Directions and Guidelines

Directions and Guidelines

Tours do not take place on State and Federal Holidays, the day after Thanksgiving or between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Directions

The State Capitol is located at 210 Capitol Avenue. The Legislative Office Building is located at 300 Capitol Avenue. The tours begin at the west entrance of the Legislative Office Building located at 300 Capitol Avenue.

Going East on I-84: Take the Capitol Ave. Exit 48B. The Capitol is on the left and the Legislative Office Building (LOB) on the right.

Going West on I-84: Take the Asylum Street Exit 48. Turn right at the light, then immediately take the left fork, which is Farmington Avenue. Turn left at the next light onto Broad Street. After one light and the State Armory, turn left into the Legislative Office Building driveway and continue left to the LOB Garage. To park at the Capitol (which has very limited space), from Broad Street, turn left at the second light onto Capitol Avenue. Turn left onto Trinity Street at the third light, and left onto the Capitol Grounds.

From I-91, Northbound and Southbound: Take the Capitol Area Exit 29A. Follow the Whitehead Highway; go halfway around the rotary onto Elm St., left onto Trinity St., and bear right onto Capitol Ave. The Capitol and the Legislative Office Building (LOB) are on the right.

Parking: Limited free parking is available in the Legislative Office Building parking garage (weekdays only) accessible from both Capitol Avenue and Broad Street and on the north Capitol grounds off Trinity Street. On-street metered parking and commercial parking lots are also available nearby.

 

Guidelines

  • Free one-hour Guided Tours are provided for walk-in visitors and groups. Student groups at the fourth grade level and above may book a tour anytime during the year. Tours for third grade students who are studying Connecticut history and/or government are offered before or after the legislative session. Note: In odd-numbered years, session begins on the Wednesday following the first Monday in January and adjourns not later than the Wednesday following the first Monday in June. In even-numbered years, session begins on the Wednesday following the first Monday in February and adjourns not later than the Wednesday following the first Monday in May. Families with younger children are welcome anytime.
  • Two tours an hour can be scheduled with a maximum of 30 participants each (including students and adults). In order to best utilize our volunteer guides, small groups and individuals may be joined with larger groups. ALL weekday tours begin inside the west entrance of the Legislative Office Building located at 300 Capitol Avenue.
  • A chaperone for every 8 students is recommended. Chaperones are responsible for supervision and must remain with the group at all times. Four adults are required for each third grade class.
  • Both buildings are working offices and visitors are asked to be respectful of others working within the buildings. Tours always stimulate conversation, but voices carry in large open spaces.
  • Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing of gum, cell phones and beepers (unless on silent mode) and other electronic devices are not allowed on the tour. Photography is permitted as long as the devices used are silent. Carrying backpacks and the use of student questionnaires while on tour is not recommended. Personal belongings (i.e. lunches, coats, backpacks, and handbags) must be carried with you on tour.
  • Bag lunches may not be eaten in the Legislative Office Building Cafeteria or elsewhere in the building. Outdoor picnic tables are available on the north side of the LOB.
  • Food may be purchased in the Legislative Office Building Cafeteria, which is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. on days the legislature is in session). Groups wishing to purchase lunch should plan to eat before 11:30 or after 1:00. Please contact the cafeteria at (860)-240-0205 to let them know the number purchasing lunch.