Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is an absolute gem among libraries, and an essential stop for anyone visiting Washington, D.C. Having explored numerous libraries, none have captivated me quite like this one. Every corner is adorned with breathtaking sculptures, paintings, and drawings that effortlessly draw the eye skyward. Amidst this artistic splendor, the presence of countless books only adds to the library's allure.

Visiting the Library of Congress is a soul-nourishing experience, imbued with positivity and inspiration. The ambiance is both cozy and light-filled, creating an inviting atmosphere that beckons visitors to linger and explore. Despite the bustling crowds of tourists, there's a palpable sense of joy in witnessing so many people drawn to this bastion of history and knowledge.

I must commend the staff for their exceptional kindness and friendliness, always ready to assist with a smile. Their warmth adds to the overall welcoming atmosphere and enhances the visitor experience. In summary, a visit to the Library of Congress is not just educational—it's a journey filled with beauty, enlightenment, and the enduring spirit of human curiosity.

A must see if in DC!

This place is absolutely stunning!

Possibly one of my favorite places in DC.

The architecture is beautiful but to see all of the books was fascinating, especially the Thomas Jefferson library. One of my favorites.

We got tickets in advanced for a timed entry. I do wish we had gotten a guided tour but we were unavailable for the slotted time that day.

Definitely check this beautiful place out!

What a wonderful library this is, I have visited many libraries, but I have never seen one like this. How beautiful everything is there, I always looked up, it was impossible to take my eyes off the beautiful sculptures, paintings and drawings, and of course, as without books. It is a pleasure to visit here, it is to gain positivity and good thoughts. It is very cozy, light and clean. There are many tourists, and it makes me happy that people want to come here, this is history, and history is very interesting and informative. I would like to note that the staff is very kind and friendly, always happy to help.

This was my first stop after landing in D.C. I had made my reservation online a few weeks in advance. The line to get in wasn't long and the only hiccup was a gentleman in front of the line not listening to directions and taking everything out of his pockets.

The Library is easy to access from the metro and is directly across from the Capitol building and adjacent to the Supreme Court.

Listen to the audio tour, go and see the Main Reading Room (I think it's only open at 2pm on a Friday) and get your Reader Identification so you can take advantage of going into the many reading rooms to do research! Just sign up online first so you just have to show your ID when you get down to the registration.

The librarians are super nice and helpful and the security throughout were nice!! The ladies down at the card registration were a bit brusque and abrupt, but perhaps they see so many people every day they get tired of the monotony.

Absolutely stunning architecture and art! From my perspective, I was expecting something different.. but it was pretty cool. The library is only opened during week days, check the website always first, so you can see the schedule. Well worth the visit.

Wow! This was super amazing! Such a cool building and history. They also have tours where you can go into the actual library and walk around. Had a great experience here and the workers were so nice and willing to answer our questions and teach us!

Don't think "Library", think history temple. What a beautiful place, this was my favorite indoor location on our DC trip. They have an original Gutenberg Bible and Thomas Jefferson's original book collection that help start the Library of Congress. What other location has such a great selling statement. If that is not enough, if you love architecture, this is the place for you, this Venetian Gothic (from the inside).

First, you need a reservation. Second, be dressed for the weather as you may need to wait in a line outside for a while. We were outside for 30 minutes. It’s a bit of a wind tunnel! Third, well worth it, but heads up! Beautiful beyond expectations! So much to see. If you want to go into the library or book a tour plan ahead. And you can get a real library card!

The congress library was amazing. You should get your free tickets online before going. If you like to check the research room you can register for free online and get your card there. There are orange arrows guiding you to the registration room. The card will be valid for 2 years. The building was absolutely beautiful totally worth it.

A beautiful stop - we fully enjoyed our visit to the Library of Congress. The building itself is beautiful and we loved getting a glimpse into the reading room from the observation deck (which anyone can access if you take the time to sign up for a library card). The exhibit they had on currently, featuring photographs from the library's archives, was fabulous. We visited in the late afternoon (about an hour before closing) and the library was empty - not busy at all. Allowed us to spend as much time as we wanted viewing the main reading room/walking around/etc. Definitely recommend stopping by!

We went for the first time for the "Live! At the library" event they have every Thursday evening. It's free to ever but you do need to go online to reserve your spot for entry to any of the events. It was a great adult only type event, so it was very relaxing. It's beautiful inside and I highly recommend going if you like literature and architecture.

Surprisingly, a very cool place. I didn't have any expectations, just wanted to kill some time and was in the area. It's quite easy to book the free ticket online. The interior is beautiful and the exhibitions are very interesting. The only downside is that the visitors are not allowed in the main reading room (at least at the time I was visiting), which is amazing as judging from the balcony's view. Definitely am coming back more prepared and maybe even will take a tour.

The entire building has intricate work and beautiful paintings. The library is huge with tons of seating space and you can be a member through a simple enrollment. It’s free and worth it!

Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. There are time entry tickets, so make sure you get them in advance. The main reading room of the library was amazing and there were also other exhibits that were interesting as well. There is also a convenient place in the library to check in your bags, as they don't allow them when you are touring the main room. You most likely won't spend as much time here as other museums, so it's great if you have a smaller gap and are looking for something to do.

Make this the #1 stop on your list if visiting DC! The incredible architecture and the mosaics will have your neck sore from staring at the ceiling. This place is a wonder, and I could find myself being stuck there for hours trying to absorb every detail. Incredible.

What a lovely place, with over 25 million volumes (and another 125 million in storage places). Should Jeffeeson's library be a part of it? A difficult question, but Jefferson is a part of American history, right?

The Library of Congress is an intellectual treasure trove that captivates with its vast collection and architectural grandeur. Boasting an extensive array of books, manuscripts, and multimedia resources, it's a haven for scholars and curious minds alike. The majestic Main Reading Room and the Jefferson Building's intricate design contribute to a sense of reverence. The accessibility of resources and helpful staff make navigating this literary haven a delightful experience. The Library of Congress stands as a beacon of knowledge, a must-visit for those seeking to immerse themselves in the depth of human understanding.

Mental Health Rating: 10 out of 10
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I always wanted to visit the LoC but found there were many barriers that kept me away. It was not until I received ah contact to do some research did I finally have the time and mental capacity to visit.
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This place is surrounded by beauty and historical buildings... It's hard to be bored. At the moment I am not sure if the Jefferson building is open to visitors yet, but when and if it does open back up I hope you visit.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀.
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♿ This place does have wheelchair accessible doors and ramps. There are also bathrooms that offer additional space for those utilizing wheelchairs.
🪪✔ This is a government building so expect to have to go through security. If you are doing research, coats have to be checked in. There is a coat drop-off section. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲.
👩🏼‍💼👨🏽‍💼 Workers are professional and so FULL of information. They always make me feel welcomed and grateful that I spend time there. It is really a great place to Learn, Grow and just EXPLORE!

My first time and I loved it. There's so much to see we couldn't do it all in one trip. We attended a Thursday evening event; I highly recommend. They are free but you have to get tickets in advance.

First time in Dc and this was top of my list. Did not disappoint! Its was free just make a reservation. Every corner had such unique details!