Family Activities:

Library of Congress

Attraction

Library of Congress

101 Independence Ave., Washington, 20540, DC

We can almost guarantee that your children have never been, and will never again be, so excited to take a trip to the library. Then again, there’s no other library like the Library of Congress.

This mammoth structure, ornately decorated with miles (literally — there are 532 miles of shelves, all lined with books) of breathtaking columns, windows, domes, paintings and more, is simply mind blowing in complexity and beauty. A walk around the building, alone, is a treat worthy of a visit.

But there are also over 115 million items (with 7,000 added daily on average), coupled with literally dozens of exhibits — all dedicated to a wide array of topics, including America’s Civil War, early African American history, American literature and the country’s forefathers — and guided tours that are sure to captivate, educate and entertain children and adults of all ages and walks of life.

While inside the library, you’ll most likely spend at least some of your time wondering how it doesn’t take up all of Metro D.C. This is definitely a stop that everyone in the family will love, including those who aren’t exactly bookworms.