Library of Congress, Washington DC
Library of Congress
Library of Congress
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Though the Library of Congress doesn't own every book ever published, it sure has most of them, with 532 miles of shelves and 115 million items, with 7,000 added each working day.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- Capitol South • 5 min walk
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Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
9,038 reviews
Excellent
7,082
Very good
1,577
Average
322
Poor
41
Terrible
16
steady
ny906 contributions
Jun 2022
My husband and I recently visited the Library of Congress. We had free pre-arranged tickets that I recieved from the website. We arrived at 6:15 on a Thursday (late night is Thursday). Security was swift and we entered very quickly. The building is historic and absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed the Watergate anniversary display and Thomas Jefferson's library collection. We also enjoyed a section on the early Americans.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shaden A
Amman, Jordan8 contributions
Jun 2022
A unique place. If you are visiting D.C then it is a must see attraction. The level of security is high. You'll get the chance to navigate the history of America and enjoy the old world maps, and history.
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ThePlainsman
The Plains, VA75 contributions
Jun 2022
This is one of America's greatest treasures, administered by true heroes who guard our finest treasure chests (too numerous and rich to do justice with a review here). Bravo!
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lynn S
League City, TX563 contributions
May 2022
I was so glad to visit this on our reccent trip to DC because I did not have a chance to visit on my previous DC trip. This is the world's largest library (it does not have every single book in the world, but it does have bunches of books and also has a lot of recording too I am told). Anyone 16 years or older can get a library card and check out a book. The building itself inside and out is just spectacular and gorgeous. The library is actually several buildings but the main library is in the Jefferson Building and that's where you want to visit unless you're going to do research. Right now they are requiring timed entry passes which you can get online for free. The only time I could get was 10:45am (opening time) on Tuesday, and we had a Capitol tour scheduled an hour later. It was a short walk from there to the Capitol so we figured we had about 45 minutes for our visit and that turned out to be enough. The big items we saw were the Guttenburg Bible and Thomas Jefferson's Library (which he donated to Congress to begin the library). Not all of Jefferson's Library was viewable as some books were not there due to them digitizing the entire library. The view of the great reading room is just breathtaking. While you can definitely spend more than an hour here, if you are pressed for time, you can get it done in less than an hour for sure.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ogadoo
Belleair Bluffs, FL149 contributions
May 2022
The Reading Room at the Jefferson building (main building) is maybe the most impressive room where I have ever sat in my life. You will need a library card which are immediately available to enter, The building also contains a terrific museum. Absolutely a must see!
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
stanton418
Fort Thomas, KY52 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
This is a very cool place to visit! It was not very crowded so we could move around and see a lot! We got to see and take photos of many this and it really was a fantastic experience!! I highly advise anyone to check this out!!
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ilene B
Muldraugh, KY310 contributions
May 2022
The Library of Congress is amazing. There is a special room for Rosa Parks and embellished this room the most. You have to see history of a courageous woman who changed history. Again plan ahead get tickets online. Once you get into the Library go explore there are so many displays. I also remember a music display of musician Lionel Richie and his songs with Commodores and more.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Molly Macfarlane
London, UK260 contributions
May 2022
We visited the Library of Congress on 05/11. It was really pretty, as was to be expected, but there were also a lot of exhibits inside.
In particular, we enjoyed the Rosa Parks and photography exhibits, so would recommend those most. Definitely has more than meets the eye - but make sure to book a timed slot as we were unaware of this and just got lucky.
In particular, we enjoyed the Rosa Parks and photography exhibits, so would recommend those most. Definitely has more than meets the eye - but make sure to book a timed slot as we were unaware of this and just got lucky.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jota Gil
Lisbon, Portugal75 contributions
May 2022
Beautiful, outside and inside, full of dignity, knowledge and history. With free admitance, it's a MUST GO experience while visiting Washington
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cbprc
Huntington, WV26 contributions
May 2022
Getting credentialed to use the main reading room in the Jefferson Building was a life-long goal. This was one of 2 reasons we chose Washinton this time.
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Good day! The Library of Congress is amazing! I write a work about history of library. It is very interesting! But I need your help.
In many sources it is written that the library suffered 4 fires. I found information about fires in 1814, 1825 and 1851 years on sites of American history and in books. However I can't find some information about fourth burning. Tell me please when it happened? Which year was this fourth fire? And how many losses were there?
It is VERY important for me. I would be grateful you so much!
I'm going to DC in May 2019 and would love to take the guided tour at the Library of Congress. How do you sign up or do you have to register ahead of your visit?
colette f
26 contributions
We wandered into the Library on a friend's recommendation and were awed. We sat down to watch a video and were then offered a guided tour on the spot. It was well worth it. The building and its contents are amazing. Our visit was in October, when Congress was not in session, so maybe the availability of spontaneous tours was greater. The library is so interesting, you may want to ask your Congressperson to sign you up for a scheduled time to be sure you get the tour. If that doesn't pan out, you can still try once in the building.
MiriamCG
Madrid, Spain548 contributions
Buenos dÃas,
Me gustarÃa saber qué hay que hacer para acceder a la Biblioteca para verla por dentro. No hace falta que sea con Tour.
Hay horarios establecidos?
Muchas gracias.
Luis P
Valencia, Spain1,303 contributions
Yo la visité sin guÃa ni nada
No creo que haga falta
Entré por el Capitolio
Monica V
Lima, Peru76 contributions
Me recomendaron visitar el Capitolio y de ahi la biblioteca por el túnel, es necesario reservar algún tour para eso?
Fabytoti
Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico35 contributions
Muy buena recomendación Para el Capitolio hay tours que se contratan ahà mismo Terminando, ya sin el tour ve por el túnel a la biblioteca que aunque los une el túnel no está en el mismo recorrido
RSValente
Brasilia, DF85 contributions
Pode-se visitá-la trajando bermuda?
MiguelAGPaiva
Sao Paulo, SP4,332 contributions
A Biblioteca e o Capitólio pode se conhecer gratuitamente numa única visita,os prédios são interligados. Embora não tenha restrição à bermudas , o ambiente do Congresso é solene.
traumaqueen09
Mounds View, MN24 contributions
How long would you plan to spend here to see everything?
BChupka
Dallas, Texas37 contributions
I would plan 2-3 hours so as not to rush. The tour guides seem very good. My cousin works there so she took us around herself. Much more than a library!!
anandarup b
Dallas, TX163 contributions
Is it open on Sundays?
The_Drunken_Foodist
Rockville, MD103 contributions
Unfortunately, no. They are open Mon-Sat 8:30 to 5:00 PM.
SaraBeth14
150 contributions
How much time should I allot for visiting this place? It looks amazing
LCPL
Quebec, Canada55 contributions
I agree, 90 minutes to 2 hours is a good time frame to put aside, that would give you enough time to either tour on your own or take a guided tour, plus have time to look around on your own if you do decide to do the tour option and also take a few minutes to check out the gift shop as well.
Frequently Asked Questions about Library of Congress
- Library of Congress is open:
- Mon - Sat 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- We recommend booking Library of Congress tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 59 Library of Congress tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Library of Congress:
- (0.30 km) Capitol Hill Hotel
- (0.37 km) Brumidi B & B
- (0.31 km) Blubambu Suites
- (1.02 km) Phoenix Park Hotel
- (0.31 km) BluBambu Suites - Capitol Hill
- Restaurants near Library of Congress:
- (0.00 km) Dunkin'
- (0.25 km) sweetgreen Capitol Hill
- (0.17 km) Madison Cafe, Library of Congress
- (0.19 km) Burrito Brothers
- (0.19 km) Le Bon Cafe
- Attractions near Library of Congress:
- (0.17 km) U.S. Capitol
- (0.20 km) Supreme Court
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- (0.19 km) Folger Shakespeare Library
- (0.08 km) Walking Exploration Tours DC