Short walk to DC Metro subway; in the event escalators are out of service, there will be 2-3 flights of stairs to climb. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day. Extra security screening is in place at the U.S. Capitol. The Group Leader will advise what can and cannot be brought into the building prior to our field trip. Capitol visit involves lots of standing on marble floors for about 2 hours with limited seating. Please wear comfortable shoes this day.
At the hotel.
To begin our day, we will walk from the hotel to the Metro subway and head to the Library of Congress (LOC) for a self-led exploration; detailed brochures are available from Information Desks in the Thomas Jefferson Building. The LOC is America’s oldest federal cultural institution, established in 1800 by an Act of Congress. When the British burned the original collection housed in the Capitol building in 1814, Thomas Jefferson replaced it with his own personal library. The LOC has grown to become the largest library in the world with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, manuscripts, and other resources. The main Reading Room is one of the most magnificent spaces in Washington.
At a local café.
Next, walk to the United States Capitol Visitor Center where we’ll see a short film that traces the development of our democracy and introduces the amazing building that houses our Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. We’ll see the Crypt, Statuary Hall, and the Rotunda with a representative from the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. “The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.” (https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/)
Dinner is on your own this evening to explore and sample the city's numerous dining options. Your group leader will be happy to offer suggestions
At leisure.