Tour the New York State Capitol

Sitting atop Albany’s State Street hill, the New York State Capitol has served as the seat of government for New York since the 1880s. The building is a marvel of late 19th-century architectural grandeur, built by hand of solid masonry over a period of 32 years.

The New York State Capitol is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Highlights of our 45-minute tours can include the legislative chambers, Hall of Governors, Governor’s Reception Room, Hall of New York, historic staircases, and the recent Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait carving. Tour access and route are subject to change.

You can begin your Capitol visit at the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center, perusing our Gift Shop or getting a bite to eat on the Plaza Concourse.

All tours begin at the Information Desk in the Capitol’s State Street Lobby and are free of charge. Currently, two tours of the Capitol are offered – Weekday Walk-Ins and Weekday Groups. Please, carefully read the information below to plan your visit accordingly.

Join us for an adventure where every corner tells a story during our first First Friday Tour at the New York State Capitol!​

When: May 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Information Desk in the Capitol's State Street Lobby
FREE!

Offered with First Friday Albany, a monthly celebration of arts and culture, tour highlights can include:

• historic staircases
• ‘gram-worthy photo ops
• quality time with the Capitol's carvings, nooks, and crannies
• visiting the Governor's Reception Room or legislative chambers​

#Capitol-ize on those weekend vibes and celebrate with us this (first) Friday!​

Reservations are not required, this experience is designed for smaller groups of less than 10 people.

If you have a group of 10 or more, please contact the Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 to plan your visit accordingly. Tour access and route are subject to change.

Reservations are not required for our weekday walk-in tours. This tour is offered at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Please note, that this tour is reserved for individuals and smaller groups of less than 10. If a group of 10 or more shows up for this tour, we may not be able to accommodate them due to the group's size. If you have a group of 10 or more, please contact the Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 to plan your visit accordingly.   

Reservations are required for group tours. If you have a group of 10 or more, reservations must be made by contacting the Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418. Space is limited and tour availability is subject to change.

To Cancel or Edit Registration please contact the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418.

Visitors to the Capitol are required to pass through metal detectors and have bags scanned through an X-ray machine. Personal belongings such as backpacks and large bags should be left behind. Sharp objects, such as pocketknives, nail clippers, weapons, and nuisance devices such as whistles, and noisemakers are not allowed into the building.