Main Reading Room, Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Top choice in Washington, DC


The world's largest library – with 164 million books, manuscripts, maps, photos, films and other items – awes in both scope and design. The centerpiece is the 1897 Jefferson Building. Gawk at the Great Hall, done up in stained glass, marble and mosaics of mythical characters, then seek out the Gutenberg Bible (c 1455), Thomas Jefferson's round library and the reading room viewing area. Free tours of the building take place between 10:30am and 3:30pm on the half-hour.

A groovy underground tunnel connects the library's Madison Building, where the Madison Cafe hides on the 6th floor and offers views of the city. Room 133 is where staff members issue library cards to anyone who wants to do research (or Room 139 in the Jefferson Building). A handy tunnel also runs to the Capitol Visitor Center.

Transportation

  • metro: Orange, Silver, Blue Line to Capitol South

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Washington, DC attractions

1. Adams Building

0.1 MILES

One of the Library of Congress' three buildings, this holds 180 miles of shelving and is used mostly by researchers.

2. Folger Shakespeare Library

0.13 MILES

Bard-o-philes will be all aflutter here, as the library holds the world's largest collection of old Billy’s works. Stroll through the Great Hall to see a…

3. Supreme Court

0.14 MILES

The highest court in the USA occupies a pseudo-Greek temple protected by 13,000lb bronze doors. Arrive early to watch arguments (periodic Monday through…

4. Madison Building

0.14 MILES

One of the Library of Congress' three buildings. This has the Madison Cafe (open 8:30am to 3:30pm weekdays) on the 6th floor, a fine spot to refresh and…

5. US Capitol

0.24 MILES

Since 1800, this is where the legislative branch of American government (ie Congress) has met to write the country's laws.

7. Summerhouse

0.35 MILES

Northwest of the Capitol is the charming 1879 Summerhouse, a redbrick hexagon with black-iron gates and an interior well. This is where women in the late…

8. Taft Memorial Carillon

0.43 MILES

What is that chiming you hear every hour and quarter-hour? It's the 27 bells of the Taft Memorial Carillon, built to honor Senator Robert A Taft from Ohio…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/washington-dc/capitol-hill-south-dc/attractions/library-of-congress/a/poi-sig/385387/1329650",
      "destination": "Washington,-DC",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "country": "USA",
      "city": "Washington,-DC",
      "position": "superzone"
    }