The New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, sits at 490 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe and is the only circular state capitol building in the United States. It houses the state legislature and the governor’s offices, doubles as a free public art gallery, and is open to visitors year-round at no charge.
Hours, Address, and Admission
Self-guided visits are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From Memorial Day through the last Saturday in August, the building also opens on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.1New Mexico Legislature. Visitors Admission is free. Public parking is available in nearby state lots and at metered street spaces around the complex.
Guided and Self-Guided Tours
You can walk in without an appointment. Printed brochures inside the building explain the layout and highlight pieces from the art collection, so a self-guided visit works well for most people. If you want a guided tour, call the tour office at (505) 986-4589 during business hours to schedule one.1New Mexico Legislature. Visitors
Security Screening at the Entrance
Every visitor passes through screening at the public doors. Magnetometers are stationed at the entrances, and security staff screen bags and persons as you come in. Firearms are prohibited inside the Capitol under Legislative Council policy, with limited exceptions for authorized personnel.2New Mexico Legislature. Capitol Access Policy Lines usually move quickly, though expect longer waits during legislative sessions.
What You’ll See Inside
Local architect W.C. Kruger designed the building, and it was dedicated on December 8, 1966. Seen from above, it mirrors the Zia sun symbol on the state flag: a central cylindrical volume with four entrance wings extending toward the cardinal directions.3TOURISM Santa Fe. New Mexico State Capitol Building The design draws on New Mexico Territorial style and gives the building a regional character distinct from the domed capitols found in most states.
The Roundhouse has four levels, one of them below ground, and contains roughly 232,000 square feet. Each of the four main doors opens onto a central rotunda finished in New Mexico travertine. The House and Senate chambers sit on the lowest level, with public galleries and offices above.
The hallways themselves are the main attraction for many visitors. The Capitol Art Collection fills public corridors, offices, and common areas with contemporary works by New Mexico artists, placed directly in the spaces where legislators, staff, and the public spend their time. The Capitol Art Foundation, created by the Legislature in 1991, manages the collection and draws on a board of 25 to 30 art professionals from across the state.4New Mexico Capitol Art Collection. New Mexico Capitol Art Collection It began with 14 purchased works and 17 art furniture groupings and has grown substantially since.
Watching the Legislature in Session
If you time a visit to a legislative session, you can watch floor debates and votes from the public galleries on the second floor. The House gallery seats 296 on the south side, and the Senate gallery seats 210 on the north side.5New Mexico Legislature. Welcome – Visitor Brochure The galleries are only open when the chambers are in use.
The New Mexico Constitution limits even-year sessions to 30 days; odd-year sessions run 60 days. The 2026 regular session began on January 20. To follow a specific bill before or during your visit, use MyRoundhouse, the Legislature’s free online portal, which tracks bills from introduction through the governor’s desk.6New Mexico Legislature. Bill Finder
Accessibility
The New Mexico Legislative Council Service provides accommodations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, including accessible parking, service animal access, and mobility device access. Submit accommodation requests at least three business days in advance of a meeting or event. Requests made with less than 24 hours’ notice may not be fulfilled.7New Mexico Legislature. Accessibility Accommodations
Reach the accessibility office at (505) 986-4685, by email at ada.assist@nmlegis.gov, or through the online request form on the Legislature’s website.7New Mexico Legislature. Accessibility Accommodations
The Grounds Outside
The capitol grounds function as a public park, with gardens of native plants, mature trees, and monuments commemorating events and figures from New Mexico history. The outdoor space is open to the public and offers a quieter counterpart to the interior, especially during session days when lobbyists, reporters, and citizens testifying on bills fill the building.