Washington DC Day 3: White House, U.S. Capitol, and Library of Congress

Our Washington DC Day 3 itinerary was packed, exciting, and very worth the walking. We had a full day planned with a White House tour, a U.S. Capitol tour, and a visit to the Library of Congress. By the end of the day, my feet were definitely tired, but this turned out to be one of my favorite days of the whole trip.

Breakfast at Old Ebbitt Grill

We started the morning early with breakfast at Old Ebbitt Grill, and this was something I had really wanted to do. I actually tried to get dinner there the night before, but it was packed. Since we had an early start that morning, breakfast worked out perfectly.

It was cold and windy outside, so sitting down somewhere warm felt extra nice. I ordered the Old Town City Hall, and my husband got the Breakfast Sandwich. Everything was delicious, and it was such a nice way to begin a busy day.

Old Ebbitt Grill is also in a very convenient location if you are planning a White House tour afterward. Old Ebbitt Grill is one of Washington’s best-known historic restaurants and is located just steps from the White House.

White House Tour Tips and Experience

After breakfast, we headed toward the White House tour line. We happened to arrive a little early, so we stopped by the White House Visitor Center, which is across the street.

One thing I would recommend is checking the official rules before you go. The gift shop has its own security screening, so it is a good idea not to bring anything that could cause a problem. My husband had a small matchbox from Old Ebbitt Grill tucked into his jacket pocket, and security asked him to dispose of it before he could enter the Visitor Center.

For the White House tour itself, I also suggest reviewing the official list of prohibited items ahead of time. The tours are free, self-guided, and visitors should arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled time.

How We Got White House Tour Tickets

Our appointment time was 11:00 a.m., and we made sure to be there early. I requested this tour through our state representative’s office, and that is how we received our tickets. White House tour requests are generally made through a Member of Congress, and public tours are free.

Getting inside took a bit of time because of all the security checkpoints. Once we entered, though, it felt very special. The public tour includes rooms on the State Floor, and the experience is self-guided, with staff and Secret Service officers stationed along the route if you have questions. The tour usually lasts about 45 minutes, which felt just right.

It was such a cool feeling to be inside one of the most recognizable buildings in the country and to see a place connected so closely to American history.

U.S. Capitol Tour

Our original Capitol tour time was supposed to be 2:00 p.m., but while we were at the White House, I got a call from our state representative’s office asking if we could move it earlier to 1:00 p.m. Since we had just finished our White House tour, we headed straight over.

They ended up giving us a private tour of the U.S. Capitol, which made the experience feel even more special. We walked from their office through the underground access leading toward the Capitol. Along the way, we learned that members of Congress can use an underground transportation system to travel between their offices and the Capitol when they need to get there quickly for votes.

I also learned that tours of the Capitol are free. Official tours are led by Capitol guides, and visitors from all over the world come through the Capitol Visitor Center every day.

What to Know Before Visiting the Capitol

There were so many people everywhere, and it was interesting to see just how busy the Capitol area was. We finished around 3:00 p.m., and of course we stopped by the gift shop before moving on.

Another helpful thing to know is that the Capitol Visitor Center has food options, which is nice if you need a quick break during the day.

The Library of Congress Was Stunning

After the Capitol, we made our way to the Library of Congress, and I absolutely loved it.

The moment I walked inside, I was amazed. The building felt grand, elegant, and incredibly detailed. I was not completely sure what architectural style it was when I first saw it, but the Thomas Jefferson Building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style, which makes so much sense because it feels so ornate and beautiful.

This was one of the most gorgeous interiors I saw in Washington, DC.

Favorite Part of the Library of Congress

One of my favorite parts was looking down into the Main Reading Room from above. That overlook gives you such a beautiful view of the space below. The Library of Congress also has exhibits and historical displays throughout the building, so there is a lot to see beyond just the architecture. Visitors can view the Main Reading Room overlook, and the Jefferson Building is also known for its exhibits and public spaces.

The books in this collection belonged to Thomas Jefferson’s books. After the British burned the Capitol in 1814, Congress bought his personal library to help rebuild the Library of Congress. This part of the building felt so grand and beautiful, with ornate details, high ceilings, and a stunning view of the Main Reading Room below

By this point, my feet were starting to hurt, and I had already done so much walking that day. Still, I really enjoyed being there and honestly wished I had more time to keep looking around. The Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building is open to visitors until 5:00 p.m. on its regular schedule, with last entry at 4:30 p.m.

Another thing I liked was how convenient this part of our day felt. The Capitol and Library of Congress are close together, and there is a tunnel connection between Capitol buildings and the Library campus area, which makes it easy to continue exploring this part of DC without feeling like you are starting over from scratch.

Dinner at Carmine’s and a Very Big Surprise

After all that walking, we were definitely ready for dinner, so we went to Carmine’s for Italian food.

This turned into one of the funniest meals of our trip.

It was just me and my husband, and I really did not understand how large the portions would be. When our server explained that the servings were huge and meant for sharing, she was not kidding. She even suggested that we order just one entrée and split it.

For some reason, we still did not fully listen.

We ordered an appetizer, an entrée, and dessert too. We even got the whole tiramisu instead of an individual serving, which still makes me laugh. By the end of dinner, we had so much leftover food.

The good news was that those leftovers helped us the next morning and even on our last day in DC, so in the end it actually saved us some money.

Final Thoughts on Day 3 in Washington DC

Day 3 in Washington, DC was full from morning to evening, but it was one of the most memorable days of our trip.

We started with a great breakfast at Old Ebbitt Grill, toured the White House, had an unforgettable visit to the U.S. Capitol, and ended the afternoon surrounded by the beauty of the Library of Congress. Finally, we wrapped it all up with a giant Italian dinner at Carmine’s and enough leftovers to feed us again the next day.

It was a long day, and yes, my feet were tired. However, it was completely worth it. If you are planning a trip to DC and want one very full sightseeing day, this combination made for such a memorable experience.