DATE: Sunday, April 27, 1997                TAG: 9704250075

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: TRAVELWISE

SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN

                                            LENGTH:   97 lines

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS BUILDING REVAMPED

TWO HAPPININGS in Washington that are worth a visit next time you're there:

The Library of Congress on Thursday reopened its Thomas Jefferson Building, its main building, after more than a decade of renovation.

The ornate building, constructed in 1897 as the first home of the library outside the Capitol building, is something of a cross between Italian Renaissance and Beaux Arts. Its interiors are really a sight to behold now that it has returned to something closer to its original state. Visitors once more can see architectural details that had long been obscured by office cubicles and grime.

The library has opened a new visitors center, reached through a new sidewalk-level entrance on First Street at Independence Avenue, east of the Capitol. There is also an expanded gift shop and a new theater to show videos about the library.

The library, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. plans a reopening celebration today, with tours, readings and music. Info: (202) 707-5000.

The ``other'' Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial is to be dedicated May 2 by President Clinton. With the ceremonial opening, FDR will join George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln in the select rank of presidents with memorials in the nation's capital.

The memorial, commemorating FDR's presidency from 1933 to 1945, is located along the scenic Cherry Tree Walk, between the Tidal Basin and the Potomac River, northwest of the Jefferson Memorial and about a 10-minute walk from the Lincoln Memorial.

Roosevelt once said - and he was pretty specific about this - that he wanted a simple memorial ``about the size of my desk.'' And that's what he got, an inscribed marble block on Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the National Archives Building. Anyone who knows about that qualifies as a D.C. Trivia Nut.

That just wasn't enough, many thought, for the only man elected to the presidency four times. This new one is quiet enough.

It sprawls across 7.5 acres and features waterfalls, bronze statues and enough granite to construct a 80-story building. Total cost: about $48 million, of which $42.5 million was federally funded.

PONY PENNING

Several callers have asked about the annual roundup of wild ponies at Chincoteague on Virginia's Eastern Shore. For the rest of you who may be interested, clip and save this. The pony swim from island to corral is July 30, the auction is July 31. For more Chincoteague info: (757) 336-6161.

RENAISSANCE REVISITED

The Virginia Renaissance Faire reopened yesterday for seven weekends of really old-fashioned merriment at the grounds about four miles east of Fredericksburg on Virginia Route 3. The faire will continue Saturdays and Sundays through June 8, plus Memorial Day Monday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. rain or shine. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6.50 for ages 5-12; less if you make advance reservations by calling (800) 52-FAIRE.

PEDAL THE PARKWAY

Area cyclists will kick off National Bike Month on Saturday with a 10-mile ride from Williamsburg to Jamestown on the Colonial Parkway, which will be closed to motor vehicles from 7 a.m. to noon that day for the exclusive use of bicyclists. Everyone must wear a helmet. For more information and a month-long list of cycling activities, call (757) 229-0507.

BUSCH IS BEAUTIFUL

For the sixth consecutive year Busch Gardens, the European-themed park near Williamsburg, was named ``Most Beautiful Theme Park'' by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. The park also was recognized in the ``Favorite Theme Park'' category, and the park's Loch Ness Monster roller coaster was mentioned again in the ``Favorite Steel Coasters'' category. Nessie may take a back seat to the new Alpengeist, billed as the world's tallest, fastest, most twisted inverted roller coaster.

FROM HERE TO THERE

Virginia Living Museum naturalists will lead a whale-watching safari from Newport News to Cape Cod, Mass., June 27-30. Cost is $650 per person and includes transportation, accommodations and activities, including a boat trip and visits to Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard and Boston Aquarium. This is VERY SHORT notice. Reservations are due Monday. Info: (757) 595-1900.

YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

For those of you who love Pennsylvania's Poconos, Mount Airy Lodge offers a couples package, Monday-Thursday through June 27 at $75 per night, per person, double occupancy that includes accommodations in room with fireplace, heart-shaped Jacuzzi, king-size round bed, meals and entertainment. Info: (800) 441-4410. MEMO: Travelwise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases,

trade journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the

writer's mind. Send comments and questions to Travelwise, The

Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (757) 446-2904. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

JIM GLEASON

Williamsburg bicyclists take a practice run on the Colonial Parkway

before Saturday's ``Pedal the Parkway'' event.

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