Tips for taking kids on an Oklahoma state Capitol tour

As I was recently considering top spots in OKC to take my kids, I realized that while we’ve driven by it many times, they’ve never been on an Oklahoma state Capitol tour. And unfortunately they’re more aware of the contentious debates and protests that happen in the Oklahoma state Capitol building than they are of the positive things happening within the hallowed walls. So we set out to together to discover the beauty, history and incredible artwork that can be found on a tour of the Oklahoma state Capitol building.

Before our tour, we connected with the experts! Special thanks to Elizabeth Sidler in the office of Sen. Julia Kirt for providing us with a detailed list of her favorite artwork and architecture to show her own niece and nephew when they tour the Oklahoma State Capitol. We loved having this scavenger hunt of sorts as we explored the building. And thanks to Amanda Harmer and Joel Gavin with the Oklahoma Arts Council for additional information on opportunities for kids and families to enjoy the Capitol art.

What is there to see and do on an Oklahoma State Capitol tour?

Thanks to the Oklahoma Arts Council, there is a variety of art to see on every floor. Also, the architecture inside the building is incredible. On the ground floor, you’ll find the Oklahoma State Capitol Museum with exhibits about the history of the building and work of Oklahoma’s state government. You can enter the Senate and House of Representatives chambers to see where laws are debated. Plus, you’ll find a gift store and cafe on the ground floor.

You can choose to take a guided tour of the building or enjoy a self-guided tour. My family spent about an hour and half on our most recent trip to the Capitol, but you can tailor your trip to be longer or shorter depending on how much time you have to spend.

It was very clear to our crew how intentional the selection and placement of the artwork inside the Capitol has been, and I was pleasantly surprised at how welcomed and included my kids felt. I thought it might feel intimidating to visit the Capitol with kids, but that was not our experience at all. Everyone we encountered, from security to the gift store staff to folks walking through the halls, seemed delighted to see us (and all the visitors) enjoying the space.

“This is the people’s house, we are all welcome and there are beautiful things to see while you are here,” said Harmer. “Everybody can find their story in the Capitol.”

Know before you go to the Oklahoma state Capitol:

• Visiting the Oklahoma State Capitol is FREE! The Capitol is open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends form 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find a map of the complex here.
• Free parking is available in lot south of the building. It can get crowded when the legislature is in session (February-May).
• The entrance is located on the southeast side of the building. After you’ve entered the front vestibule, all guests must go through security. See a list of prohibited items here.
• Free guided tours are available on weekdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you’re coming with 6 or fewer people, no reservations are required. Larger groups should request a tour. You can also enjoy self-guided tours anytime the building is open.

Don’t miss our favorite stops (thanks Elizabeth!):

1. Ground Floor
   1. Just past the security check-point, stop to admire a replica of The Guardian statue by Sen. Enoch Kelly Haney (Chickasaw), which stands atop the dome.
   2. On the wall east of The Guardian is a quilt made in the design of a gaillardia, our state wildflower. My mom has taught all my kids to sew (the gene skipped me!) and we really enjoyed marveling at the number of very tiny squares in this quilt.
   3. Past The Guardian replica is a video featuring Indigenous greetings from across Oklahoma. We were thrilled to see the greeting in our Choctaw language (Halito!) and heard greeting from many Tribal Nations we hadn’t heard of before. This was a meaningful way to get a sense of the many Tribal Nations in our state today.
   4. In the rotunda are larger-than-life portraits representing the people and industries of each corner of the state by artist Lucas Simmons
      (Cherokee Nation). The panels are new and the final one will be completed soon. We were awed at how lifelike the individual portrayed in the portraits appear.Plus, there are little “easter eggs” hidden in each painting; Elizabeth told us to look for a Sasquatch! While you’re standing in the rotunda, don’t forget to look UP at the beautiful Capitol dome. In fact, we enjoyed doing this on each floor.
   5. Walk down the west hallway to see artwork portraying the early days of Oklahoma. Don’t miss the pair of boots stitched with all our state symbols.
   6. In the Oklahoma State Capitol Museum, the kids most enjoyed learning about the addition of the dome to the building in 2002. They were entranced by a holographic image showing the building without the dome, under construction to add the dome and then as it stands today.
2. First floor
   1. The gallery of artwork on this floor is under construction, but there are several pieces to be enjoyed here currently. Eventually this floor will be home to artwork by Oklahoma artists as well as the Oklahoma Black History Capitol Art Collection.The kids recognized the bust of civil rights activist Clara Luper (learn more about her before or after your visit) and the painting of scientist George Washington Carver. Plus, we discovered additional paintings of notable Oklahomans whose stories we shared, like Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher.
3. Second floor
   1. In the rotunda, view four landscape paintings showing the wide variety of wild weather in Oklahoma. And don’t forget to look up at the dome from this vantage point!
   2. The Hall of Governors is in the southeast corner, and it includes busts of every Governor in state history.
   3. At the end of the row of busts is a larger-than-life portrait called Making Her Mark, which honors four female leaders: Dr. Shannon Lucid, the first female astronaut; Opaline Deveraux Wadkins, who organized the first school to train Black nurses; Chief Wilma Mankiller, the first female Chief of a major Tribal Nation; and Senator Maxine Horner, one of the first Black women to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate.
   4. Walk to the south end of the hall to the bottom of the Grand Staircase — then you’ll be walking up the original entrance to the Capitol. The stairs take you all the way up to the Fourth floor (or there’s a tunnel-like entrance to the Third floor). As we were entering the Capitol, my middle asked if the big/main doors still worked. You’ll be able to see the inside of the doors here.
4. Fourth floor
   1. The rotunda and the incredibly vibrant colors of all the portraits and landscapes make for a great 360 degree end to cap off the tour. We were especially enamored with “Flight of Spirit,” showcasing five renowned Indigenous ballerinas from Oklahoma as well as the significant contribution to the arts by Native people.
   2. The entrances to the House and Senate chambers are located just off the rotunda. You can walk into the Senate chamber on your own. Be sure to visit both the floor where Senators desks are located and the upper observation area.To visit the House chamber, visit the desk in front of the chamber and request a quick tour. Our guide was so kind in answering our questions and sharing fascinating information about the chamber. She shared that the more senior members sit closer to the front. In this chamber, two representatives share a desk (in the Senate, members each have their own desk) — and we wondered aloud what happened when representatives with vastly differing viewpoints share a desk!

Additional opportunities for kids and families at the Oklahoma State Capitol:

• Capitol Art field trip grants are available to schools across the state. After our visit, I know this would be a meaningful opportunity for students to get to step into the place where state laws are made, plus enjoy a wide variety of art, history and interesting trivia about Oklahoma. Public, private and charter schools can apply, and, depending on how far the school is from the Capitol, there’s a sliding scale of funds that can be reimbursed to the school for school-approved transportation, drivers, mileage, substitute teachers and additional school support staff. Apply here.
• Curriculum about the Capitol Art is available for teachers, families or anyone interested in learning more. In addition to details about the artwork, you can find activities related to each piece.