The Library of Congress which is located right next to the U.S. Capitol Building is a beautiful sight. I have passed the Library of Congress tons of times without realizing you could go inside. The interior offers some stunning ceilings and its iconic reading room is well worth visiting.
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The Library of Congress is the largest library in the United States containing more than 38 million books. With parts of the collection spanning over 430 languages.
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Library of Congress Photos
Here are pictures of the interior and exterior of the Library of Congress. If you’re a photographer I recommend brining a wide angle lens to capture the grand nature of the library.
Main Reading Room at the Library of Congress
Twice a year the Library of Congress opens the main reading room up to the public to explore. This gives you the ability to explore the main reading room and even enter record keeping rooms. The reading room is typically open to the public on Memorial Day and Presidents’ Day.
Planning a Visit to the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is free and open to the public. You can view the hours and current status of the Library of Congress on their website. Currently you’ll need timed tickets to enter the Library.
The Library of Congress is located next to the US Capitol on First St NE. If you plan to take the Metro to the Library of Congress there are a few options. The three closest stops are Capitol South (0.1 mile), Union Station (0.5 mile), and Eastern Market (0.7 mile).
You can also get to the Library of Congress via a Capital BikeShare bike or rent an electric scooter.
Library of Congress on Google MapsI hope you enjoyed my guide to visiting the Library of Congress in Washington DC. If you’re at the Library of Congress I also recommend stopping by the US Capitol Building across the street also.
