Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building)

The Thomas Jefferson Building is the oldest of the Library of Congress buildings and one of the most richly decorated interiors in Washington. It opened on 1 November 1897 after a design competition won by John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz, with Edward Pearce Casey later finishing the work. The library's collection was rebuilt around Thomas Jefferson's personal book collection, which Congress bought from him in 1815.

The Great Hall is the first thing you see, with its richly decorated ceiling. From the upper level you can look down into the Main Reading Room, whose central dome rises 195 feet and is decorated with murals by Edwin Blashfield. The library also runs exhibitions in the building, including a treasures gallery whose theme changes, and the current shows are listed on its website.

Entry is free, but a timed-entry pass is required. You can reserve up to 20 passes online up to 30 days in advance, and same-day passes are released online at 9am Eastern time. The building is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Thursday until 8pm, and it is closed on Sunday and Monday. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

A good extra is the five-minute walkthrough of the Main Reading Room itself, offered on weekdays at set times in the morning and afternoon, with an evening slot on Thursdays. Tickets for these are limited and handed out first come, first served in the Great Hall. Thursday evenings also bring a programme called Live! at the Library. There are no guided group tours, but volunteers in the building answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Allow about an hour, longer if you join a walkthrough or see an exhibition. Expect longer waits at security from March to July. Visitors with accessibility needs are asked to contact the library at least five days ahead.

Outside, the Court of Neptune Fountain by Roland Hinton Perry sits in front of the entrance on First Street. The US Capitol is directly across the road, and a book tunnel once linked the two buildings, so it is easy to combine the library with a Capitol tour. Eastern Market and the rest of the Capitol Hill neighbourhood are within walking distance.