michigan state capitol virtual tour

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Michigan State Capital Building: Tours, Pictures, Cool Things to See at the Capitol (Dome, Senate, House of Representatives) 

By Sherry Trautman

Michigan State Capitol | By Sherry Trautman | Traveling Michigan

Visit our Michigan Capital building in a fun new way to see the stunning Gallery of Governors, House of Representatives and Senate Chambers! We promise you will have fun while learning (because nobody likes boring stuff!).   

*Plus, embark on our 10 Hidden Secrets in the Michigan Capitol treasure hunt for even more fun! 

*We also have lots of fun ideas of things to do while you are in  Lansing Michigan .

Take a Virtual Tour of the Michigan State Capitol!

See the Rotunta, 160 Historic Battle Flags and the Famous Starry Dome!

Did you know the State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark?

What is Michigan's state capital?

Lansing, Michigan but was previously in Detroit.  

Is Michigan State Capitol open? Can I visit the Capitol Building? What are the Hours?

Yes, you can embark on a self-guided tour.  The Michigan State Capitol is open 8-5 Mon.-Fri. Tours for ten people or less are offered on the hour 9-4 p.m. Single use self-guided tour books are also available at the main tour and information desk on the ground floor at the east entry. 

Secret Treasure Hunt in the State Capitol!

Did you know there are hidden secrets in the Michigan Capital ?  

Embark on our Michigan Capital treasure hunt adventure! Search for giant mollusks, antlers, fancy door knobs and lots more!

Michigan State Capitol Address

100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

Where is the Entrance to the Michigan State Capitol?

It can be very confusing to determine where the entrance to the Michigan State Capital is located.  My friend and I wandered around for quite a while.  See the circle above as the entrance is under the massive front staircase!!  

What to Do First When Visiting the State Capital?

You will arrive on the ground floor and walk past security.  Be sure to take a guide book (free to borrow)  if you wish to have a self guided tour which is also  free . 

This book is invaluable for your experience and we read along as we walked.  

If you wish to have a guided tour or have questions, call the Information Service line at 517-373-2353.  

See the Senate in Action!

The Senate (blue room) has public viewing areas on the third floor.  You are welcome to enter but you must remain seated if the chamber is in session.  This is a very quiet room so we didn't speak as people were working. Both galleries have areas for wheelchairs.  You can see why the Michigan State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark.

FYI: It's very easy to get turned around as you are going between floors so I just memorized that the Senate has predominately blue walls and the House has pink.  

The Senate has 38 members and is the smaller chamber (between the Senate and the House of Representatives).

When you visit the House and Senate Chambers, look up at the magnificent coffered ceilings.  These panes were originally made of red and white hand etched glass but were lost or broken many years ago. They were placed with plastic in the House and plywood in the Senate.  

Can you find your state's Coat of Arms?

Learn More About the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Chamber (pink room) has 110 members .  Each representative is elected to a two-year term.  They sit at an assigned desk with Republicans on the right and Democrats on the left. (So that's where the right and left designation originated!!)

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House and is elected to this position by the members.

Did you know the original 1878 desks were refinished and are still used in this chamber?  Pretty cool, huh!  It would have been a waste to get new desks when these are spectacular!

The Gallery of Governors is Breathtaking!

The Gallery of Governors  is a portrait gallery of past Governors located on the second and third floor.  The Governors pay for their own portraits and after they leave office, the portrait is hung in this gallery. Be sure to walk around the full circle.

There are only 14 portraits in total and they are arranged in chronological order, with the most recent portraits hung on the second floor and the oldest portraits displayed on the third floor. When a new governor leaves office, the oldest portrait gets the boot.  Just kidding , the oldest one is moved to another area in the building...(well, gets the boot).

Did You Notice The Ghostly Governor Painting?

This painting definitely caught my eye as it is vastly different than the traditionally painted portraits on the second floor in the Gallery of Governors. 

This is a portrait of Governor John Swainson , who served from 1961 to 1962.  After only serving one term, the Governor left the office.  Since the governors pay for their own portraits, Mr. Swainson wished to have his painting appear unfinished to symbolize his then unfinished career.

The Rotunda is the Star of the Show!

This phenomenal Rotunda is meant to be awe inspiring.   It's hard not to drop your jaw as you stare up in wonder at the magnificent architecture, paintings and vast open space.  

This spectacular dome was created to inspire you with endless possibilities just within your grasp. 

This spectacular floor of the Rotunda has 976 glass tiles that are 5/8" thick.   This floor appears to be glowing as it is lit from below. 

It's fun to look up at the ceiling of glowing glass when you first enter the Capital and then head up the stairs to your right or left to walk on the glowing glass tiles.

We dare you to lay down on the glass floor of the Rotunda and look up 160 feet to the "eye" or oculus of the dome.  There, you will see a spectacular starry sky!

See the Supreme Court at the Michigan State Capitol

This Supreme Court room is just magnificent at the Michigan State Capitol.   The chairs look so comfortable and the wood work is extraordinary.

Pin This Michigan State Capitol Page!

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About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Thanks for stopping by.

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

"Sherry & Chris"

We're Sherry and Chris the founders of one of Michigan's most comprehensive and Top Travel Blogs!

Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry. In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

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It’s Time to Visit the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing

Don’t Wait for a Field Trip to Explore the Michigan State Capitol Building

Did you know that you can tour the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing?

Braving a blustery winter day, my son and I took a self-guided tour of this national treasure. We almost forgot it was so cold outside as we got lost in the atmosphere and beauty. Our visit brightened our day, leaving us excited to return and bring the rest of our family with us.

The capitol building in Lansing, Michigan is a treasure.

If you’re hoping to explore the capital building yourself, this is what you need to know:

Table of Contents

How to Tour the Michigan State Capitol Building

The Michigan State Capitol moved from Detroit to Lansing location in 1847. The capitol building we know today was completed in 1873 . The building was designed by Detroit architect, Elijah E. Meyers (the same architect who later planned the Texas state capitol in Austin.)

Visit the Texas State Capitol and the buildings’ similarities will strike you.

There is a reverence of sorts when you walk into either building.

Don’t let that intimidate you.

You are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the Michigan State Capitol building within its hours of operation .

Touring the history, art, and detail as an adult was a whole new experience. It was very special to be able to share this with my son, just as my mom loved visiting with us when we were kids. I imagine this generational tradition will continue to flow through many Michigan families and visitors for decades to come.

Guided Tours of the Capitol Building

Guided tours are available between 9:00 and 4:00. Groups of 10 or more people can schedule a tour in advance, smaller groups and individuals are permitted to join with scheduled groups. Please call (517) 373-2353 to confirm tour times or schedule a tour.

Smartphone Tours

The Capitol also offers smartphone tours . These efficient, self-guided experiences delve into specific Capitol themes, including historical furniture, portraits, and artwork throughout the Capitol and its surroundings.

Michigan State Capitol Stats

Height: 267 feet tall, from the ground to the tip of the spire

Number of Floors: 4

Number of Rooms: 139

Building Dimensions: 420 ft × 274 ft

Year Inaugurated: 1879

5 Reasons to Take a Self-Guided Michigan State Capitol Building Tour

All self-guided tours including the Smartphone tours are FREE of charge.

1. Soak Up Grandiose Structure and Beauty

Don’t have a lot of time but want to take an awesome adventure?

Try out touring the Capitol Building by wandering through it. You’ll be able to take in a lot in a short amount of time, is worthwhile and can be really fun.

My son loved seeing the decadence and learning all about the Capitol Building. He kept saying over and over, “Wow, look at that!” I answered things like “Right!? That’s all hand-painted!” and “Yes, these are called the grand staircases.”

The absolutely gorgeous dome high above his little gaze was what got the most attention.

2. Notice the Detailed Architecture and Monuments

13 monuments grace the grounds before you even walk into the building, including The Hiker Memorial which was sculpted by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson, one of the first American women sculptors to gain international prominence!

We’ve been to many events on the Michigan State Capitol grounds, but slowing down to learn about each individual piece is really special.

Sauntering the halls and seeing the wall-to-ceiling hand-painted detail of the architecture is breathtaking!

Can you imagine being one of those painters!? Thrilling!

Each balcony has a unique view, and you’ll find an extensive amount of architecture throughout the Michigan Capitol Building.

3. Explore the Fine Art

Placed purposefully throughout the building are fine art pieces of each governor, eight muse paintings, and hand-painted murals.

Included on this list of art is the starry dome in the center of the Capitol Building.

You’ll find this as you stand on the round glass floor at the main level by gazing upward.

4. Learn Michigan and American History

Lansing wasn’t always the capital city; it was first in Detroit. In March of 1847, Lansing was chosen as the second capital location – and there have been three buildings.

The Capitol Building in Lansing’s downtown is the third capitol building Michigan has known.

Now, more than 100 years later, boy have we proved the “horrified observers” wrong that Lansing is not a “howling wilderness” or “village-less.”

We not only have villages, but a vibrant community filled with amazing people and our city has tons of things to do with our families .

It’s so awesome to learn about the history of our state while touring a building filled with just that – history!

You’ll find all of this information and much, much more when you visit and take the Historic Tour of the Capitol Building.

5. Explore it All

Spend the day at the Michigan State Capitol Building by doing all of the tours .

If you’re visiting from out of town and want to have a memorable experience, this is a great way to make the drive worthwhile. Be sure to check out our tips before you come our way.

Check out the tips below to make your day trip to Lansing great:

Tips for visiting the Michigan State Capitol

1. Parking : There are credit card meters along Washington Square. Finding parking there will ensure you don’t go over your meter and provides a nice walk through Lansing’s downtown strip. Also, parking structures are located on Capitol Ave between Shiawassee and Ionia, and Washington and Kalamazoo. Both of these structures are within walking distance of the Capitol.

2. Coming with kids? Have the Talk : Visiting the Capitol Building is a lot of fun, but letting the kids know it’s not ok to touch the walls or important pieces is really important before you go.

3. No worries : The building has many people walking in and out at all times. You might feel overwhelmed when you arrive but don’t worry, you are welcome, even with kids in tow. The friendliness as you walk through the building is awesome.

Visiting the Michigan State Capitol Building Will Stick With You

As my son and I walked up to the Michigan State Capitol Building he said, “Mommy! Is this where the king of the castle lives?!”

I replied, “Well, sweetie, if this was a castle – technically it would be considered where the queen of the castle resides. After all, we now have our second female governor in office in Michigan’s history!”

Special trips like this can bring up fun and engaging conversations with our kids. I love that we have this type of opportunity right here in downtown Lansing!

The Michigan State Capitol is one of those wonderful places mutually enjoyed by all ages. Kids are welcome in our Capitol building and they love to see all of the beauty, history, art, and information just like we do.

Try it out and let me know how your trip goes! We’d love to hear your feedback, thoughts, and tips.

Carla Brooks

Carla is Oregon born, Michigan raised, so it comes as no surprise she's an avid adventurer in all things nature and water fun. She's passionate about storytelling and the power it has to engage the community, give voice to the teller, and invoke a call to action. She is a proud Mexican-American woman who loves to travel (while eating and cooking delicious foods from around the globe), is grateful for her daily yoga practice, and garners much joy from spending time with friends and family. Life is ripe with story and she is always working to capture the magic wherever she goes, so don’t be surprised if you catch her jotting notes with a camera in hand.

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Virtual tour gives 360 view of Michigan's Capitol

Exterior shots to be added in spring.

LANSING - Viewers from Detroit to Dubai can now study the Capitol building's ornate interior design and artwork without making the trek to Lansing.

A new online 3-D tour went live over the weekend, using Google Street View and YouTube's 360-degree video technology to provide tours of the entire building, including the governor's office, John Truscott, Michigan State Capitol Commission member, announced at the committee's meeting this morning.

Visitors can read descriptions of artwork, including paintings of past governor's, by clicking on each piece. A video recording of a Capitol tour is also available on the site. ​

Exterior shots of the building, including its refurbished dome, will be added this spring, Truscott said.​

"Being able to do this with video as if you're there is pretty remarkable, and the technology will only get better," he said. "It's almost as if you're in the building itself."

Michigan is the first state to provide a tour of its capitol building using the technology, said Truscott, who reviewed the other 49 states' websites. He said the goal is to promote the building's history, particularly to students who live too far away for field trips to Lansing.

A new portrait of Gov. George Porter, Michigan's governor from 1831 to 1834, will soon be visible on the virtual tour, committee officials said. It will be installed at the Capitol in a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The number of visitors to the Capitol remains strong. There were 11,000 in October – the most since 2003, Truscott said.

The virtual tour project cost about $9,900 and was paid for from the committee's budget.

Contact Christopher Behnan at (517) 377-1261 or  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @LansingCB .

Take the Capitol Virtual Tour at http://www.mistatecapitol.com/virtual-tour .

Virtual tour

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Discover all of the amazing places that make up the home of generations of Spartans. MSU’s campus is like no other. See for yourself!

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Tour housing options for Spartans or select an area of interest below. Let the journey begin!

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Take A Virtual Vacation!

Greater lansing's virtual vacation.

Dreaming of a weekend getaway? We are too! But if you can’t visit in person, we've compiled a list of Greater Lansing attractions offering virtual tours, activities, classes, videos, Facebook live events and more. All are designed to inspire your lifelong learning and virtual vacation dreams.

Impression 5 Science Center

STEM at Home

STEM at Home is full of family-friendly activities to explore at home that focuses on key scientific concepts from the museum's main exhibits. 

Take a Walk on the River Trail

Discover science facts outside of the Impression 5 museum along the Lansing River Trail. People walking on the River Trail can also interact with the vertical sundial to determine what time of day it is. 

Visit the Museum In Person

Visit the science center in person from Thursday to Sunday. **Masks are required on Sundays from 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. to provide access to guests who are immunocompromised or ineligible for vaccines.

Preuss Pets

Visit  the Facebook page  for Preuss Pets to watch everything from fish tank maintenance, dog training tips, and even guinea pig grooming.

Potter Park Zoo

Who doesn't enjoy watching frolicking baby animals? Potter Park Zoo has red panda cub sisters, cotton-top tamarins babies, and our newborn bongo calf! Find videos on their  Facebook page  including Trivia Tuesdays, detailed info on all of the animals at the zoo, and a  virtual tour of the main buildings  on their  website . Ideal for parents looking for a remote learning curriculum.

Michigan State Capitol

Take a virtual tour of the glorious State Capitol Building AND its incredible dome! Videos and more are available on the State Capitol Building's Facebook page. Perfect for students studying Michigan history as part of their distance learning curriculum.  Facebook Live tours are also offered periodically.

High Caliber Carting & Entertainment

Love a thrill and bummed you're stuck at home? Check out the  antics and videos of the High Caliber crew!

Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments has online lessons teaching you how to play everything from guitars to banjos, dulcimers, autoharps - a wide range of fretted instruments.   Or check out their  "All String Considered"  collections of videos!

Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center

The Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center is  engaging audiences virtually in lots of ways.  Take a virtual tour of the Michigan Supreme Court.

Mason Area Historical Museum

Take a step back in time and learn about the city of Mason’s history. The video  Mason by the Sycamore tells the story of Mason, Michigan's history from geological formation through the mid-20th century.

Woldumar Nature Center

Woldumar has put together videos of two of its trials that can be viewed on the Woldumar Nature Center  Youtube channel  or on their  Facebook page . It's a wonderful way to take a quiet moment in nature even if you can't leave your house for a hike.

Your local library is offering a wealth of info. From special programming to audio books and movie/TV shows check out their digital offerings.

Capital Area District Library

Offering many virtual events, including but not limited to storytimes, trivia challenges, RPG Game Nights, Book & Media Groups, Reading Challenges and more. All offerings are available at Capital Area District Library Events . 

East Lansing Public Library

Enjoy free access to the digital collections from the East Lansing Public Library with your library card.

Library of Michigan

The Library of Michigan has digital information on family history, law, Michigan materials, how to get a state library card, government information, Michigan  Notable Books, videos of conversations with the book's authors, and more.

Michigan State University

Msu community music school.

The MSU Community Music School is ensuring that music education and music therapy are still being offered to people of all ages and abilities – just through a different format. At this time, CMS is offering online private lessons for adults and youth, as well as individual music therapy sessions. Visit MSU Community Music School Schedules and Pricing for more information.

Explore great activities and ways to connect when you can't visit in person with Virtual Learning and Activity Resources .

Check out this virtual program, Science on a Sphere . 

MSU Broad Art Museum

The MSU Broad Art Museum has lots of exhibition-related content that can be accessed virtually at  You Tube  including exhibition tours, artist talks, behind-the-scenes videos, and more. Or take an online look  at their current exhibitions.

Virtual Tours

Find virtual tours below to entertain the family during the "stay at home order" For a list with virtual tours of even more of Greater Lansing's greatest spots and attractions, visit our partners at Able Eyes and take a look!

Attractions

Take a virtual tour of some of the attractions found in Greater Lansing.

Abrams Planetarium

Eli and edythe broad art museum, harris nature center, launch lansing, michigan state capitol building, michigan history center, r.e. olds museum, spartan stadium, the kean's store company.

Virtual tours of the attractions found on the campus of MSU

MSU Dairy Store

Student book store, art & theater.

Virtual tours of arts, theater and cinema.

Happendance

Ncg eastwood cinema, sports & leisure.

Virtual tours of golf, bowling and more!

Charlotte Aquatic Center

Eagle eye golf club and convention center, spare time entertainment center, restaurants.

Dreaming of the perfect restaurant? Find virtual tours to select your favorite.

Beggar's Banquet

Harrison roadhouse, lansing brewing, midtown brewing company, mitchell's fish market, nuthouse sports grill, pizza house.

Lodging tours allow you to pick the perfect hotel.

Best Western

Candlewood suites, crowne plaza lansing west, east lansing marriott at university place, hampton inn & suites-lansing west, hilton garden inn, hyatt place-eastwood towne center, kellogg hotel & conference center, radisson hotel lansing at the capitol, the english inn, you may also like..., visitor inspiration guide, accessible travel, outdoor recreation.

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Michigan State Superintendent, Other State School Chiefs Attend White House Campus Event

March 25, 2024

LANSING – State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice visited the White House campus to support Michigan students, staff, and schools.

Dr. Rice and other state education chiefs were in Washington, D.C., at the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) 2024 Legislative Conference. On Friday, March 22, he and other state school leaders met on the White House campus with Neera Tanden, President Biden’s Domestic Policy Council director; U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten; and other council and department staff.

“Michigan children and children across the country benefit when their educational leaders exchange ideas with the Biden administration and our partners in the U.S. Senate and House, as well as with one another,” Dr. Rice said. “CCSSO convenings are great opportunities for state school chiefs to learn from one another and to share with one another, in service to children. Extending lessons learned during the pandemic, particularly with federal pandemic relief packages, was top of mind during the conference and meeting.”

State chiefs and CCSSO leadership shared efforts by the states to strengthen public education in the wake of the pandemic, including improvement of early literacy skills, supporting children’s mental health, and addressing teacher, helping professional, and other educator shortages, which are Goals 2, 3, and 7, respectively, of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan . A summary:

• Improvement of early literacy (Goal 2 of the Top 10 Strategic Education Plan): In the fiscal year 2024 budget, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature negotiated $150 million for MI Kids Back on Track tutoring support and $140 million for literacy supports, as well as additional literacy coaches, to represent almost a tripling of literacy coaches in the last few years. MDE has promoted and partnered on Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling ( LETRS) science of literacy training for elementary educators and produced extensive literacy guidance and/or professional development opportunities on both the “how” and “why” of literacy: on dyslexia, diversity in literacy, diverse classroom libraries, and accelerated learning, among other related efforts.
• Improvement of the Health, Safety, and Wellness of Students (Goal 3 of the Top 10 Strategic Education Plan): Funding for children’s mental health/school safety in the state school aid act has increased from nothing in fiscal year 2018 to more than $440 million in fiscal year 2024, with the lobbying of local, regional, and state educational leaders and the support of the legislature and governor. With these funding increases, school districts have increased by more than 1,000 the number of helping professionals in districts across the state – school social workers, school psychologists, nurses, and guidance counselors. Local and intermediate school districts are working with one another, their providers, and the department to build out more substantial mental health supports for Michigan students.
• Addressing of teacher shortages (Goal 7 of the Top 10 Strategic Education Plan): Funding to address the teacher shortage increased from nothing in the state school aid act in fiscal year 2020 and earlier fiscal years to $575 million in fiscal year 2023 and $448 million in fiscal year 2024, with a series of specific recommendations from MDE and support from the legislature and governor. New appropriations have included, but are not limited to, teacher preparation fellowships, Grow Your Own programs for support staff and students aspiring to be teachers, student teacher stipends, teacher loan repayment, a rural credentialing hub, and mentoring for teachers, principals, and other educators.

The number of students in Michigan educator preparation programs has increased by 56 percent, from 9,512 in 2016-2017 to 14,829 in 2021-22. The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Michigan twice in the last two years – for being one of three states to increase education staffing from June 2019 to June 2022 and for being one of seven states to do so from June 2019 to June 2023, when Michigan ranked second among those able to lightly increase education staffing in spite of the pandemic and the teacher shortage.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice, front left, and state school chiefs from around the country are shown during the Council of Chief State School Officers 2024 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

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