Back to museums

Library of Congress

ArchitectureHistoryLiteratureClosed todayFreeCapitol South Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line)

La Library of Congress es la biblioteca de investigación del Congreso de los Estados Unidos y, con unos 173 millones de fondos, la más grande del mundo. El acceso para visitantes se realiza por el Thomas Jefferson Building, una joya arquitectónica de estilo Beaux-Arts de 1897 cuyo Great Hall se eleva casi 23 metros desde su suelo de mármol hasta una claraboya de vidrieras, decorada por cerca de cincuenta pintores y escultores estadounidenses. Entre sus tesoros más preciados se exhiben una Biblia de Gutenberg intacta sobre vitela, la biblioteca personal reconstruida de Thomas Jefferson y diversas exposiciones temporales en la David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery. La entrada es gratuita, aunque es imprescindible reservar un pase con horario asignado.

What's On

Now
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20540, United States

Nearest station: Capitol South Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line), Union Station Metro (Red Line), Federal Center SW Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line)

Show on map

Hours

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
FriClosed
SatTodayClosed
SunClosed

Admission

Free

Free for all visitors. Every visitor, regardless of age, must reserve a free timed-entry pass. Passes are released up to 30 days ahead, with same-day passes online from 9:00 a.m. ET. Individuals can book up to 20 passes; groups of 21 or more use a separate registration form.

Nearby

Folger Shakespeare Library

ArchitectureFree2 min walk

National Museum of the American Indian

ArtFree12 min walk

Rubell Museum DC

Art14 min walk

National Air and Space Museum

HistoryFree16 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Library of Congress free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Library of Congress is free. Free for all visitors. Every visitor, regardless of age, must reserve a free timed-entry pass. Passes are released up to 30 days ahead, with same-day passes online from 9:00 a.m. ET. Individuals can book up to 20 passes; groups of 21 or more use a separate registration form.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Library of Congress?
Library of Congress is open Thomas Jefferson Building open to visitors Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00, last entry 16:30. Late opening Thursdays until 20:00 for Live! at the Library (a separate free 5 p.m. timed-entry pass is required for the evening session). Closed Sundays, Mondays and select federal holidays, including Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026), Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026) and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2027). Free timed-entry passes required at all times. Note: the Library's reading rooms run on a separate schedule and do open on Mondays.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Library of Congress?
Library of Congress is located at Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20540, United States, in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Capitol South Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line), Union Station Metro (Red Line), Federal Center SW Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver Line).
What can I see at Library of Congress?
La biblioteca más grande del mundo: un suntuoso Great Hall, la Biblia de Gutenberg y los libros de Jefferson, a pocos pasos del Capitolio. Current highlights include Here to Stay: El legado de George e Ira Gershwin (Here to Stay: The Legacy of George and Ira Gershwin), Biblia de Gutenberg (Gutenberg Bible), La promesa de la Declaración: una idea revolucionaria (The Declaration's Promise: A Revolutionary Idea).
Do I need to book Library of Congress in advance?
Library of Congress is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free for all visitors. Every visitor, regardless of age, must reserve a free timed-entry pass. Passes are released up to 30 days ahead, with same-day passes online from 9:00 a.m. ET. Individuals can book up to 20 passes; groups of 21 or more use a separate registration form.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Library of Congress?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Carol M. Highsmith, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

DirectionsVisit Website