This post contains affiliate links.
Yesterday was all about Alexandria and I told you we stayed there while actually visiting Washington DC. Alexandria is about 20 minutes to DC and way more affordable so I would highly suggest staying there or another suburb. We took the metro in one day and drove in another day and both modes of transport were ok. Driving wasn’t actually that bad!
The first thing we did in DC was tour the Library of Congress. I got the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Library of Congress and I can honestly say that this was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. If you want a guided tour then you need to submit a request through one of your state’s representatives or senators and they can hook you up. You can also just show up and try to get tickets but if you as OCD as I am then it’s best to request in advance so you know you are guaranteed a tour.
I will quit rambling now and just show you the Library of Congress. Here is the outside…
Gorgeous, right?? And now we move to the inside. Speaking of the inside, in order to get into the Library of Congress (or pretty much any building in DC) we had to go through airport-like security. We got scanned and had to put our bags through X-ray equipment
so don’t be that crazy person that tries to sneak a weapon in.
And of course no trip to the Library of Congress would be complete without a selfie!!
My favorite part of the LC was actually seeing the part where you go check books out. This is the part that everyone has seen in movies…
Did you know that the Library of Congress was started when Thomas Jefferson’s entire library of books was purchased from him? His library of books contained everything from farming and literature to history and law. It was a very diverse collection he actually read every single book he owned and the LC still has all of those books on display!
It was hard to get a good pic of them because they are kept behind glass.
The Library of Congress also houses two of the most important books ever…the Gutenberg Bible and the Giant Bible of Mainz.
Have you ever visited the Library of Congress??
What was your favorite thing to see??
So beautiful!! I’ve been fortunate to do a lot touring of DC but I’ve never done this! It’s on my list now for sure!
I absolutely LOVE DC. My sister used to work in the White House so we would visit often. It is such an exciting and interesting place with so much to see and do.
oh wow its beautiful, I wouldn’t mind visiting the library of congress even for a moment.
That is such a cool building. It’s awesome that we have a place to preserve books with historical significance.
Seeing and reading your post brought back so many memories. I still remember my trip there. I live in NY so we have been to DC quite a few times.
Seeing the Jefferson collection was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to DC. It’s such an amazing piece of history to be so close to it is awe-inspiring. I just wish they had it in a more intimate setting.
Wow It looks like it’s a great road trip. I’ve been to DC but I’ve never been to the Library of Congress.
What a gorgeous place! I have never visited when I was in D.C., but my daughter got to and she said it was amazing.
I’m so glad that you had fun experienced in a fantastic place. I wanna go there to visit one day.
Why have I never visited the Library of Congress? What great architecture! It’s such a beautiful building. Thanks for the tip about the guided tour!
Love the architecture! This makes me miss our trip to DC so much! We’ve been talking about going back and this is exactly why!
Wow. These photos are just beautiful. The architecture is just beautiful, I would love to visit and check out so many places in the US… This being one of them. My oldest has a huge huge huge interest in US congress, and govt. So this would be cool.
I grew up in NOVA so I have been to the Library of Congress. That said it’s been many moons since I have visited. It is truly gorgeous and as I remember it.
Wow! Your photos are magnificent, I just fell in love with it. What a very beautiful work of art!
Those are some fantastic photographs, absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with us! :)
I have never been to D.C. but would love to visit there some day. There is so much to see and the Library of Congress would be on the list to see for sure. These are gorgeous pictures and it just makes me want to see it more. Thanks for sharing.
Wow the building is absolutely beautiful both inside and out! I absolutely love the ceilings! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
I’m loving all these wonderful pictures! Feels like I was there with you. Thanks for sharing your road trip – I’m really enjoying the journey. :).
I’ve been so excited to take another trip to DC. I love how beautiful the architecture is and all of the history associated with it.
Oh man, they’d’ have to drag me and my camera out of there. I love to find beautiful places like this one to photograph.