The Library of Congress Reading Room has been described as the most beautiful room in Washington, DC (The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown), but unless you have a researcher card you’re not allowed inside.  It’s not difficult to get a researcher card but they discourage people from getting them just to check out the room because they are nice, plastic-printed, photo IDs.  With that said, most people don’t get a chance to see this beautiful room except for a small overlook.  Worst of all, photography isn’t even allowed from the overlook so you have no chance to capture the room’s amazing architecture.  However, twice a year, on Presidents’ Day (in February) and Columbus Day (in October), the Library of Congress opens up the Reading Room to visitors and photographers.

Source: Photographing the Library of Congress Reading Room | PhotoTourism DC