Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Legislature

The Minnesota State Capitol is located on the north side of downtown St. Paul. It is accessible from the east and west on I-94, and from the north and south on I-35E.

Minnesota State Capitol (map)
75 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Directions

The directions are to either Ramp F (from Rice Street) or metered parking on John Ireland Boulevard, but there are other parking options available.

• From eastbound I-94: Exit at Marion Street. Turn left. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right. Go one block, turn right onto Rice Street, then left into Ramp F.
• From westbound I-94: Exit at Marion Street. Turn right. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right. Go one block, turn right onto Rice Street, then left into Ramp F.
• From northbound I-35E: Exit at Kellogg Boulevard. Turn left. Go to John Ireland Boulevard and turn right. Metered parking spaces line both sides of the boulevard.
• From southbound I-35E: Exit at University Avenue. Turn right. Go to Rice Street and turn left. Turn left into Ramp F.

The Minnesot Department of Administration has a public parking page.This includes a map with accessible parking locations noted.

Additional parking information is available on the directions and parking page of the Minnesota State Capitol website from the Minnesota Historical Society. The accessibility page of the Capitol website has links to accessible parking information and maps. 

Keep in mind that parking is very limited during the legislative session (January-May). You may want to consider public transportation. Both the Metro Transit bus line and the Green Line light rail have stops near the Capitol.

There is a video offering parking options from the Minnesota Senate Media Services, which can also give you some pointers.

Free indoor guided and self-guided tours are available.

Minnesota Senate Media Services has a brief video tour as well.

The only people admitted on the floor of the Senate Chamber are members of the Senate and House, constitutional officers, ex-governors of Minnesota, judges of the Trial and Appellate Courts, members of Congress, members of the press, and Senate staff.

See also the FAQ: Are visitors allowed to attend sessions of the Senate and House?

The only people admitted on the floor of the House Chamber are members of the House and Senate, constitutional officers, ex-governors of Minnesota, judges of the Trial and Appellate Courts, members of Congress, members of the press, and House staff. The House rules note that a "family member of a member" is also allowed. In addition, some allowances are made for special visitors to go onto the House floor. The House rules contains a complete list of those admitted.

See also the FAQ: Are visitors allowed to attend sessions of the Senate and House?

Yes. Public galleries are accessible from the third floor of the Capitol.

No passes are required except for opening day and when the Legislature meets in joint session. The Sergeant-at-Arms may be contacted for seats for groups in the galleries.

No visitors are allowed on the floor of the Senate. Some visitors are allowed on the House floor, but they must obtain permission.

No smoking is permitted on the floor of the Senate, the House, or in the galleries.

Public photos are prohibited. Staff photographers in both the House and Senate are allowed to photograph proceedings.

Applause, demonstrations, and food and beverages are also prohibited in the galleries.

There are few restrictions for taking photographs in the Capitol - including using tripods/monopods or flash photography.

The restrictions are:

• If a photo shoot requires a lot of equipment (i.e. Stand-alone lighting, taking up public space for a length of time, etc.), permission is required. Contact the Minnesota Department of Administration's Facilities Management Office at 651-201-2300.
• In the public galleries of the House and Senate chamber while the legislature is in session, public photos are prohibited. Staff photographers in both the House and Senate are allowed to photograph proceedings.

Approval and coordination of special events and public rallies within Capitol Complex buildings and grounds is managed by the Department of Administration.

• For information on event permits, equipment rental, and event resources visit the Public Events Web page.
• To find an event, check the Capitol Complex Events Schedule Web page.

See also the FAQ: How do I schedule a press conference or reserve a room at the Capitol?

Please use the Capitol Complex Reservations page to book a room. In the Capitol building, there are meeting rooms for the public on the third floor. You can drop in to the Public Business Center in room 318. There are other rooms that you can reserve on that floor including: Cass Gilbert Library Room (317A), or conference rooms (309A, 316, 317, 317B). The G20A conference room is on the ground floor and is reservable. The press conference room in the Capitol is Room B971. For questions about access to Capitol spaces contact the Department of Administration at 651-201-2300.

If you would like to reserve a Senate hearing room, please fill out the Request for Use of Senate Facilities form. Contact the Senate Sergeant at Arms at 651-296-0866 with any questions.

To reserve a House hearing room, please contact the House room scheduler at 651-296-0306.

If you’re looking for available space to work without a reservation, you can use the Public Business Center in room 318 in the Capitol or the Legislative Reference Library in 321 Capitol. In the Minnesota Senate Building, there are many chairs throughout the hallways or you can drop by the Legislative Reference Library on the 3rd floor.

See also the FAQ: Who do I contact to schedule an event at the Capitol?

Yes. The accessibility page on the Minnesota State Capitol website from the Minnesota Historical Society contains information such as entrances available for visitors with limited mobility and services available for visitors with hearing or visual impairment.

For more information, call: 651-259-3292
TTY: 651-282-6073
or email: statecapitol@mnhs.org

The Transportation Building cafeteria is open all year: Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

During session, the Rathskeller Café in the basement of the State Capitol is open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

There is a convenience store on the second floor of the State Capitol operated by Services for the Blind, which is open periodically during session.

On nice weather days, you may see food trucks lined up on John Ireland Blvd.

There are several maps available from the Minnesota Department of Administration about the Capitol Complex area. The State Capitol Complex Visitor Map (PDF) is a full map of all buildings, parking facilities and public transportation locations in the Capitol Complex.

The Geospacial Information Office has an Interactive Map of the Capitol Area (Web page). Click on a location to get directions via Google Maps.

There are lactation rooms available in the Capitol, Minnesota Senate Building, and the State Office Building. 

Capitol - Room 104A is the Mother's Room. It is located on the first floor of the Capitol Building near the elevators/stairwell between the North and West corridors.

Minnesota Senate Building - Two rooms are available: G007 and G008. They are each labeled "Nursing Mother Room" and are located on the ground floor across from the double elevators.

State Office Building - One room is available. A key can be requested from House Human Resources on the first floor. During the legislative session the room is in high demand, so there may be a wait to access it. [Note: The State Office Building is temporarily closed to the public for construction.]

Note: The State Office Building is temporarily closed to the public for construction.

Hearing rooms in the Minnesota Senate Building are accessible to individuals using wheelchairs.

The State Capitol is wheelchair accessible except for the roof. Please see the accessibility page of the Minnesota State Capitol website for more details.

The Capitol Complex has designated parking and entrance ramps to provide easy access to the buildings, including the Minnesota Senate Building, State Office Building, and Capitol. The Minnesota State Capitol Directions and Parking page has more detailed parking information.

For individual assistance, contact:

• Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota Historical Society, at 651- 259-3292
• Senate Sergeant at Arms at 651-296-1119 for help in the Minnesota Senate Building and Senate Chamber and hearing rooms in the Capitol Building.
• House Sergeant's Office at 651-296-4860 for help in the House Chamber and hearing rooms in the Capitol Building.

Wheelchair-accessible public access computers for using the Legislative website are available at:

• The Legislative Reference Library, 3238 Minnesota Senate Building.
• The Legislative Reference Library, 321 Capitol.
• House Public Information Services, 3300 Centennial Office Building (3rd floor), 658 Cedar Street.

If you have other accessibility needs, contact: accessibility.coordinator@lcc.mn.gov, or call 651-296-6036.

Two wheelchairs are available, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS), at the Capitol Information and Tour Center for visitor use in the State Capitol only. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the Minnesota Historical Society with questions: 651-259-3292. Additional details are available on the MNHS accessibility page.

Capitol

The address for the Minnesota State Capitol is 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and that street location will work for vehicles under 8.2ft. If you are arriving or departing in a larger vehicle, use the bus cut-out on Cedar Ave: 44°57'16.6"N 93°06'03.5"W. Please see the accessibility page on the Minnesota State Capitol website for more details.

Minnesota Senate Building

The address for the Minnesota Senate Building is 95 University Ave W. There is a drop off and pick up location on Park St. to the west of the building: 44°57'23.1"N 93°06'13.2"W.

Centennial Office Building

The address for the Centennial Office Building is 658 Cedar St. Disability access is at the east entrance. Enter from the driveway between the Centennial Parking Ramp and the building from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard: 44°57'14.1"N 93°06'01.0"W.

The security desk is located on the street level and is staffed from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

State Office Building

Note: The State Office Building is temporarily closed to the public for construction.

The official repository for lost and found items at the Capitol Complex is the Facilities Management Office in G10 in the Admin Building.

If you lost something recently, please contact these offices first:

• Capitol Building: Capitol Information and Tour Center located in Room 126 on the first floor to the East side of the main entrance (South entrance).
• Minnesota Senate Building: Senate Information desk located on the ground floor.
• State Office Building: the Sergeant's Office located in room G-85 on the ground floor.

If you'd like to reserve a room, please use the Capitol Complex Reservations page. In the Capitol building, there are meeting rooms for the public on the third floor. You can drop in to the Public Business Center in room 318. There are other rooms that you can reserve on that floor including: Cass Gilbert Library Room (317A), or conference rooms (309A, 316, 317, 317B). The G20A conference room is on the ground floor and is reservable. The press conference room in the Capitol is Room B971. For questions about access to Capitol spaces contact the Department of Administration at 651-201-2300.

If you would like to reserve a Senate hearing room, please fill out the Request for Use of Senate Facilities form. Contact the Senate Sergeant at Arms at 651-296-0866 with any questions.

The State Office Building is temporarily closed due to construction. You would usually contact the House room scheduler at 651-296-0306 to reserve a House hearing room.

If you’re looking for available space to work without a reservation, you can use the Public Business Center in room 318 in the Capitol or the Legislative Reference Library in room 321 Capitol. In the Minnesota Senate Building, there are many chairs throughout the hallways or you can drop by the Legislative Reference Library on the 3rd floor.

See also the FAQ: Who do I contact to schedule an event at the Capitol?

The State Office Building is now closed to the public for construction. The tunnel between the State Office Building and the Capitol is also closed.

Please check with individual legislative offices for the most recent update on their location and availability.

The Minnesota State Capitol building hours are: 

• Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Sunday: Closed

The Minnesota Senate Building is open Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm during session, with reduced hours in the interim. 

The State Office Building is temporarily closed to the public for construction.

The tunnel between the State Office Building and the Capitol is temporarily closed during construction. The tunnel between the Minnesota Senate Building and the Capitol is open Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The tunnels between buildings are open the same hours as the buildings they connect.