Louisiana's Old State Capitol — Attraction in Baton Rouge

A free visit and self guided tour.

We visited from out of town and took a few hours to visit downtown Baton Rouge. We stopped in through the Old State Capital and learned a lot about Mr. Huey Long and other members who walked the halls of this building.

Its architecture is beautiful, and there are a lot of fun spots throughout the building that are interactive, so you're not reading the whole time.

We were allowed to take pictures throughout the tour as long as there was no flash and we were given a layout of the floor plan, so we knew where to go if we wanted to see any particular rooms.

They did have an option for an audio tour. We passed on it.

There is a gift shop on the lower level, and they have a mix of State Capitol gifts and other gifts geared towards Louisiana, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge.

The staff was extremely friendly. The only "ill-experience" we had was parking. We parked on the side of the capitol with all of the stairs because every other metered parking was full, and their website didn't state there was a parking lot in the back. Looks like it could have been for staff and handicap, but there were plenty of spots and plenty of people who parked back there. It was just a long walk in the dead of the heat to have to climb the stairs.

Fun place to visit if you love history, beautiful architecture to see if you just enjoy...

The Old Louisiana State Capitol, also known as the State House, the Louisiana Castle, the Castle of Baton Rouge, the Castle on the River, the Museum of Political History or simply the Old Capitol Building, is a historic government building that housed the Louisiana State Legislature from the mid-19th century until the current capitol tower building was constructed in 1929-1932. Located at 100 North Boulevard in Baton Rouge, it was built to both look like and function like a castle. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Today, it is a museum. Restored in the 1990s, the Old State Capitol is now the Museum of Political History, within walking distance of the current capitol tower and many culturally significant buildings in downtown Baton Rouge, including the Old Louisiana Governor's Mansion, the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum, St. Joseph Cathedral and the Shaw Center. The Museum of Political History features attractions and exhibits showcasing the building as an architectural treasure and highlighting historic artifacts. One of the most interesting features is an interactive gallery that focuses on past state governors, including infamous Huey P. Long. Admission to the museum is free and the building is...

We absolutely loved our visit to Louisiana’s Old State Capitol! The building is an architectural masterpiece—every inch packed with incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. The stained glass dome is truly over the top in the best way, casting colorful light across the ornate interior. We were blown away by the intricate woodwork throughout the space, and even the engraved door hinges stood out as tiny works of art.

Some of our favorite features included the grand spiral staircase, the unique exterior pocket doors, and the thoughtfully curated exhibits. Highlights for us were the Hall of Presidents, the beautifully preserved 1861 hand-stitched Confederate “First National Flag,” and the delicate 1850 embroidery on display.

It’s not just a building—it’s an experience that celebrates history, design, and storytelling. A must-see if you're in...