Library of Congress

"Before you stop in the Orientation Galleries, or line up for that tour or enmesh yourself in the library's literature, first take time to stroll around the building." Full review

"To prove to Europeans that America was cultured, John Adams plunked the world's largest library on Capitol Hill." Full review

"Created by an act of Congress in 1800, this often-overlooked Washington landmark occupies a resplendent 1897 building connected by tunnel to the Capitol building." Full review

"The national library of the US, the Library of Congress is the world’s largest." Full review

"The largest library in the world has more than 155 million items on approximately 838 miles of bookshelves." Full review

"A renowned Beaux-Arts landmark, the original Library of Congress is reputedly Washington's most richly ornamented building." Full review

"Nation's library houses two copies of every book printed in the U.S.; building's interior features sculptures, frescoes, and tilework; extensive print and photograph collection; free docent-led tours" Full review

"World’s largest library holds more than 162 million items, among them more than 38 million books, plus the Gutenberg Bible and a re-creation of Thomas Jefferson’s 6,487-volume founding collection." Full review

"A nostalgic bibliographic gem. " Full review

"A fantastic array of trays and cables once whisked books over to the Capitol at 600 feet per minute. " Full review