Statue of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with his beloved dog, Falla, at the FDR Memorial on Washington D.C.'s Tidal Basin
I’ve never hit them all in one go. Not even close.
I’ve had to go back ten times. And I still haven’t seen them all …
More than perhaps any other city in the world, Washington, D.C. is known for paying tribute to its heroes and its fallen through commemorative memorials. For the visitor with limited time, it can be difficult to choose which of Washington, D.C.’s 155 monuments and memorials to see and which to skip.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled this list of our top ten favorite monuments, in no particular order, that you should be sure to see during your next visit to Washington, D.C.
10.) Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
The 98 steps that extend from the Reflecting Pool to the top of the Lincoln Memorial have seen their fair share of history. Perhaps one of the most famous moments was in 1963, when Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I have a dream” speech from the top of its steps. This memorial pays tribute to the nation’s 16th President, who was assassinated just days before the surrender of Confederate forces ended the four-year Civil War. The Lincoln Memorial lies parallel to the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial, with the Reflecting Pool in between. To either side lie the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The monument is designed in a classical Greek style and is constructed of Indiana limestone and Colorado Yule marble. Inside sits a statue of the President, with excerpts from his Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address carved into the walls on either side. The memorial, like most of the monuments, is particularly moving when viewed after dark.
9.) Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
You may have actually passed this memorial before and not realized it! This lesser-known memorial overlooks the Capitol Reflecting Pool as it sits nestled behind the majestic Capitol building at the base of Capitol Hill. The statue attempts to show a calm U.S. Grant as he commanded Union troops during the Civil War.
8.) U.S. Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima)
I have not seen this memorial since I was a kid, but it depicts one of the most famous scenes in American history, the U.S. Marines raising the flag over Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima during World War II. The view of the National Mall from this memorial also makes it well worth the visit.
7.) Washington Monument
Washington Monument
One of the city’s most recognizable structures, this monument is built to honor the nation’s first president, George Washington. The structure is in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk standing 555′ 5 1/2″ tall. It was finished in December 1884.
6.) Vietnam War Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
This is definitely one of the most moving memorials in Washington.This memorial includes sculptures depicting the stress and trauma experienced by the soldiers, as well as a 246 ft. long wall displaying the names of all 58,267 Americans who lost their lives during this 10-year war. The names themselves serve as the memorial. They are inscribed in the order in which they lost their lives. Visitors and family members place flags, letters, and photos along the wall to honor the victims.
Check back on Sunday to find out our other five recommendations!
What about you? Have you traveled to Washington, D.C.? If so, what are your favorite monuments?
No related posts.
11 comments in this article
January 18, 2012 am31 8:38
Washington is definitely on our list of places to visit. From what I understand, it’s a good place to go because many of the attractions are free. I’m sure hotels are pretty expensive, though!
January 18, 2012 pm31 18:55
Hotels in DC are rough. I’ve been fortunate in that I usually don’t have to pay for my hotel. I get sent there for work or I’ve stayed in a church basement with a youth group or stayed with friends. It cuts down on a lot of the cost. I would recommend looking into hostels or couch surfing in the DC area if you’re looking to save money on lodging. Because there are people coming in and out of the city all the time for internships and such, there are usually some good short-term options available, especially in the surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, which are accessible by the Metro. But, even if you do end up paying a bit more for a hotel than you would like, you’re also saving a lot of money because so many of the attractions are free, like most of the museums, government buildings, and monuments. Be careful with the food budget, though, too … DC has some pretty off-the-hook restaurants. I usually skimp on food, too, and maybe eat at one nice place while I’m there. But DC really can be a cheaper vacation than one would think if you really are intentional about it.
January 18, 2012 am31 9:03
Great article, I’ll hopefully be in DC for a few days this year!
January 18, 2012 pm31 18:48
Great, you’ll have to share your adventures with us!
January 18, 2012 pm31 17:53
I like visiting memorials but never really know their history
January 18, 2012 pm31 18:57
Me either. I also tend to just look at them, walk around a bit, admire the architecture, but don’t really look into the significance of all the features. Check back on Sunday for part two! (That’s where we’ll talk about my favorite memorials … ) Thanks for reading!
January 19, 2012 am31 11:24
I will have to try and get you a pic of the WWII memorial since it’s relatively new, and very impressive. It has become one of my more favorite ones to visit… especially in summer since you can soak your feet to cool off.
January 19, 2012 pm31 19:24
Jason — Check back on Sunday, and you’ll see a great one! We’ll be posting the other 5 recs. Thanks for reading! I agree, WWII is my fave — but you’ll hear more about that in Part 2
January 19, 2012 pm31 13:07
The memorials in DC are amazing. IMO the Vietnam memorial is one of the most moving memorials I’ve ever seen in all my travels. It is heart breaking seeing family members stand for hours staring at one spot on the wall!
Love DC and will be visiting this summer.
January 19, 2012 pm31 19:26
I agree. It’s tough to visit the Vietnam Wall. I’ve never known anyone to walk away without a lump in their throat. Look forward to hearing about your travels this summer!