Alabama State Capitol
Alabama State Capitol
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
About
Built in 1851, the capitol building served as the first capitol for the Confederate States of America.
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- George Vreeland HillBeverly Hills, California1,941 contributionsAlabama State CapitolThe Alabama State Capitol is both a place where Alabama's leaders make decisions and a museum. It's a gorgeous building with a past that changed the South and America. The Confederacy was founded here in 1861, and history did not end there. If walls could talk, there would be plenty to say. You can visit many of the rooms and walk of halls of southern legends. It all comes alive in stunning 1800s decor and you will feel like you are back in time. Some offices look like they were back then. You will not be alone as you walk as portraits of every past Alabama governor eye your every move. It's an experience you will tell others about. I do. George Vreeland HillVisited September 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 2, 2024
- Diane KVenice, Florida4,624 contributionsInteresting historyThe capital is free to visit. We were fortunate to be there when one of the guards took us and a family from France around to see the building. I hadn’t realized that this is where the states voted to succeed from the Union. Also outside on the steps is where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as President of the Confederacy.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 22, 2024
- TeammilitelloDes Moines, Iowa2,831 contributionsAbsolutely beautifulFriendly staff. Spotless building. We did a 3-bldg. tour in the area: Archives, 1st White House, & the Capitol. All Free. You can walk into both chambers on the 1st floor & balcony. Such a fun day out.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 1, 2024
- Giorgio-7046Barcelona, Spain896 contributionsSymbol of history and nice buildingNice building in Montgomery. It can be visited and access is free. There is a part where they are working that logically cannot be visited. In front of the country's first White House, small building but symbolic of the southern states that did not want unification with the northVisited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 25, 2024
- NapsterthecatHuntsville, Alabama1,329 contributionsVery nice, worth visitingVery nice and worth visiting. We went while the while out of session so hardly anyone was there. A guide walked us around and showed us some highlights and critical dates/events. We enjoyed just walking around by ourselves. The grounds are beautiful and worth walking around.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
423 reviews
Excellent
194
Very good
160
Average
57
Poor
9
Terrible
3
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY2,047 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
There was free parking near the building only a short walk away. Upon entry be prepared to go through security before heading to the information table directly inside the building. There you will get a quick overview and a self-guided tour pamphlet to assist exploring the three stories.
Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aerowing
Monee, IL5,935 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We explored the inside of the Alabama State Capitol on a road trip we did recently. It’s a nice historic building and it’s free to enter.
The rotunda was one of the highlights with the murals beneath the dome which are beautiful and were painted in the 1920s and took three years to complete. We also walked through the old supreme court chamber, the old house chamber and the house chamber gallery . It was interesting to see.
It’s worth a visit if you’re in Montgomery. Plan on spending about an hour here.
The rotunda was one of the highlights with the murals beneath the dome which are beautiful and were painted in the 1920s and took three years to complete. We also walked through the old supreme court chamber, the old house chamber and the house chamber gallery . It was interesting to see.
It’s worth a visit if you’re in Montgomery. Plan on spending about an hour here.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jerryg364
Montgomery, AL56 contributions
Feb 2021
Perched atop Goat Hill at the apex of Dexter Avenue, the Alabama Capitol is a stately reminder of a rich history. One can stand on the bronze star marking the spot where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederacy and gaze a block away at the church from which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. founded the Civil Rights movement. The Selma March terminated at the foot of Capitol steps. Although no longer used for the legislative sessions (the lobbyists needed more room!), the building still houses the governor's office and the former legislative chambers are open for visits. The view down Dexter to the Court Square Fountain is very scenic.
Written February 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarmerRK
Moraga, CA616 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
The Capitol building is open Mon-Fri. from 8 am – 5pm and it served as the first capitol of the Confederate States of America. There is an elevator at the far end of the building if you want to take an elevator to see the rotunda. There was no guide when we were there. If time is tight, I would skip this site. I did enjoy standing at the entrance of the building and look at Dexter Avenue, this is the place where the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March took place on March 25, 1965. Spend 30 min visiting it.
Written October 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaveH
1 contribution
Jan 2020
We were fortunate to have Dr. Aroine Irby guide us through the history and architecture of this beautiful capital. Dr. Irby pointed out various, unique physical features of the building itself and talked to us about the history of several famous Alabama governors and Jefferson Davis’ inaugural.
Highly recommended...
Highly recommended...
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy K
Oviedo, FL807 contributions
Jul 2019
The dome is absolutely beautiful inside. If you can't see the stained glass at the top, try zooming with your camera. This is no longer where the legislature meets, but the old chambers are still interesting in decor. I found it amazing that there were areas marked on the map and described, such as the two old Governor's Suites, but also noted as "not accessible". Why?
If you are into Southern history, there is plenty of it here. The aforementioned dome also has murals of Alabama history below it, but some of the "titles" below them leave something to be desired in their treatment of non-whites.
Outside, there is the Avenue of Flags of the states, with plaques below them made from stone from the particular state with the name engraved in it. Hawaii seems to be lava rock, for example. The Goat Hill Museum on the lowest level of the building is quite good and offers items from around the state.
If you are into Southern history, there is plenty of it here. The aforementioned dome also has murals of Alabama history below it, but some of the "titles" below them leave something to be desired in their treatment of non-whites.
Outside, there is the Avenue of Flags of the states, with plaques below them made from stone from the particular state with the name engraved in it. Hawaii seems to be lava rock, for example. The Goat Hill Museum on the lowest level of the building is quite good and offers items from around the state.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonya Bailey
Gadsden, AL29 contributions
Apr 2022
My family and I visited the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, AL. It is opened Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm. It's closed on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is FREE. There are parking meters on the street. The capitol is wheelchair accessible. It is a self-guided tour. There are 3 floors to view. On the first floor in the Entrance Hall, Supreme Court Chamber, and Supreme Court Library. The second floor you can view the Rotunda, House Chamber, and Senate Chamber. Third floor you can view House Chamber Gallery and the Senate Chamber Gallery. The Capitol's grounds have several monuments to view. On the top step it is marked with a bronze star showing where President Jefferson Davis stood at during his inauguration.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam R
Potomac, MD50 contributions
Jan 2023
The capitol complex and grounds are beautiful to be sure, but they are marred by numerous monuments to the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, and other “heroes” of the Confederacy (e.g.
the Father of Modern Gynecology,” whose discoveries were made by experimenting on Black women against their will. While a newer installation on the capitol grounds seeks to tell the story of Alabama in a more accurate way, these Confederate monuments are a reminder that vestiges of that time period are still part of Alabama’s state culture.
the Father of Modern Gynecology,” whose discoveries were made by experimenting on Black women against their will. While a newer installation on the capitol grounds seeks to tell the story of Alabama in a more accurate way, these Confederate monuments are a reminder that vestiges of that time period are still part of Alabama’s state culture.
Written February 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALLSLC
Salt Lake City, UT505 contributions
Feb 2020
I've been to lots of state capitols and this one really doesn't rank up there. It's meh on the inside and the outside. There aren't any historic exhibits to speak of though there are signs outside some of the rooms explaining their historical context. The dome is ok and the artwork inside is not very good compared to other states. Honestly, the amount to see and the quality of what you're seeing isn't worth the stop.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slas86
Glenpool, OK704 contributions
Apr 2022
The building itself is beautiful. We tried to do a self guided tour but after 4 pm there wasn't anyone to give us any information so there wasn't much to see. A lot of the capitol was closed (understandably) but it was disappointing. the outside of the building and grounds are beautiful
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Typically state capitols do not charge for admission. Alabama is no different.
Written May 26, 2019
jberz2018
West Palm Beach, Florida
Can you walk around inside the building without taking a tour on the weekends?
Written June 16, 2018
If it’s during hours you can. W took a tour on a weekend. But you don’t have to.
Written June 20, 2018
Is there a good place to park? I am traveling with my disabled parents who are not able to walk more than a block.
Written March 4, 2018
You can park at the building, so no issue at all for senior citizens.
Written March 5, 2018
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