Visitor Services offers three civic education tour options to meet the needs of students across Washington. All tours provide an introduction to representative democracy, cover the three branches of government, and explore the physical locations of the Senate, House of Representatives, Governor's Office, State Supreme Court, Rotunda, and State Reception Room.

Reservations for these tours are currently unavailable. If you wish to be added to the waitlist for the 2023-2024 school year, please call 360-902-8880. Reservations for the 2024-2025 school year will open January 2, 2024.

Civic Education Tour - Field Trip

Civic Education Tours are our in-person field trip experience. This tour focuses on the three branches of government at the state level and includes time for lunch and a meeting invitation to the Representatives and Senator from the school’s Legislative District. Tours explore the Legislative Building’s Rotunda, Executive Offices, State Reception Room, and Legislative Galleries. Students also discuss the state’s Judicial branch and participate in a mock court hearing. Groups that don’t meet the requirements below are encouraged to contact the Tour Office at 360-902-8880.

Duration: 3 hours
Grades: 4-12
Group Size: 20+ students
Availability: January-June

Guided Virtual Tour

The guided virtual tour lets students and teachers interact in real time with a tour guide. The tour guide leads students through a virtual experience of the Washington State Capitol, exploring the historic locations where government happens! The tour offers plenty of opportunities for questions and answers.

Duration: 60 minutes
Grades: 4-12
Group size: 20-60 students
Availability: Year-round

We recommend you reserve as early as possible, as availability is limited.

• Book a Guided Virtual Tour
• Download Guided Virtual Tour Planning Document
• Download Virtual Tour Best Practices

Xplore Washington State Capitol App

The Xplore Washington State Capitol app offers students an immersive and engaging digital content experience on the workings of state government without leaving their classroom or home. Utilizing augmented reality, 360 degree panoramic views, voice overs, photos, and text, students can learn about the three branches of government and the importance of voting and public participation in the law making process. The app is appropriate for all ages, but is geared specifically to 4th and 5th graders.

Duration: Suggested time 30-40 minutes
Availability: Free app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
PDF version: Download the Self-Guided Virtual Tour Contents (text and images)

The Xplore Washington State App is accessible for use on most smartphones, tablet devices, and computer browsers (WebVR) for free via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. To experience the WebVR version, please select from the options below.

• If you have an Android phone: Xplore Washington State Capitol - Apps on Google Play
• If you have an iPhone: Xplore Washington S. Capitol on the App Store
• If you are using a PC: WebVR - Xplore Washington State Capitol (timelooper.com) - for PCs
• The same information is also available in PDF format