Tours and events at Ohio Statehouse, Museum, and Gift Shop

The stunning Capitol Square complex sits in the middle of downtown Columbus, surrounded by Broad, High, State, and 3rd Streets. Capitol Square includes the Ohio Statehouse, Senate Building and Atrium. The buildings are working government offices, and monuments to the people and the period during which Ohio’s democracy was founded and formed.

Besides the business side of day-to-day activity, there is plenty for the public to enjoy at the at the People’s House, our Ohio Statehouse, including events, tours, and more.

Ohio Statehouse Tours

Guided tours are currently suspended, but you can take self-guided or cell phone tours, wearing masks and social distancing are encouraged. Start your tour using the self-guided tour brochure and the cell phone tour available in the Map Room, which is easily accessible from the Third Street entrance, 

The House and Senate Chambers are kept locked, and are only available to be viewed during guided tours once they resume.

Cell phone tours

Learn about the people and places that the Ohio Statehouse monument collection pays tribute to. Visitors can explore the 10 acres of Capitol Square and dial in on their cell phone to specific predetermined phone numbers and listen to descriptions about the monuments and sculpture. The cell phone audio tour is FREE, except for air-time minutes according to each visitor’s cell phone calling plan.

The Ohio Statehouse Monument Cell Phone Audio Tour begins with the outside monuments and gardens on Capitol Square. Inside the Ohio Statehouse, phone messages describe the rooms and artworks of the Capitol. This allows guests to tour in thier own time. Pick up a paper brochure in the ground-floor Map Room.

Museum Education Center

Museum exhibits are closed for health and safety precautions until further notice. Follow along on Facebook to learn from home!

Shop at the Statehouse Museum Shop

The Museum Shop located on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse and is open to the public. The Shop accepts all Statehouse Market Place on-line orders, telephone orders and email requests.

The Shop specializes in unique gifts with an Ohio or political theme. Most gifts are made by Ohio artists or businesses, and many items are exclusive to the Museum Shop. Gifts range from wine and pottery, to lapel pins, clothing and even those hard-to-find postcards. The Museum Shop has the perfect gift no matter what the occasion!

Hours are Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• January Book Sale: The Shop has fiction, non-fiction and picture books related to Ohio and Ohio authors.  Select items are discounted January 19-22 during this special sale. 

Annual Statehouse Events

Red Carnation Day Exhibit

January 29 – January 31: Dayton, Ohio, native Lewis G. Reynolds founded the Carnation League of America in 1903. The League encouraged all Americans to wear a red carnation on William McKinley’s birthday, January 29.  The observance will include a small exhibit on the history of Carnation Day and the life and legacy of Ohio Governor and President William McKinley. 

Wear red or a red carnation on January 29 and get a 20% off discount at The Statehouse Museum Shop. Some exclusions apply: postage, wine, food, nylon flags, consignment items, dated Statehouse ornaments, and the books, Art and Artistry of the Ohio Statehouse and From Cornerstone to Cupola. 

January 29 at noon. Free online tour on Red Carnation Day. The virtual tour of the Ohio Statehouse will talk about architecture, art, history, and state government throughout the building. President William McKinley and his important roles in Ohio and the United States will be featured during the noon tour on January 29.  The Facebook Live event is open to the public online. You do not have to be a member of Facebook to join the live event.

Grande Winter Ball

Not scheduled for 2021. Hosted by Civil War re-enactors, 1^stOhio Light Artillery Battery A. All ages welcome. Dress in Civil War period attire or in your regular clothes and learn to reel or waltz (or just watch). Details for 2022 will be updated closer to the event.

Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours

Weekends in October 2021. Tours were cancelled in 2020 and online stories were available for viewing. Details for 2021 will be updated in early fall.

Ohio Statehouse Virtual Tree Lighting

December 3, 2020. For the health and safety of participants and staff, the Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting took place online. Details for 2021 will be updated in late fall.

Ohio Statehouse Holiday Choir Performances

Cancelled for 2020. Get into the holiday spirit with FREE lunchtime holiday choir performances on weekdays by Ohio musical groups in the Museum Gallery at the Ohio Statehouse. The concerts are open to the public and will begin at noon. Details for 2021 will be updated in late fall.

Exhibits

100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution. The Ohio Statehouse celebrates women’s right to vote with a National Archives exhibit and displays in the Ladies’ Gallery until further notice. 

Weddings and Celebrations

Your wedding, photo session or special event can be historic at the Ohio Statehouse. See details at the events tab or the weddings tab. Contact specialevents@ohiostatehouse.org or 614-466-2125.  

Parking at Capitol Square

Parking is available at the facility’s underground parking garage for an hourly or daily fee. This convenient and affordable parking solution offers direct sheltered access to the Ohio Statehouse and Senate Building. Enter garage via Broad St. until the completion of construction near State and Third Street entrances. You can also park at meters or other public parking in downtown Columbus. Remember, meters are FREE on Sundays in downtown Columbus!

The Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on holidays; see website to verify closures.