Information on Iowa State Capitol Tours in Des Moines + Parking

The Iowa State Capitol tour takes you right into the heart of political grandeur in Des Moines, Iowa. The capitol building itself was built from 1871-1886. It is absolutely stunning with its world famous dome gilded with 23-karat gold leaf as well as its magnificent 19th century architecture.

Below is all of the information on Iowa State capitol tours that you will need to schedule your visit.

Des Moines Iowa State Capitol Square Building

How to Sign up for an Iowa State Capitol Tour:

If you would like a tour of the Iowa State Capitol building and have less than 10 people in your group, you can call 515-281-5591 to schedule a free tour. For groups of 10 or more you’ll need to register online for a capitol tour here. Here you can request both building tours and dome tours.

Guide Tour Times:

Tours are only available Monday through Saturday and last approximately 75 to 90 minutes.

Monday through Friday – Tour Times Vary
Saturday – Every hour starting at 9:30 am and ending at 2:30 pm.

**NOTE – Dome tours are restricted to 4th grade students and above. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 children touring.

Self-Guided Tour Times:

Self-guided tours of the Capitol and Capitol grounds are available anytime during normal business hours.

Get a closer look inside the Iowa State Capitol building here.

What do you see on the Iowa State Capitol Tour?:

Ground Floor:

Gift Shop

First Floor:

Ground Stairway Statues
Inner Dome / Glass Floor / Flag Display Case
Capitol History Display Case
USS Iowa Model
Secretary of State’s Office
Capitol Supreme Court Chamber / Judicial Display Case
Original Railroad Commissioner’s Office
Treasurer of State’s Office
Governor’s Office / Governor’s Reception Room
168th Infantry Photo / Inaugural Gown Doll Display Case
Auditor of State’s Office

Second Floor:

Westward Mural
Lunettes / Statues
State Law Library
West Capitol Terrace

Third Floor:

Senate
Mosaics
House of Representatives

Iowa State Capitol Building Hours:

OPEN:

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday

CLOSED:

Sundays
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving (and day after)
Christmas Day

Where to park for your Iowa State Capitol Tour:

Iowa State Capitol Address:

1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Buses:

Bus parking is on the west side of the Capitol (along East Ninth Street). Buses may load and unload from the circle drive located directly in front of the west Capitol ground-floor handicap-accessible entrance. For a bus parking map visit here.

Visitors / Public Parking:

Visitor parking can be found on E. 12th St and also on Court St. surrounding the capitol building. Additional accessible parking can also be found in employee and visitor lots. This complex parking map shows you exactly where the various parking areas are.

*To view and print a map of the Iowa Capitol Complex visit here.

Where to Enter the Iowa State Capitol Building:

Although tours meet on the ground floor in the rotunda area, there are multiple entry points open to the public. Public entrances are located on the ground floor of the Iowa State Capitol on the south and west sides of the building. You must walk through a security scan upon entrance.

Iowa Capitol Gift Shop:

The Iowa Capitol Gift Shop is located on the ground floor of the rotunda in the Iowa State Capitol. It’s small but has great souvenir options featuring both Iowa and the Iowa State Capitol and includes a small historical display.

Capitol Gift Shop Hours:

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Capitol Gift Shop Phone Number:

515-281-5591

More information about the State Capitol Dome Tours:

If you would like to include a tour of the Iowa State Capitol building dome you will simply add that on to your tour reservations. If you have less than 10 people in your group, you can call 515-281-5591 to schedule a free tour. For groups of 10 or more you’ll need to register online for a capitol tour here and make sure that you request both a building tour and a dome tour.

Iowa State Capitol Monuments and Memorials:

Below is a list of monuments and memorials at the Capitol Complex. You can find a map of locations here as well as QR Codes for a Cell Phone Audio tour.

Parrot Rifle
Spanish-American War Cannon
Cornerstone
Mortar
Lincoln and Tad Statue
G.A.R. Sundial
V.F.W. Monument
Daniel Cooper Memorial Tree
Great Seal of Iowa
Bicentennial Fountain
Pioneer Statuary Group | Buffalo Fountain
West Capitol Terrace Memorial Benches
Holocaust Memorial
Bryant Boulder
Teacher Boulder
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
Bicentennial Time Capsule
Centennial Time Capsule
G.A.R. Memorial Tree
Iowa Peace Officer Memorial
Revolutionary War Memorial
Allison Monument
Sesquicentennial Tree
Christopher Columbus Monument
Submarine Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Purple Heart Combat Veterans Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Tree
Korean War Memorial
Crocker Memorial
Five Stones — One Tree Sculpture
Scott’s Grave
G.A.R. Flagpole
G.A.R. Memorial Bench
Peace Pole
Japanese Bell | Bell House
Memorial Bench
Shattering Silence Monument
Oley Nelson Tree
Spanish-American War Monument
Statue of Liberty
Liberty Bell
Memorial Plaza (World War II)
The Pinnacle Monument
Iowa: A Place to Grow Symbol
Spanish Howitzer
Workers’ Monument
Cosmic Seed Sculpture

Other places to visit in or near Des Moines:

State Historical Museum of Iowa – If you would like a self-guided tour you must register at least two weeks in advance using this online visit request form.
Adventureland
Big Creek State Park
Blank Park Zoo
Boone Scenic Railway
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Heritage Carousel
Ledges State Park
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Science Center of Iowa

Information on Iowa State Capitol Tours in Des Moines