Take a little family field trip to visit the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin! A visit to the Capitol offers a great opportunity to get a crash course on the inner workings of Texas politics and provides a close-up look at one of the most impressive buildings in Texas. And a selling point for kids? The Capitol sits on wonderful park-like grounds that invite you to relax on the grass for a picnic or to run around and roll down hills. Here are some helpful things to know while planning your visit.
— Tours & Free Parking
You can take a free 30-minute guided tour for a great way to learn about the history of the building. On Monday through Friday, guided tours of the Capitol are available on a limited basis between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, guided tours of the Capitol are available on a limited basis between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm.
If you prefer to tour at your own pace, you can pick up a free self-guided tour pamphlet and work your way around at your leisure.
The first two hours of parking are free in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto St., located about two blocks from the Texas State Capitol. Click here for a map and info about fees after your first two hours.
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— Fun for Kids in the Visitors Center
The Capitol Visitors Center is the white three-story castle-like building (the restored 1856-57 General Land Office building) adjacent to the Capitol. Mon.-Sat. 9 am – 5 pm; Sun. noon-5 pm. It contains a gift shop and exhibits, including photos, videos, and artifacts as well as hands-on things for kids to try. You’ll also find travel counselors who can provide free maps and information about destinations around Texas. The Visitors Center is open Monday – Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday from noon – 5 pm.
— Beautiful Grounds
The Capitol grounds are made up of about 22 acres of lovely, landscaped green space in the heart of downtown. It’s a great place to picnic under the shade of the big trees or let the kids enjoy some carefree fun. You’ll also find 17 monuments, so pick up a free brochure and monuments map from the Capitol Visitors Center for details about each monument.
— Where to Eat Nearby
There are lots of great places to grab a bite within walking distance, or if you’re looking to venture a bit further off Congress Ave, you could hail a Pedicab or electric-karaoke taxi! For families, we’d recommend The Backspace for wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta, or Capital Grill for an upscale lunch (and we’ve heard if you ask the waitstaff, they may have off-menu children’s items). More of our favorite nearby lunch spots are 1886 Cafe & Bakery at Driskill Hotel, Caroline, Wu Chow Downtown, Bar Peached (tacos + Asian-inspired comfort food), Clark’s, and Josephine House. For more casual eats, or to pick up a picnic, check out Royal Blue Grocery, Upstairs at Caroline, and The Fareground.
Visiting the Texas State Capitol is an easy outing for locals and tourists alike and a great family field trip any time of year. Have fun!
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