The Missouri State Capitol sits on a commanding bluff above the Missouri River, its dome visible from miles away. The building, completed in 1917 in Renaissance Revival style, is worth a visit primarily for what's inside: Thomas Hart Benton's massive mural cycle covering the Social History of Missouri, painted in 1936 on the third-floor lounge. Benton, a native Missourian, depicted the state's people with his characteristically bold, earthy style — farmers, miners, riverboat workers, frontier fighters, and freed slaves all share the walls. It's far more human than the usual capitol art, and far more controversial: legislators tried to have parts of it painted over when it was new.
Free guided tours of the building depart from the visitor center several times daily. The view from the south terrace down to the Missouri River and the rail bridge is excellent, especially in the late afternoon.