Library of Congress

Washington, DC · Capitol HillFreeFree, but you need a timed-entry ticket

About

From the second-floor overlook in the Library of Congress, across First Street from the Capitol, you look down into the Main Reading Room. Tuesday through Friday, free first-come tickets handed out in the Great Hall get you onto the floor itself, for a walk of about five minutes around the center desk. Everyone needs a timed-entry ticket to get into the building, children included. Same-day tickets are released online at 9 a.m. Eastern. It's closed Sunday and Monday, and on Thursday it stays open until 8 p.m., with drinks in the Great Hall from 5.

Highlights

Free admission with timed-entry passMain Reading Room overlookGreat Hall and Gutenberg BibleRe-created Jefferson's Library, 6,487 volumesItalian Renaissance-style Jefferson Building

Getting there

10 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20540

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