private tour library of congress

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Private Capitol Hill Walking Tour: VIP Political Exploration

Indulge in exclusive insights into dc's political landscape privately.

• Babylon Tours Washington D.C.

From $69

Discover more about this tour

Visit the beating heart of Washington DC where two of the three branches of the United States government meet. This tour includes the stunning exteriors of the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol. Walk the grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who designed Central Park in New York City. Go inside the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congress designed as a temple of knowledge (and to prove the United States understood Art, Culture, and Sophistication as well as any country in Europe.) While there check out a real Gutenberg Bible, this copy is one of only four complete Gutenberg Bibles printed on vellum, in the world. You will also learn about Thomas Jefferson’s love of books and how his collection became the seed from which the world’s largest library grew. Learn about the judicial system within the elegant marble halls at the Museum of the Supreme Court, and maybe get a peek inside the actual courtroom. Your guide will end the tour providing access passes (and information about security protocols) for the visitor’s galleries of the current chambers for the House of Representatives and or the Senate, to be seen at your leisure.

NOTE: Tour of the Capitol Building NOT INCLUDED. We do provide entry passes House & Senate at the end of the tour (unguided)

Highlights generally include: (but not limited to )

Exterior of the Capitol

Exterior of the Supreme Court

Museum of the Supreme Court

Possible viewing of the Courtroom

View of the Main Reading Room of Library of Congress

Gutenberg Bible

Thomas Jefferson’s library

Statue of Freedom

“Private Tour” means tour guide exclusively for you.

“Semi-Private” means group size is never more than 8 guests maximum.

Prices Vary Based on Group Size

• Adult $69 - 552 18 years of age or older
• Youth $19 Between 10 - 17 years of age
• Child $9 Between 0 - 9 years of age

Aaron was our guide and he was wonderful! He had so much knowledge to share as well as incidental details to throw in that made it that much more enjoyable. During the tour he asked if we would prefer to see the Supreme Court or Library of Congress and ended up showing us both of them. That was wonderful for us because we had a tour scheduled for the Library of Congress the next day which freed us to schedule something else during that time. He was very willing to take pictures for us and was the perfect gentleman. We REALLY enjoyed his tour!

We went to New York in November with Babylon City Tours & w loved it so much we had to try it again! We took a trip in December and Aaron was our guide, he made things so much fun and memorable! Can't wait to try all their European tours next!

Signature Tours of DC

Signature Tours, your guide to DC

Special Private Tour with US Capitol Or Archives Or Washington Monument

Tour details

Get your chance to discover the landmarks of the nation’s capital on your terms.

We offer you a choice from some of the top monuments and sights in the city, around which you can design a private tour suited to your needs. You’ll have a dedicated experienced personal tour guide who will narrate the history around the spots and talk and walk with you at each stop, detailing the facts related to each building and landmark, sights and memorials. You will explore the seats of the branches of the US Government and the Library of Congress.

Depending on the option that you choose, with this tour,

• you will be offered ticket to get inside the Capitol and visit the Rotunda, the Crypt and old house chambers and other areas of the seat of Congress – except Sundays (Capitol is closed).
• have a peek into the halls of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building with a live narration by your tour guide – except Mondays (the Library of Congress is closed). If you’re a history buff, you will discover there the largest public collection of knowledge in the World.
• Get an exclusive access to the Washington Monument with the opportunity to climb on top of the observation deck and get a panoramic view of this beautiful city and landmarks.
• you get a menu to choose from a list of the attractions that you want to explore with your party. You’ll see from there, the White House, the Capitol, the Jefferson, the Lincoln Memorial and other landmarks of the city.
• Plus you’ll visit most of them: the White House, WWII, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, Jefferson, MLK, FDR and Iwo Jima memorials

What you get on this tour

• 3 hour custom private tour
• Tour inside the Library of Congress or
• Tour inside the US Capitol or
• Tour inside the Washington Monument
• Plus many more of your choice

From 1 to 8 guests – $2,000 From 9 to 14 guests – $2,500 From 15 to 30 guests – $3,500 From 31 to 40 guests – $4,500

You get a courtesy pickup from your hotel prior to the start of the tour and drop-off at the end of the tour.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours

Tour Information

Capitol & library of congress, capitol & library of congress highlights.

• Supreme Court Building - the legislative center of the US Government.
• stand where the four quadrants of DC intersect to learn about DC history.
• an interior tour of the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building to see the beautiful artwork and mosaics of the Main Hall of the Library of Congress
• view a rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible
• see Thomas Jefferson's Library collection
• the best photo of the US Capitol Building
• the National Statuary Collection (over 52 statues from US States and territories) at the US Capitol
• Capitol Building - on the US Capitol tour, for which we have arranged tickets, your docent will take you to the Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall

Our Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours bring you to the top of "the Hill." A trip to DC would not be complete without a visit to the seat of our legislative and judicial branches.

CAPITOL & LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (TICKETS INCLUDED)

Our tour is about the history, architecture, and workings of the Capitol Hill complex, but we have timed tickets to enter two federal buildings. We'll take you on a tour of the Library of Congress, and we have arranged advanced courtesy tickets for our guests to take the US Capitol Building docent-led tour after our tour concludes.

Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Tours cover:

Your licensed, professional tour guide will take you to:

Want to visit the Capitol Building on your own? Check out our guide to touring the US Capitol.

Tour information

We enter the Library of Congress and the US Capitol on our ticketed tours.

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve .

Where:  Our tour starts at the intersection of 1 Street NE and Constitution Ave NE.

Purchase a guaranteed parking spot in advance near the tour’s starting point with  SpotHero .

Duration:  Approx. 2 hrs and less than a mile.  This tour does include stairs and is not accessible for wheelchairs, scooters or strollers. Due to security procedures, please do not bring strollers on this tour.

Allow an additional hour after our tour for the US Capitol tour.

When:  View our full tour calendar of guided tours .

• This tour runs daily except Sundays and Mondays. (You can take our self guided tour whenever!)

If our schedule doesn't work for you, then try it as an audio tour or take our  self-guided Library of Congress Tours .

What Should I Bring?

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A water bottle
• Appropriate clothing / umbrella - tours are rain or shine!

What's Included

• Professional Historian/Tour Guide
• Recommendations for the best food, music and museums
• Advice on must-do experiences

CAPITOL HILL SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR

This self-guided audio tour takes you around Capitol Hill at your own pace.

We discuss the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the US Capitol.

The audio tour includes a Google Map to help navigate through the area.

You can explore the buildings interior on your own.  Find out how to get tickets here.  

PURCHASE AUDIO TOUR HERE

And much, much more

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

5 Tips for Visiting the Library of Congress in Washington DC

The Largest Library in the World is non-other than the Library of Congress in Washington DC. Never in my life had I ever said, I need to go there. That was until I stepped foot through the doors.

After visiting the Library of Congress nothing will ever compare to the experience. It has more art, sculptures, and script in one room than I have seen. And that was all without seeing a single book.

The history inside the doors could rival the White House , Smithsonians , and the National Archives put together. It contains the best parts of Washington DC wrapped up all in one location.

I left with just one impression, Everyone Need To Visit the Library of Congress in Washington DC.

What is the Library of Congress?

The Library houses more than 167 million items in 470 different languages. That includes 38 million books, 3.6 million recordings, 14 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 8.1 million pieces of sheet music, and 70 million manuscripts.

It doesn’t contain every book published but that’s still an impressive collection. The Library of Congress is so big, that the books are housed in three different buildings in Washington D.C. and another annex in Virginia. 

The buildings are called the Thomas Jefferson Building, James Madison Memorial Building and the John Adams Building. The most visited one, located directly behind the US Capitol, and it the Thomas Jefferson Building.

There are tunnels in between the buildings, along with a tunnel to the US Capitol.

The library was first established in 1800 by President John Adams. He wanted to build a collection of books ‘as may be necessary for the use of Congress’. The initial collection of books was in the Capitol building.

In 1814 when the British invaded and burned down the building books and all. The library needed to be rebuilt. President Thomas Jefferson offered to sell his personal collection of books to refill the library’s collection.

Why would you want to visit a library on vacation?

Most of the time when you go to a library it’s to borrow a book or other material at a library. The majority of visitors to the Library of Congress go to view the library and the collection inside. From floor to ceiling there the place is impeccably designed.

As someone who can easily spend an hour in Barns and Noble or my local library browsing, the titles at the Library of Congress was amazing.

The only disappointing part was there only a few books you can get close to while visiting the Library of Congress. The only exception was the Thomas Jefferson Collection.

Can you walk into the Library of Congress?

Yes, anyone can walk into the Library of Congress. You’ll get access the main area of the library. In order to brows the library books, you’ll need to make advanced reservations.

Is the Library of Congress free to visit?

Yes, the Library of Congress if free of charge.

Can anyone access the Library of Congress?

Yes, visiting the Library of Congress is like many other places in DC, where you can walk right in. No tickets are necessary. Inside you’ll be able o walk around, and view the exhibits, architecture, and more.

The only thing you can’t do is go inside the main bookroom. In order to go inside there, you’ll need to get special permission. If you plan on doing some research, you’ll need to contact the library in advance, and they will assist you.

The Thomas Jefferson Building

The main library is a show piece. From the great hall to the grand ceiling. Throughout the building you’ll see intricate carvings and artwork. It is a mix of an art and architecture with a bit of history and a few books! Ok, a lot of books. There is an immense collection of books.

The Thomas Jefferson Collection

Thomas Jefferson’s exhibition holds a collection of books. It is in a separate area behind a glass display case. Sections of books are being digitized for online use.

His collection is vast. He collected works on poetry, philosophy, government, and everything in between. What’s amazing is what is on display is only a part of his collection.

Almost two-thirds of the 6,487 books were lost in the second fire in 1851. The library has created an amazing tribute to his collection.

The Gutenberg Bible

The Library of Congress is one of a handful of places in the US where you can view a Guttenberg Bible.

The Guttenberg Bible actually wasn’t the first printed book with a metal movable typeface but it is the first one to use the technique in Western Europe.

The last time one was sold, it went for 5.5 million in 1987. When Guttenberg first started printing in the early 1450s, he made 180 bibles.

Only 49 bibles survive today and are scattered around the world with a few around the United States.

The Bible is on display in the library on the first floor near the entrance. It is only one of four that were printed on vellum.

Other Collections

In addition to some staples, there are other rotating collections at the Library of Congress.

When we were there, they had a ‘Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote and Mapping a Growing Nation, featuring how our nation was shaped. To me, it was almost like being in a wing of the Smithsonian or the National Archives.

They also had on display a collection of artifacts from Baseball throughout history. My favorite was the original uniforms from the Rockford Peaches All American Girls Professional Baseball team.

Make sure to stop into at least one of the Smithsonian’s while in Washington DC. There are a ton and they are all free! Click here to find out more .

Can you walk into the Library of Congress Rooms?

Visiting the Library of Congress, the books stay on the premises. If you need to do research, you have to obtain a reader card. Then you’ll get to enter the reading rooms.

A librarian will get the materials off the shelf for you. Depending on how rare the book is, you may or may not be able to touch it.

The main reading room is available to view on the first floor. There is also a main reading room overlook on the Third Floor. They ask that you keep your voices down for those studying.

Tips to Plan Your Visit to the Library of Congress

Get to the library early or reserve tickets.

Visiting the Library of Congress was more popular than I imagined it would be. I ended up going on a whim. The Library is located behind the State Capitol.

It doesn’t come near the crowds of the Smithsonian’s but still, it was an effort just to get through the doors, complete with their own security protocols.

Get there early in the day. The Thomas Jefferson building is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with extended hours on Thursday.

There are a limited number of same-day passes are made available at 9 a.m. Save yourself the hassle and get a free timed entry pass .

Security is right at the front door, with no inside waiting. If a line starts to form, you’ll be waiting outside the doors exposed to the elements. Be prepared.

How long do you need to tour Library of Congress?

The Library of Congress tours are free of the Thomas Jefferson Building every hour starting at 10:30. Each tour lasts 1 hour long. Tours start at the ground floor information desk. They recommend you get there about 20 minutes prior to the tour start because the group tours fill up fast.

You can also do a self-guided tour inside the library.

If you want to skip the line, you can schedule a private tour that takes you through the Library of Congress, the Capital, and the Supreme Court. I recommend getting tickets before you leave because they will sell out. Get your tickets by clicking here .

How to get to the Library of Congress?

The Library of Congress stretches out to multiple buildings. But the most prominent one pictured here is directly behind the US Captial, called the Jefferson Building.

It’s accessible via Uber, Scooter, or Bike. We ended up using a capital share bike rental and dropping the bikes off a couple of blocks past the library.

As a quick word of caution, you are on busier streets and the sidewalks were packed. It was also a slow incline the whole way there.

You’ll know why it’s called capitol hill after making the climb. If you want to avoid walking in sweaty, consider Ubering there and biking back to the mall.

There are tons of ways to get around Washington DC on a budget. Check out some more great options to take advantage of the Best way to get around Washington DC with Public Transportation

Enjoy yourself

Take your time when visiting the Library of Congress. I don’t think you will ever be in a building that is this beautiful again. But if you do need to rush, you could probably see all the most important pieces in about an hour.

To learn more about the Library Of Congress, I recommend reading America’s Greatest Library by John Y Cole . He does an excellent job of displaying the history and magnitude of this beautiful library.

When Britain Burned the White House by Peter Snow goes into more detail about when the British came to burn Washington.

Other Things to Do Around the Library of Congress

Other attractions to visit.

If you enjoyed visiting the Library of Congress, you should also take the tunnels over the State Capitol. They offer free tours with no reservations required.

You can also get the chance to see Congress in action! I also recommend visiting the National Archives.

These have some of the most amazing pieces of our history on display. I am still shocked to this day that they are still around after the war of 1812. I hope you have a great time on your visit to the Library of Congress.

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Minnesota native and Midwest travel expert Jennifer provides insider tips and budget-friendly trip ideas for families looking to explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Through her travel blog DayTripper28, she draws on first-hand experience to recommend the best hidden gems, outdoor adventures, road trips, and weekend getaways around Minnesota and the Midwest. With her passion for uncovering local flavors and culture along the backroads, Jennifer shares affordable itineraries for creating memorable experiences across the region.

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Library of Congress adds The Chicks, Green Day, Notorious B.I.G. to National Recording Registry

Jason Fraley | [email protected]

April 16, 2024, 5:29 AM

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ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Blondie’s “Parallel Lines,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to Die,” Green Day’s “Dookie,” The Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces” and Lily Tomlin’s comedy have been selected as some of the defining sounds of history and culture that will join the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.

The 2024 class of inductees also includes Gene Autry’s “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” The Cars’ debut album, Perry Como’s “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments,” Juan Gabriel’s heartbreaking “Amor Eterno,” Héctor Lavoe’s salsa hit “El Cantante,” Kronos Quartet’s “Pieces of Africa,” Johnny Mathis’ “Chances Are,” Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” Patti Page’s “Tennessee Waltz,” and Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.”

“The Library of Congress is proud to preserve the sounds of American history and our diverse culture through the National Recording Registry,” Hayden said. “We have selected audio treasures worthy of preservation with our partners this year, including a wide range of music from the past 100 years, as well as comedy. We were thrilled to receive a record number of public nominations, and we welcome the public’s input on what we should preserve next.”

The latest selections named to the registry span from 1919 to 1998. They range from the recordings of the all-Black 369th U.S. Infantry Band led by James Reese Europe after World War I, to defining sounds of jazz and bluegrass, and iconic recordings from pop, dance, country, rock, rap, Latin and classical music.

See the full 2024 list below (in chronological order):

• “Clarinet Marmalade” — Lt. James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry Band (1919) • “Kauhavan Polkka” — Viola Turpeinen and John Rosendahl (1928) • Wisconsin Folksong Collection (1937-1946) • “Rose Room” — Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian (1939) • “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” — Gene Autry (1949) • “Tennessee Waltz” — Patti Page (1950) • “Rocket ‘88’” — Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (1951) • “Catch a Falling Star” / ”Magic Moments” — Perry Como (1957) • “Chances Are” — Johnny Mathis (1957) • “The Sidewinder” — Lee Morgan (1964) • “This is a Recording” — Lily Tomlin (1971) • “J.D. Crowe & the New South” — J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975) • “Arrival” — ABBA (1976) • “El Cantante” — Héctor Lavoe (1978) • “The Cars” — The Cars (1978) • “Parallel Lines” — Blondie (1978) • “Surrealistic Pillow” — Jefferson Airplane (1967) • “Ain’t No Sunshine” — Bill Withers (1971) • “La-Di-Da-Di” — Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (MC Ricky D) (1985) • “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” — Bobby McFerrin (1988) • “Amor Eterno” — Juan Gabriel (1990) • “Pieces of Africa” — Kronos Quartet (1992) • “Dookie” — Green Day (1994) • “Ready to Die” — The Notorious B.I.G. (1994) • “Wide Open Spaces” — The Chicks (1998)

The recordings selected for the National Recording Registry bring the number of titles on the registry to 650, representing a small portion of the national library’s vast recorded sound collection of nearly 4 million items.

A record 2,899 nominations were made by the public this year for recordings to consider adding to the registry. The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the library’s website. Nominations for next year will be accepted until Oct. 1, 2024.

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Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.

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