Oregon State Capitol
Oregon State Capitol
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Please note that due to an ongoing construction project, the central historic portion of the building is closed until January 2025. Architecture and history enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to this white, Greek-style building whose rotunda is topped with a gold leaf statue representing Oregon's first settlers. Inside are murals depicting state history, and outside are sculptures, gardens and grounds for strolling or picnicking.
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- Salem Station • 9 min walk
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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.
Popular mentions
4.5
401 reviews
Excellent
209
Very good
146
Average
37
Poor
8
Terrible
1
Dan A
Alpharetta, GA1,151 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Road trip! Capitol # 43! Our guide, Suzanne, made this capitol even better! Tours are on the half hour. We almost joined a school group but decided to wait when we were told the there were no school groups on the next tour. Great move as we were the only people on our tour. Beautiful building with easy street parking close to the entrance.
Written 2 March 2020
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.
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England4,679 contributions
Apr 2023
Very beautiful and interesting family gathering space across the street from the capitol, decorated with cherry trees fully in bloom in April. The historical markers in the pavement gave interesting tidbits of information about the state, immigrants, and the pioneers who came to this land two centuries ago. Wonderful place to walk around with people celebrating graduation, pregnancies, and ethnic events.
Written 4 June 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.
Lena K
Fullerton, CA2,344 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Our tour guide took us into the representatives' meeting room, the senate meeting room, as well as, the Governor's ceremonial office. There one can view the small replica of Oregon state's flag that went to the moon in 1969, along with 3 small moon rocks.
Written 21 August 2017
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.
Penticto-visitor
McMinnville, OR44 contributions
Mar 2014
Every Oregonian should visit the Capitol. Painted art featured througout the building displays the state's history. Free tours guide visitors through both chambers. Marble stairs inside and out serve as great places to take photos.
Above all, the energy in the building cannot be felt elsewhere. There is a vibrancy for all alike--adult and child, Democrat or Republican.
Visitors from other countries can see democracy at work in this Oregon treasure. And who can beat free admission?
Above all, the energy in the building cannot be felt elsewhere. There is a vibrancy for all alike--adult and child, Democrat or Republican.
Visitors from other countries can see democracy at work in this Oregon treasure. And who can beat free admission?
Written 13 January 2015
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.
Macstoytravel
Salem, OR5 contributions
Sept 2014 • Family
There is not much too see compared to other State Capitols in the US. Rather bland. No museum and very few artifacts from the States earlier years. Better to take the time and visit Mission Mill.
Written 3 December 2014
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.
RoadTripToSFO
New York City, NY496 contributions
Courtesy some fires that seem to have plagued Oregon's prior Capitols with destruction, Salem now boasts one of the newest State Capitols. Built in the 1930s, the building might look imposing, but it is very welcoming to visitors (friendly state that Oregon is!).
Gorgeous murals envelop the rotunda's four corners; above that, you can enjoy a tour of the inside of the dome-within-a-near-dome -- which, unfortunately, I was in Salem just a week to early for!
I WAS fortunate enough, however, to be in Salem during the cherry blossoms' full bloom. The State Park directly across the street was radiant. Its fountains were turned on [mid-March] to seal the glory of the site.
If you're lucky enough to be visiting with a significant other, you might enjoy the "star trees" behind the Capitol, just across the street on the Willamette U. campus. As legend has it, if you kiss between the trees (under the "star"), you'll get married!
The Capitol's got a nice gift shop, as well as a rotating display of Oregon's natural rocks and gems, and other exhibits on the state's history. It's quite nice in all.
Gorgeous murals envelop the rotunda's four corners; above that, you can enjoy a tour of the inside of the dome-within-a-near-dome -- which, unfortunately, I was in Salem just a week to early for!
I WAS fortunate enough, however, to be in Salem during the cherry blossoms' full bloom. The State Park directly across the street was radiant. Its fountains were turned on [mid-March] to seal the glory of the site.
If you're lucky enough to be visiting with a significant other, you might enjoy the "star trees" behind the Capitol, just across the street on the Willamette U. campus. As legend has it, if you kiss between the trees (under the "star"), you'll get married!
The Capitol's got a nice gift shop, as well as a rotating display of Oregon's natural rocks and gems, and other exhibits on the state's history. It's quite nice in all.
Written 30 May 2010
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.
jjctraveler
Chesterfield, MO3,926 contributions
The Oregon state capitol is not your typical capitol. It is relatively new, built in the 1930’s and has an art deco style. I went on the last day of the legislative session in June. There was ample street parking within a few blocks of the capitol. You don’t have to pass through metal detectors or security checkpoints like many capitols. The Oregon capitol is open and welcoming. There are plenty of security officers just wandering around if needed. The Senate was not in session but you were free to go into their chambers. The House was in session so the main floor was off limits, but the public gallery was open, there were only about 20 people and you were free to take pictures (no flash please). The doors to the governor’s office were closed so I did not enter that area. I like exploring the capitol on my own, but tours are available if you prefer them. Be sure to walk through the great park North of the Capitol.
The capitol is a worthwhile stop, be sure to view the murals in the main North lobby area.
The capitol is a worthwhile stop, be sure to view the murals in the main North lobby area.
Written 30 August 2009
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.
Jeff S
Plymouth, MN779 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Always impressed by the Oregon State Capital building with its gold man standing watch over the Art Deco marble building built in the mid 1930s after the previous capital was destroyed by fire.
Written 26 January 2020
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.
kelso4001
Portland, OR219 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
I went there in the middle of May and all the trees had fully blossomed, it was amazing. The structure of the Capitol, all marble is quite impressive. On the right of the main entrance they have Sequoias and Redwood trees, also part of the ruins of the original Capitol Building. The main square features a modern looking fountain and with the pink cherry trees, makes a great background picture. Also there are memorials to the vets on both ends of the building.
Written 18 October 2017
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.
larrysjensen1
Draper, UT34 contributions
Aug 2016
We are seniors, roadtripping through Oregon and Washington and we just drove by, travelling through Salem on our way to Portland. We stopped for five minutes to see if the golden statue on top was the Mormon Angel Moroni or the iconic Portlandia. We concluded it was the Oregon God of Jogging, Steve Prefontaine
Written 9 September 2016
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.
There is metered parking on the north, south and west sides of the capitol. It's a little hard to find when legislators at in session.
Written 28 February 2017
anfisa s
Salem, Oregon
Is there a public restroom around the Capitol grounds that is open on the weekends?
Written 25 March 2016
The rest room on the main floor is open when the building is open. Generally it's closed on the weekends. The closest otherwise is McDonalds.
Written 26 March 2016
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