so lucky to catch the final tour of the day, you can do a self guided tour but would really recommend the half hour guided tour, gives a building soul! Just me and hubby on the tour and the lady was really nice and definitely knew her stuff, what a beautiful place to work. The paintings are amazing as are the glass windows and dome, I have seen European palaces less glitzy than this! Make sure you pick up the A4 size free brochure as a souvenir on your way out. 100% recommend a visit here. Parking outside on the streets is on a meter and is $4 an hour.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written October 28, 2023
  • Shawn H
    Washington DC, District of Columbia413 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Soaring Artistry Open to the Public
    We sauntered up to the Capitol grounds on a chilly Thanksgiving. The building is scaled monumentally, set on a hill in Harrisburg. It is more ornate and detailed then the average capitol, with some truly spectacular artwork. We were surpised that even on Thanksgiving, the front door was open for the general public to proceed through security. This allowed you straight into the atrium under the dome - where you could look up at the spectacular murals and artistry. There were some modest historical exhibits around the periphery and the beginnings of the Christmas tree and holiday decorations being installed. While we didn't get to go on a broader tour, even standing udner the dome is worth the effort, particularly if you can find easy street parking nearby, as we did on a holiday.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written December 2, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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.

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4.5
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Excellent
753
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29
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Shawn H
Washington DC, DC413 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
We sauntered up to the Capitol grounds on a chilly Thanksgiving. The building is scaled monumentally, set on a hill in Harrisburg. It is more ornate and detailed then the average capitol, with some truly spectacular artwork. We were surpised that even on Thanksgiving, the front door was open for the general public to proceed through security. This allowed you straight into the atrium under the dome - where you could look up at the spectacular murals and artistry. There were some modest historical exhibits around the periphery and the beginnings of the Christmas tree and holiday decorations being installed. While we didn't get to go on a broader tour, even standing udner the dome is worth the effort, particularly if you can find easy street parking nearby, as we did on a holiday.
Written December 2, 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.

Rita S
Stockport, UK273 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This place is absolutely stunning. We always try to visit a state capitol building whilst in the US and I have got to say all the others are going to pale into insignificance after this one. We were so lucky to catch the final tour of the day, you can do a self guided tour but would really recommend the half hour guided tour, gives a building soul! Just me and hubby on the tour and the lady was really nice and definitely knew her stuff, what a beautiful place to work. The paintings are amazing as are the glass windows and dome, I have seen European palaces less glitzy than this! Make sure you pick up the A4 size free brochure as a souvenir on your way out. 100% recommend a visit here. Parking outside on the streets is on a meter and is $4 an hour.
Written October 28, 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.

Michael K
995 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This is a magnificient building both inside and outside. To see the interior, you must join a tour. We didn't sign up in advance but they just let us join the next tour anyway, which included the Senate Chamber, the Supreme Court, and the House Chamber. The tour guide mentioned of the liberal use of gold in the decoration and it costs $13 million when it was built in the early 20th century. It was beautiful and well worth a visit.
Written October 24, 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.

Lemens L
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Tour capital BLD and got in as last people cause someone did not show up. Important to plan ahead and get on list. We would have waited 3 tours. Great information and details
Written October 8, 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.

JeffBreedlove
Atlanta, GA4,347 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
The exterior of the building is stunningly beautiful. The rotunda ARA inside is quite nice.

Here are the areas for improvement:

There are, ironically, very few things to actually see inside - one suspects they do so to get visitors to the state museum

The gift shop closes before the building does to visitors - yet they don’t tell visitors that - we missed the gift shop because of this

When not in session, the floor should be open to visit and take photos

Just a few things to be aware of
Written July 30, 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.

Brendan P
Lancaster, PA12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Solo
Went for a tour today in the capital building and it was really cool and interesting to learn the history of the building and to see where all the branches of government are taken place in Pennsylvania. Highly recommend
Written July 26, 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.

ChemTeacherTraveller
Ypsilanti, MI743 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
It was a rainy day in Harrisburg, and I was looking for indoor things to do. The Pennsylvania State Capitol offers free tours, but I didn't want to lock in a time, so I just showed up for the 3:30 pm tour. (The website shows whether a time slot is full, which really helped.) The tour started right on time under the main dome. (I walked up the front steps, went through security, and was right there. Bathrooms are right after security.) Our tour guide was AMAZING! I went after the sessions were done for the day, so the guide was able to talk about the art in the House and Senate chambers. You also get to go in the elevator and the Supreme Court. I've been to several state capitols, and most are impressive, but this is truly a "Palace of Art"! So glad I went! Highly recommended.
Written July 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.

Peggy T
Singapore, Singapore844 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Solo
This is a must visit place. It is at the historical street where you find a row of different churches too. When I was there happen to come across candidates speaking on air about education, policy, etc. The entire building is fabulouus, so much to see and explore. I visited their Senate Library, museum, etc. A huge building with state of the art articture, etc. They do provide short tour around the building too.
Written July 3, 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.

Holly O
Columbus, OH21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
We had a blast in Harrisburg PA! We started out visit with a late afternoon tour of the gorgeous State Capital building then drove along the river and saw a the cool bridges. The next morning we toured the National Civil War museum which was very well done and informative. We had time to go to Hershey too before we headed to a car meet in Gettysburg.
Written May 29, 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.

kmc11_11
Waynesburg, PA276 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
My children didn't remember much of their previous visit to the Capital, so while traveling through the area to visit family, we stopped to visit again.

Capital is a beautiful building with amazing architecture and art work. We did a free guided tour (on-line reservation) and visited the House, Senate, and Supreme Court spaces. Self guided tours are possible, but the tour guide was great for the history and information she added to the tour.

Being a government building the usual security is in place at the entrances, but it was not difficult.
Written May 17, 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.

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