A gem of a historical venue that you must check out. The library is impressive, the halls are…read moremassive and marble. But the most important thing to do is bring your ID and get your very own library card for the Library of Congress. It only takes a few minutes and an online form. There is little waiting and you get the card right then and there. We live on Capitol Hill and always bring our friends and family to this venue and they leave with a fun souvenir. The entire experience is free. One of the more impressive displays is the Gutenberg Bible just outside of the rotunda. It is complete and printed on vellum. There are only 3 of these on the planet in existence. There are only 49 total Gutenberg Bibles in existence, 12 of them were printed on vellum (which is animal skin and the most costly and most durable material from the era). And, as I mentioned, there are only 3 Gutenberg Bibles that are fully in tact and printed on vellum. Go see it. It's a crucial part of history. The other two are in The British Library (London, UK) and The Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Paris, France).

Don't let the long line discourage you; it's absolutely worth the wait. Expect to spend around 20…read moreminutes in line, and keep in mind that part of the wait is usually outside, so it can get pretty hot on warm days. Once inside, the building is stunning. The famous ceiling is every bit as impressive as the photos, and it's worth taking your time to admire the architecture. Be sure to check out the rotating exhibits as well. I thought the two Georges were well done. Also enjoyed seeing actual books from Jefferson's library. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and happy to answer questions. If you're visiting Washington, DC, this is definitely a place I'd recommend, especially if you're already exploring Capitol Hill. It's an easy walk to Navy Yard if you're planning to spend time there afterward.

Happy 250th! Each year, my family goes up to the Capitol lawn with our dogs to watch fireworks…read more This year the police told us we are not allowed to enter the grounds. We are not only DC locals but also Americans. This is highly disrespectful to tax paying citizens. What a shameful update to the system. Instead of using taxpayer dollars on the fuel for the jets flying into today's show (what a waste) perhaps spend it on something more useful like more security if that's an issue.

The United States Capitol is one of those places that is hard to put into words even after I have…read morebeen there. Standing in front of it for the first time, the scale and the history of what the building represents hit differently than any photo or textbook ever prepared me for. The exterior alone was worth the trip, but stepping inside was where it really got me. Tours are free and worth booking in advance through my representative's office if I wanted a more personal experience, though the general public tours are well organized and cover a lot of ground. Security moved quickly and the process for getting in was straightforward. The viewing gallery pass system is a separate step that felt a little clunky, so I factored that in and did not expect it to be seamless. Inside, the dome area is the centerpiece and genuinely one of the more impressive architectural spaces I have walked through in this country. The statuary hall has pieces representing every state, and the artwork throughout the building carries a lot of the same weight I would expect from a place this tied to American history. It did not feel exactly like a museum, more like a building that happens to have centuries of context built into every room. I would plan for a couple of hours at minimum to take it in properly rather than just moving through. Weekdays tend to feel calmer and the guided tours give a lot more context than wandering on my own would.

It is amazing feeling standing in front of the Capitol Hill Building!! Before only see it on TV…read more What an experience! The architecture is so beautiful. Just can't get enough of it... and keep taking pictures! The whole area is clean. The grass is maintained nicely. Police Officers are walking around the building all the time. If you are visiting Washington D.C.... absolutely spend some time there!

Simply Amazing! Took my family for the tour of Capital…read moreHill building and was humbled. There is a free guided tour every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. If you don't mind the security throwing all of your water and food out of your bag, than get ready for the greatest tour your have ever been on. 1st, they wisk your group of about a 100 into a theater and show you a short film on the history of the Capital Hill building narrated by Angelou Maya. From it's humble inception to its completion despite the hardship of the nation, brought tears to my eyes and pride in my heart. Felt very patriotic and knew the meaning of the country after this. 2nd part of the tour is a guided tour with you putting on a headset, so you and your group of 20 can follow him as he points out all the significant paintings, priceless statues and roman architecture and the story behind them , throughout the building. The amount of historical monuments inside this building could probably house several museums! The 30 minute tour will humble you and keep you in awe of our magnificent country and all the great leaders that sacrificed themselves for the good of the republic. Highly recommended!!!!!

The James Madison Memorial Building is part of the Library of Congress, but is often overlooked…read more It's close to the US Capitol Building and mainly houses the administrative offices for the Library of Congress. However, tourists should note four things worth visiting: 1) You can get a readers card for free in just 5-15 minutes during the week to go into the famous Reading Room in the Library of Congress. 2) There's a beautiful marble lobby with a statue of James Madison inside. 3) The outside is beautiful to photograph and many DC Instagrammers highlight the tall columns in their feeds. 4) There are picnic tables outside for you to enjoy lunch or the sunshine with a good book. If you just have 36 hours in DC, skip this one, but if you live here, stop by this lesser known building.

Some extra things you may not know about when visiting the library of congress. You can come here…read moreand get your official library readers card. They also have some small exhibits that change from time to time. Cool spot, but certainly not part of "must see D.C."

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is a must-see, packed with iconic landmarks and museums all…read morein one walkable area. It was amazing to see so much history packed into a surprisingly easy to walk and navigate area. The monuments, the museums, the historical sites and buildings. The rich history of our nation, packed into one day trip. It's a once in a lifetime experience.

The national mall is a must. If you are visiting DC it is a really cool part of history and a…read morelovely place to walk around. You can make it a few hours, a whole day, or just take a morning jog around the park. There are so many open spaces to picnic or let the kids play. There are also many iconic restaurants and museums near by. You can't miss this stop if you are in DC. My pictures are only a few of the highlights. There are so many iconic spots you have to check out.

What's prettier than the White House, the Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian put…read moretogether? Yes, Ariana Grande is a good answer, but I was looking for the Executive Office on 17th St! A long time ago, the love of my life used to say that this building was the highlight of her trips to DC, and I can see why. I remember walking with her in the pouring rain next to it, and taking pictures of her exposing herself in front of it. Times change... But this building never did. It's glorious and resplendent. It reminds me of something in France, but better kept, perhaps. It looks palatial. If the White House is a little underwhelming then this executive office is completely awe-inspiring. It's level with the Capitol as my favourite building in the DC area, and is the easiest 5-star rating I've given since my Cousin Daniel got drunk and showed me the ropes.

Didn't really have a lot of time to roam around Pennsylvania Ave. And my friend and I, being…read moreslightly less than ignorant didn't know that the BACK of the WHITE HOUSE would be on Pennsylvania Ave. ** Not impressed** So our pictures we're not exactly anythng to brag about. So we decided to take pictures in front of the Executive Office of the President where the FRONT of this architecture was much more impressive than the BACK of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. Still a great experience to roam DC and take in the history and political side of the US. (You don't get much of that or appreciate it as much coming from the west coast. Hence, the ignorance of the FRONT vs the BACK of the WHITE HOUSE. =X)

On the U.S. Capitol grounds is a historic summer house that's often open to the public to escape…read morethe sun, use the drinking fountain or east on one of the seats inside.

Amazing service Melanie was just a sweet heart food ways absolutely incredible kind host happy…read moreworkers wonderful employees and a great experience

We were taking a walk on the Wharf and came unexpectedly to the Titanic Memorial. I used to read…read moreeverything about the Titanic but I was not aware that this memorial was here, dedicated to the men who sacrificed themselves so the women and children of the Titanic would be saved. Just 10 days after the sinking, a group of women formed a committee to raise money for a memorial. This is a quiet corner of DC (the memorial was moved for the Kennedy Center), and a beautiful tribute.

The Titanic Memorial was organized by influential women of the United States to honor the men who…read moregave their lives by giving up their opportunity for seats on lifeboats to women and children aboard the RMS Titanic that sank after collision with an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. 531 women and children were on board that day, 70% of which were rescued compared to only 20% of men. If you've seen the 1997 movie entitled 'Titanic," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet then you can better understand the cost paid by many men to preserve the lives of many women and children on board the vessel that day. The memorial is located at the far end of The Wharf between the marina and U.S. Army post, Fort McNair. A true concrete park, the grounds has benches and when the weather is nice, it is a place for strollers, joggers, dog walkers, and picnic goers. This area also entertains people migrating from the marina and The Wharf. You'll often find locals pass through here as the memorial is adjacent to multiple mid- and high-rise housing units. The area isn't the most pristine, however, it is a great place to hang out during great weather as it is along the waterfront and is slightly shaded by trees. Historical Fact: this isn't the memorial's original location. The statue once stood at the current site of The Kennedy Center in Northwest DC. When The Kennedy Center was constructed in the 60s, the statue was removed and eventually relocated to its current home on the Southwest Waterfront. I believe the memorial is due for another relocation as it doesn't seem fitting in its current spot and is overshadowed by the commercial development on the Southwest Waterfront.

It just occurred to me that I've been on this thing during a trip to DC in 8th grade…read more I have nothing else to say. I just wanted to blatantly humblebrag this.

I almost got ran over by John McCain while he was rushing back to his office…read more No joke. (The railway goes 500 ft, it seems. For the lazy or old, apparently.)

Food, family friend, beautiful sights, baseball, soccer, great restaurants & bars & shops!…read more What doesn't the Navy Yard offer?! This feels like one of the safest & less busiest areas of DC. We enjoy bringing our bikes, & bikes around the city stopping in to grab a bite to eat or shop.

I would not recommend if siting at the bar. Bartenders are overwhelmed and inattentive. The kicker…read morewas me asking the bartender Jas for a to go container for my grilled cheese with bacon and tomato soup. She brought me a regular container and when I asked for something for my soup she replied I'll see. I had to ask the night manager. I won't be partakat this location again.