Hello,
2 more questions:

1. I read on the web that timed passes
are available for touring the Capitol.
Is it required to have a tour guide to
see it? And if so, can one get a timed pass
for the next tour? Or should one get a pass,
leave and come by when their time comes?

2. Are passes required for lib of congress?
Can one tour by himself or we need guides?

THANKS

You must get a pass and be part of a tour to see the Capitol. Get your free timed ticket as early as possible on the day you plan to visit - then leave and come back to take the tour.

http://www.aoc.gov/cc/visit/index.cfm


Passes are not required to visit the LOC, but I suggest a tour to get the most from your visit.

Exhibitions take place in the different buildings on different floors - best to research beforehand what you want to see.

http://www.loc.gov/loc/visit/tours.html

Or if you are a US citizen, contact the office of your US Representative (either local office or DC office) and they may arrange a small group or private tour for you - depends on Rep and time of year. We got a private tour given by intern of our Rep in August 2002.

You can wander through much of the Library of Congress on your own, but if you want to see the famous Rotunda, you have to be part of a tour group.

When we went this summer, we didn't have time to do the full tour but were able to look around at the wonderful exhibits and then joined up with a tour at the end to see the Rotunda. (One of the guards suggested this strategy.) I was surprised at the beauty of this building and how much I enjoyed visiting it -- I highly recommended it.

Are you referring to the Jefferson
building?

I was reading that there are 3 bldgs
that comprise the library.

Are the stunning interiors in the Jefferson or should we see the others as well?

Thanks!

The Jefferson Building is the main building for tourists. You can see the American Treasures exhibit, the Guttenburg Bible, Bob Hope exhibit, Gershwin exhibit, the Main Reading Room, Great Hall, and more great architecture.