The National Archives MuseumvsLibrary of Congress
Both Library of Congress and The National Archives Museum are recommended by travel writers. Overall, The National Archives Museum ranks marginally better than Library of Congress. The National Archives Museum has a TripExpert Score of 87 with recommendations from 8 publications like Time Out, Lonely Planet and Frommer's.
The National Archives Museum
Concierge
Frommer's
Travel + Leisure
Time Out Frommer's
Michelin Guide
Where
Atlas Obscura
U.S. News & World Report
Fodor's Show All Reviews
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC, DC 20408
From $0/night
Concierge "In the public vaults, visitors can research their genealogy, view original patent drawings (like the pencil), and listen to recordings of White House conversations during the Cuban Missile Crisis."
Frommer's "The Rotunda of the National Archives displays the country's most important original documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Seeing the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Magna Carta all under one roof (in the main rotunda) is impressive." Full review
Time Out "The vast collection of the National Archive & Record Administration (NARA) represents the physical record of the birth and growth of a nation in original documents." Full review
Frommer's "The Rotunda of the National Archives displays the country’s most important original documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights." Full review
Michelin Guide 0 Stars
"This Classical Revival "temple" just off the Mall holds the nation's documentary treasures, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." Full review
Where "See the “Charters of Freedom”—the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Theater with free films. " Full review
Atlas Obscura "An atomic bomb-proof strongbox protects the U.S. Constitution from terrorists and thieves. " Full review
U.S. News & World Report13.0
"A treasure trove of the United States' founding documents, the National Archives Museum is high on travelers' to-do lists and almost always has long entrance lines." Full review
Fodor's "The National Archives is at once monument, museum, and the nation's memory." Full review
Library of Congress Frommer's
Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Time Out
Not For Tourists Fodor's Michelin Guide
National Geographic Where Atlas Obscura Show All Reviews
101 Independence Ave SE, Washington DC, DC 20540
From $0/night
Frommer's "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
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"To prove to Europeans that America was cultured, John Adams plunked the world's largest library on Capitol Hill." Full review
Travel + Leisure "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
Time Out "The national library of the US, the Library of Congress is the world’s largest." Full review
Not For Tourists "Lose yourself in letters."
Fodor's "The largest library in the world has more than 155 million items on approximately 838 miles of bookshelves." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"A renowned Beaux-Arts landmark, the original Library of Congress is reputedly Washington's most richly ornamented building." Full review
National Geographic "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
Where "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
Atlas Obscura "A nostalgic bibliographic gem. " Full review
