Visiting the Library of Congress in DC

The upside to the constant deluge of water falling from DC’s skies is getting to tap into my list of rainy day activities in the district. With some of the world’s best museums and historical sites, Washington DC isn’t a terrible place to get caught in the rain. This past weekend, I accomplished another one of my 2016 DC goals by visiting the magnificent Library of Congress.
Located across the street from the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress Jefferson Building is housed in an ornate building in the Beaux Arts style.
Be sure to stop by the Court of Neptune Fountain before making your way up the front steps. Inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, this work of art will transport you to another time and place.

As you make your way up the steps to the front entrance, be sure to turn around and take in the lovely view of the Capitol and Washington Monument across the street.
The interior of the building is breathtaking, offering beautiful and intricate details from floor to ceiling.





As a visitor, you will have access to several exhibits located throughout the building including Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, donated after the Library of Congress and Capitol were burned by the British in 1814. You’ll also find some of the world’s oldest maps and letters being preserved in the buildings halls.
The Main Reading Room, where the majority of the books are kept, isn’t open to tourists but can be viewed from a visitor gallery on the second floor. If you really want to get in there and take in all of the literary bounty, you can get access through a reader identification card.
The Library of Congress is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.and offers free walking tours of the Jefferson Building Monday through Saturday. The building is closed on Sundays and Federal Holidays. All visitors must go through security. It is recommended to use public transportation to get to the Library. The closest metro stops are Capitol South and Union Station (more information).