This tour was much more than my partner and I had expected! You do need to schedule a timeslot online to enter, but the tour is self guided and free. You can enter the research library which is still active and the architecture is amazing. They also have Thomas Jeffersons Personal Library which is very cool!

We found that the place really thinned out around lunchtime. It is a gorgeous place to visit. The women in the family seemed to enjoy this much more than the men. It had a timed entry but we arrived an hour early and got in with no problems. There is an overlook into the reading room, so even if it is not open to the public, you can see it. I loved all the beautiful ceilings. You'll spend less than one hour. Then go next door to see the Supreme Court. After that you can eat lunch at Union Station down the street, or visit the Capitol Visitor's Center (but I suggest you get a tour through your State Representative's office to avoid the lines).

Visited the Library of Congress with my parents during a multi city break along the east coast of America, I can recommend going in the morning before it gets busy and being one of the first to enter I managed to get some lovely photos of the inside without any encroaching fellow tourists! Unfortunately we couldn’t go into the main reading room but we were able to view it from above and there are still a few other interesting things to see on your visit. All in all the visit wasn’t overly long, about an hour, but it really is worth a visit as the building itself and inside architecture is beautiful and at the end of the day it’s free to visit, you just need to reserve a timed entry pass online.

Visiting the LOC was a long awaited dream for this library nerd. The LOC has 3 main buildings so accessing the right bldg for our assigned entry time was a bit confusing. Reservations for timed entry are required. The architecture in the Jefferson Bldg is stunning & the exhibits were very interesting (Gutenberg Bible, Gershwin, Photos, Jefferson's library). Visitors can look down into the Main Reading Room but need a library card to enter & use it. If I only lived closer....! I was able to visit the Veterans History Project & thank Mrs. Donna Borden for her enthusiasm & expertise.

The great hall is gorgeous, but you can't to get in. The whole building looked very nice. It's free, but you need book a timed entry pass on their website. The tour is self guided. We visited there on a Wednesday late afternoon, it wasn't crowed.

The Library of Congress was an unexpected surprise. The areas open to the public are stunning. Whereas the multitudes of books aren't visible, it was interesting learning from the volunteers how the LoC works and where everything is stored. And fortunately for us, we happened to be there on a day where the main reading room was open to the public. No lines, no quick in-and-out visits. We walked in, talked to some of the volunteers, and sat at one of the study tables and took in the grandeur and history of that room. (Logistically speaking, visiting the LoC is convenient to lump with the Capitol and Supreme Court.)

Had to select a visit date, but haven't actually been there in decades. But we discovered a family treasure in these walls. The library contains a 776-page book of my family geneology published in 1940 with my family history documented back to 1303, over 1000 years, in Switzerland. I recently purchased the last five copies from the publisher for handing down to family members.

A must visit. We have booked this tour in advance and it was free. We first went to visit the Capitol Hill and after visiting Capitol Hill you can easily reach the library through an underground passage. The building of the library is truly spectacular. In the library you can see for example Thomas Jefferson’s books and the Gutenberg Bible. We were truly impressed.

Washington DC truly have some of the most amazing buildings. You must reserve your free time slot and visit. You will not regret walking around and soaking up how beautiful the architecture is. The building is truly stunning. Words and pictures don’t do enough, you need to see it with your own eyes.

Took my 9yo. She enjoyed the trip. She thought Jefferson’s library was very cool. We had timed tickets but arrived 30 minutes early and were allowed in. Gave my kid a scavenger hunt to do while looking around, which she loved.