Oh boy I remember them covering this on our tour. Here is the answer on Wikipedia. The central open court is dominated by a shaft intended to support a massive dome. The dome and tower were never completed, as it was found the building's weight was causing stress fractures and making the building shift downhill toward State Street. To stop this movement, a large, 166-foot (51 m) long exterior Eastern Staircase was added to support the front facade.

Hello Patti - The Capitol DOES NOT shut down for two weeks in the summer. The Capitol is open Monday - Friday, 7a to 7p and is closed on weekends and holidays. Free tours are offered Monday - Friday, at 10a, Noon, 2p, and 3p. We also offer Saturday tours at 11a and 1p. The only way to access the Capitol on Saturday is through the guided tour. Registration is required for Saturday tours. Call the Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 for info. Thank you.

Hi Phil - We always recommend to our visitors the Empire State Plaza Visitor Parking (V-Lot). It is the best way to experience the Empire State Plaza government complex and historic New York State Capitol. Most of the answers below are correct. Complete parking information can be found on our website. Please contact the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 if you have any other questions. Thank you.

Guided tour duration varies but usually last ONE HOUR. We always inform visitors that if they have time constraints they can leave the tour at any time. Tour times are M-F at 10AM, 12Noon, 2PM & 3PM. The only time you have to register for a tour is if you have a group of 10+. More info about registering for a tour can be found on our website (follow link on main page). We also offer two tours on every second Saturday of the month at 11AM & 1PM. Reservations are required for Saturday tours and can be made on our website (follow link on main page). Feel free to call the Empire State Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 if you have any questions. Thank you.

Strollers are absolutely welcome on our FREE Capitol tours. Any type of pushchair is allowed in the building. The Capitol is also ADA compliant with elevators that allow visitors to freely access the building. Stroller access is easiest at the Washington Ave entrance and Plaza Concourse Level entrance. If you have any questions please call the Plaza Visitor Center & Gift Shop at 518-474-2418. We can help you plan your visit and much more. Thank you.

Hello, Thank you for contacting us. There is no fee for any of our guided tours. We offer Capitol tours Monday-Friday at 10AM, 12Noon, 2PM & 3PM. We also offer tours of the Capitol on the second Saturday of each month at 11AM & 1PM. Reservations are required for those tours and can be made on our website. Parking information can also be found on our website. Thank you.

The Capitol is closed weekends and holidays except for the second Saturday of each month. The only way to access the Capitol on that Saturday is through our guided tour times of 11AM and 1PM. Registration is required and can be done at ogs.ny.gov. Feel free to call the Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 if you have further questions. Thank you.

Guided tours are M-F at 10AM, 12Noon, 2PM & 3PM. The only time you have to register for a tour is if you have a group of 10+. More info about registering for a tour can be found at ogs.ny.gov. We also offer two tours on every second Saturday of the month at 11AM & 1PM. Reservations are required for the Saturday tour, they can be made at ogs.ny.gov. Feel free to call the Visitor Center at 518-474-2418 if you have further questions. Thank you.