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.

Had a blast seeing "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" by Jacob Ming-Trent at Folger Theatre. The…read moreperformance was personal, relatable, and an incredibly creative blend of Shakespeare, hip-hop, and storytelling. I was amazed that one person could command the stage for the entire show--it completely exceeded my expectations. This was my first visit to Folger Theatre, and it won't be my last. The staff were warm, welcoming, and genuinely helpful, making the entire experience enjoyable from the moment I arrived. Highly recommend both the production and the venue!

Came here to see How Shakespeare Saved My Life by Jacob Ming-Trent. The theater itself is super…read morecool and very inviting. It's small so you really experience the show you are seeing. I didn't try the food or drinks while here but from the looks of others. They looked delicious! The staff were super friendly and inviting as well, which made the experience as a whole amazing! How Shakespeare Saved My Life by Jacob Ming-Trent was great! He's a great Shakespeare Actor! Well studied and well versed.

The Northeast DC Library has such a special place in my heart. When I first moved to DC nearly 10…read moreyears ago, I lived two blocks away. I was funemployed for a few months and would stroll over, eat a bagel sandwich from the nearby Jacob's Coffee House, eat it at the outdoor tables under the beautiful trees, then head inside the library to explore books, magazines, and more. I'm a library person through and through so admittedly I love any library, but this one is truly a gem and so important to the neighborhood. I know that it is the fourth-oldest branch in DC and was fully renovated in 2014. There are several levels. The top floor is children and teen books and features board books, all sizes of tables for all sizes of humans, and some toys. Story time happens up there. It is nice that floor is separate so the families with young kids can feel more at ease. The main floor has, in addition to books, magazines, an area to pick up your reserve holds, lots of places to sit (the main reading room), and more. There is a half-floor between the main and upper floor featuring meeting rooms. I believe there is also a large meeting room in the basement that is used for events. And, a general note about DCPL! If you have a card, be sure that you also download the app. You can scan your barcode for self-checkout in person, and manage your library account easily from there. Accessibility: There is a ramp outside, on the right side, near the patio, and there are working elevators inside. So much love for this library. It is cozy, charming, and feels timeless. It will always be there for me, and for you.

As libraries go this one is so enchanting. I love the building... the ambiance .... It's…read morenostalgic! And oddly beautiful.

Southeast Library is one of the smaller libraries in the DC Public Library system, but an advantage…read moreof that is it gives off more of a family, neighborhood vibe. It's right next to the Eastern Market Metro near Barracks Row and the actual historic Eastern Market. It's in a single building and most of the collection is on the ground level. They have DVDs, music, books and a decent children's section. They have wifi and computers to use if you need them. The bottom floors houses the bathrooms and once a month, they sell bargain books down there.

Love this local library. The facilities are clean and bright, and it's usually busy enough to be…read morelively(some kids) but not so much that it's distracting(eg. Starbucks). Like other reviewers have pointed out, the computers are popular, so opt for a laptop if you've got one. I've always had good customer service here, and I'm usually just popping in for some quick read or a DVD right after work. They also have seminars, discussions, family programs, workshops, tax forms, etc downstairs. DC library in general: I also like to go to the website and reserve DVDs in a series in order to place on hold. Just remember when you pick up your DVDs to get them "unlocked" so you can actually watch them. And you can only renew them once. Also, MLK central library has the best selection of everything, but it's definitely a more urban library, and this place just has a nice neighborhood feel. **Correction on the hours: due to budget cuts, the library is CLOSED on Sundays. The rest of the hours remain the same. (MWFSat 9:30am-5:30pm, TTh 1-9pm) For those of us who work traditional 9-5s, I will see you Tuesday/Thursday night.

Didn't do the tour this time. Like the White House, the interior isn't worth the wait (we didn't…read moresee the chambers of the deliberative bodies) Glad I did I it before though. My rating is for the building. This is architecturally the most breathtaking building in our great country. Worth going up to take a picture or just take it in If a natural beauty site can be five stars why can't this sublime building? Sigh

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.

I'm always on the hunt for a great third space, and also grew up loving libraries! Excited to have…read moreanother one to love - the MLK Jr. Memorial Library is a wonderful space with lots of learning resources and events, on top of the massive collection of reading and media materials. A big bonus is the rooftop garden - a lovely spot, and we were able to bring a little picnic alongside some drinks from a nearby cafe to enjoy the view! Highly recommend a visit.

Did you know there is a wooden slide in the MLK Jr. Library? You can find it on the second floor,…read moreand it's definitely worth a look! I was visiting for a conference and attended an opening presentation here. The facility is consistently clean, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. It is located right in the heart of DC, making it a great place to visit whether you are there for an event or just exploring the city.

I had driven past this library several times and today was the first time that I actually set foot…read moreinside. My plan was to go to a cafe further down Georgia Avenue and this place pooped-up again put of the corner of my eye. I need to work remotely today, and working from Starbucks has kind of run its course. I would give this public library a score of 10 out of 10 in terms of all of the things that are important when you are working remotely. It's modern and even the tables and chairs are up-to-date and comfortable. I would say this library has to have been constructed within the last ten years. It's quiet and there's no loud cafe music, which is surprising. There's a 7-11 right across the street, and this important for the most I vikis reasons. I e already been here three hours, and I will probably stay here until 6pm. I will see how the day goes and I am already thinking to make this a spot for me.

I cant say enough how Wonderful DC libraries have become. Aside from having plenty of books,…read morenewspapers and magazines, they also have DVDs, printers, Internet access, meeting/study rooms, a fantastic amount of online services like newspapers, movies, Ancestry.com, childrens area, etc. When they are not too busy being a library, they also collect voting ballots, distribute COVID tests and masks etc. This location is fantastic, steps from the Metro. And they have great hours.

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."

Open every sing day, Mount Pleasant Library is a true neighborhood library. Housed in a historic…read morebuilding with a new renovation and extension, its rooms are filled with books, magazines and art. The first floor has plenty of room to spread out and read in quiet. The kids section is on the second floor and comes with two reading nooks decorated with vintage murals.

A fantastic library, especially with recent renovations and the full re-opening after the early…read morepandemic days. I deeply appreciate that I could check out books even during the worst of the pandemic and these books even arrived in a timely manner. The library has a good book selection, especially for a branch library, and the staff are helpful. The library website for ILL is extremely user-friendly and easy to place holds.