All visitors are welcome to attend legislative committee meetings and chamber proceedings in person, and a number of resources are available to help you plan your trip.
However, visitors please be aware: The Capitol campus is under heavy construction as part of a long-term effort to restore and preserve the historic buildings 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 will continue to update this page periodically with the latest information, but access to parking, walkways, and entrances may be subject to rapid changes. Your patience is appreciated.
Buildings, parking, and entrances are marked on this
map.
Visitor Parking
A large parking garage is located on the east side of the Capitol Annex (the office building directly behind the Capitol).
Vehicles can access the garage via Old Lawrenceburg Road or Capitol Ave. However, the Capitol Ave. route will require vehicles to navigate around the rear of the Annex and past a large construction zone on the east side of the building. Please drive slowly and watch for signs, construction vehicles, and personnel.
The surface lot of the garage provides public parking, and several ADA spaces are located in the row closest to the Annex. Levels 4-6 also provide parking for the public, and Levels 4 and 5 offer ADA accessible parking near the elevators. Level 2 and half of Level 3 are reserved for vehicles with permits. Vehicles can travel between levels using the one-way ramps on each end of the garage.
Please note that several ADA spaces that were once located directly adjacent to the east wall of the Annex are no longer available due to construction.
A small lot on the west side of the Capitol offers a few ADA accessible spaces and some public parking, but otherwise the lot is reserved for employees.
The road between the Capitol and Capitol Annex is permanently closed to traffic.
Visitor Entrances
Guests may enter the Capitol Annex through the visitor's entrance, located at the front of the building, through the center doors.
Most of the front terrace to the Annex will be closed due to construction. Visitors who park in the garage should prepare to walk around the east side construction zone and the front lawn of the Annex to access the public entrance at the center of the building.
An ADA-compliant entrance is accessible at the rear of the building on the east end – a direct route from the ADA parking spaces on the surface level of the garage. However, visitors should remain mindful of vehicles moving through the area.
Guests may enter the Capitol through the visitor's entrance located at the front of the building, through the center doors. An ADA-compliant entrance is accessible on the west end of the building. Neither entrance is affected by construction at this time.
Legislative Committee Meetings
Legislative committee meetings are held throughout the year and are open to the public. No special passes are needed.
Most committee meetings occur on the first floor of the Capitol Annex, although some are held in various spaces in the Capitol during a legislative session. Visitors should consult the
Legislative Calendar for dates, times and room numbers, and please be prepared for last-minute changes.
If a committee meeting is expected to attract significant interest, an overflow room will be available so that anyone who cannot find a seat in the primary meeting room may still view the meeting in real time. Please review the
Policy Guidelines for Meeting Rooms rooms before your visit.
All committee meetings are also livestreamed for viewing online. Please visit our
Live Stream page for more information.
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. Please consult our
Schedules and Calendars page before planning your visit.
The House and Senate chambers are located on the third floor of the Capitol. The chamber floors are not open to the public when legislators are in session, but visitors may view the proceedings from the chamber galleries. Space is often limited.
Passes to the Senate gallery are available in Capitol Room 319C. Visitors to the House gallery do not need a pass and will be allowed to enter on a first-come, first-serve basis.
All sessions of the House and Senate are also livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. Please visit our
Live Stream page for more information.
General Tips
Free guided tours of the Kentucky State Capitol are available Monday through Friday, beginning at the tour guide desk in the Rotunda. Call 502-564-3449 to schedule a tour.
The first floor and basement of the Capitol Annex are open to visitors, but citizens must have a scheduled appointment to access the second, third and fourth floors of the Annex, where lawmakers' offices are located.
Doing some research beforehand can make your visit more enjoyable. We have some general interest
publications about the legislative process along with a video presentation,
A Look at the Kentucky General Assembly, which may help you prepare for your visit.
Before your visit, you may also wish to use our
Find Your Legislator page to determine who your legislator is and how to contact them.