| Tour Information | Videos | Decorum | Eating Options | Gift Shop |
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Welcome to the Oregon State Capitol. We look forward to helping you plan your visit.
Please plan on arriving 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. Late arrivals will conflict with other tour groups and could cause your group to miss a portion of your tour. We do ask that your group includes one adult for every ten students. If the tower trip is part of your tour, the adult to student ratio needs to remain constant throughout the entire tour. Please call Visitor Services to schedule a tour today at 503-986-1388.
Tour Options:
Historical Building Tours: As you walk throughout the building your tour guide will share information on the history of the State Capitol, Oregon and the Legislative process. These tours are recommended for the fourth grade and older.
Legislative Tours: Legislative tours are available during the Legislative Session. You will see your legislators in action working in committees and conducting the legislative session. You will also learn how a bill becomes a law. These tours are recommended for the middle school grades and older.
Tower Tours: Beginning Spring Break and running through September, we offer tower tours. This tour involves a climb of 121-steps to the observation deck. Enjoy the spectacular view of the City of Salem, and learn all about the Oregon Pioneer! These tours are recommended for fourth grade and older.
Self-Guided: A self-guided tour brochure is available at the Visitors Kiosk, located on the first floor.
Tour Schedules
- Tower Tours
Hourly 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Spring Break through September
- Historical Building Tours
Please call 503-986-1388 to schedule a tour
Building is open 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Capitol
Videos
If you would like to order copies of these videos, please contact Legislative
Media at 503-986-1195.
"Oregon's Capitol" (14 minutes)
4th grade
and above. Includes information about the history of the Oregon State Capitol.
Shares information on the Rotunda, House and Senate chambers and the Governor's
Office.
"Oregon's Capitol for Kids Only" (23 minutes)
Designed for 3rd & 4th grades. A teacher walks kids through the Capitol and
introduces them to the legislative process.
"Oregon's
Pioneer" (9 minutes)
3rd grade and above. A brief history of Oregon's
Gold Pioneer and the reguilding process.
"John Q. Public"
(15 minutes)
7th grade and above. This is a brief review of the legislative
process.
"Makin' it Legal" Oregon's Legislative
Process" (19 minutes)
5th grade and above. This includes a fun introduction
to the legislative process. The film incorporates a game theme as you learn how
an idea becomes a law.
"So You Want to Testify!"
(9 minutes)
Explains the process of how a citizen testifies before a legislative
committee.
Following are rules to make your school's visit to the Capitol enjoyable:
- In consideration of others in the Capitol, please be quiet and orderly.
- When using stairs and hallways, please stay to the right and behind your guide.
- Sliding down the staricases in the Rotunda is not allowed.
- When visiting the galleries, please do not put your feet or other items such as purses or papers on the wooden ledges in the front row of seats. Please hold on to your camera equipment and information pamphlets.
- No food or beverage is allowed in the chamber galleries.
- No flash photography in galleries during floor sessions.
- Please do not visit office areas not authorized by Visitor Services. Authorized areas for Visitor Services are the 1st floor Galleria and Rotunda areas, 2nd floor Chamber Lobbies and Governor's Office (when doors are open), and the 3rd floor Chamber Galleries.
Eating
options
Your school group is welcome to bring lunches and eat outside
in the State Capitol State Park or on the grand staircase in the Capitol Rotunda. Please contact Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 if you are planning lunch in the Rotunda.
Cafe at the Capitol (503-585-4266) is located in the basement of the Capitol. Groups may call ahead
to order lunches.
Groups
are also able to eat, during the school year, at Willamette University's Goudy
Commons (503-370-6005).
The Capitol Gift Shop offers many low-cost souvenirs. For your convenience, a listing of items will be included in your confirmation letter.
We would be pleased to have your group shop in the Gift Shop as part of your trip to the Capitol. If you are unable to spend time in the Gift Shop, a form is available for advance orders. As an incentive for shopping ahead of your scheduled visit, we offer a 20% discount.
We would be happy to take your order over the phone, by FAX, or by mail. The items will be ready for you to pick up on the day of your trip. In order to get a 20% discount the person in charge must make one payment for the total amount of merchandise ordered. The 20% discount does not apply to sales made the day of the visit.
Due to the large number of schools taking advantage of this offer, we sometimes run out of an item. We will substitute a similar item of equal or greater value unless otherwise advised.
If you have questions about this page, please contact Visitor Services at 503-986-1388.
Contact information and answers to frequently asked questions about the legislature, legislative process other government agencies. The staff of the Oregon Legislature cannot respond to public requests for legal advice. To understand and protect your legal rights, consult your private lawyer. |
