Pennsylvania State Capitol Building

Located in central Pennsylvania is the capitol of the state, Harrisburg.  In the center of this city lies probably the most impressive State Capitol building in all of America, as it has been chosen as such by many legislators over the years. At the dedication of the Capitol building in 1906, President Teddy Roosevelt described this structure as "the handsomest building I ever saw" and it was modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

On a daily basis, free tours are offered through the building.  While on the weekends it is very quiet as the state lawmakers are at home, during the week it is bustling with activity.  It is also your right as an American citizen to be able to sit in on any discussions happening inside this building.  During the weekend tour though, you're able to go into the State Senate, State House of Representatives and State Supreme Court chambers.  

All of the rooms, as well as the main rotunda, were quite impressive to see.  Many portions of the wall decorations were even made out of solid gold.  Words cannot express how positively stunned I was at the site of the inside of the building and its various rooms.  This is a tour that is highly worth taking (and it's free!) and lasts approximately 45 minutes.