New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse) Reviews

I don't think we knew what to expect when we walked into the building. We don't normally go through many government buildings on our travels. It was early, and the guard helped us with a brochure. We walked around all the levels looking at the art, and then looking over the middle. They were not in session so we walked into the chambers as well. We did go into the governor's reception area (art work is in there as well), and chatted with a very nice aide. We spent 90 minutes walking around - well beyond what I would have expected to do.

The building itself is so unique but the artwork within the building is outstanding. Make sure to stop by the front visitors desk to ask about the current art on display.

The only round state capitol (and one of the newest), worth an hour to walk through and around and notice the accommodations for a low-population state. The main floor concourses are lined with interesting local art

I wasn't really expecting much for a visit to the state capitol, but I was quite surprised. It's a wonderful art museum to showcase NM artists. We stopped inside the main entrance to just ask if there were any special things we should see and were asked if we would like a guided tour. Our tour guide, Winter, appeared right away, and we were fortunate to have him show us the building (almost 2 hours worth). Yes, we saw the house and senate chambers, the governor's and speaker's offices, but it was really an art tour. He knew the art inside out and we would have missed so much without having a guide. The building is masterfully designed and beautiful. There is no charge for the tour. Congratulations NM!

The New Mexican State Capitol features a good deal of local art. It gives a feel for the state and its history, but it tells its story through paintings and sculpture. It is well worth a visit for an hour or so and it is in walking distance of the Santa Fe plaza

Very extensive art display! Well worth viewing. Also enjoyed the temporary exhibit of paper art. Very Interesting!

We have taken to visiting capitol buildings. The Roundhouse is a special place. Walls are lined with art. There are special exhibits featuring the art and history of New Mexicans. Explore every nook and cranny and enjoy looking up to the dome and down the beautiful floor. Since the legislature wasn't in session, we were able to go and take a peek into the galleries.

I really must revise my earlier review. On a second trip to Santa Fe we decided to take the tour of the New Mexico State Capitol. Amazing! So much interesting history and unusual art. Our tour guide was very entertaining and knowledgable. I regret my earlier review. The building may be unassuming on the outside, but what I thought would be a boring tour of another government building turned out to be one of my favorite tourist attractions in Santa Fe! A must for visitors! You won't regret it! Wish we would have had time to eat lunch at the cafeteria there. It gets excellent reviews on Yelp!

The round walls do show off the paintings and other art work in the capital. It's all from artists living in New Mexico. The building itself is a work of art, with striking marble and mosaic. I wish we had known about the walkway, to see more excellent art there.

I’ve seen my share of state capitols and they are usually nice, but the New Mexico State Capitol is exceptional. This is not an ancient building steeped in history and there is nothing on the outside to cause you to do anything but yawn; however, the chambers for both the House and the Senate are very nice. For me, what makes the building special is the artwork. Dozens and dozens of pieces of art cover just about every available space throughout the building, including an area dedicated to thematic displays just off the building’s very attractive rotunda. Do not fail to go up one floor from the main floor, which, in addition to providing offices, also serves as an excellent gallery of some of New Mexico’s finest art.

We were quite disappointed to find the Capitol building closed on a weekend. Still, we walked around it, and peered inside. Unfortunately, none of the interior art was visible that way. Plenty of parking (especially on the weekends!).

We took a spur of the moment trip and d's used to stop by the Capital. The upside was there were very few peoe there, downside, we couldn't go inside. The grounds are well kept and it was easy to find. We'll go back during the week sometime so we can see the inside.

See the best of New Mexico art in the exquisite State Capital. You will not have any crowds and the art is well curated. The NM Legislature only meets in Jan-Feb, so you have free run of a great building with art on display at every turn. Friendly, helpful folks and no sales pressure!
Do not miss and free parking just a few blocks from the center of town.

Modern, airy and with the largest art collection we’ve seen in any Capitol. Friendly staff willing to help. Beautiful building. Don’t miss the North Capitol if you visit.

Wonderful art collection. Wide variety of art (mixed media, escaustic, wood carving, watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, pencil, charcoal - and well done. Spent about 4 hours and could have spent more time there.

Beautiful state capitol. Nice rotunda and the art in all the galleries was incredible. This capitol is well worth a visit.

Extensive varied art collection. Easily viewed as it seems to be undiscovered by the general public.

Better than most art galleries; the Capitol in Santa Fe features art on every wall surface - floor marked “3” had the most - depicting the history and culture of New Mexico

This modern state capitol is filled with native NM multi-media artwork throughout its halls. We even toured the Governor's outer office (she was not in) The legislature meets only 60 days one year and 30 days the next, so the halls are put to good use

Santa Fe has no shortage of places to view art, but visitors may be missing one of its finest collections -- the work by New Mexico artists that fill every nook and cranny of the impressive State Capitol Building built in 1966. And, best of all, it's free to visit.
We were unprepared to experience such a vast collection, but soon found ourselves going from floor to floor in the immaculate building and being amazed by the quality and variety of the art. Every possible type of art seemed to be represented, from paintings to prints, sculpture to furniture to photography.
That we knew few of the artists didn't really matter during our 90-minute visit. It was the breadth of art that impressed us, plus the way that it gave us different views of various scenes from New Mexico, a veritable trip around the state without any travel required.
It was an unforgettable art immersion, made all the more special because it was so unexpected.

Come visit the NM state capital. Lovely building, but you must walk around. Beautiful art everywhere. On NM can pull this off. Different than most capital building, but it is in the city different!

The art work throughout this building makes it feel like a museum that has no entry fee! Visitors have access to all levels and can wander leisurely. Beautiful structure! Beautiful art!

This state capitol is unique among many that we have visited. It is much more contemporary architecture, having been built in 1966. It also has an extensive collection of artwork throughout the building.

Interesting to note that Sant Fe has the oldest capitol building (Spanish Palace of the Governors from 1609) and the newest capitol building (current from 1966) in the US.

Besides enjoying the building's architecture, we found that the halls are filled with contemporary New Mexican art and we thought most of it interesting and delightful.

Love the design of the capitol in Santa Fe...also sculptures on the grounds of the Capitol are stunning! Make SURE to "check out" the door handles of the entry doors...Fabulous!

I am so glad we stopped in. What a nice surprise. We loved the art. They have photos, paintings in various styles, and a quilt exhibit. It was not on our list of things to do but glad we found it.

This is a must see while in Santa Fe! The artwork here his phenomenal!! Prepare to spend some time here as it is truly worth the visit!

I was a bit bummed that the architecture of this building isn’t quite as grand as I’d hope for a state capitol building. However there are nice displays of state history and art. I’d recommend a visit.

One of the few non-domed State Houses, more like a “Roundhouse.” Visiting this State House is a treat, and it is “free.” Uncontested access is given for most of the year. When the legislature is meeting, though, areas are closed off.

You can actually sign up for Capitol tours and even art tours. Most people do the self-guided art tour. The art collection is presently valued at 5.6 million dollars.

Our favorite artwork is the “Recycled Buffalo” sculpture. The rather large buffalo is made up of everything “recycled.” You can stand beside it and have your picture taken like we did. It is located two floors up from the entrance.

This was our second visit to this sculpture and to the Capitol. The Capitol workers are friendly and you can practically visit any room when the legislature is not in session.

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An original capitol, and we have seen about 40 of them, and a good art collection. Since we were close to closing time, the guy at the entrance thought pushing us out but we didn't let that happen.

many state capitols are what we expect, grand structures. The New Mexico capitol is an art gallery of some of the finest southwest works available under one roof. Three floors of art follow the corridors of the legislature . There was a display of fabric art quilting that was amazing. So many ingenious and beautifully created works. This tour took three hours and we didn't complete it all. Please go and see what this far sighted legislature has wrought.

We had a tour of Santa Fe and got to go into the building. I love the design and all the artwork in and out of the building.

We stopped at the Capitol on a friend's recommendation. It is by far and away the best kept secret in Santa Fe! We happened on a quilt exhibition that was out of this world! The regular collection is absolutely fabulous. I would give it 10 stars if I could. When the government is not in session, you can park for free--be sure to ask! What a gem!

New Mexico has to have the most unique capitol building n the country. Instead of a grandiose dome, it’s a cylinder that’s filled with wonderful New Mexican art, and it serves as a free museum. Plan on 30-45 minutes to enjoy.

Great visit to another state capitol! We took the self guided tour - staff was very friendly and we were able to visit both the house and the senate galleries. Art work was incredible - don't miss the tunnel to the parking garage. It was a perfect activity when the weather was crummy.

There are always wonderful art displays in the capitol. Easy to find and visit - well worth stopping.

The art gallery is vast. It is free to the public. Must walk through metal detector on the way in. Free parking structure on the west side of the building (this may be subject to change). I was a big fan of the Buffalo by Holly Hughes.

The New Mexico State Capital Building, known by locals as the Roundhouse, is only a short walk from Santa Fe's famed plaza. If you take the RailRunner up from Albuquerque, the city-run free shuttle can drop you off right across the street. It's called the Roundhouse for good reason. It's completely circular, with 4 entrances facing east, west, south, and north. Visitors have a surprising amount of freedom to wander the many hallways. There is artwork and photography everywhere, which is, by itself, worth the visit. I heartily recommend visiting when the State Legislature is in session. They have a 30 day session in January/February in even-numbered years, and a 60 day session January to March in odd-numbered years. Get up close and personal with lawmakers and lobbyists, and watch democracy in action from the Senate and House galleries. New Mexico State residents can even testify at the numerous hearings, as legislators debate the many bills before them.

When in Santa Fe, do not miss the New Mexico State Capitol. It is only 2 blocks south of the square - an easy walk. The architecture of the building is unique - with designs that incorporate rich NM history. The building itself is stunning, but the artwork within the walls has to be seen. Such a diverse collection of art that will capture the heart of every age. We decided on a self-tour on a Saturday. The official greeter at the sign-in desk, Joylyn, was so very welcoming and gave us so much information. Her love of the capitol made our tour more special.

It is so nice, especially these dhese days to be able to simply walk into a major public building, in this case the State legislature, and walk around. The reason to go there is to view the vast colllection of works by New Mexican artists. The quality is of course very high, and the range of media extensive. You can limit yourself to what is displayed in two floor in the open rotunda, or continue into the hallways where people have their offices to see what is there. The only thing missing is some interpretation, if guided tours or documents are available we are not aware of it, but the person at the welcome desk was not there when we entered. The building has security of course, but they are not paranoid and the system is very pleasant. (A welcome contrast to our experience at the post office in Austin, Texas, where we actually had to go through the equivalentn of airport security just to buy stamps)

We have been overwhelmed not only by the glimpse into the legislative workings of New Mexico, but also by the extensive art collection that this enlightened state has accumulated and displays in its corridors. You will be taken into the House of Representatives, the Senate, the committee rooms. You will learn about the short legislative sessions and will see the governor’s offices. Most of all you will be blown away by the breadths and the quality of art covering every square foot of the Capitol. You too can participate after 10 years of residency, if selected.

Visited during a rain storm, and amazed to find wonderful art displays on 3 floors. Loved our peaceful time there.

If you are in Santa Fe you must visit the state capital building. You don't go to see the building itself, however it was nice, you go for the art! While there are hundreds of art galleries in Santa Fe a local told us if you wanted to see the best collection to go to the capital building. They were certainly right! There are four floors of art of all different genres. They offer a brief tour and give you a short history of the building and how the art came to it. Don't miss this one! Oh, and did I mention it's FREE!

This is a must visit by all who wish to see a very unique capital. Art work an artistic design. Watching democracy in action

Definitely check out the interior of the round statehouse building. It is full of amazing paintings, photos and sculptures, and they even have a walking tour guide at the front desk.

The building itself is a work of art. Inside are 3 floors of some of the most beautiful pieces of artwork. We were greeted as soon as we arrived & told we were free to look around & take as many pictures as we wanted. They do offer a free tour once a day but we wanted to wander around by ourselves. This is a working state capitol but everyone we encountered was warm & friendly. The pictures I took will speak for themselves.

An interesting art filled building. The bison on the third floor is not to be missed.An exhibit of weather in paintings is on the first floor

This is a must see. each floor has some ineradicable art work. entering from the east side they have an area that gives tours, one of the young men there was great to listen to he has a vast knowledge of the state and the art work.

We wandered in on our first morning, and were struck by the warmth and hospitality of the beautiful capital and invited by a guard to be sure not to miss the governor's office! (In Texas, we have guards with guns in our grand capitol building.) Art of every variety and size fills every floor and hallway! The governor's office had a series of striking black and white photos of Christ in the Desert monastery. There are accessible elevators, stairs, and rest rooms; the legislature was not in session, so perhaps it's easier to visit. There is no dome on the building since the lege ran out of money!

This state capital building is one of the least impressive in the US. The only reason my wife & I went is that we have a goal to visit all US state capital buildings & this was number 48 for us. I would not recommend this as a place to visit for anybody that doesn't live in New Mexico. However, there is free parking for visitors from 9-5 weekdays in the state parking garage across the street.

This is among the coolest capitals I have ever visited. Lots of artwork on display, the senate and house chambers are well-appointed. Worth a visit

We were awestruck by this beautiful building.
A beautiful art gallery awaited us inside .
We saw the senate and representatives galleries.

We walked here from the square, which was a little long for me. However, it was well worth it. It is a lovely building with a huge collection of local art displayed around the the circular rotunda. Free entrance, and very quiet as the legislature was not in session. We didn't have the time or energy to do the Canyon Road gallery area... so this hit the sweet spot for us.

We visited the state capitol building and were pleasantly surprised by what a great art venue it is. At the time we visited there was a quilt exhibition called Weather or Not from the Studio Art Quilt Association of New Mexico, which was a wonderful treat! We also visited the upper levels and were amazed at the wealth of art there, too. The legislature was not in session, but we were able to see their chambers. A beautiful building worth the time!

Unique architecture for a Capitol which reflects the Native American influence and wonderful artwork inside and out. Well worth stopping and strolling through the sights.

During my recent vacation to New Mexico, I spent a few days in Santa Fe. During my time in Santa Fe, I was able to visit the New Mexico State Capitol Building. The building is unique in that it doesn’t have a dome and is the only state capitol that is circular. For this reason local call it “The Round House.” During my visit there were a couple of very helpful staff members who were more than happy to explain the history of the building and its artwork. They explained that the building was constructed between 1964 and 1966, making it the third new state capitol building. Only Hawaii and Florida have newer buildings. The centerpiece of the building is the rotunda that has the New Mexico Seal inlaid into the floor. I really enjoyed the art gallery and the sculptures on the grounds. Most of my visit was self-guided and I ended up spending a little more than an hour at the Capitol.

I had heard that it was worth the visit and it was. The artwork from top to bottom was outstanding. Don’t forget the hallway to the north capital and the office spaces in the other connected spaces. Beautiful and unique state house.

This visit was our 25th to a state Capitol and we were pleasantly surprised. The building is filled with great art work, with permanent and temporary exhibits. Visitors have easy access to both houses of the state legislature ( They are only in session for 60 days.
The building is modern and reflective of Southwest architecture.
Admission is is free and the guard at the front entrance of most helpful. There is a free city shuttle that stops just a few blocks away at the Visitors Center. The building is immaculate and located just a few blocks from the Plaza.

I did the Discovery Walking Tours of Santa Fe and the tour Guide Allen recommended that I visited the State Capital art gallery. I am so glad I did. Must see for Santa Fe. FREE art museum!

Had not thought to visit here but our innkeeper at El Farolito told us that the Capitol has one of the best art collections in Santa Fe. It was well worth the visit!!

Very well designed and delightful capital building. You can visit the house and senate chambers and walk along what seems like endless hallways lined with art. Well worth the visit!

Very inteersting building. Book display on the first floor. And recycled material of the Bison on the top floor is not to be misseed

The capital has a 500 piece permanent art collection on the second floor, with all disciplines of art represented. The Art is fantastic, the building is beautiful and the current, temporary exhibit in the rotunda “ no library card needed”-there until December, is not to be missed.

We wandered in and around this unusual State Capital building. The Legislature was in session so it was bustling inside. The design fits the area well, and large legislative chambers are always interesting to peak at, however there isn't much for a tourist to see or do inside. Worth a 30 minute look.

My wife and I took a historical tour of Santa Fe and our guide took us here. It is a beautiful place to see. It is hard to believe the legislature meets here. The walls are covered with beautiful pictures and paintings along with some sculptures. We were glad to visit.

We went on a Sunday evening, and were a bit surprised to find that there was hardly any Security detail visible. Then we saw a gentleman, riding his bicycle around the building's walkway, and realized that the building is freely accessible to all. It was a relief to see such a testament to what is truly a 'peoples' house'.
The statues of ' Morning prayer' and 'children at play' were interesting and touching.
Well done, New Mexico!

This building defies the common conception of a capitol building. It is more a work of art and the art displayed therein makes it an art gallery. Plus, the sculptures outside make the gardens an art show in and of itself. This building is clearly worth the effort to visit.

Great variety of New Mexican art beautifully displayed on all 4 floors. State employees were very accomodating and helpful.

While this capital building doesn't have the opulence of many other state capitals, it is very nice and really connected to the culture of New Mexico. The art galleries in the building are open to the public and very nice.

This is a freebie worth an hour of your time. It's a beautiful building, but what stood out for me was the variety of New Mexican art displayed throughout the building. It's truly like visiting an art gallery.

Beautiful NM art work displayed throughout the halls and rooms of the building. The House and Senate chambers were plain and all business.

We were very fortunate to have an enthusiastic and knowledgeable young lady show us around this beautiful building.She gave us some interesting facts about both the building and the state of New Mexico. There is an extensive art display throughout the building which is open to the public at no charge. We toured the unique building in the morning, left for lunch and returned to view the art in the afternoon. This would be a "don't miss" stop in Santa Fe.

Go visit this building for the art. Trust me, you'll be glad. The state has an incredible, varied, widely culturally representative collection, and it is hanging/mounted/standing all over this building. Some pieces have good notes on wall cards and others have nothing at all, but you cannot help but be boggled at the reach of this collection. It is free. Just wander around and be amazed.
(Yes we went to the museums too... but this was better. Seriously. Not kidding. The curator of this collection must feel like they died and went to art collector heaven.)

Excellent and free art gallery on 3 floors the showcases history, culture, etc. Be sure to look at the bison.

One of the ugliest state capitals I’ve seen. Bland and ugly. It should be bulldozed. With all the restrictions on building in Santa Fe, they would allow this monstrosity.

This is our 41st state capitol visit. Obviously the architecture and age of the building is much different than many other state capitols, but it is still a stunning place to visit. The artwork and galleries are outstanding.

We had booked a guided tour in October but when we arrived on Jan. 30th for our tour, we were told the guided tours had been discontinued. That was a disappointment of course. The materials for a self-guided tour are minimal.

Gorgeous art work throughout the capital building and all free to see. Such a lovely building and amazing art work. So happy that we did this.

This should be a must see. The art around two floors of the state capital was amazing. What a collection! Guests are free to roam the halls and enjoy the work. This is also a beautiful building. It is a .8mile walk from the Plaza or you could drive there. We didn’t read much about the Capitol. You’ll spend about an hour at the most visiting.

Our group was scheduled to visit the NM State Capitol Building. Great looking building. Wonderful in the roundhouse with the state flag in the terrazzo floor and marble walls. Our tour guide was wonderful and could not expect any better. Very educational tour.

The streets are barricaded, the Round House fenced off and closed to the very people to whom it is for. The grounds are not cared for and police are positioned all around it. Such a sad display. Could it be our government is guilty & fear the people they represent are not happy?

Was instantly attracted to the outside of the building, being circular. Once inside you can check out lots of art, and definitely worth your time walking around.

The building itself was beautiful but then the art work inside was amazing especially the huge hand designed Buffalo head a must see.

From the outside it looks a lot different from the other capitol building which we visited in the past. We didn’t have time for visit inside.

I did not expect to see the display of artwork on each floor. It takes about 15 - 30 minutes to view, but worth the trip. The rest of the building is composed of meeting rooms and offices.

I enjoy visiting State Capitol when I have the opportunity. It's a great way to learn more about the state you are visiting and it's usually free. New Mexico was no exception.

I was welcomed and offered a brochure that detailed a self-guided tour. I enjoyed the freedom to meander the halls and explore the art at my leisure. Don't miss the Governor's Office which has additional art as well as pictures of children available for adoption.

Expect to take 30-75 minutes depending on your individual pace.

We were very impressed with all the varied art located in the hallway. A nice young gentleman gave us a tour of the senate chambers. The entire building is awesome. Our favorite art was the Buffalo Head that was composed of various items like paint brushes and a fishing reel for the eyes.

A friend insisted that we tour the New Mexico State Capitol building while we were visiting Santa Fe. We had an early afternoon with nothing planned and the Capitol building was within walking distance of our hotel so we took the advice. We had been visiting galleries, museums, and shops for three days and wanted something a little different. Excellent decision on our part.

The capitol building is circular, and has three floors where a visitor can wander and view the amazing collection of artwork. And there is no fee, even for out-of-staters like us. The legislature was not in session, so the House and Senate chambers were empty. But there was a lot of other activity. We were helped by two very hospitable women from the Lieutenant Governor’s office and learned a lot from them.

Highly recommended.

Take a couple of hours to see the art in the galleries. Wide variety of art and usually includes a special exhibit. Not to be missed. Enjoy!

Wonderful capital to walk through. Beautiful grounds. There are 3 floors of artwork to see. Can tour Senate and house galleries.

From the approach to the front lobby, this place is probably the most beautifully designed State Capitol building I have ever visited. It is one enormous, free entry, art gallery! So many different art exhibits and displays; ranges from mixed media to oils to watercolors, photography, and much more. You could spend hours wandering the curved hallways looking at the many beautiful offerings. Don't miss this building if you are in Santa Fe !

We loved our self-guided tour of the highest elevation capital in the US. The Round House is full of art and history. It was worth a look.

I spent 1 hour enjoying all 3 floors of the amazing art here. The parking is free and a walkable distance to the Plaza. Most state capitols emphasize the state's history, but Art is the History here in NM. I loved it and hope to return soon.

The most unique capital building in the US. No golden dome. Just a roundhouse in the style of native American tribal houses. Lots of native art, pottery & weaving displays. The governors office is open to the public but the current Governor does not see anyone usually.

My partner decided to visit the State Capitol while visiting Santa Fe over the weekend. During the summer, the Capitol is open on Saturdays as well. Parking was easy. Once inside, the security guard prompted us to sign the guestbook at the information desk.

The attendant at the information desk was helpful and made recommendations on what to see. Whereas the building and the houses of the legislature were nothing extraordinary, the art across three floors of the building was. There's a mix of different periods and styles of New Mexican art. We didn't expect to spend an hour looking at art at the Capitol, but it was an hour well spent.

If I could rate the state capital more than 5 stars, I sure would. This is a gem that I don’t think a lot of tourists know about. As we entered the building which was architecturally different than what I expected, we were greeted by very friendly and helpful aides. They explained the layout of the building, what was on each floor, and answered any questions we had. The air work throughout the building was astounding. Each piece was done by a New Mexican artist. Various art dimensions and materials were used. And the cost for viewing this artwork: Not a cent. For a tourist on a budget, this is the perfect place to view southwest art. We recommended the Capital to several people who were trying to decide which art museum to visit. We spent time talking with the secretaries in the governor’s office who shared interesting info with us and gave us copies of New Mexico magazines and

Every floor has wonderful, vibrant art pieces, some fiber, some sculpture, paint, and more. You can visit near the governor's office and the house chambers. Not often you can go into a state capitol of such beauty!

Since it was Saturday, the building was locked but just walking around the outside was worth a stop. We parked in one of the government lots. The grounds are full of foliage and statues. It is a neat place.

AAA Guidebook stated there was a permanent collection of art created by New Mexicans..and we had some time in our schedule.

It was better than expected. First There was a temporary exhibit entitled Out of the Blue, featuring contemporary fiber art, that opened days before our visit. Very interesting and creative art, generally seemed to be revolving around a water theme.

We then visited the permanent exhibitions on the upper floors of the state house. Again some very interesting and singular pieces of art.

It is worth at least and hour of your time and it was free.

It feels like a museum once you enter. So clean it sparkles. Magnificent art works are on display and with a tour guide you can see inside the House and Senate chambers which were built like fine theaters. Impressive history and worth the time to visit.

We enjoyed the art museum housed I this State Capitol Building. The building is in the round and houses a wonderful sampling of New Mexican art: multi texture paintings and other exhibits. Very glad we took the time to check it out. Displays on 2 floors including.two round corridors with art on the walls and on the walls of the connecting hallways. I was surprised and pleased to see the extent of their collection. Highly recommend a visit.

Beautiful structure. Many art exhibits throughout which are from state artists. Well worth the visit.

It’s beautiful. No fuss people. Local artists are showcased. Mixed media, quilts, paintings, sculptures, pencil drawings. We felt we visited a museum. Staff were very nice. A must visit

Have you ever entered an art museum where the greeter says, "Take as many pictures as you would like!"? Someone may correct me, but I think that this collection is from a percentage of state projects set aside to purchase art. In any case, it is rather phenomenal... the best of the best of all media... some historic, some more modern. Three floors of the most beautiful art treasures you will ever see. As a painter myself, and art aficionado, it gave me such an appreciation of how artists have interpreted the New Mexican people and landscape. It was stunning. On top of this, it is a working government building, with state officials coming and going. I was greeted by someone who obviously thought I should know who he was (but I didn't). Fun place.

Very interesting as a state capitol, and there is also a lot of wonderful art throughout the building.

The building itself is worth seeing. Don’t forget to see the fountain in the annex. There is artwork on all floors. A special quilt exhibit was there when we visited.

The New Mexico State Capitol Building is round has 4 stories and was built in the 1960's. We parked in the free parking lot and walked all around the building by ourselves. There are lots of paintings and other artwork on display. We could go into the balconies of the house and senate chambers and were allowed to take pictures everywhere.

We always try to visit the state capitol buildings of all the states we visit during our travels. The New Mexico State Capitol is probably one of our favorites. The artwork on the walls and the galleries were impressive. Definitely worth a short visit if in Santa Fe!

You can walk throughout most of the building and explore. There is a lot of artwork throughout the building and on all the different levels.

Into the true workings of legislature. Seating is comfortable and you are right in the chambers. Interesting to see polite debate as opposed to what is occurring at national level

On our visits to the US we usually try and see the Capitol buildings. In Santa Fe the buildings retains the brown adobe design of the city and perhaps lacks the grandeur of other Capitols. However it makes up for this in a rich and diverse collection of regional art, including paintings, photographs, tapestry and sculpture. Don’t miss the remarkable buffalo’s head.
Free entrance, restrooms, helpful information at reception.

You can’t really say you have been to Santa Fe without touring the Capitol building. It is the only round Capitol in the country. Take a walk around and check out all 3 floors with all the amazing art work and exhibits. The rotunda is something to see along with “the buffalo” that is quite unique, an exhibit of true ingenuity! I won’t say more and spoil the surprise. You can tour the building on your own and also see both chambers. The Governor’s office sells their annual Christmas ornament collection which are great gifts or souvenirs.

PS. Santa Fe has a free shuttle around town that goes to the museums, galleries, Capitol, etc. Wish I had at least 2-3 more days in this exceptionally friendly and clean city. Layer for cold weather in October.

Unusually shaped state capitol building with lots of art inside and very relaxed atmosphere. You can visit the two chambers of the legislature and walk around most of the building. Worth an hour or so to explore.

The New Mexico State Capitol Building houses a great collection of art and sculpture. Visitors are warmly welcomed and encouraged to stroll around through the legislative chambers and hallways.

The capitol building is the most unique one yet. It is round and easy to get turned around in. I noticed that the House and Senate chambers are exactly alike. They do have a cool state seal on the ground floor in the center of the building. When you walk around the capitol, it's like being in an art museum. There are some beautiful New Mexico art pieces on each floor. The capitol is worth seeing and the employees are nice friendly. A must do in Santa Fe.

Pay a visit to the New Mexico capital building. It’s round architecture will amaze you. Try to avoid January to March that is when legislators are in session and it gets crowded, unless you want to see government in action.

who ever curates our art in the roundhouse is to be lauded. you will find some of the most interesting work by new mexican artists here, as well as legislators when in session. totally worth the walk around

My wife and I have done several popular sites in Santa Fe and this is our favorite!
Free and free parking. The Capitol building is unique in its architecture and interesting to tour. Add engaging New Mexico art all throughout. We enjoyed touring the halls and seeing all the different art. We went early, about 7:30 and had the place almost to ourselves. You can get a brochure and do your own tour, at your own pace. Most excellent!!!!!

What a beautiful setting for all the art you can view in Santa Fe!
Make sure to visit this state capitol which is like an art museum. It is free with convenient parking. There are 3 floors of art, beautifully showcased.
We spent almost 90 minutes here admiring the many paintings.
A must visit on your trip to beautiful Santa Fe!

The State Capitol Building in Santa Fe is worth a visit whien in town. History and architecture await and it's free.

We have been to many state capital buildings. This one is more beautiful on the inside compared to the outside. And the art on display throughout is just outstanding. It’s like an art museum! And there is a temporary exhibit (May-August 2019) of the most extraordinary quilts I have ever seen. (Exhibit title is “Out of the Blue.”) Legislature was not in session so there was plenty of free visitor parking. The ladies at the entrance gave us a map and told us where to go. And don’t miss the annex!

Wow, very cool, a state capitol building and a very fine art museum all in one.

The building has a great collection of art that we spent a lazy afternoon hour meandering through. Lots of different types of media keep you moving from one piece to the next. Kudos to the curator, well done!

Nobody was in session while we were there so we got to peak our heads into the senate and congress meeting rooms. That was pretty neat

The third floor (one floor up from the level upon which we enter) holds the lion's share of the Capitol's art collection. The buffalo will grab your attention but there is so much more.

A triptych or quadriptych may take up an entire wall (as big as those walls are) and the artist may display the changing Southwest landscape over the centuries or maybe a creation on black background of vibrant colors making up an Indian and his dog.

Photographs, paintings, retablo-styled folk art creations, and just about anything the mind can conjure up may find a home here if it is worthy.

Upon occasion, a hearing may be in progress and the process of "making (legislative) sausage" can be seen from the glass door partitions. The multi-story atrium-in-the-round gives great views down to the building's interior.

The round shape of the Capitol building is a delightful deviation from the "norm" and sets this building head and shoulders above others of its ilk.

I always enjoy seeing state capitols. This one is unique in the breadth of the art collection which you can see, as well as peaking into the legislative chambers and governor's office. Currently there is a collection of photographs from the 1940s which was part of the FSA project. It is in the governor's office suite and a must see.

Road trip! This was our 39th state Capitol to visit and it is quite unique and a must see. Their collection of art is phenomenal!

We were very impressed by all the artwork lining the hallways of this building and its annex. This is like a visit to an art museum. There are, of course, lots of busy people working here, moving rapidly and conversing in the corridors. Next time we'll try to find a quiet day to visit (maybe when the legislature is not in session).

The nm state capitol building art collection is rather a well kept secret ,even though it is one of the largest in the state. The building, itself is a work of art. It is shaped like a zia symbol which means it is round. there are four floors and each floor contains part of the art collection. There are comfortable chairs in different places so you can stop to rest, as it will take you a good couple of hours to see everything. There is no admission fee - the nm state capitol building belongs to the people and is one of the most accessible ones in the country. It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm generally. If it is going to have different hours or be closed for a holiday; there will be a sign on the door saying so. Best of all, it is really quiet in the building most of the time because the legislature is only there for 30 or 60 days each winter, depending on the year. In even numbered years; they meet 30 days and in odd numbered years, 60. Oh, and there is free parking in a garage just across the street from the building.

We took a docent-led tour of the New Mexico State Capital and were amazed at the art that filled this beautiful building. What a treasure for visitors and residents! Our docent was very knowledgeable and us a wealth of information about New Mexico. As out-of-state tourists, this was very appreciated.

This place is ok to kill few spare hours. Parking across the street, get hot beverages and finish it outside before coming in with rude security guards giving you and your belongings rough but through and lots of check There seems to be only a very small percentage of arts by Natives of this great land inside this building.

Self-guided tours, but plenty of information is provided. More akin to an art museum than a capitol building

Great place to educate kids about the State Government. Located downtown. Nice to visit to appreciate where local and state Government meet.

This goverment buillding is an excellent art museum as well. Check out the Buffalo very closly when you find it. We spent a couple of hours just looking at all the wonderful south western art. You can't beat it for the price ... Free!

The New Mexico state capitol building is DEFINITELY worth a visit. The building itself is gorgeous. It feels like walking through an art gallery. We didn't take an official tour, but they are available at the front desk if you are interested. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Staff was extremely helpful.. A great deal of art to see on the four floors. Convenient to Santa Fe "tourist" area. Do not overlook the ground floor hallway between the two main buildings, easy to think you are in the wrong place but this alone is worth the hour or so it takes to do the tour

The art exhibit in the capital was amazing! There was no entrance fee and we saw only one other couple exploring the exhibit while we were there. I cannot believe how thoughtful and beautifully curated the exhibit was. I had to remind myself that I was in a government building rather than a museum. What a remarkable way to signal state support of the arts. I was so impressed.

Like many capitols, New Mexico's State Capitol is a working museum. This one uses it's art on the walls. Very nicely done. As a capitol worker in another state, I wish I had had a tour. Never did see a way to get to the rotunda from the 3rd floor.

This was number 46 of our state capital tours. What a wonderful place to visit. This is not your “standard architecture” for a state capital. The have collected so much Bew Mexico art it is astounding. Plan your visit to take enough time to enjoy the wonderful collection. Be sure to find the Bison!!!

We wandered into the this lovely building on a whim. We were surprised by the beautiful art works that graced every nook and cranny of this lovely capital building. Especially great on Friday afternoons when there are special exhibitions and knowledgeable volunteers to help you get the most out of your visit. Oh and the price is right too. Free. As a visitor to New Mexico it was great to be in "the people's" house and see tax dollars spent to welcome and educate state residents and visitors alike. Take a little time away from the Plaza to visit this lovely capital. You will be glad you did.

Three floors of wonderful art all around a beautiful central rotunda. Top floor has the governor office which has a few museum-quality exhibits, and the receptionist is the sweetest lady you'll ever meet.

We have visited about 20 state capitals now and this one is the most unique to date. We have seen the tallest, (LA) one of the smallest, (NV) but we had never seen a round one. This was such a great building. And the story behind the remodel in order to display local art works is amazing. What a treat this stop was on our trip. I would go out on a limb and say the art work in this building rivals just about anything you would see in regular art galleries. this capital building was amazing

Stunning! Worth a visit to see this magnificent art collection!
And maybe learn something about our NM government.

Walking down the street from the Cross of the Martyrs we stumbled upon the Capitol Building. It is also called the Round House as it is circular in shape. We entered the building and were greetrf by secrity and passed through the screening station. I kept setting off the buzzer and we finally decided it was my camera and made I it through. The secrity guard was very pleasant and helpful. The building is filled with all types of artwork. It is definitely worth a visit.

My guide book said it was worth going into the State Capitol. We were not disappointed. Very open and friendly place. Surprised by the lack of security and the ease in looking around. We could have stayed longer but ran out of time. Make sure you take the glass walkway between the buildings as it it bright and full of more art.
Can't believe that government only meets here in session such a short time every year!

Such a cool building with a great art collection! The rotunda in the center is beautiful with lots of natural sunlight. The artwork throughout was very interesting, and it was nice to go into the state senate and house chambers (not in session). Worth a visit!

The place is filled with so much that you forget that it’s a working office building. Paperwork displays were on center stage when we were there, including a work that featured library index cards and one that featured quotes from from leading American women.

We got lucky with the tour guide. She was a local native and told us a lot of the history of the area and different pueblo tribes. Between that and the 650 pieces of artwork in and around the capital, that made the tour. The government stuff wasn't as intersting but worth a trip over there

We like to visit state Capitols when we are close. However this one was disappointing. It look nice inside and has some beautiful paintings. The rotunda looks good. It’s just very simple looking both inside and out.
Both galleries are simple, nothing fancy looking. The outside design, 2 stories (I think) and no dome makes it hard to recognize.
Overall, I guess the voters of New Mexico can be happy the government didn’t splurge with their money.

Santa Fe is full of architectual history and conservation that makes it s delight to explore .A sunny atmosphere with warm locals to guide you was you wander. make the trip memorable.

If you are or are not a fan of State Capital’s, this building is still a must see. A very unique design that is worthwhile.

The Capitol building itself is not all that amazing in terms of architecture -- but it houses a world class collection of art. If you are an art lover you should not miss it. The Capitol is free to enter (unlike most museums), and has a museum-worthy collection of New Mexican artists. There are several floors lined with art; don't miss the long hallway in the basement, you have to go through the underground parking garage to get there. We really were impressed with this spectacular collection.

I stayed at a bed and breakfast in Santa Fe and the owner recommended that we visit the State Capitol, which has basically a whole museum of art work on its walls. It is very worthwhile seeing. Admission is free and there is convenient parking. Santa Fe loves its artists and art work. The first thing I saw was a collage with postage stamps, which I liked very much. Prepare to overdose on the color turquoise when you visit Santa Fe. A bison head made of recycled materials was very well done. Definitely worth a visit.

Ho-hum, the rooms where politicians meet. But what if these rooms are at the centre of breathtaking architecture and samples of the state's best artwork? Then it's a must-see.

We got a tip to take a walk-through of the Capitol Building and it was a good one. The architecture is stunning and the artwork inside the building is as good as, and as much as many museums. The staff were friendly and helpful. We loved it!

This tour is so well worth the time. After all, it’s free! Parking is easy and free. There are around 500 works of art here. You learn history as well as see some beautiful art. You can get a guided tour and it’s very enjoyable and interesting. Only takes about 45 minutes.

The New Mexico State Capitol is worth a visit, especially for those who like visiting public buildings like this like I do. It is one of the smaller capitols, especially for someone used to one as large as California's, and it is also relatively new, having been competed in the 1960s. The hallways are lined with art and there is a nice central rotunda area with glass ceiling and floor inlaid with the state seal. The doors outside have some nice details. It is more modern in style than most state capitols, given that it is much newer than most, and the round structure with the relatively plain exterior also make it a bit unique.

One problem is that it is not open as regularly as some capitols. It is closed Sundays and only open sometimes on Saturday. Even on weekdays when it is supposedly open until 5:30, they evidently sometimes close early. Before we went, I decided to double check that it would be open on the Thursday when we would arrive there, not a holiday. Therefore, I had e-mailed the capitol's contact and they responded that it would be open that day until 5:30. We got there just in time to see the inside but only very briefly because they decided to close at 3 pm that day simply because they ended government business early. Be prepared, therefore, for the possibility that it may close earlier than expected and double check the website for the limited openings on Saturdays.

The building is a unique architectural achievement and incorporates Native, Hispanic and Angelo cultures. Great artwork inside and wonderful sculptures on grounds. Attended a most interesting Senate session.

This is a must just for the fact that it is the only State Capitol building that is round. However, the art and sculptures that fill the statehouse are quite impressive. It is a must when visiting Santa Fe.

Close to the Square, St Francis church, and many other sites. While you're there, stroll thru and see local artists artwork throughout.

Worth a visit especially since it’s free. Tons of good art here and also cool to see the chambers of legislature. Spent about 30 mins here

My husband and I were in Santa Fe and we decided to go see the state capitol. We've talked about it for a while. We moved to NM in late 2016, so it was about time. The day we were there was the last day of the state congress was in session, so we were able to watch some of the discussions and votes on various topics.

The New Mexico state capitol is an original. It's not your typical capitol. Unlike most other state capitols, it's not modeled after the US capitol building. The building is a reminder of the heritage of the people of New Mexico. The building is round (often referred as the roundhouse) and has stucco siding, adobe style. Inside, there is art throughout the building.

I've seen some reviews of the roundhouse that are pretty bad, some saying it should be "bulldozed", or that it was just a "regular looking office building". Or that's it's not like the Texas capitol that just screams "Texas". The NM state capitol may not have the Zia sign on all door jams, hinges or any other place that a Zia sign can fit(there are a lot of lone stars in the Texas state capitol), but that isn't New Mexico. It takes pride in it's multiple cultures and heritages. I've seen 38 state capitols and New Mexico's state capitol is by far the most unique you will ever see.

really enjoyed all the art displayed throughout the roundhouse. Pottery, sculpture, textile art etc.

We loved this building. ALL of the halls were filled with beautiful artwork. We even ran into the Gov. when looking at the art in her office.

Lovely capital building and grounds. Art inside was very interesting and I especially enjoyed the state seal.

I go every year to do citizen lobbying, so I know my way around...it is a beautiful place and quite a jewel for NM...citizen participation is a great plus for New Mexicans, and there are always citizens event and demonstrations...where democracy begins...

The Santa Fe, New Mexico is called the Roundhouse with good reason. Unlike most capitols it is short and round and uniquely southwestern in architecture. Open from 7 am to 6 pm, visitors can get a self-guiding brochure and wander around the building. Aside from the House and Senate, there is a lot of art to appreciate, the governor's office, and more to see in and around the 4 floors. There is also interesting sculptures around the building. The capitol is across the street from the Visitor and Welcome Center and an easy walk of perhaps 10 minutes to old Town Square.

Nice capitol building, all tours are self guided. Make sure to check out the artwork on the top level.

When we were there, legislature was not in session, so we had the place practically to ourselves.

This is a great piece of architecture and houses some very well done pieces of art done by residents of the state.

There are statues all around the exterior of the grounds, and inside...amazing art of all types on three floors. Free to all! It's a not to miss when in the capitol city.

Bring a camera. The senate floor is beautiful. Every hallway is filled with interesting art work. The people could not be friendlier and invite you to shoot pictures.

Very impressive design, beautiful interior, decorated with over 650 pieces of art by local artists, valued at over $5 mil. Saw students conducting mock sessions in both the House and Senate chambers - interesting to watch from the upper chambers. Don't miss the buffalo head on the 3rd floor!

Unusual state capitol, great artwork throughout, woth spendin at least an hour there. Building is unique, done in travertine.

There were only a half dozen folks at the free 10 AM tour and our guide answered many questions in addition to her narrative. Hearing the history, current procedures and viewing the art was very informative. Park free by signing-in at the Visitor Center across the road first.

Several visitors to Santa Fe have asked me if I'd seen the art in the capitol building. Yesterday, 12/4/2018 I saw it, and it is something every visitor must do. The collection spans parts of 3 floors and is varied and compelling. Additionally there is currently a Mixed Media exhibit on the first floor until 12/14. Breath-taking and imaginative. Words are inadequate to express this 'museum-like' exhibit of the art collection in the capitol. I will be back, as it is too much to absorb in a single visit.

The Capitol is a beautiful building with a tremendous amount of gorgeous art pieces adorning the walls. All by New Mexico artists.
Located in the heart of Santa Fe, it’s easy to get to. The staff is friendly and helpful.

Our son visits all state capitols and he wanted us to go along. We went and enjoyed the guided tour very much. There's lots of interesting art in the capitol and the information that was shared was interesting even though we're from another state. We wouldn't normally go to a capitol on vacation, but I'm glad we did!

With so much to see and do in Santa Fe, this place is not worth the time. Compared to other state capitol buildings, it is not impressive.

While visiting Santa Fe, someone recommended the Capitol to see beautiful native American art for free. So true! There was all types of painting, statues, fabric, 3-D designs, ... too much to mention. We even bought Christmas ornaments from the Governor's office to remind us of our trip!!

Well worth a walk-through. Some beautiful art work is displayed and the building is lovely.
If you're an NM resident, you can also stop in and say hello to your rep.

went late in the day but got to see all legislation areas and all three floors of fantastic art of all kinds. no matter your taste they have something there. all local New Mexico artists. very open and easy to see in an hour or so

Took the kids and were pleasantly surprised. We walked thru great art galleries and got to see the government meeting rooms. I haven't even see that in my own state capitol after 45 years here! Its just steps from San Miguel Chapel, worth a quick walk

Didn't go inside, but the outside is quite interesting from an architectural perspective! And the views are gorgeous.

I have lived in Santa Fe NM for all my life and have never been in this building. I'm 83. My grandkids were visiting and one had a school assignment to visit the capital. This building is amazing, legislature was in session and it was very busy. Going to the second floor, we viewed amazing art work, talked with a couple a legislators and viewed all the governor pictures from the earliest times including territorial governors. Very interesting place with an abundance of history.

We scheduled a free 2pm guided tour by calling ahead and confirming available times. Our guide was friendly and informative providing just enough facts to keep things interesting and quick-moving. She was able to answer all our questions and provide an educational and fun experience at the State Capitol. Not to be missed when visiting Santa Fe. About 45 minutes long.

This place is super accessible and such a wonderful learning experience for our grade school kids who are learning about government.

This capitol building contains an amazing art collection representing many New Mexico artists. Check out the buffalo head made of found fragments of cloth, plastics and tin. You are able to wander into the state rooms and even the various offices. A smart, modern building.

Highly recommend visiting New Mexico History Museum -- and the State Capital building. Excellent art display. And it's free! Be very careful with the other museums. Some are disappointing.

Spent some time exploring the wealth of art and the government offices. There’s a very helpful info desk with brochure. It’s such a unique state capital and love that it’s open to the public.

Stopped in and was amazed there is virtually no security. They had a college recruitment event so it was active with people. Sat in briefly and listened to them presenting students for citations. Only stayed 10-15 minutes.

When I read in the map of "Capitol Building", my mind flased back to photos of "Capitol Buildings" that I visited. But the New Mexico one is very different. The design reflect the characteristic of New Mexico building. It also features the round dome just like many other "Capitol" but maintain the look of New Mexico feature. I went there a little to late to take the peak inside. Ourside garden and sculture is worth a visit. The visitor center staff told me about the exhibit inside but could not get there on time. Hope I plan my visit better next time.

Not your ordinary capitol building. Art lines the walls. Don't miss the first level walkway to the annex building. That art gallery is well worth a visit also.

This was our first stop and very much enjoyed walking through. It is a unique building, round, and you can go to each floor to look at the art work. Beautiful.

What a pleasant tsurprise. Loved the unique design of the capital and the inew Mexican artists were well represented in the halls.

Amazing art displays and beautiful building. Nice way to spend a rainy afternoon. Quiet and no crowds.

After walking around the outside of the Capitol and enjoying all the sculptures we decided to go inside. The young man that was on the information desk was certainly proud of the building and it's history and shared so much information with us. For example, New Mexico's State Capitol Building is only one of nine in the United States without a dome! Walking though the ground floor we were delighted to find a special art display on exhibit. It was like walking through an art museum; simply beautiful! However, the permanent art on display throughout the building is definitely worth your time as well. A virtual history of the state. A lovely building and a tribute to the state and peoples of New Mexico!

Beautiful capital building with a lot to see. Filled with art. Free and open until 6 pm. Easy and free parking.

We spent 45 minutes here looking at the incredible amount of artwork. It will put your home capitol to shame. No security issues to worry about, just walk in the front door, get a brochure from the desk and wander. Worth it.

The art inside capitol is fabulous. Makes this capitol very unique - I have visited 46 others. We did a self - guided tour, but would have appreciated a guided tour

Go to rotunda while reading plaques. Visit the House and Senate galleries. New and beautiful. Helpful staff will give out information. The Capitol is within walking distance of the La Fonda Hotel and is worth a visit.

Beautiful capitol! Lovely rotunda and an impressive art collection inside. Great sculptures on the grounds as well. Unique round shape is beautifully designed.

There so much trees and nature out the front, nearly walked right by it. But definitely glad we didn't! The building is obviously full of history but what a great experience. The building was beautiful and the art was nice to look at, informative, really enjoyed it.

Such an impressive capitol! The art work is amazing and it’s totally open to the public. I wish more public buildings were so beautiful!!

If you visit during the legislative session, you get a wonderful politics lesson, Your kids will learn so much from this direct experience. But anytime of the year you can view the marvelous New Mexico art collection- just about the best in the city. So if you like art and/or politics, this is your place.

The New Mexico Capitol building is the only capitol in the United States that is round. On all three floors there are several hundred pieces of art by New Mexico artists on display. Equally impressive is the fact that they have an art curator in the building. One half of the building is the Senate, the other half the House of Representatives. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Plan to spend at least an hour. No admission charge.

stop by and visit the State Capitol, you can roam the hallways and enjoy painting. Everyone was really nice and made you welcome

Wow! I thought I'd be taking a quick look at the lobby (didn't know about the art) and ended up spending over two hours looking at the wonderful collection of New Mexico contemporary art. The wheel-shaped building is perfect for displaying these treasures. There is even a gallery in the reception area of the Governor's office. Admission is only $1.

The building is round, but otherwise not terribly distinguished from the outside. However, when you enter, you find a lovely building with polished stone floors and other decorative features. The reason for visiting, though is not the building per se. It is the art displayed all over the building, art created by native New Mexicans. Paintings, watercolors, lithographs, collages, sculptures, weavings, mixed media....hall after hall, gallery after gallery. The collection is magnificent, museum-quality, and carefully displayed. Even more amazing (to a couple from the DC area), there is no metal detector, no bag check, no apparent security. One can simply walk in and browse at will until the building closes at 5 or 6. And unlike the galleries which are everywhere in SF, you will not be pushed to buy anything. And unlike the museums in SF, the statehouse is an easy walk from the historic core. Highly recommended.

The Roundhouse really is what it represents itself to be: round. Which makes it interesting to begin with. The art therein is museum quality, and there's plenty of it. It's wide open, and there's no fee to explore the entire facility (when the legislature isn't in session). Definitely worth a few hours' time even in Santa Fe, where quality art is ubiquitous.

I like to visit state capitol buildings. This one has a lot of Art. I guess you can expect this in Santa Fe.

The unique building and its staggering amount of amazing artwork is worth the visit. Our work group enjoyed the experience both in and around the building.

My wife and I were pleasantly surprised at the terrific building with floor after floor of art hangings, including a first floor rotunda with a special display of books in art form.

Modern and round with no dome

Not what a state capital visitor is used to seeing

The saving grace here is the wonderful art collection on every floor showcasing New Mexico artists.

One wanders through at your own pace- a thoroughly delightful way to spend an hour

Free parking adjacent to entrance

In order to see amazing local artists just take a trip to the New Mexico State Capital. Every floor has something interesting to see. The art is like going to a free museum.Everyone is very friendly

I've visited around 15 US Capitols, and all of them are similar, like the DC's Capitol, or better said based on the old Illinois Capitol which served as a model for all others - all except this one in New Mexico.
This NM's Capitol here in Santa Fe is a Roundhouse, very interesting in design and interior layout. Entrance is free, and there, entering the bldg, was the second thing I was surprised.
Namely, I walked in the Capitol, literally no one asked me who am I, where I'm going, I saw no security equipment, unlike others where you pass airport style security control. I liked that sense of freedom, but thought it's not that good for them these days.
During my self guided tour I've visited both houses of the Parliament, and what everyone sees immediately an extensive art collection. On all three floors on circular walls are remarkable art pieces displayed.
The whole visit took me around 45 min and I left very satisfied.

Plan on spending several hours looking at all the art. Very interesting. Everything from modern to Indian art. We spent 3 hours as there are 3 floors and also outside sculptures. Changing themes and exhibits

What a delightful state capitol building! Amazing art on every floor and changing exhibits on the ground floor. The book art exhibit was incredible!

The tour guides highlighted mainly the art throughout the capitol and did not give us much history of the state. This was our 24th state capitol and by far the least info about the state. That being said, the tour of the capitol was worth it and I recommend it to everyone.

Definitely exceeded our expectations. Instead of the usual stuffy, formal, self-important, this one felt very down to earth and accessible. The art displays were eclectic and varied. Beautiful rotunda.

A credit to Sante Fe and the people of New Mexico. The capitol complex is magnificently and immaculately maintained. The artwork is refreshing. The staff are knowledgeable and rightly proud,

First, let me say that I did not enter the building and that this review is SOLELY a review of grounds. That being said, the capitol and surrounding grounds were very disappointing for me. Having visited around 30 state capitols, most, if not all, are very well-maintained and offer visitors a chance to learn about the state's history and famous residents. Many have memorials or statues to fallen soldiers from that state or service members that have died in the line of duty.

The New Mexico capitol comes up well short of all the others in that area. There were very few statues on the grounds, no monuments/memorials that I could find, nothing about the state's past, and the grounds themselves were poorly maintained. Concrete sidewalks were deteriorating, bushes/trees were overgrown, and the few statues/art exhibits there were are very weathered and in poor shape.

Perhaps the artwork inside makes up for the poor appearance on the outside, I can't say.

Our walking guide suggested that we go here just to see the $20 million in art hanging throughout the building. Especially the recycled buffalo head. There was also an elementary school group playing in the rotunda. Best part - it is free!

We were told the art work on display was fabulous and it was. The staff were welcoming - not only were the security guys welcoming and didn't ask to search our bags, one of them told me I should have brought a bigger shoulder bag if I wanted to steal the artworks! It's so nice not to have jobs-worths.
The sculptures outside are beautiful and thought provoking, and the garden a great memorial.
The bison was brilliant!

I have visited numerous state capitol buildings and this one is underwhelming. There are a few pieces of art that are interesting but the architecture is not really worth seeing.

A great place to add to the list of fun and interesting things to do in Santa Fe. The Capitol houses a wonderful collection of artwork by various New Mexico artists and is worth spending an hour or so wandering around. Best of all it is totally free!

We walked the grounds of the state capitol while on a recent trip thru Santa Fe. It was a Sunday night, so we were not able to go inside. The grounds have a number of spectacular sculptures. The round building is quite unique. You can park nearby. You can enter the grounds without a fee.

This unexpected find was easily the best "museum" we visited on our recent trip to Santa Fe. On previous trips, we had walked by the Capitol numerous times without ever knowing the wonderful collection that it contained. Thankfully, our bed and breakfast host tipped us off to this hidden treasure.

The New Mexico State Capitol houses close to 600 pieces of modern artwork, all done by New Mexico artists, including paintings, prints, photos, weavings, sculpture, furniture, and even an amazing full sized buffalo head crafted from household items. Nearly every wall in the building contains some artwork and visitors are encouraged to walk the halls and see it all. There is even a fascinating photo exhibit in the Governor's office!

The day we were there, we nearly had the place to ourselves. It was like having our own private museum and the most remarkable thing is that it was totally free! So next time you are in Santa Fe, be sure to set aside a few hours to visit the cities best art museum that is hidden inside the State Capitol building!

A wonderful and FREE venue to enjoy hundreds of pieces of local art as well as to enjoy the architecture of this wonderful building. If you have a free afternoon and if you are tired of the traditional Santa Fe Museums (which are extraordinary) then touring the NM State Capitol is a must.

looks a little bit different than common capitols of other states. the surrounding also very peaceful.

Actually, the main rotunda for the outside reminded me somewhat of the OH state capitol, really. It is not overly impressive, like the TX Capitol, but is more restrained. Pleasant nice grounds, and the folks we spoke with were very helpful...I don't think you should make this a place to visit if your time is limited, but it is interesting. I agree with the other reviews that the art is interesting. But then, this is Santa Fe, and the quantity and quality of the are here is overwhelming.

The art in this pubic building is surprisingly good. I say surprising because Santa Fe has several wold-famous museums and galleries. This one features local artists and it displayed in a pleasant manner. Congrats to the curators.

I've been coming to Santa Fe for years and never knew that the state capitol contained an impressive collection of paintings and sculpture by New Mexico artists. My sister finally took me here on my latest visit. It is completely free; you can just wander in. This should be a stop for all visitors to Santa Fe who admire southwestern arts and crafts.

I was stunned by the sheer volume of artwork on display in the 3 levels of the Roundhouse. The art covers every genre, is well-spaced, and there are benches available for viewing the art at length. This is an amazing collection, free to the public.

New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse) at Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM is fantastic. The art is exceptional. It is quiet. The political history piece is interesting. Love it. Good trees and statues outside too. Easy to get to. Fine parking. Go see the Roundhouse if you like art.

Stop in at the visitors desk inside the building and sign up for a guided tour. They are free and can be adapted to your time frame and a guide is assigned as you show up. Did not get the idea they took reservations ahead of time. Lots of beautiful art work in every nook and cranny. All free and assessable. If the legislate is in session, check the state web site for events that are open to the public.

The State Capitol is open to the public and has the state seal in the floor as well as a lot of art and New Mexico flavor. It is worth a quick look.

We didn’t stay long, but this building has a lot of art throughout. It’s very different from any other capitol building I have been to. Very modern.

To wonder about the corridors and the rotunda all of which are lined with art. Funny being there by ourselves guess the members were off on a break. The revolving artwork was most interesting. Being from locked down Washington,DC we were shocked to find the doors open with access to all areas. Well worth a visit.

It is amazing.... and worth a long tour... There is a very large and diverse gallery on 3 floors...and you can see the outer lobby of the Governors office, as well as the senate and house meeting rooms. But you come for the ART .... When I say it is diverse that is an understatement... you can see current culturally aware photos... as well as works of antiquity... and art of every medium... If you only visit on museum in Santa Fe... chose this one !

The State Capital building is a totally accessible, human-scale center of government AND a spectacular museum of art. We came for the art -- a mix of textile and graphic arts are on display now -- and were delighted. The rotunda at the center of the building is an especially airy and high-domed atrium....uplifting.

I did not expect this! Beautiful architecture, wonderfully informed docent Crystal, and the art, the ART!!! Better than some of the museums. Really after 2 hours did not have the time to see more but would definitely return for more.

Walked in to look around. The number of art pieces in the capital is extraordinary. Like any other exhibit, some pieces I liked a lot and others were clearly not in a style I appreciate. But overall, a fun stop.

This is supposed to be the seat of government, but it's more like a demoRAT fifedom. Avoid like the plague!!!

We took some pictures of outside of the building and walked inside. There are many arts inside you could look at and its free. The capital building seems smaller than other state capital buildings we have visited, and didn't look as nice as others either.

New Mexico's state capital has a good collection of artwork. No fee to get in and all of the corridor walls (and the rotunda) are lined with art from New Mexican artists. Art works vary from paintings to sculpture to fine weaving's. Takes 1-2 hours to look at it all depending on how much time you spend looking but worth the time. The building is also interesting from an architectural standpoint. Just check in at the visitors desk in the main lobby and grab a map.

The pictures on all the walls make this like a museum and it is free to go in and look around. History and art, what better combination can there be?

We spent a rainy afternoon in February walking through a small part of the New Mexico State Capitol and enjoying the art collection. The collection is much too large to take in in one visit so I'm sure we'll return.

The State Capitol building is beautiful inside and it seems to display different art pieces periodically.

You've figured out that the capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe. I would bet many of those east of the Mississippi guess that it is Albuquerque. Biggest city, state university, etc.

Santa Fe historically has always been the capital of the region, dating back to the Spanish colony days. So the tradition continues to this day. What's more, New Mexico has one of the most unique capitol buildings in the country.

For starters, it doesn't look like an office building. It looks like an art gallery. The place has artwork on all of the walls. The effect is striking, and making it a pleasure to walk around.

There are the usual big rooms for the branches of government, but they fit in to the overall architecture nicely. There is no central dome, like most capitals, but there is a nice atrium in the middle of the building. It's shown here. Even the Governor's office was different and nice. There's a nice room of artwork in the reception area, with the pieces frequently changed.

The newly refurbished Capitol is filled with lots of New Mexican artwork of various kinds: paint, wood, fabric, photography. The building is open for visitors to stroll around, or ask at the info desk about free guided tours.
If you find a spot at the small free parking lot, stay there and walk into town.

The current temporary exhibit features mixed media, and is a wonderful place to enjoy the wonders of local artists. Throughout the building you can see hundreds of examples of New Mexican art. All are welcome; simply sign in at the information desk.

The art collection on the two floors is not to be missed. Make sure you follow each floor around the circular building as the art continues around the entire floor.

The exterior is pretty homely but it's unusual capitol architecture and the interior is very nice. The draw here is the art. In addition to a formal art gallery on the third floor, with changing exhibits, the walls are lined with hundreds of examples of fine regional and native art, contemporary and modern. As with many capital buildings, you can go into the offices to see more art and exhibits, if the offices are not in use. Don't miss the connecting hall on the north side. Something in this building will captivate you.

Admittedly this gets a full star bump for being free (of course, it's a public building), but still this architecturally interesting in a mid-60's way, and filled with art of various tyeps and quality. Much of it interestig, some of it quality, and some just entertaining (don't miss the passageway between the Capitol and legislative offices, it's quite long and also full of some whimisical pieces). I was more than happy to spend maybe 90 minutes wandering through. You're more or less unmolested (I visting on a Friday afternoon, maybe everyone had flow the coop and legislature not in session), and being from the East Coast, I though security was a comparative breeze / I did not find anyone to be rude, in contrast to some comments below. Forget trying to find unmetered parking - seems to apply to all of Santa Fe, at least in the central core.

Great guided tour of beautiful building and artwork. Andrew, our guide was excellent and passionate about the subject.

We wandered past rows of flowering ornamental pear trees and entered the capitol. At the reception desk we were given a warm welcome and provided with a brochure that would guide us on a most pleasant tour.

We were able to enter the galleries for both the house and senate. We walked past the governor's office but she did not appear to be in at that moment.

The collection of paintings, collages and sculptures made this a memorable tour. No one tried to sell us anything and we had the place mostly to ourselves.

As we were leaving the building we experienced a sensation of guilt at having never visited our own capitol in Tallahassee.

Still, this was a high point of our trip to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe has many wonderful art museums, but it’s easy to miss one of the most unique, the State Capital building. The center of this active government home is a three story rotunda with fascinating and unique local art displayed along the rotunda walls on all three levels. It is as fine a display as you will find in the local museums (possibly better).

The art collection at the Roundhouse is fantastic. You can have a free tour of the art and I strongly suggest taking the time to see it. it is diverse and comprehensive, including sculpture, weaving, painting, pottery, wonderful to see.

Walked over to it. It's not stunning. No dome. The rotunda would be great to see, but it was a holiday, so we could not get in. Fits well with Santa Fe.

So many visitors skip the State Capitol but it is such a nice place to visit. Many pieces of wonderful art in display on every floor. The building itself is beautiful as well. Easy parking, friendly staff, and it is completely free. Highly recommend to spend a couple of hours here.

While the Roundhouse is home to New Mexico ,
state government, it also houses an incredibly diverse collection of art available for public enjoyment. All the artists have New Mexico connections, and many have work is galleries around Santa Fe.

The Roundhouse is a museum in itself. So many paintings from local artists in both the north and south buildings. Certainly worth the trip to see and it is all free.

It closes at 5 pm and is free with about 30 free parking. Its a modern building and you more or less have access to everything. The rotunda has an echo where you can listen to people across the room, but I couldn't find the exact spot. I enjoyed the building more than any of the other buildings in Santa Fe.

We stopped by to view the art exhibit and found high quality art on every floor that had been donated to the capitol. The quality was equal to many fine art museums and I am so very glad we took the time to do the tour. Of special interest were the fine photographs on display by Elliott Porter. This fine display made me think of some of Ansel Adams work and showed fine depth and range.

I went late in the day to see the art collection at the Capitol....in a word, impressive. And a great variety of oils, pastels, watercolors, collage, from NM artists. The landscape was an inspiration for most. It was an enjoyable experience to see not only the artwork but the offices of the legislators. If you are out for a walk off the Plaza, this is only a few blocks away and well worth a visit.

This spot is a must see in Santa Fe. Great greeters at the main entrance. Docents available for guided tours, but you need to inquire about their schedule.

Nice art work by mostly New Mexico artists. Free parking in the first two rows in front of the main entrance. Really enjoyed this 90 minutes.

Great collection of modern art be N.M. artists filling virtually every nook and cranny over three floors. Free.

This may seem less impressive than most state capitols at first, but it is definitely in line with New Mexico architecture and it's actually pretty cool to see a capitol building that isn't the usual style as most others.

Inside is a most impressive art collection that seems to have grown significantly. This is a fairly easy building of this type to walk around in and it seems more of it is open to the public than in a lot of state capitols.

The building was closed to everyone except employees/personnel when we visited, but we were able to enjoy the exterior during our walk around downtown Santa Fe. The capitol building is the only round one in the US, modeled to suggest the sun symbol (also on the state flag). We were able to walk all the way around the exterior and enjoyed the chance to see the unusual architecture.

The array of art by artists of New Mexico was overwhelming. We enjoyed roaming the hallways and checking it all out. There was even an exhibition in the Governor’s Office that we were allowed to see. The building is interesting and unlike any other capitol building in the U.S. with the exception of a beautiful rotunda.

In this day of enhanced security and terrorism my wife and I were amazed that free access to this building was permitted for sightseers.
We wandered around on our own and admired many pieces of artwork that abound in the corridors as well as entering the senate chambers and seeing the office of the governor.
The building itself is unique in being the only circular state capitol in the US and is very modern and attractive in design. For visitors to the 'States in particular, whether you are politically minded or not, it will prove to be an interesting experience to while away an hour of your time.

This is the most unique art gallery ever. The hive guided tours that explain the history of the Southwest.

The artwork here is beyond amazing and it’s free to see! When we visited, there was a display of textile art that was gorgeous. We walked through every floor and corridor, and the amount of artwork could have rivaled most museums. There were even artistic benches. It seems nobody knows about this place, as we had it almost to ourselves. Thankfully, my fellow trip advisers alerted me, and now I do the same for you.

We couldn't have been luckier in having Winter Blue as our tour guide through the amazing art collection of the NM capitol building. Our friends had been there before, but even they agreed that Winter made the incredible art collection come alive. His expansive knowledge was deeply appreciated by all of us. Why don't more capitol buildings honor their state artists like NM does? A total joy.

Santa Fe is the State Capital of New Mexico and it’s fitting that the building here is different to all the other State Capital buildings just as Santa Fe is unique.
I was surprised to find Santa Fe was the State Capital but glad due to its central part in the history of the state.
Like all State Capital Buildings you can go in and walk around and they have local art and sculptures on display and it’s free.

One of our traveling must-do activities is touring state capitol buildings. Following the instructions on the New Mexico capitol website, we called ahead to schedule a tour of one of the country's most unusual statehouses. We tour these for the great combination of history, architecture, and art. This tour was less history and architecture but a big opportunity for art.

We knew from photographs not to expect this newest state capitol building to be classic in design. The building is a four-story structure built in the round. The first floor is below ground. Walking around the hallways of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors, a diversity of art is presented on the walls. One of the most photographed is the buffalo -- look for it. One of my favorites was the large painting of horse and rider looking out over the Rio Grande. Whatever your taste, you'll find something that you like.

Be sure to check out the state seal on the floor in the rotunda area and look up to see the colorful ceiling skylight. One of the details mentioned is the travertine marble which is actually local to New Mexico.

They have a very extensive collection of mostly contemporary art all through the building; we walked past Senator's offices, touring the hallways. People were very friendly and welcoming.

Even if you only have a few hours in Santa Fe, this is a must stop. They have 3 floors of exquisite art on display. Don't miss the governor's collection on the 4th floor. It's open to the public.

This capitol building has a different feel to it than most. Maybe its the round shape or the lack of a dome. It's fairly small and doesn't take long to walk around. Lots of artwork throughout. I particularly liked the colours used in the stained glass rotunda ceiling. Worth a visit for sure.

Take the time to walk through this building. The artwork is fabulous & building very accessible. It’s a combination of government business (you can tour senate & house galleries) and art museum. Knowledgeable staff available for your questions.

I just made a quick stop on my way through the state to work on my bucket list of taking pictures of every state capitol building and governor's mansions in the country.

I have been to quite a few capitals and this one is the best so far. The structure isn’t as grand as some of the others. There is no fancy dome but the interior experience is superior. I took a self guided tour. The building could be mistaken for an art gallery. Santa Fe has a heavy focus on art and the capital is no exception.

Some of the paintings and pieces are eye catching. Take your time and check them out. The round design means you won’t miss anything. Just start in one spot and when you circle back to the your starting point it time to move on to the next floor.

The capital visit is free and has two floors that go all the way around its central rotunda that are full of art from around the state, and it is a stunning display. Don't miss!

The state capitol building is beautiful, but an unexpected treat was the amazing display of art throughout three floors, Really an art museum in and of itself. Worth the visit and staff were fantastic.

The building is open for visitors to wander and view all the various art. It's lovely both inside and outside!

It was my first time in a government building other than going to jury duty in Arizona. We were very impressed with seeing all of the wonderful art works in the building and the buffalo head made of various items. We toured the Senate Chambers as well and was in awe.

we just walked in to see this superb building and the art on display . We found ourselves in corridors close to offices and everyone we met welcomed us. I love State Capitols. This was very modern and wonderfully presented.

The New Mexico State Capitol is the Nation's only round state capitol and is nicknamed "the Roundhouse". Built in the 60s, the building was designed to resemble the Zia Sun Symbol when viewed from above.

While the building is attractive and worth a quick visit, the real reason to visit is the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection, focusing on nearly 600 New Mexican and Southwestern artists, and worth over $5 million.The capital and the art collection is open to the pubic and admission is free.

Do NOT miss this FREE "art museum" in the halls of the capitol and on 4 floors of the rotunda. All work is by New Mexico artists (paintings, sculptures, drawings, etc.). We went for a "quick visit" at 9 a.m. (building opens at 7 a.m.) since nothing on the square opens until 10 a.m., and we stayed for 2 full hours enjoying the artwork! DO NOT MISS THIS!

The Capitol Rotunda was recommended by a concierge and we were very glad we went. Go to the Info Desk by the East main entrance on Don Gaspar Street. It is accessible, whereas the other side has many steps. We checked out a wheelchair for me at the info desk. Four floors of magnificent modern art cover the walls. Well worth a leisurely visit!

With the Legislature out of session, this is more of an art museum than a government edifice. Security was friendly and helpful, and the multiple works of art, all by New Mexico artists (I believe), are wonderful to peruse. Definitely worth the quick stroll from Old Town!

If we encounter a state capitol on our travels in America we like to visit. Unfortunately this time we were only able to look at the outside. It is the oldest one in the country and it looks very different. One day we will return and visit.

Our daughter is an architecture major so she enjoyed seeing this unique round capitol building even though it was closed on the weekend so we could only visit the grounds.

As some one else wrote not your average state capital in fact it is one of about ten that does not have a dome.
The corridors are filled with interesting art work so go see for yourself.

I visited all the major art museums in Santa Fe but the art collection on display in the state capitol was more extensive than any I saw . It must not be missed and helps tell the historical story of New Mexico.

We had a private guided tour. It was wonderful. Our guide was generous with her time and knowledge. There is quite a lot of art to see here. We even went up to the governor's office (though we did not get to meet her.)

Martiin', Security guard @entrance, was the best! He told us which floors to check out, 5th floor is the Governors' office, gave our daughter a pencil, told us which way to go to see over 1,000 works of art. We couldn't have been more informed, felt very welcomed

This visit was perhaps one our best visits a lot of beautiful art work displayed. This is a stop you must make to enjoy the the beautiful art work of NM. Make sure you make this a stop or you will regret it

You will be hard-pressed to find a nicer maintained capitol building than the Roundhouse. Our tour was led by Crystal, who guided our group through the various floors and showed us the stunning array of Southwestern artwork throughout. She showed the House and Senate chambers, and pleasantly fielded questions related to art, history, and politics. There is a bit of limited free parking on site. The Roundhouse is a nice complement to the historic downtown Santa Fe area.

The Capitol Building is filled with art and sculpture. It's worth at least an hour's visit - be ready for serious security - it is a government building, after all - and try not to get lost or keep going round and round on the exhibits (it's a round building!!)
There is no cost to visit and the art is very eclectic. I wished it had had more Native American artwork, but it had a large variety and was definitely worth the visit.

This is a great stop for early birds. Before many of the museums and tours are open, you can get in the State Capitol building to view an amazing and varied collection of art. It was quiet, with benches to view and contemplate such an extraordinary collection. I highly recommend and early morning visit.

There is a lot of artwork here to check out. The building itself is a little plain for a State Capital building, compared to others I have visited. If you like to see art, stop in. If you are expecting interesting architecture, skip it.

This feels more like an art gallery than a government building. We loved roaming the halls admiring all the art. LOTS of art and truly high-end art. TBH we enjoyed this more than the Georgia O'Keefe museum! (And this is free.)