The Capitol rises over downtown Lincoln from every direction, and nearly every side of it makes a good picture. These are the places visitors photograph most, with a word on when the light is best.
Outside
The north entrance
The front of the Capitol faces north, and it is usually lit evenly. In the early morning and in the evening, low sun rakes across the stone and picks out Lee Lawrie’s relief sculpture above the main entrance. Stand back on the entrance walk to get the whole facade, or use a longer lens for the carving.
The tower and the Sower
The tower is made for tall pictures. From the lawns and walks around the building, a wide-angle lens lets you follow the limestone straight up to the bronze Sower at the top, standing on a pedestal of wheat and corn. Cloudless blue sky gives the strongest contrast.
The Lincoln Monument
On the west side, Daniel Chester French’s Lincoln at Gettysburg sits in a setting designed by Henry Bacon, framed by tall junipers. It is a quieter spot, good for portraits and for pictures that put the tower behind the statue.
The south facade
The south side carries carved stone panels on the history of law, including the Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution. Midday sun can be harsh, but it shows the depth of the carving better than flat light does.
The courtyards
The courtyards and their fountains give you a green, sheltered foreground with the limestone walls rising behind. Early in the day they are the calmest place to take photographs.
Centennial Mall
From the south entrance, Centennial Mall runs away toward the city and is a good place to take a long view that shows the Capitol with downtown Lincoln around it. Our Exterior Walking Tour links these stops in one loop.
Inside
The Vestibule, Foyer and Rotunda
The three public rooms of the main floor, the Vestibule, Foyer and Rotunda, are covered in mosaic by Hildreth Meiere: nature on the floors, and the activities of society on the ceilings. Look straight down at the floor and straight up at the ceiling; both reward a steady hand and a wide lens.
“The Spirit of the Prairie”
Elizabeth Dolan’s 1930 mural hangs above the entrance doors. It was not part of the original plan for the building but has become one of its best-loved pieces.
The Memorial Chamber and observation decks
The tower and observation decks are closed during HVAC construction. Photographs of the Memorial Chamber and the views from the deck are available while they are closed.
Tips
- Light: early morning and evening are best for the north facade; golden hour warms the stone; midday is harsh but shows carving detail.
- Take a tour: free guided tours start at the North Entrance on the second floor, weekdays at 9:00 a.m. and daily at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., so you can ask the guide where to stand.
- Rules: read the Capitol Use Rules and Regulations before bringing in tripods or other gear, and the UAV Guidelines before flying a drone.
- Free photos: need an image for a project? See Capitol Photos for Free Use.