The campus surrounding the Kentucky Capitol features many points of historical significance and offers important resources and opportunities for civic engagement. All Kentuckians are encouraged to visit the campus and participate in the legislative process.
Visitors should be aware that the main Capitol Building is temporarily closed and the campus remains under heavy construction as part of a long-term effort to restore and preserve the historic site for future generations.
This work will impact parking and access to buildings for several years, and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, especially during a legislative session or special events that draw large crowds to the Capitol grounds.
We encourage all visitors to review
this map before arriving and to check our website frequently for the latest updates. Access to parking, walkways, and entrances may be subject to rapid changes, and your patience is appreciated.
Please also note that the road between the Capitol and Capitol Annex is permanently closed to traffic.
Visitor Parking
A large parking garage on the east side of the Capitol Annex offers a convenient space for public parking.
Vehicles can access the garage via Old Lawrenceburg Road (known as River Road) or via Capital Avenue. The Capital Avenue route requires vehicles to drive around the rear of the Annex. Please drive slowly and watch for signs, construction vehicles, and personnel.
Public parking is available on levels 4-6 of the garage, and levels 4 and 5 offer ADA accessible parking near the elevators. Vehicles can travel between levels using the one-way ramps on each end of the garage.
Several ADA spaces are also available to the public in the surface parking lot. They are located in the row of parking spaces closest to the Annex.
The remainder of the surface lot and levels 2 and 3 of the parking garage are reserved for vehicles with permits.
Capitol Annex Visitor Entrances
The first floor and basement of the Capitol Annex are open to the public. Accessing the second, third, and fourth floors of the building requires an appointment.
Visitors may enter the Annex through the front, center doors, which face the Capitol. An ADA entrance is accessible at the rear of the Annex on the east end. Visitors should remain mindful of vehicles moving through the area.
Visitors who park in the parking garage should plan to take an elevator to the surface lot and walk a moderate distance to the front entrance or to the rear ADA entrance. Access to the tunnel that runs from the parking garage to the Annex requires an active Capitol Campus Identification Badge.
Legislative Committee Meetings
Legislative committee meetings are held throughout the year and are open to the public. No special passes are needed to attend a legislative committee meeting in person.
Most committee meetings occur on the first floor of the Capitol Annex, and visitors should consult the Legislative Calendar for dates, times, and room numbers. The calendar is subject to rapid changes during a legislative session, and visitors should review the Policy Guidelines for Meeting Rooms before arriving.
If a committee meeting is expected to attract significant interest, an overflow room will be available when possible so that anyone who cannot find a seat in the primary meeting room may still view the meeting in real time.
All committee meetings are also livestreamed for viewing online. More information is available on our Live Stream page.
House and Senate Proceedings
The Kentucky General Assembly convenes for a regular legislative session every year in early January; however, the session calendar varies from year to year. The General Assembly may also be called into special session at any time throughout the year. Visitors should consult the Schedules and Calendars page before planning a visit.
While Capitol renovations remain ongoing, House and Senate proceedings will occur in a temporary structure located near the east end of the Capitol Annex. Public viewing rooms in the Annex allow visitors to watch the chamber proceedings via live stream. Annex rooms 149, 154, 169, and 171 will serve as public viewing rooms during the 2026 legislative session.
Visitors should review the Policy Guidelines for Meeting Rooms before arriving.
Bus Route
Frankfort Public Transit provides a bus route that starts at the new parking garage behind the Capital Plaza Hotel and stops on Shelby Street next to the Capitol campus. The bus leaves the garage at 0:15 and 0:45 past the hour, and the ride takes about 19 minutes.
More information is available on the Frankfort Public Transit website.
General Tips
Free guided tours of the Capitol campus are available Monday through Friday. Call 502-564-3449 to schedule a tour through the Division of Historic Properties.
Before arriving, visitors are encouraged to use the Find Your Legislator webpage, which allows Kentuckians to review the names and contact information for their state legislators.
Visitors are also welcome to contact the Public Information Office at 502-564-8100.