As the capitol of the U.S., Washington, D.C. houses many monuments and memorials commemorating significant events and people in history. Determine the monuments that you wish to visit based on your interests and heritage. Take time to research the best time to visit the city, as some times of the year are busier than others.
The World War II Memorial was unveiled in 2004 and is located on the National Mall, spaning over seven acres. There are 4,048 stars on the wall of the memorial, with each one representing 100 soldiers who were killed. There are pillars engraved with the names of the 48 states and other territories that contributed soldiers to the war on behalf of the United States. The site is free to visit with over 4 million people visiting each year.
There are many significant events in history that have taken place at the Lincoln Memorial, most notably Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I have a dream" speech. The most significant detail of the memorial is the white marble granite carving of President Lincoln that stands 19 feet tall. The memorial offers views of the reflecting pool with the Washington monument in the background, as well as the U.S. Capitol building. The memorial is open at all times.
The Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world and the tallest structure in DC standing at 555 feet, 5 1/8 inches, allowing you to see distances of up to 30 miles. It was completed in 1884 to honor President George Washington. Admission to the monument is free, although you must obtain a ticket on the day of your visit and a reservation time to enter. If you wish to make reservations ahead of time, you may do this online at the National Park website and a $1.50 surcharge is required.
The Vietnam Memorial displays every name of the 58,260 soldiers who were killed in action in the conflict. The 1,200 missing soldiers are annotated with a cross. Many veterans come to see the wall and will experience a wave of emotion, often weeping when they see the names of their comrades. Pencil and paper are generally available, although you may want to bring your own if you would like to get a rubbing of a loved ones name off the wall. The monument is open at all times with park rangers available from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
