Nebraska State Capitol

Tours offered on the top of the hour Monday through Saturday. We went to the first tour of the day on a Saturday and were surprised at the large crowd. The Capitol tour is worth your hour — the guides are interesting and the history and architecture of the building are fascinating.

Absolutely gorgeous building full of art and symbolism. Free tour explained it all and allowed a peek into the legislative chambers too. Afterwards take elevator up to 14^th floor for beautiful outside views from all four sides. On the way down get out in third floor for interior walkways overlooking central rotunda floor mosaics. Enjoy!

We got here at 4PM to make the last tour of the state capitol. Wow, if you ever get to have the pleasure of getting with Gloria, then be sure to take it. Gloria had a dry/​sarcastic/​funny dialogue with everyone on our tour. She obviously knows the history around the bison etched into the entry masonry to the paintings above in the hall of fame to the floor marble pictures. We went to the senate floor and also the court room. Both were magnificent and Gloria told us everything soo well. She even answered questions at the end and encouraged us to go to the observation deck and 3^rd floor balcony. Overall, hands down the most funny and informative tour to any capitol bldg which is up there with Sacramento’s capitol bldg.

We went here on our trip to Nebraska where we were staying with our cousins. Since they lived in Lincoln Nebraska, we decided to visit the capitol by ourselves since our cousins were babies, they were at daycare. When we got there, it was a little rainy. We were a little early, so we waited until it opened. When we got in somebody told us there would be a tour in about fifteen minutes, we told him we weren’t going on the tour.
We wandered around checking the rooms. We found the elevators and tried to go to the top floor but we couldn’t because it was raining. The inside is very big and there are some frescos on the wall and there are many doors leading to a view of the courtyard. Most of the doors are locked but there are a few that are open.

This is my favorite place to go in Lincoln because it’s usually quiet and fairly empty. The art and architecture are just beautiful from the first floor to the fourteenth. I love the view from the observation deck. The dining room, open to the public, is a great place for coffee or a snack. Visiting the massive Christmas tree and seeing ornaments from all 99 Nebraska counties has become a family tradition.

If you like state capitols, you will enjoy this one. The mural work inside is fantastic. Our tour guide was not only knowledgeable but he was also animated which made the details he gave us more interesting. wow, he was really good. Go to the 14^th floor to see the views from above, especially looking south. It provides a great view of the city. The tour takes about one hour and is a must do.

The Nebraska State Capitol was an excellent blend of history and art. The tile floor mosaics on the second floor and the depictions of the prarie and the plains in murals were very powerful. I also appreciated the welcoming staff. I was able to appreciate this gem in late August this year on a short stopover on our way to Minnesota.
From Interstate 80 the tower of the capitol seemed to grow from the plains as we approached Lincoln from the West. We took the I-​180 turn off and passed by the University of Nebraska before heading towards the Capitol grounds.
We parked on the south side of the Capitol. I was a bit nervous at first looking at the south entrance because no one was going in or out and the tower and the stone facing on the south made it ominous. I timidly walked up the steps and entered the door. Walking by the cafeteria and giftshop I went to the docent desk who was very friendly and courteous and gave me literature and information on the capitol building.
I retraced my steps and met up with the other members of my group. We ate at the cafeteria of the capitol, myself having a turkey sandwich on rye bread. The cafeteria was well lit and had an awesome view of a patch of grass in a neighboring courtyard. My only complaint here was that the restrooms seemed very antique. I can understand preserving the fixtures however the towel dispensers were one of those fabric wind-​up ones. Kind of icky. I had not seen those in nearly 14 years and then in another country. We also did have an opportunity to peek into the reception areas of some Nebraskan politicians. Interetsing how you are able to carry a gun on the capitol grounds, just not into a politicians office. This idea was very unfamilar to me. I am always used to metal detectors at all major government buildings.
After this I made my way to the second floor. I was impressed by the tile artwork on the floor depicting animals throughtout natural history particularly those native to Nebraska. Also the sculptures depicting famous Nebraskans in the hall adjancent had an almost shrine-​like quality. Father Flanigan, Pershing, and Buffalo Bill Cody were all there. Along with women and Native Americans in the adjacent chambers and their contributions to Nebraska history. It was truly inspirational.
Regretfully, I did not have time to go up into the 14^th floor of the tower and look up across Lincoln. I was able to get a few souvenirs in the gift shop. It was a very comprehensive on the history and cultural significance of Nebraska. I did not know there was so much literature on various aspects of Nebraska. I was quite impressed.
The capitol in Lincoln was very impressive. It gave me an appreciation of Nebraska made me excited to have seen it and the state. I have seen only a handful of state capitols but I would have to say that Lincoln ranks up there with Sacramento and St. Paul in the history, architecture, and culture. I hope to visit Lincoln again someday.

Not exactly in the same realm of fun as disneyworld but an enjoyable time occasionally roaming through and looking at the archetecture.

My wife and I are traveling the country over the next year, and we seem to be hitting a lot of capital buildings. Surprisingly enough, Lincoln has been the best one that we’ve been to thus far. The tour is great, and the art and sculptures inside are beautiful. You can go to the top and get a great view of Lincoln as well. But history is the real winner here, as it feels like one big museum that’s worth a visit.

#229 I personally don’t see the hype about this place. Considering the fact that there are so many other beautiful pieces of architecture dotted around the country, this state capitol doesn’t quite float my boat. However, I did find great amusement in the fact that the hallways looked exactly like the Chamber of Secrets of the HP variety. =) Nonetheless, we all had a grand olé time packing ourselves like sardines into the single elevator they have that takes you up to the top only to be burnt crispy while walking around the edge of the building. It was nice to get a bird’s eye view of the city, but after 10 minutes, there wasn’t much else to do or say about the place. So, we hopped back into the elevator and left.

This is a wonderful place to visit if you are looking for something to do to pass the time. The tour is very informative and there is a lot to see. Archetecturally speaking, this building is a true gem and if you appreciate such things it is well worth a visit.

The best state capital building in the state! But seriously, one of the great architectural and artistic treasures in the nation. Well worth a visit and full tour.

A remarkable building. Can’t speak for other directions, but as you approach on 15^th St from the south, the green lines of grass on both sides of the street run form almost a perfect right angle with the very tall and narrow Capitol. Very aesthetically pleasing. We had no trouble parking close on a February morning.
We didn’t take a tour, but had no trouble finding «key» attractions by wandering around. Be sure to look up at the ceiling in the rotunda early and often. Also, find some secluded hallway (s) in the basement — it gets very close to downright dark! Unexpected and neat in such a public place.
The view, and the feeling the architecture gives you — I called it «Gothic», but I’m pretty sure that’s without any basis in reality — are great, but IMO the busts of historic Nebraskans, placed in several upper-​floor hallways, are the best part. I believe these officially constitute the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
What’s cool about the Hall of Fame of a state like Nebraska is that it’s full of people who could and did do so many things. Renaissance People, in a way, but that’s too intellectual and implies a whimsy about having all of those interests that’s not really there. Rather, there were so many things that genuinely needed doing and the HOF’ers did so many of them.
Small-​town heroes, the kind you might find at a county or town museum, have a similar «took on any challenge» vibe that’s heartwarming. But moving up one level takes you from people who did a serviceable job editing the small town newspaper to people who built the preeminent news source in the state from scratch. The state-​level HOF’ers had serious talent in addition to drive and tirelessness. You read their plaques, try to take their measure by looking into their sculpted eyes, and realize that these are not the kind of people you knew growing up — they’re seriously special people.
So — wander around until you find them all, take pictures with the ones you’d like to emulate or remember your grandmother mentioning so many years ago, and get excited about human beings. Check out the senate floor, too!

Free tours on the hour every hour between 9am and 4pm, except noon. Checked this out while visiting Lincoln for the US National Special Olympic Games and it was definitely worth the time. Our tour guide was great! He explained many of motifs that are portrayed throughout the building and told stories behind some of the murals intertwining Nebraska history. Our visit included a stop in the Nebraska Supreme Court and a visit to the observation deck on the 14^th floor.

A graceful and majestic structure that is the tallest building in Lincoln (maybe Nebraska). Take the elevator to the top and enjoy the view of an otherwise totally flat state!

The best and FREE way to view Lincoln from above. A must see.

Ahhh, the good olé penis of the plains!
This is an amazing building with beautiful architecture throughout. I love the ominous feeling inside and the place is almost always empty. It is a great place to check out if you are in town, or make the trip, you won’t be disapointed.

A fantastic building – I definitely recommend going on a guided tour. We got a great tour guide who knew a lot about the art throughout the capitol, and told us the stories behind them.
Also, at the recommendation of our guide, I ducked in to check out the Governor’s Reception Room after the tour was over. They don’t mind at all (as long as you’re unobtrusive about it), and it is another great room in this building.
Don’t miss the observation platform at the top, either!

I completely agree with the three other reviewers and have little to add to their fine reviews. What struck me was the feel of a European cathedral and the celebration of diversity. Also, the quality of the building, in that everything was made well and designed with purpose. I’m so glad I made it a priority to go for a tour! My friend and I went to the top, and the view is really pretty up there, and emphasizes the flatness of Nebraska.

I visited the Nebraska State Capitol in the summer of 2007. It was the 13^th State Capitol I had visited, and I loved it. This one definitely ranks up there with my favorite state capitols. It is a unique and beautful building that strikes the visitor with awe and inspiration.
The Nebraska State Capitol is one of the three US State Capitols that stands as a «skyscraper» capitol. It tops out at 400 feet, a height which wouldn’t make too much of a splash in most big cities, but in Lincoln, this is the tallest building around, by far. It was constructed in the 1930s and is one of the early examples of Art Deco design.
The design of most state capitols doesn’t really reflect their state. Nebraska’s state capitol reflects and respects Nebraska. The building is an homage to the prairie, to the natives who inahabited it, and to the pioneers who «civilized» it. All over the building are wonderful artworks, such as cieling and wall mosaics and painted wood panels that evoke Native American imagery and the pioneer spirit. The overall effect is one of a sandstone color spackled with riots of color on the cielings, walls and floors. There are no Greek style statues or grandiose oil paintings in this capitol. Here, it’s all an Art Deco interpretation of Nebraska. It’s awesome.
You can take the elevator to an observation deck 400 feet above Lincoln. Here you can look out over this lovely little college town set on the edge of the prairie. The observation deck has its own unique early Art Deco design.
This is a fantasitic Capitol and one of my favorites.