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Library of Congress
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Washington D.C.

Library of Congress

6.4
4.8/5
128 reviews

The Library of Congress is one of the four official national libraries of the United States. It is a federal cultural institution with a very long history in the United States. It has become the largest treasure house of knowledge in the world. It is an important symbol of American knowledge and democracy and occupies an important position in American culture. . It consists of three parts: Thomas Jefferson Building, John Adams Building, and James Madison Building. 1. Rich collections There are more than 30 million books, covering 470 languages, and more than 58 million manuscripts, including the manuscript of President Lincoln's important speech at Gettysburg, which can be said to be a very large collection of rare books in the United States The place, the world's first letterpress "Gutenberg Bible" is the treasure of the town hall. In addition, there are millions of U.S. government publications, newspapers from around the world, microfilm reels, legal documents, maps, music, and more, making it the world's largest repository of knowledge. 2. Stunning architectural art The Library of Congress consists of three buildings named after the president: the Thomas Jefferson Building completed in 1897, the John Adams Building completed in 1939, and the James Madison Building completed in 1983 building. Among them, the Thomas Jefferson Building is in Italian Renaissance style, which stands out from many Greek colonnades or Victorian Gothic designs. With civilization and thinking, there is also a statue of the goddess of wisdom in the corridor.

United States · Washington D.C.

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Featured Culture & history in Washington

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Washington, D.C. Memorials Night Walking Tour
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Duration: 2 hrs
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FromTWD 1,962
Washington, D.C.: Small Group Guided E-Cart Night Tour
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Duration: 2 hrs
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FromTWD 2,529
Washington, D.C.: Guided City Tour + Boat Cruise
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Duration: 6 hrs
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Washington, D.C.: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Audio Guide
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Duration: 110 mins
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FromTWD 1,478
Smithsonian Institution Museums: Guided Walking Tour + Air & Space Timed Entry
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FromTWD 2,910
National Archives Museum: Semi-Private Guided Tour
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Duration: 2 hrs
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FromTWD 3,760

Featured Outdoor & sports in Washington

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Washington, D.C. - Shannado National Park + Luray Cave Day Trip | Small Group Tour (No More Than 13 People)
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FromTWD 6,149
Washington DC Bike Rentals
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4.7/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 2–9 hrs
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FromTWD 349
Luray Caverns and Shenandoah National Park Small Group Day Tour
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FromTWD 5,913
iFLY Montgomery-Gaithersburg First Time Flyer Experience
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FromTWD 3,317
iFLY Loudoun - Ashburn First Time Flyer Experience
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FromTWD 3,746
Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park Small Group Day Tour
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4.7/5
· 18 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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FromTWD 4,533
Self-guided Waterfall Hiking Tour in Great Falls National Park
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3.4/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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FromTWD 165

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What travellers say about Washington

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Dreamer200216 September 2026
5.0
The Penn Museum is a fascinating place to explore, with an impressive collection of artifacts from ancient cultures around the world. I especially enjoyed seeing the Egyptian exhibits and learning about the history behind the objects on display. There’s so much detail that you can easily spend a few hours here. A great stop in Philadelphia for anyone interested in archaeology, history, and ancient civilizations. 🏺✨

Penn Museum

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 July 2026
5.0
The steps of the Lincoln Memorial were packed with people, the marble columns so tall you had to crane your neck to see them. The statues were larger than I'd imagined, hands resting on the railings, eyes gazing into the distance. The inscriptions on the walls were so deep they seemed embedded. An old man stood there silently for a long time before moving on. Looking back from the bottom of the steps, the crowd looked like ants, swaying back and forth across the square. The pool reflected the distant obelisk, which seemed fragile enough to shatter in the wind. The sun made the ground scorching, but sitting there for a while brought a sense of coolness.

Lincoln Memorial

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Flora_Gu3 September 2026
5.0
Built in 1800, the Library of Congress is the world's largest library with over 162 million items. It sculpts the concept of "knowledge" into a breathtaking work of art, using marble, gold, stained glass, and the deepest historical significance. I was deeply awestruck; it was truly a visual feast!

Library of Congress

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Mushfiqur Rahman Chowdhury20 November 2023
5.0
My first Smithsonian experience. Two floors filled with various sections covering all about planes and space travel in the 20th century.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

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Samueljetman2 October 2023
5.0
i had the privilege of visiting the US Capitol in Washington DC back in 2019. the tour took us through the rotunda and crypt, as well as a history of the building. definitely highly recommended for anyone who visits DC!

Capitol Hill

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What are the must-do things in Washington?

Don't miss these attractions in Washington: Penn Museum, Jellystone Park™ Luray, and Signal Knob Overlook. If you like Culture & history, try Washington, D.C. Memorials Night Walking Tour. If you enjoy Outdoor & sports, try Washington, D.C. - Shannado National Park + Luray Cave Day Trip | Small Group Tour (No More Than 13 People).

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