Library of Congress?

My family scored a Congressional tour of the Library of Congress. However, from what I read people are saying the Library of Congress is not necessarily a highlight of their trip. Does the Congressional tour differ that much from the public? Is it really worth doing and maybe sacraficing time at the BEP or National Archives?

Thanks

Library of Congress?

Can%26#39;t really say - depends largely on your areas of interest! If you can get your Cong rep to get you passes to the BEP, I%26#39;d opt for that over the LoC, but if the LoC is all you got, then take it.

I%26#39;ve never had a Cong tour of the LoC, but I know the only difference between the Cong BEP tour and the public one is that you gotta line up an hour earlier than the rest of the public. Plus, you%26#39;ll know you have a guaranteed time slot.

I would have told you to see the Archives in the evening (they open until 9 pm during the summer), but they%26#39;ve been closing early to repair flood damage in the basement.

Library of Congress?

The Library of Congress has some cool stuff, for sure, but for me, the cooler stuff is at the American History Museum (which is closing some of its exhibits now for a multi-year renovation).

Hi Samlamqt

We did the Congressional a couple years ago. It was a guided your at 8:30 in the morning. At the time our guide told us that the public tours were self guided. I am glad we went with a guide. He was able to explan all areas in great detail. That is something you would not get out of a book.

The LOC was a way for America to show Europe what grand palaces we could build. We enjoyed it.

We also did the Congressional tour of BEP. Also good.

At the National Aechives you will not spend more than 1 hour.

If you can fit them in, do them all.

Enjoy your trip!

The Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is amazingly beautiful and there are some very interesting things to see with respect to the artwork housed there and used in the construction of the building. That being said, you don%26#39;t really need a ';Congressional tour'; to see this. The building is open to the public and you can get a docent led tour from the information desk several times a day. I recommend the guided tour, especially if you are interested in history and/or architecture, but you do not have to be wed to your scheduled Congressional tour time to do that.

rodents