Libraries • Government Buildings
National Mall
Traveller resources in Washington DC
Top Washington DC, DC Traveller Resources
Traveller Resources in Washington DC
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Architectural Buildings • Libraries
National Mall
Convention Centres
Mount Vernon Square
Architectural Buildings • Convention Centres
Downtown
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Libraries
Capitol Hill
Speciality Museums • Libraries
Downtown
Convention Centres
What travellers are saying
- Rick S2 contributionsHad to select a visit date, but haven't actually been there in decades. But we discovered a family treasure in these walls. The library contains a 776-page book of my family geneology published in 1940 with my family history documented back to 1303, over 1000 years, in Switzerland. I recently purchased the last five copies from the publisher for handing down to family members.Written November 24, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻Los Angeles, CA8,262 contributionsIn addition to the general overview of the Capitol, the visitor's center offers a variety of special topic tours. These include a tour of the murals in the old Senate hallways, the history of votes for women and others.
I'd taken several of these offerings on prior visits, so was pleased to do the Heroes of Civil Rights on my recent return, my first since The Before Times.
As luck would have it, I was the only participant so got a wonderful one on one. My guide included the old Supreme Court chamber, with the curious cornstalk topped columns nearby (I'd asked to see them, as I'm a dedicated Atlas Obscura fan) as well as the stunning tobacco blossom column rotunda nearby. Unfortunately, the old marble bathtubs in the basement are now an IT storage room, but my guide confirmed they did exist.
We visited the old Senate chamber, where I learned about the scandalous goings on of long ago, and admired the beautiful design of the ornate setting.
The tour also took me through the Capitol rotunda and into statuary hall, where I got a glimpse of the new Amelia Earhart statue.
Tickets are free and available daily on a first come, first served basis. The visitor center website details the times and offerings. If you can stop by early in the day for tickets, then you can spend your day on the Hill seeing other sights with a spot assured.
As a former educator, I love these tours. They really are great. And, they are free!Written November 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - A Midlife AdventureDursley, UK1,313 contributionsIf you are not an American citizen there is very little hope of visiting the actual White House. Even citizens have to apply to their State Senator if they want to visit?
As a Brit I find this really odd. Anyone of any nationality can buy tickets to visit Buckingham Palace or tour The House of Commons here in the UK.
The Visitor Centre, as other reviews state, is the next best thing. There are many artefacts and some interesting information about how the White House operates. We spent probably 1-2 hrs enjoyably meandering around the exhibits.Written September 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Freedom37641188431Long Beach, CA20 contributionsIt's a beautiful building with a large library, a small museum, and 31 "period" rooms - parlor rooms from different centuries, etc. The most impressive to me was the "attic" room full of old children's toys, and the NJ room made from the interior of a ship - along with the stained glass windows and ship furniture. They open before most other buildings, at 8:30. Plan to stay an hour and then head over to the White House Visitor's Center a "short" walk away.Written October 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- hofergeDenver, CO11 contributionsVisited in Jan 2020. It sounds like a large portion of the museum are being renovated so only one main room was open to tour. Still, it was interesting to learn about how it was built and see a select number of very old Shakespeare items.
More than the building and Foundation, I attended mainly to see “The Merry Wives of Windsor,”’which was produced with great comedy and and setting in the 1970s. A very memorable night. It is playing through Feb 2020.
Easy to walk to from the subway.Written January 24, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jacob HIndianapolis, IN355 contributionsAttended Awesome Con. Nice large facility and easily accessible by metro, which made attending quite convenient.Written July 24, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CalebOklahoma55 contributionsAs a first time visitor to Washington DC, we were nervous about finding a parking spot. Thankfully the Ronald Regan Building Parking garage had plenty of open spots. Price was only $25, which I thought was fair. Coming back in to retrieve our car, we had to go through security. They extremely rude and barely spoke to us. Seems as though they hate their job. We felt safe leaving our car here because of the security, but they could have definitely been nicer.Written March 17, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JNykampGrand Rapids, MI2 contributionsLots of neat DC paraphernalia… But watch out that they don’t overcharge you! I told the cashier that my mug was 699 instead of the 999 that she rang it up at… She insisted it wasn’t. At that point it was already wrapped and people were lining up behind me so I let it go… Lo and behold!Written August 4, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kcslattsMalibu, CA339 contributionsA very interesting place. Stopped here because we had wanted to see an original "Federalist Papers" they have on display, very cool. This coupled well with our visit to the National Archives were we saw the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Great day of History. Here is a quick bit of info off their website as to what they are about. Love the DC history!
The Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship is an extension of the teaching mission of Hillsdale College to Washington, D.C. Its purpose is to teach the Constitution and the principles that give it meaning. Through the study of original source documents from American history—and of older books that formed the education of America's founders—the Center will seek to inspire students, teachers, citizens, and policymakers to return the Constitution to its central place in the political life of the nation.Written June 29, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Prawet JWashington DC, DC13,366 contributionsThe Visitor Center can be easily access by buses and Metro (Green and Yellow lines). It is on the second floor of the building right next to Ben's Chili Bowl. There are some information about the history of U street and the historic movement of blacks in Washington D.C. The major attraction of the Center is Ben's Chili gift shop. If you have time and just curious about what is there and want to buy some of Ben's and D.C. souvenirs, stop by while you are in the area.Written January 17, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- smitty237Columbia, SC442 contributionsSeveral months ago on a Saturday, the Sky Club was closed for renovations. On this return trip, it was open during the week. They are still working on it.
Despite temporary walls and plastic sheets, the staff did an outstanding job of making me feel welcome.
The rest rooms had just been redone and were very nice.
Tables with various food items were set out for snacking. I enjoyed the grapes in the coolers.
I look forward to my next trip to see the finished product.Written May 6, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington DC
- These places are best for traveller resources in Washington DC:
- Library of Congress
- U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- White House Visitors Center
- DAR Museum
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- These are the best places for kid-friendly traveller resources in Washington DC:
- U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- White House Visitors Center
- Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
- These are the best places for couples seeking traveller resources in Washington DC:See more traveller resources for couples in Washington DC on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking traveller resources in Washington DC:
- Library of Congress
- U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- White House Visitors Center
- Walter E. Washington Convention Center
- Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
- These are the best places for budget-friendly traveller resources in Washington DC:
- Library of Congress
- U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
- DAR Museum
- White House Visitors Center
- Folger Shakespeare Library