Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
stantive) if you care about what's being debated; check for a schedule, locations and to
see if they're open to the public (they often are) at
www.house.gov
and
www.senate.gov
.
Library of Congress
LANDMARK
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.loc.gov
;
1st St SE; 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Sat)
To prove to Europeans that
America is cultured, John Adams plunked the world's largest library on Capitol Hill. The
LOC's motivation is simple: 'universality' - the idea that all knowledge is useful. Stun-
ning in scope and design, the building's baroque interior and neoclassical flourishes are
set off by a main reading room that looks like an ant colony constantly harvesting 29 mil-
lion books. The visitor center (
Click here
)
and tours of the reading rooms are both loc-
ated in the
Jefferson Building
, just behind the Capitol building.
Supreme Court
LANDMARK
( 202-479-3030;
www.supremecourt.gov
;
1 1st St NE; 9am-4:30pm Mon-Fri; Capitol
South)
Even non-law students are impressed by the highest court in America. Ar-
rive early to watch arguments (periodic Mondays through Wednesdays October to April).
You can visit the permanent exhibits and the building's seven-spiral staircase year-round.
Folger Shakespeare Library & Theatre
LIBRARY
(
www.folger.edu
;
201 E Capitol St SE; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun; Capitol South)
The Folger houses the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials, and is
open for both general visitation as well as ticketed performances and lectures.
National Postal Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.postalmuseum.si.edu
; 2 Massachusetts Ave NE; 10am-5:30pm; ; Union Station)
This museum has the planet's largest stamp collection, plus an antique mail plane
and some moving war letters. A decent microbrewery sits above the museum.
United States Botanic Garden
GARDENS
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
