Field Trips: Minnesota State Capitol

Visit Minnesota’s beautifully restored 1905 capitol and learn about government process while taking in its incredible architecture, art, and history. Legislators are notified to meet reserved student groups after the tour, if their schedules allow.

Field trip options

General Capitol Tour

Grades K–12
Explore the capitol’s history, art, and architecture. Students visit the chambers where government decisions are made. Weather permitting, visit the quadriga (golden horses) on the roof of the capitol. Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more, and must be made two weeks in advance.

• Free
• 45 minutes

I Spy!

Ages 3-5
Pre-schoolers learn about Minnesota’s state symbols on a seek-and-find tour of the State Capitol.

• Tuesdays, June – December.
• Free
• 40 minutes

Rally ‘Round the Flag Civil War Tour

Grades 4-6
What was it like to be a Minnesota Civil War soldier? Why is the capitol a time capsule of Civil War history? Students explore these questions and participate in activities focused on Civil War artifacts and artwork in the building.

• $8 per student
• 90 minutes

Taking Issue, Making a Stand

Grades 7-8
Students tour the capitol to find out how and where citizens get involved in government, then conduct their own legislative hearing to debate a real issue.

• $8 per student
• 2 hours
• Group must have a minimum of 10 students to participate due to activities during the program.

Voice of the People

Grades 9-12   
Students see legislators in action. After a guided government focused tour, students observe an actual legislative hearing. Offered during legislative session only.

• Tuesday – Thursday, February 4th through March 20th
• $8 per student
• 3 Hours (9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 11:30 am – 2:30 pm)

Self guided tours

Art Treasures in the Capitol

Ages 8 and up   
Students search for art in the capitol using a self-guided tour booklet, becoming junior art historians.

• $2 per student
• 45 minutes

Prepare For Your Day

Before your field trip

• If your group tour numbers changes please notify us at fieldtrips@mnhs.org or 1-888-387-5008.
• Notify us if you require special accommodations or services.
• Prepare your students for their Capitol visit by watching the Minnesota State Capitol Field Trip video. Students can prepare questions to ask during the tour.
• Review proper behavior in a public building i.e. stay with the tour group, quiet voices, no squeaking of shoes, no running, jumping or climbing.

The day of your field trip

Group leaders

1. Upon arrival, have your group gather and wait on the front steps of the Capitol (south side of Capitol). Guides will meet each group at the start of the tour from that location.
2. Assign one teacher or adult to check-in your group at the Capitol Information & Tour Center (Once inside the 1st Floor south main entrance, this room is located to your right).
3. After checking in, break the larger group into equal-sized smaller groups as instructed by the tour check-in staff.
4. Tour leaders and chaperones are responsible for the proper conduct of their groups, and must accompany each tour.
5. We request one adult for every five children under five years of age.

Drop off/pick up

• Passengers may be dropped off and picked up at the curb cutouts on Cedar Street on east side of Capitol facing south or on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• The Cedar Street dropoff is the closest drop off point.
• No parking is allowed on Cedar Street.

Parking

• Buses can park on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. if the driver stays with the bus. Be aware of MTC bus shelters and crosswalks as no parking is allowed in those areas.
• Cars can park at meters on the street or in state parking ramps/lots.

Lunch

• Bag lunches may be eaten on the Capitol Mall. Please bring garbage bags for your waste.
• Do not use lawn areas when posted for chemical treatment.
• If you bring bag lunches and want to use the Capitol Complex cafeterias please call for a special use permit at 651-201-2300.
• Lunches can be purchased at the Centennial Building cafeteria or the Dept. of Transportation cafeteria. For more information call 651-224-3004.

Accessibility

• The ground floor entrance (under the south main steps) is open for wheelchair and other special needs access.
• Upon request, the guide will meet your reserved group at this entrance.

Legislators

Your legislators will be invited to greet your group after the tour for approximately 5-10 minutes.

Quadriga

For the safety of our visitors, the Quadriga, or golden horses is open only when the weather permits.

Space availability

• The Capitol is a working office building and some areas may be closed to tours during the time you have reserved.
• Since this is a public building your reservation does not guarantee others will not join your tour.