Idaho State Capitol

The Idaho State Capitol is the architectural anchor of downtown Boise, and it is among the more welcoming statehouses in the country. Completed in the early 1900s and expanded with wings in the 1970s, the building is faced with local sandstone and topped by a dome crowned with a gilded eagle. Inside, polished marble from several states and abroad covers floors and walls, and the rotunda is airy and bright. Visitors are welcome to walk in during business hours, and there is no charge. One of its most unusual features is the heating. The Capitol is warmed by water from natural hot springs beneath the city, a geothermal system that dates back more than a century and also heats many other downtown buildings. Boise's geothermal district is one of the oldest in the United States, and it explains why you can sometimes see steam rising from pipes or fountains on winter mornings. The Capitol is often cited as the only state capitol heated this way.

Inside, look for the statue of George Washington on horseback, carved from a single log of local wood, and the sculpture and artwork scattered through the corridors. The rotunda has a museum-like feel, with historic photographs and displays about Idaho's history. A statue of a bald eagle and a Lincoln display add more detail. Chambers for the House and Senate are open for viewing when they are not in session.

Guided tours are offered at certain times, and self-guided pamphlets are available at the entrance. If the Legislature is in session, usually from January through the spring, you can watch debates from the public galleries. This is a rare chance to see state government in action and talk with legislators, though crowds are larger. Check the schedule and security rules before you go, since you may need to pass a screening at the door.

Outside, Capitol Mall and the surrounding streets are good for walking. The Capitol faces Capitol Boulevard, which runs directly to the Boise Depot, and nearby are the Basque Block, the Grove Plaza and plenty of restaurants. In the summer there are outdoor markets and concerts around downtown, and in December the Capitol is decorated for the holidays.

Allow about an hour for a self-guided visit. The building is fully accessible, with elevators and ramps, and restrooms are available inside. Free parking is limited near the Capitol, so use nearby garages or walk from a downtown hotel.

A few details are worth looking for. The rotunda's dome and the surrounding murals tell stories of the state's founding and resources, and the marble used throughout comes from different quarries around the country and abroad. The grounds outside include monuments and gardens, and the front steps are a popular place for photographs, with the foothills rising behind.

If you enjoy architecture, the building is an example of the neoclassical style used for many American statehouses, adapted with local stone. The later wings were designed to blend with the original, and the combined structure is easy to walk around. A short stroll around the outside rewards you with views of the dome from different angles and a sense of how the building anchors downtown.