Wyoming State Capitol

The capitol was built of local and regional sandstone in a stately classical style, crowned by a dome covered in real gold leaf that catches the sun over the plains. Construction began in the 1880s and the building grew over the following years as wings were added to house the legislature and state offices.

A major restoration in recent years returned the building to its historic grandeur while modernizing it for continued use. Inside, a soaring rotunda rises to the dome, and the legislative chambers, stained glass, and period detail reward a walk through when the building is open to visitors.

In 1869 the Wyoming Territory granted women the right to vote and to hold public office, the first government in the country to do so. When Wyoming joined the Union in 1890, it did so as the first state where women could vote, refusing to give up that right as a condition of statehood.

From this early step came a series of firsts, including the first woman to serve as a state governor and among the first women to sit on juries and serve as public officials. The nickname Equality State grew from this history, and the capitol is where much of it unfolded.

Cheyenne sprang up as a railroad town when the Union Pacific pushed across the plains in the late 1860s, and it grew fast as a hub of ranching, rails, and territorial government. The wealth of the cattle era left a legacy of grand buildings, and the city became and remains the seat of state government.

The capitol anchors a walkable historic downtown of old hotels, depots, and civic buildings. Each summer the city hosts Cheyenne Frontier Days, one of the largest rodeos and Western celebrations in the world, a reminder of the ranching culture that built the capital.

The capitol is a working seat of government, open to the public during posted hours, generally on weekdays, with self-guided and sometimes guided tours of the rotunda and chambers. Security screening applies, as at any statehouse.

The grounds around the building hold monuments and statues, including tributes to Wyoming's history and its pioneering women, and are pleasant to stroll anytime. Just a short walk away, the Wyoming State Museum deepens the story of the state, making the two an easy pair for a half day in Cheyenne.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Wyoming State Capitol, in the city of Cheyenne, is the beautifully restored seat of Wyoming's state government, a graceful nineteenth-century building crowned by a striking gold-leaf dome that shines above downtown. A National Historic Landmark, the capitol underwent a major restoration that returned its historic chambers, stained glass, and decorative details to their original splendor while modernizing the building. Visitors can admire the architecture, the gleaming dome, the legislative chambers, and exhibits on Wyoming's history as the Equality State, the first to grant women the vote. With its handsome architecture, gold dome, and rich history, the Wyoming State Capitol offers a rewarding stop in Cheyenne.

You can admire the restored historic architecture, the gleaming gold-leaf dome, the elegant legislative chambers, the stained glass and decorative details, and exhibits on Wyoming's history and government, including its proud legacy as the Equality State, the first place to grant women the right to vote. Self-guided and sometimes guided tours let you explore the public spaces. The building's beauty and history make it a highlight of downtown Cheyenne. With its restored chambers, shining dome, and stories of Wyoming's heritage, the State Capitol offers an engaging and educational visit in Cheyenne.

Wyoming is known as the Equality State because it was a pioneer in women's rights: while still a territory it became the first government in the nation to grant women the right to vote and hold office, and it later produced other firsts for women in public life. This legacy is celebrated at the State Capitol and throughout the state's history. The nickname reflects Wyoming's early and lasting role in advancing equal voting rights. Learning about this proud heritage is part of what makes a visit to the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne so meaningful.

The capitol is generally open to visitors on weekdays year-round, so those are the times to plan a visit, and as a mostly indoor destination it is enjoyable in any weather, though checking current hours and any tour schedules before you go is wise since access can vary and the legislature is in session at certain times. Summer is the peak travel season in Cheyenne. Pairing a visit with nearby downtown attractions is easy. Because it is indoors and historic, the State Capitol makes a reliable and rewarding stop any time of year in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The Wyoming State Capitol is in downtown Cheyenne, near the Wyoming State Museum, the historic downtown district, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, and within reach of Curt Gowdy State Park and the Vedauwoo rock formations to the west toward Laramie. That makes the State Capitol an engaging historic stop to combine with the State Museum, downtown Cheyenne, and the other attractions of southeastern Wyoming on a visit to the state.