A college internship. Cheap eats. An evening tour up to the golden horses. Lunch with a lawmaker. All this and a lot more at our very own capitol.
Going on a tour of our state capitol can actually be pretty cool, especially if you go beyond the ordinary. There are general tours which are free and well worth the time. However, there are also some pretty cool theme-tours. Besides the expected history, art, architecture, and house and senate chambers, there are also theme tours -like the cool night tour with the opportunity to walk up to the quadriga (the golden horses) on the dome of the capitol in the evening and see the Minneapolis and St. Paul night sky. (This is usually only available during the summer/fall).
Pretty Cool Theme Tours for Groups: Reservations for these tours are required (they prefer a two week notice so they can shedule tour guides but some flexibility may be available - just call and ask). Some of the most interesting ones include the Architecture Tour, a Civil War Tour viewing battle flags, paintings and statues as well as discovering our role in the war. An interesting one around Halloween is the evening Shadows and Spirits Tour held in October. Most tours last about an hour. The Voice of the People Tour is available during the legislative session and you get see an actual legislative committee (for example, sit in on the Education Committee) and interact with legislators. (This is a longer tour - approximately 3 hours). Most theme tours cost $8-$10 per person but there is a minimum group fee - up to $120 but call for details.
Insider tip: Cheap eats. Many locals know this and some even go to the capitol to eat lunch during the work week. Why? It's cheap and it's good. Breakfast as low as $4.00. Lunch: for less than $6.00 you can get baked meatloaf, vegetables, herb roasted potatoes and a drink…true comfort food. The cafeterias in the capitol and the State Office Building are only open during the legislative session, but several state buildings next to the capitol have cafeterias year-round and update their menus weekly. Check out the menus online - feel free to dine even if you're not there for a tour. (They also have inexpensive taco specials!)
Sun in the sky? If the weather is pleasant, it's worth taking the Capitol Mall Walking Tour. With brochure in-hand, you can learn about the on-site memorials and statuary…and surprisingly, there is more than you'd expect.
On the cheap? No problem. Just as a reminder, the general tour lasts about 45 minutes and it is FREE and available 7 days a week (times vary - just call for the schedule). Also, you can take a self guided tour - just make sure you purchase a brochure, it's less than $5 and it'll help explain all the wonders of our state capitol.
More detials: Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more plus minimum group tour fees may apply. Also to ensure availablity of any of the theme tours, please check the state capital site or call for details: 651-296-2881.
Really? If you tour the senate and house chambers take note of where the TV cameras are located. They focus on the side based on which party is currently the majority (the Democrats or Republicans) so they get more public "face" time.
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