Washington State Capitol Campus
Located in Olympia, Capitol Campus is the hub of Washington state government and civic engagement. This is where the Legislature convenes, the Governor resides, and the people exercise their right to free speech. It’s also a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world, and a beloved site for the surrounding community.
Where Old and New Unite
The Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia, designed by New York architects Wilder and White, features five original buildings constructed between 1912 and 1940 – Temple of Justice, Insurance Building, Legislative Building, Cherberg Building, and O’Brien Building. Structures completed in the last five years include the Helen Sommers and Irv Newhouse buildings.
The original landscape plan, designed in the 1920s by the Olmsted Brothers, incorporated natural elements like lawns, trees, and water features. Today, the campus boasts 25 buildings, 18 memorials and artworks, and over 100 tree species. Capitol Lake adds to the beauty of this century-old landmark.
Discover Capitol Campus virtually! Visit Capitol.wa.gov to learn about the buildings, artworks, memorials, trees, parks and gardens.
Legislative Building Tours
The Legislative Building is the tallest building with a masonry dome in North America at 287-feet high! The “four corners” of the building are the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer.
We offer free 50-minute tours led by talented volunteers several times a day on most days.
General tour schedule:
Weekdays: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
Weekends: 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm
Group tours:
Reservations are required for group tours of 10 or more people. Make a reservation by calling 360-902-8880.
Self-guided tours:
Prefer exploring the building your own? We’ve got you covered! Pick up the Self-Guided Legislative Building Tour brochure at the visitor desk, available in 11 languages. Please note some areas are not accessible outside of the guided tour.
Other Tours
We offer many types of tours for visitors young and older, in person and virtual, indoors and outdoors.
- Governor’s Mansion Tours
- Botanical Tours
- Memorial Tours
- School Field Trips
An Outdoor Museum
Capitol Campus is an internationally accredited arboretum. This is a fancy way of saying it’s recognized worldwide for its beautiful trees, gardens, and other plant life. This is important because it signifies our commitment to conserving our history and representing all the regions of our state.
The Olmsted Brothers believed in the importance of planting native and adaptable trees to complement the natural features of the grounds. We continue the Olmsted legacy through urban forestry work.
Hold Your Event On Campus
Capitol Campus has many venue options for hosting different types of events, from weddings to rallies. Find out which campus locations are best for your event.
Parks
In addition to the historic campus that surrounds the Legislative Building, Capitol Campus includes five public parks:
Centennial Park
Deschutes Parkway & Capitol Lake Interpretive Center
Heritage Park & Capitol Lake Trails
Marathon Park
Sylvester Park
Clean and Green Campus
The Washington State Capitol Campus is dedicated to sustainability and environmental stewardship, as demonstrated by these ongoing efforts:
- Recent construction projects like the Helen Sommers and Irv Newhouse buildings are LEED-certified.
- The oldest building on campus, the Temple of Justice, is newly retrofitted with energy-efficient heating, ventilation, lighting and plumbing.
- Grounds crews use electric outdoor power equipment, from lawnmowers to leaf blowers
- Smart trash bins encourage recycling and eliminate windblown litter and waste overflows.
- The Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project will restore 260 acres of estuarine and salt-marsh habitat in South Puget Sound (currently Capitol Lake)
Capitol Campus By the Season
The campus is beautiful year-round, with attractions to enjoy every season. Looking to catch something in its prime? Here are a few suggestions:
- Fall: Memorials honoring Washingtonians
- Winter: Seasonal display in the Rotunda
- Spring: Yoshino Flowering Cherry trees
- Summer: Tivoli Fountain
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON CAPITOL CAMPUS?
Join us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes stories. Use the #CapitolCampus hashtag to share your own campus photos and experiences!
Department of Enterprise Services
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is the steward of Capitol Campus, preserving and maintaining the historic buildings, memorials and monuments, art, parks, gardens, and trees on campus.
