Texas State Capitol

An architectural marvel that rivals anything you might see in the great cities of Europe.

The Texas State Capitol building houses the state's legislature chambers and the offices of the Governor of Texas. The structure is an example of 15th-century Italian Renaissance-style architecture, with a cylindrical granite dome and many large granite columns.

At first glance, the Texas State Capitol looks quite similar to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. In fact, it's 15 feet (4.5 meters) higher than its D.C. counterpart, and is the largest state capitol in the country when including overall land size. It was built mainly by convicts and immigrants in the late 1880s, and paid for with land grants of around 3 million acres (more than 1 million hectares). It has been the center of power in Texas ever since. The building is significant for its striking beauty and grand presence. Views of the capitol from various vantage points around the city are protected by state law. Tall buildings cannot block the line of sight to the capitol.

Take a free tour of the building to get a view inside as well as some fascinating historical background. Tours run every 45 minutes, seven days a week, and begin in the Capitol South Foyer. Pick up a brochure from the information and guide service desk, on the first floor of the Capitol building. You can also take a self-guided tour of the surrounding 22 acres (nine hectares) of beautifully manicured grounds. There are historic monuments dotted throughout the gardens.

The Texas State Capitol building is located in downtown Austin, four blocks south of the University of Texas. Admission to the building is free. Food is not readily available on site, so bring a packed lunch or picnic basket and find a quiet spot in the gardens.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Texas State Capitol

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Take a detailed exploration of Texan history through a collection that includes Native American pottery and a Civil War gunboat.

AMOA-Arthouse

A varied, thought-provoking gallery spread over two very different spaces.

Blanton Museum of Art

A premier gallery covering all of the crucial art movements of the last few centuries.

Paramount Theater

A historic theater in downtown Austin showcases live music, comedy and film screenings.

Downtown Austin

A business district by day and an entertainment hub by night, Downtown Austin never sleeps. The landmark Texas State Capitol overlooks it all.

Hotels near Texas State Capitol

Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol

701 E 11th Street

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Waterloo Park, Sixth Street, and University of Texas at Austin. Texas State Capitol and Frank Erwin Center are also within 15 minutes. Downtown Station is 12 minutes by foot and Plaza Saltillo Station is 19 minutes.

Omni Austin Hotel

700 San Jacinto Blvd

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Sixth Street and Paramount Theater. Esther's Follies and Texas State Capitol are also within 15 minutes. Downtown Station is 7 minutes by foot and Plaza Saltillo Station is 19 minutes.

Hilton Austin

500 E 4th St

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this spa hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Sixth Street, Austin Convention Center, and Lady Bird Lake. Paramount Theater and Moody Theater are also within 15 minutes. Downtown Station is only a 3-minute walk and Plaza Saltillo Station is 14 minutes.

Austin Southpark Hotel

4140 Governors Row

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in McKinney, this hotel is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from St. Edward's University.

Hampton Inn & Suites Austin - Downtown / Convention Center

200 San Jacinto Blvd

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Austin Convention Center and Sixth Street. Lady Bird Lake and South Congress Avenue are also within 15 minutes. Downtown Station is only a 5-minute walk and Plaza Saltillo Station is 20 minutes.

Wyndham Garden Hotel Austin

3401 South I-35

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in East Riverside - Oltorf, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Mabel Davis District Park, St. Edward's University, and South Congress Avenue. Lady Bird Lake and Rainey Street are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Super 8 by Wyndham Austin University/Downtown Area

5526 North Interstate Highway 35

Rated 2.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in North Loop, this motel is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from University of Texas at Austin and 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from LBJ Presidential Library. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and University of Texas Tower are also within 6 mi (10 km). Highland Station is 26 minutes by foot.

Lakeway Resort & Spa

101 Lakeway Dr

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Lakeway resort is located on a lake, 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Travis, and within 12 mi (20 km) of Falconhead Golf Club and Pedernales Country Club. Pace Bend Park and Spicewood Vineyards are also within 25 mi (40 km).

AT&T Hotel & Conference Center at the University of Texas

1900 University Avenue

Located in the heart of Austin, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of University of Texas at Austin, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, and Blanton Museum of Art. University of Texas Tower and Texas State Capitol are also within 15 minutes. Downtown Station is 28 minutes by foot.

Hyatt Place Austin Downtown

211 E 3rd St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Sixth Street, Austin Convention Center, and Lady Bird Lake. Moody Theater and Paramount Theater are also within 10 minutes. Downtown Station is only a 4-minute walk and Plaza Saltillo Station is 19 minutes.

Americas Best Value Inn Austin University

909 E Koenig Ln

Rated 2.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in North Loop, this motel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Thinkery, St. David's Medical Center, and University of Texas at Austin. LBJ Presidential Library and The Vortex are also within 3 mi (5 km). Highland Station is 20 minutes by foot.

Holiday Inn Austin Midtown, an IHG Hotel

6000 Middle Fiskville Rd

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Highland, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Thinkery, St. David's Medical Center, and University of Texas at Austin. The Vortex and Bass Concert Hall are also within 6 mi (10 km). Highland Station is 14 minutes by foot and Crestview Station is 29 minutes.

Red Roof Inn PLUS+ Austin South

4701 S I 35

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Franklin Park, this motel is within 3 mi (5 km) of South Congress Avenue, St. Edward's University, and McKinney Falls State Park. Austin Convention Center and Lady Bird Lake are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Red Roof Inn Austin North

8210 N I 35

Rated 2.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Georgian Acres, this motel is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Norris Conference Centers and within 6 mi (10 km) of University of Texas at Austin and The Domain. Sixth Street and Texas State Capitol are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Best Western Plus Austin Airport Inn & Suites

1805 Airport Commerce Drive

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Montopolis, this hotel is 1.9 mi (3 km) from Riverside Golf Course and 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from Lady Bird Lake. Colorado River and McKinney Falls State Park are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Best Western Plus Austin Central

919 East Koenig LaneNorth I-35 at Exit 238A, North I-35 at Exit 238A

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in North Loop, this hotel is 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Thinkery and 2.8 mi (4.4 km) from University of Texas at Austin. St. David's Medical Center and LBJ Presidential Library are also within 3 mi (5 km). Highland Station is 19 minutes by foot.

Sonesta Select Austin North Central

7522 North IH-35

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in St. Johns, this hotel is within 6 mi (10 km) of LBJ Presidential Library, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Texas Tower. Texas State Capitol and Governor's Mansion are also within 6 mi (10 km). Highland Station is 29 minutes by foot.

Hampton Inn & Suites Austin @ The University / Capitol

1701 Lavaca St

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of University of Texas at Austin and Texas State Capitol. Sixth Street and Moody Theater are also within 1 mi (2 km). Downtown Station is 25 minutes by foot.

Courtyard by Marriott Austin-University Area

5660 N IH 35

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in North Loop, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Thinkery, University of Texas at Austin, and Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium. St. David's Medical Center and LBJ Presidential Library are also within 3 mi (5 km). Highland Station is 24 minutes by foot.

Holiday Inn Austin -Town Lake, an IHG Hotel

20 North IH-35

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Governor's Mansion, Texas State Capitol, and Blanton Museum of Art. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and LBJ Presidential Library are also within 3 mi (5 km). Downtown Station is 18 minutes by foot and Plaza Saltillo Station is 23 minutes.

Radisson Hotel Austin North

6121 North Ih 35

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in St. Johns, this hotel is within 6 mi (10 km) of University of Texas at Austin, LBJ Presidential Library, and Blanton Museum of Art. Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and Texas State Capitol are also within 6 mi (10 km). Highland Station is 20 minutes by foot.

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Austin Capitol / Downtown

300 E 11th St

Rated 3.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this motel is within a 10-minute walk of St. Mary's Cathedral, Texas State Capitol, and Sixth Street. University of Texas at Austin and Paramount Theater are also within 10 minutes. Downtown Station is 12 minutes by foot and Plaza Saltillo Station is 23 minutes.

The Driskill, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

604 Brazos Street

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Lady Bird Lake and Texas State Capitol. South Congress Avenue and University of Texas at Austin are also within 1 mi (2 km). Downtown Station is 7 minutes by foot and Plaza Saltillo Station is 19 minutes.

Hilton Garden Inn Austin Downtown/Convention Center

500 N Interstate 35

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Downtown Austin, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Austin Convention Center and Waterloo Park. University of Texas at Austin and Austin Children's Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km). Downtown Station is 8 minutes by foot and Plaza Saltillo Station is 12 minutes.