Thank you for scheduling a visit to the Georgia State Capitol!
We look forward to seeing you. Please review your tour confirmation to ensure that your tour date and time are accurate. If you need to make changes please call our Tour Desk at 404-463-4536. Please print your tour confirmation and bring it to the Georgia Capitol on the day of your tour.
Tour information & guidelines Your tour begins at the Georgia State Capitol. Please meet your tour guide at the Tour Desk located just inside the Washington Street entrance of the Capitol. Tours will begin promptly at scheduled times. Your tour will be shortened if your group does not arrive on time.
Tour Overview: Tours last 20-30 minutes, and consist of information about the Capitol, historical figures, the state of Georgia and the General Assembly. Tours are limited to a maximum of 60 visitors, including students and adults. You can visit our museum exhibitions, located on the fourth floor, following your tour/orientation. We recommend 30 minutes to explore the museum (free).
If the General Assembly is in session at the time of your tour your guide will walk you up to the 4th floor galleries. It will be your responsibility to work with the gallery doorkeepers to gain entrance to the galleries (This can involve either a walk-through of your entire group or sending a small group of students at a time to watch the proceedings.) If the General Assembly is not in session, your guide will lead your group through the gallery.
Arrival time/Restrooms Groups needing to use restroom facilities at the Capitol should arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. Groups not needing restroom facilities should arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.
For student tours: It is mandatory that chaperones keep student groups quiet and together at all times. Please be sure a sufficient number of chaperones accompany your student group. We recommend one adult to 10 students. Please alert the Tour Desk if a significant amount of adults will be joining your group of students.
Code of conduct Teachers are responsible for the discipline and safety of their students at all times during their visit to the Capitol. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for keeping track of their students and making sure the students conduct themselves appropriately. Adults responsible for students should set a good example to their students. They also must be in control of their students at all times. Some rules to follow -Students should not run and should not lean on the balcony railings. -Noise must be kept to a minimum.
A Department of the University of Georgia Libraries 206 State Capitol ● Atlanta, Georgia 30334 ● [email protected] ● (404) 656-2846
-While outside the Capitol, students must not climb on statues or walk through the grass and/or flowerbeds. -Students should be reminded that important state business is being conducted throughout the Capitol. -All visitors to the galleries must remain seated and quiet and may not applaud. Groups who do not adhere to the code of conduct will be asked by a tour guide and/or Capitol security officer to modify their behavior. If a group continues to be unruly they may be directed by officers to exit the Capitol.
All adults must show a photo I.D. upon entering the Capitol. In compliance with security regulations, all visitors must enter the Capitol through a metal detector; the X-ray machine must examine hand- carried items. Visitors should not bring non-essential metal objects into the Capitol, as these items often set off the metal detector and delay groups when entering. No weapons, including pocketknives, are allowed in the Capitol.
Directions and parking Buses and commercial vans may park and unload passengers on the right side of Washington Street while the national security level is set at yellow or below. Please see the map for additional instructions.
A Department of the University of Georgia Libraries 206 State Capitol ● Atlanta, Georgia 30334 ● [email protected] ● (404) 656-2846
Photographs Pictures are allowed throughout the Capitol, with the exception of the House and Senate Galleries when the General Assembly is in session (January - April).
Meeting with your legislator For many a visit during the session includes a chance to meet with your state legislator. Please be aware that all meetings must be scheduled through your legislator’s office (for contact information 404-656-5015) and should be done only after a tour/orientation time has been scheduled with our Tour Desk. If your legislator can only meet during your tour/orientation time your group risks losing your scheduled time.
Photos with the Governor Many groups who visit the Capitol schedule a photo with the Governor. This must be done through the Office of the Governor 404-656-1776. We recommend that you schedule your photograph after your tour/orientation. If the Governor is delayed and you miss your scheduled tour/orientation you may not be able to reschedule for that same day.
Dining If a group brings lunch, students may eat outside at tables in the upper and lower levels of Talmadge Plaza, directly across from the west entrance to the Capitol. The food court at Underground Atlanta is nearby for groups who wish to purchase lunch. There are no indoor facilities at the Capitol for students to have lunch.
Georgia Building Authority Garden Room: The Georgia Building Authority is pleased to offer school groups the use of the Garden Room adjacent to Talmadge Plaza free of charge on a first come, first served basis. The Garden Room features both tables with chairs and floor space for groups to eat their lunches. The Garden Room has a food distribution counter, as well as restrooms. To schedule use of the Garden Room, and for all questions regarding use of the room, please contact: Sharon Burrow, Events Coordinator ‐ Georgia Building Authority at 404‐656‐3252, or email [email protected]. If you are scheduled for an afternoon tour or performance, and would like to use the room prior to your appointment, please factor this additional time into your arrival.
Capitol educational activities In addition to touring the Capitol there are many educational activities available for groups of all ages. These activities are either self guided or teacher led. They are especially helpful if you have two tour groups coming on the same day. These activities include special theme tours (for 6th grade and above), Capitol Exploration Guides, Fun with Miss Freedom, and a Capitol Grounds Tour & Scavenger Hunt. All of these activities must be scheduled in advance to make sure they fit into your orientation schedule. If your group is interested in any of these activities please contact our Tour Desk at 404-463-4536. To learn about these activities visit our website and view the Museum Activities pages.
A Department of the University of Georgia Libraries 206 State Capitol ● Atlanta, Georgia 30334 ● [email protected] ● (404) 656-2846