10 great places to walk through history at state capitols

— -- Presidents Day weekend may have us thinking of Washington, D.C., but most of our national leaders started their careers working in state capitols. Author Jim Stembridge says statehouses are bona-fide tourist attractions — working museums of regional art and history. "They don't have water slides or video games, but they are great," says the author of Fifty State Capitols: The Architecture of Representative Government (Coho Publishing, $27.95). To research the book, he visited every state capitol and shares some favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Salt Lake City

This statehouse recently underwent a complete renovation, expansion and retrofit, providing protection from earthquakes. Stembridge likes the natural light, new statuary, and visitor center and gift shop. "It's spick-and-span," he says. The interior also depicts historic scenes of Mormon settlement. 801-538-3074; utahstatecapitol.utah.gov

Annapolis

It's hard to match the history of this Colonial-era building, the only state capitol that also served as the nation's capitol. It's undergoing renovations, but visitors are welcome. "When you walk in, you are really in an important part of the history of our country," Stembridge says. 410-946-5423; msa.md.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/home.html

Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska rejected the traditional domed statehouse when it built the nation's first skyscraper capitol in 1932. The "Tower of the Plains" is ringed with several dozen outdoor scenes and statues depicting the history of democracy, such as the signing of the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence. "That's the most striking to me," Stembridge says. 402-471-0448; capitol.org

Columbus, Ohio

Stembridge is particularly impressed by the grounds of the Ohio Capitol, which he calls the best-designed and -maintained in the country. He also recommends a visit to the basement restaurant. "There's kind of a buzz. You can hear a lot of conversations. One thing about lobbyists and senators is that they usually have loud voices. It's just wonderful to hear the buttonholing and the arm-twisting going on." 614-728-2695; ohiostatehouse.org

Oklahoma City

The Sooner State celebrates its heritage (and economy) with an oil well in front of the statehouse and brightly lit murals of state natives like athlete Jim Thorpe and humorist Will Rogers. For years, the Capitol also stood out because it wasn't topped with a dome, but one was added a decade ago. 405-521-3356; okhouse.gov/Information/CapitolTours.aspx

Boston

History runs deep at this golden-domed statehouse across from Boston Common. The building was designed by Charles Bulfinch, who also worked on the U.S. Capitol and statehouses in Maine and Connecticut. Inside, look for the mural of Paul Revere's famous ride. "Boston was so much the catalyst for the Revolutionary War and our country, and it really is apparent in that building," Stembridge says. 617-727-3676; www.sec.state.ma.us/trs/trsidx.htm

Baton Rouge

Every statehouse has its share of political intrigue, but few can match Louisiana's, where Gov. Huey P. Long was assassinated. Tour guides still point out the bullet marks in the back hallway. The building itself is a testimony to Long, the larger-than-life populist who made sure the skyscraper-style Capitol would be the nation's tallest. "You can go up to the top of it and see the Mississippi river winding through Louisiana," Stembridge says. 225-342-7317; crt.louisiana.gov/tourism/capitol

Austin

When it comes to capitols, everything is bigger in Texas. The nation's largest capitol building includes a skylighted underground addition. "You go inside and it is huge," Stembridge says. He recommends standing beneath the towering dome. "It's a wonderful spot. If you look up, you can see the word 'Texas' written around there." 512-463-0063; www.tspb.state.tx.us/tspb.htm

Richmond, Va.

Talk about a presidential connection: This statehouse was designed by Thomas Jefferson, whose vision of a state capitol with portico, columns and other classical features has been replicated across the country. "Around the rotunda are statues of the great Virginia presidents that got our country started out: Madison, Monroe, Jefferson, and, of course, Washington," Stembridge says. 804-698-1788; virginiacapitol.gov

Salem, Ore.

Stembridge, who served on the legislative staff in Oregon, admits he's playing favorites by including his former workplace on the list. But he says the building's rotunda is a standout and is used for public events and concerts. It's also one of the few capitols that lets visitors climb to the top of the dome — from the last week of March through September. "It's the symbolic center of the state of Oregon, and I think you could say the same about any other capitol," he says. 503-986-1388; http://www.leg.state.or.us/capinfo/