United States District of Columbia Washington

Library of Congress

The national library of the U.S., holding millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts in its extensive collections.

Tips from the community

The Library of Congress is a hidden gem in Washington D.C. and a must-visit for book lovers and history buffs. As the largest library in the world, it houses an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and more. Visitors can take a guided tour of the library's stunning architecture and learn about its fascinating history. If you're a U.S. resident over the age of 16, you can even get your own official Library of Congress card, which grants access to the library's reading rooms and online resources. The card catalog at the Library of Congress is an iconic feature of the library's history, but it is no longer available for public browsing. BUT, if you make friends, you might be lucky enough to get a personal tour of the largest card catalog in the world (like we did). The library has digitized its entire card catalog and made it available online, so visitors can search and browse the catalog from anywhere in the world. However, the library still has a beautiful display of the card catalog drawers in the Thomas Jefferson Building, which you can see as part of a guided tour or by exploring the building on your own.

chiefseeker 1 year ago

Library of Congress Guides

  • Kid Friendly Things to do in Washington DC

    chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)
    Planning a family trip to Washington D.C. with your kids? Look no further than this list of kid-friendly things to do in the city. I took my 10-year-old son to DC for a memorable trip in November 2019, and it was both a fun and educational experience for both of us. From incredible museums to the grandeur of the National Mall, there is no shortage of activities to keep children entertained and engaged in learning. Here are our favorite spots from our trip. Reach out to your representative in Congress up to 6 months in advance for free tickets to many of the top sights as well as special access. Book as many popular sites sell out quickly!