Tours are 45 min long and informative. Not much of a gift shop. Pretty standard as far as statehouses go, nothing really stood out as unique. Just the usual marble columns, House, Senate, Library etc

Definitely worth a stop in Providence, even if it's just to look around the building for a little bit. The inside is beautifully decorated and has several pieces of artwork and memorials to look at. The free one-hour tour was expertly done and well worth the time. Ann was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic throughout the tour.

Planning on the self guided tour as a brief stop and happened on a 10:30 docent tour. She was excellent in speaking of the history, architecture and happenings of the capitol building. The tour was inclusive and informative. Would say it was an hour well spent.

I recently visited the state of Rhode Island for the first time Labor Day, and I wanted to see its Capitol because these structures reflect the way people in the state wish to be seen. Unfortunately, on holidays, the building is closed; however, we were able to enjoy the exterior and beautiful grounds. The structure is an incredible white marble facade including its impressive dome which is the heaviest dome in the United States. While a little smaller than the US Capitol and other states, it is impressively situated on a hill overlooking downtown Providence and can be seen from all over the city. It is also surrounded by lush grove of green trees that provide great shade as you walk around. Interesting facts are that the current State House was finished in 1901 and not until then did the Rhode Island state government have a permanent home. Prior the current building, the capitol was rotated, common in southern New England, between Providence and Newport and in colonial times, the 5 RI county seats all share the capitol. Lastly, the Capitol is topped by a gold statue known as "The independent Man", a tribute to the independence of colonial founder, Roger Williams. Currently it is under renovation including new gold plating.