Behind the Scenes All Access Pass

Also known as your ID Badge, entrance code, or key- the way to get to all the underground and hidden places not open to the public. I have a photo ID for the DOJ, and there are metal detectors at every entrance that only allow people with IDs to pass, so basically everything in there is considered hidden. But that means that I must find every painting, historical fact, and museum in this building Lara Croft-style before I leave in December! So far I've discovered the marvelous Great Hall, an enormous room where they do public speeches and congratulations throughout the year. Also, on the top floor is the Main Conference Room, with flags lined up on each side of the blue carpet as reporters are escorted in to the room with cameras and microphones set up around the room. On the 5th floor I walked down a side staircase and opened the doors to a magnificent golden corner, with a large mural along one side heading into the library. Flying figures hold the olive branch and traditional justice symbols (I know, lame I know this stuff, but exciting for me), and the fight for justice through history unfolds as you walk to the library. In the main lobby of the library there's a dedication to Robert Kennedy, who served as Attorney General. I still think I haven't seen a lot, but it's very exciting to walk around different halls to see what surprises are behind them.
This is especially true on the Hill, where you can find lots of underground cool places. Take the subway from the Senate to the Capitol- how cool is that? Your own transportation to and from the main area of voting, and you can avoid the cold or the heat and still get the job done! Then on the other side if you bring a tour group from the House side you walk by paintings done by artists from every state. And of course, there's the Rayburn Cafeteria, which definitely always seemed to change places, leading me to think I stepped into Hogwarts and the forefathers enjoyed playing tricks on people. I feel I could go the same way every time and still end up in a random corner with a Representative's office that everyone forgot. Leaving breadcrumbs still wouldn't help, and a map would be strikingly outdated or just wrong.
Leaving your desk to go with co-workers to enjoy things like this enhances your experience, because you'll definitely enjoy the random statues in the basement between Canon and Rayburn, or the mazelike hallways to get to the flag pickup office. Take advantage of that pass, get lost and enjoy!