Idaho State Capitol

The Idaho State Capitol stands at the head of Capitol Boulevard, its sandstone dome rising above downtown Boise. Built between 1905 and 1920 and clad in local sandstone from Table Rock, the building is one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in the Pacific Northwest.

The interior is worth a look: the rotunda features four types of marble brought from different corners of the world, and a replica of a golden eagle sits atop the dome interior. Self-guided tours are free; guided tours are available on weekdays. The grounds are well-maintained and a popular lunchtime spot for state workers and visitors alike.

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Idaho's capitol is one of the few in the United States heated entirely by geothermal water — a system installed in 1982 that draws naturally hot water from wells beneath the building to warm the entire complex. The dome is modeled on the US Capitol but faced with native sandstone quarried in Table Rock, the mesa that looms over Boise's east side.

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