State Capitol Tour

Recently we went on the state capitol tour in Jefferson City.  It's only about 45 min. from Columbia and a free tour that runs about every 20 min.  The only downside is that those tours include school groups, so if you're there when a school group is, you're included in the bunch.  We happened to go when a group of 4th graders were there.

This is a decent tour, not very long, free, and gives you a brief history of the state.

I'd recommend it for probably kids around the 4th grade or older, and maybe on a rainy day.  The 4th graders we were with had a hard time paying attention.

Here are some pictures I stole from the internet.  :-)
The Thomas Hart Benton mural.  This tells a brief history of the state from his perspective.

This is the room the state representatives use.  They let you sit in the gallery even if they are in session.  They weren't, but I've been there before when they were.  It's pretty cool.

This is a picture of the rotunda.  It's pretty gorgeous.