Education
Hildreth Meiere’s mosaic panel in the ceiling of the Great Hall shows how societies are built through the education of children.

Schedule a Tour

Teachers and others wishing to schedule a Capitol Tour for their students should call (402) 471-0448 and speak with a guide. If necessary, please leave a message and the guide will return your call.

  • Date and time requested (with second and third choices if needed)
  • Teacher or contact person’s name
  • Number in group (# of children, # of teacher/adults)
  • Age/Grade of students
  • Group/School name
  • School Address (for confirmation letter)
  • Telephone number and email address
  • Name of State Senator

Because of the high volume of school groups and the activities of the Legislature, it is important for groups to call the tour office to schedule their visit. School tours usually take 50 – 60 minutes, additional time should be allowed for a visit to the Legislative balcony when the Legislature is in session, add 15 minutes, and additional time for a trip to the 14th floor observation decks, 20 – 40 minutes depending on group size. If all scheduled tour times are taken groups can schedule a self-guided walk-through tour using materials provided by the tour office.

Contact your State Senator’s office to arrange for the Senator to meet the group, usually for a brief hello at the beginning or end of the tour.

Buses drop students off on the north K Street side of the Capitol. Depending upon the season and weather groups enter the Capitol via the grand stair or underneath the stair via the ground floor entrance in winter. Buses pick students up on the south H Street side of the Capitol after the tour.

Bus parking is available south of the Capitol on G Street in the designated bus parking area and on the west side of the Governor’s Residence on 14th Street. A map of Bus Parking is sent with the confirmation letter prior to the tour.

While in the Capitol and visiting the Legislature students are expected to follow guidelines for their visit.

Guidelines for visiting the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.

Guidelines for using the elevators to visit the 14th floor observation decks and Memorial Chamber. The Observation decks are open weather permitting including a map of services available for visiting school groups.

General guidelines for school groups in the Capitol.

 

During the HVAC Upgrade Project there will be no rooms available for students to eat lunch inside the Capitol. In case of inclement weather students should plan to eat on their bus.  Students are welcome to eat lunch on the north steps of the Capitol when open, or across K Street on Centennial Mall. Teachers should provide trash bags to collect student’s trash and ask the tour staff about trash disposal.