Surprisingly, the Tennessee State Capitol looks exactly how it appeared upon construction in 1859—which makes it one of the oldest operating capitols in the country. Most got replaced, moved, or reconstructed. Exploring the regal building, you’ll come across the graves of William Strickland, the building’s architect, and James K. Polk (the 11th President of the United States) and his wife, Sarah. You’ll also spot statues of notable Tennesseans such as Andrew Jackson.
For guided tours, you don’t need to make a reservation for groups of less than 12.
Business-hours visitors who want onsite parking will be limited to paid lots or metered street parking. Meters are free after 6pm on weekdays.
No large bags or backpacks are allowed—small purses are acceptable.
The Tennessee State Capitol is right downtown—if you’re exploring Ryman Auditorium, the Tennessee State Museum, the Nashville Farmers Market, or the Country Music Hall of Fame, odds are you can walk on over. Otherwise, park your car and enter via the South Motlow Tunnel, across from War Memorial Plaza. Alternatively, use the West entrance facing the Tennessee Supreme Court.
If you want to explore inside the Tennessee State Capitol, you’ll need to visit on a weekday from morning until mid-afternoon. During that window, you can opt for a self-guided or 45-minute guided tour. Guided tours happen on the hour (breaking for lunch), with the last one scheduled for mid-afternoon.
William Strickland, the renowned Philadelphia architect who designed the Tennessee State Capitol, died during its construction in 1854. Even though he didn’t get to see his work come to fruition, he considered it his “crowning achievement.” You can see where he was laid to rest on the north facade of the capitol, in a grave commemorating his contributions and legacy.
