A national historic landmark, the Pennsylvania State Capitol offers students and chaperones alike a great opportunity to learn more about the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Legislature, and the Capitol. The Capitol building is where the Pennsylvania General Assembly, comprised of 50 Senators and 203 Representatives, meets to establish laws and budgets, levy taxes, and oversee state agencies. The building was built and furnished for $13 million and features paintings, stained glass, and furnishings by renowned artisans of the day. The architecture consists of 5 stories, with a spectacular 272-foot, 52-million-pound dome inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol features an Interactive Welcome Center located in the East Wing. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, the welcome center offers educational displays that help students learn more about Pennsylvania government. Inside the welcome center is a Commonwealth statue built with Legos, and playable floor projection games teach fun facts about Pennsylvania. Visitors can also listen to debates and “vote” on bills, watch 2 virtual legislators discuss their responsibilities, and use their cameras or phones to take a photo that makes it look like they’re on top of the Capitol Dome with the Commonwealth.
While visiting the Pennsylvania State Capitol, groups of 40 people or less can schedule a guided tour. The tour takes about 30-45 minutes and is a great educational opportunity for students interested in social studies, history, or art, with Capitol Tour Guides ready to answer questions. Tours are offered every half hour Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. If you’re looking to tour on a weekend or holiday, tours are available at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. School field trip season is in the spring, and we recommend scheduling guided tours early, sometimes up to a year in advance. Make sure your students and chaperones know the security procedures, and allow at least 15 minutes for security processing. Also ensure students know Capitol Tour Etiquette: indoor voices, no running, stay on schedule, stay with the group, silence phones during the tour, and no food or drink on tour or in the Interactive Welcome Center.
If you plan to eat lunch at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, you can reserve lunch tables by contacting the Tour Guide Office. The Capitol Restaurant can cater your lunch with advance arrangements, offering a variety of food choices including deli sandwiches, chicken strips and fries, pizza, pasta, and a salad bar. If you plan to grab lunch at a restaurant in the Harrisburg area, you can get helpful information from the information desks in the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
After completing the guided tour, students and chaperones can visit The Pennsylvania Capitol Shop, located off the East Wing Rotunda. Open from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday, the gift shop is a great opportunity to grab a souvenir to remember the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
