The Arkansas State Capitol is a working statehouse and public landmark at 500 Woodlane Street in Little Rock. You can walk the grounds, take a free guided tour on a weekday or explore with a self-guided tour book.
- Address: 500 Woodlane Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
- Building hours: weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends and state holidays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Guided tours: free, approximately 45 minutes, and scheduled in advance
Capitol grounds and location
The Capitol grounds offer a place to see the building’s exterior, monuments, native trees and seasonal landscaping. The state tourism listing describes the Capitol as Neoclassical, built with Arkansas granite and featuring six bronze doors.
Construction took place between 1899 and 1911, and the legislature first met in the unfinished building in 1911. The grounds have a self-guided tour book available through the Secretary of State’s tour information page.
Inside the statehouse
The public interior combines historic details with spaces used by Arkansas’s state government. The bronze doors were made by Tiffany & Co. in 1910, and the building has three chandeliers crafted by Tiffany’s of New York.
A self-guided tour book is available at the Visitor Center, and you can also view it on a mobile device. The Capitol Theater, near the Visitor Services Center, shows continuous informational videos about the building’s construction history and Arkansas history. Two public elevators are in the east lobby near the front entrance.
The Capitol Gift Shop and Post Office are both on the first-floor rotunda. The Natural State Cafe is on the lower level. Their opening hours vary, so check the official site before you go.
How do Arkansas State Capitol tours work?
Guided tours are free, last about 45 minutes and are offered on weekdays; schedule one in advance by emailing capitoltours@sos.arkansas.gov. The Secretary of State lists tours beginning on the hour at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Depending on access, a guided tour may include the Governor’s Reception Room, Old Supreme Court, House and Senate galleries, and bronze doors. The galleries are open to visitors when either legislative body is in session, but they are not part of the Capitol tour.
For a self-guided visit, pick up a tour book at the Visitor Center or view it on your phone. Only officially certified service dogs are allowed inside the Capitol.
Hours, security and parking
The building is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends and state holidays. The Secretary of State’s office provides visitor access and parking guidance; hours and access details can change, so check the official site before you go.
The public front entrance is on the east side, beneath the steps and bronze doors, through a tunnel. You can also enter at the back, on the west side. For parking, metered spaces are available along Capitol Avenue and 4th Street.
Spaces marked “Reserved Capitol Parking” may be used, but avoid numbered or otherwise reserved spots. Additional parking is available at the Department of Finance and Administration building lot on 7th Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Nearby stops to pair with the visit
For another stop focused on the city’s history, you can include Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in your plans. Its story offers a different perspective on the state’s civic history.
The Capitol is about 5.9 miles from El Rancho Motel.
A broader day around the city can combine the Capitol with other history and riverfront stops.
FAQs
Are Arkansas State Capitol tours free?
Yes. Guided tours are free and last approximately 45 minutes; arrange a weekday tour in advance by email.
Can you visit the Capitol without a guided tour?
Yes. You can use a self-guided tour book from the Visitor Center or view it on a mobile device.
Can visitors see the House and Senate galleries?
The galleries are open to visitors when either legislative body is in session, but they are not part of the Capitol tour.
Where is the public entrance?
The front entrance is on the east side, beneath the steps and bronze doors, through a tunnel. There is also an entrance at the back on the west side.