North Carolina

Despite the large population of North Carolina, the North Carolina State Capitol and surrounding grounds in downtown Raleigh resemble a typical courthouse square in Texas.

Square footage data for state capitols is surprisingly sparse, but this one is small—so expect a quicker visit. Capitol size is usually measured by height; the North Carolina State Capitol is among the shortest at just 98 feet.

The capitol is home to the North Carolina Governor but otherwise functions as a museum. The North Carolina General Assembly consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives, moved to the North Carolina State Legislative Building in 1963. I will return sometime to capture the current chambers.

Learn more about North Carolina State Capitol history or plan your visit.

To date, I have visited the North Carolina State Capitol twice. The first visit in July 2021, early in my quest, was outdoors only since I arrived on a Saturday night. Many outside shots were from this visit.

As the sun set, I struck up a conversation with the lone police officer guarding the grounds—the highlight of that visit. Things were quiet, so hopefully I helped break up the boredom. When I asked about Carolina pulled pork, he recommended The Pit a few blocks away (I offered him a plate, but he declined). I took it to go and gleefully enjoyed it in my hotel room. This is why you talk to the locals: they are rarely wrong.

In September 2022, after discovering the State Capitols Passport and modifying my visits, I returned to see the inside. What the capitol lacks in size it makes up for in friendliness. The visitor entrance displayed a large sign: “Come In! The Capitol is Open!” It was a welcome sight in the waning days of the COVID pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth II had just died a week earlier, so there was a memorial and condolence book set up for her in the rotunda.

The Old Senate and House Chambers are beautifully preserved on the second floor, with the galleries accessible from the third floor. Also on the third floor is the old state library.

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