Elliott L. Ferguson II
That line is the basis for one of the advertisements that has aired around the world produced by Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital. As the voiceover is read, we see a couple in awe as they stare at the inspiring ceilings of the Thomas Jefferson Building. The marketing stems from our award-winning creative campaign, “There’s Only One DC,” which highlights the diversity of experiences visitors can only have in the nation’s capital.
I think of the Library of Congress as one of D.C.’s best-kept secrets. Visitors know it exists, but that sense of amazement, intrigue and curiosity when they step inside is an authentic experience. They are surprised by the grandeur of the building and the extent of its collections.
I remember a similar feeling when I first visited. I was fascinated by the architecture. The fountain reminded me of those you find across Europe. I was equally overwhelmed by the vast collections housed in multiple buildings. I was intrigued by the underground labyrinth, knowing there was literally nothing that exists in the world I could not find here.
How that first visit remained with me decades later is indicative of the experiences we can only gain through travel. Visiting new places is important because it gives us an opportunity to learn more about cultural differences not only within the U.S. but globally. Travel makes us appreciate the ways we are more alike than we thought and celebrate the ways we are unique and different. Travel also puts the history of different cultures into perspective.
Museums and cultural institutions play an important role in doing so, and that’s part of what makes Washington, D.C., different from other destinations. One of the largest aggregations of museums and cultural institutions in the world exists here — and most are free.
When you come to Washington, D.C., you can learn about intense moments in American history at the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. You can learn more about arts and culture through the National Gallery of Art and so many others. You can also learn more about global history. Juxtapose those experiences and tie them into a world-class dining scene, amazing theater, nightlife, outdoor activities and sports, and D.C. is a well-rounded destination.
In 2024, D.C. welcomed a record 27.2 million visitors. As we look to future tourism drivers, including America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the World Cup and 2027 NFL Draft adjacent to the city’s iconic landmarks, there is no better place to seek information on all those subjects and events than the Library of Congress. I’ll add that it’s also a fabulous place to grab breakfast!
But no matter where our travel takes us, I hope we all maintain that same sense of awe and curiosity as the couple in our advertisement gazing up at the ceiling of the Jefferson Building.