This page focuses on the memorials that are around the National Mall and Tidal Basin. Ford’s Theatre and Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality NM are under the umbrella of the “National Mall & Memorial Parks”; however, I gave them their own pages because there was enough information to do so.
Unfortunately, the day I visited all of the memorials, it was very gloomy, so my pictures are not the best. I will try and update them in the near future!
National Mall & Memorial Parks
The National Park Service manages over 150 memorials and fountains throughout Washington, D.C. I am only focusing on the monuments that are included in the National Park Passport and that have a cancellation stamp. The parks are listed in alphabetical order, but at the end I will share an efficient route that makes it possible to see all of them in one day.
Constitution Gardens
Constitution Gardens, which used to be submerged by the Potomac River, sits between Constitution Avenue and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Inside the park there is a memorial dedicated to the 56 men that signed the Declaration of Independence. This is a perfect place to sit down and have a light lunch, read a book, or take a nap in the sun. There is some conflicting information on the internet, but I believe Constitution Gardens was dedicated in 1976.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
The Eisenhower Memorial is one of the most recently established National Parks. The plan was put into motion by President Obama and finally welcomed into the NPS on September 18, 2020. It is located right across the street from the Air & Space Museum. This is one of the last National Park sites I need to visit in Washington D.C.!
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
President Clinton dedicated the FDR Memorial in 1997. It is located in West Potomac Park, which is adjacent to the Tidal Basin. The design features four rooms, one for each year Roosevelt was in office. Each room features a waterfall that signifies that year of his presidency.
The four bodies of water in each “room” represent the following:
1) A single drop of water – the economy crash that lead to the Great Depression
2) Stair step drops – the Tennessee Valley Authority dam-building project
3) Falls at varying angles – WW II
4) A still pool – Roosevelt’s death
Korean War Veterans Memorial
President Bush took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for this park in 1992, and it was officially dedicated in 1995. The design is a triangle wall that intersects a circle. In the triangle there are 19 statues (pictured above). The wall to the North of the statues is the United Nations wall, which honors each of the 22 members of the UN that contributed troops to the war effort. The “circle” is a pool of remembrance.
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in 1922 and has always been a popular tourist attraction. It sits on the opposite end of the National Mall from the Washington Monument, with the reflecting pool in the middle. Inside the memorial there are inscriptions of two of Lincoln’s famous speeches: the Gettysburg Address and his 2nd inaugural speech. There is also a large statue of Abraham Lincoln seated in a chair.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is one of the newer memorials, which was dedicated in 2011. The original dedication date (anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech) was postponed due to Hurricane Irene. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the first African American honored with a memorial near the National Mall, and only the 4th non-president to be honored in this way.
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
Pennsylvania Avenue is not one single building or monument like most parks. It is dedicated to the famous buildings on the entire street. Some of the buildings on Pennsylvania Avenue include: The White House, the National Archives, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and Freedom Plaza. Pennsylvania Avenue is known as “America’s Main Street.” It is also where parades, processions, marches, and protests take place.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in 1943. It looks out into the Tidal Basin with the Washington Monument off in the distance. Even though it is named after Thomas Jefferson, it is also meant to be a memorial to all of the Founding Fathers.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1982 and is made up of two 246 foot long granite walls. The walls list the names of all those who served in the Vietnam War – all 58,220 of them. I have seen this wall numerous times but it is hard to get a picture in its entirety, especially without hundreds of people in the way. It is my goal to get a good picture this summer!
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument was built to commemorate George Washington. Construction began in 1848, but was halted for 23 years for a variety of reasons. When construction began again in 1877, the marble came from a different source in a different shade. You can see the color difference from where construction stopped and started again. The Monument was finally dedicated in 1885.
World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 by President Bush. It has 56 pillars for each state and territory of the United States. It’s located on the East end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. This is one of my favorite Memorials in DC!
What’s the best way to see all the Memorials?
This is the route I recommend taking, which starts from the Smithsonian Metro Station. It is easy to walk in circles if you don’t have a clear plan. I started around 7:30am and chose to go around Tidal Basin first so that I could enjoy being by the water in the morning; however, you can go either direction. I suggest packing a lunch, but if you can’t, there are normally food trucks and hot dog stands around. There are also plenty of bathrooms along the way.
I would plan on 2-3 hours to walk the loop and enjoy the memorials. There isn’t a ton of signage to read, it’s really just about taking it all in and enjoying the scenery. I did not include Pennsylvania Avenue or the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in this loop. The Eisenhower Memorial is just to the East of the Smithsonian Metro Station and Pennsylvania Avenue runs diagonally behind Constitution Avenue. All of this is doable in one day; however, if you have the time I would split this up into 2 days.
Day 1: 3+ mile Memorial Loop and Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
Day 2: Pennsylvania Avenue, President’s Park/The White House Museum, and any other museum near the Mall
What else is there to do on the National Mall?
There is no shortage of things to do and see in Washington, D.C. Besides the Memorials, there are dozens of museums. Some of the big names like the Smithsonian, Air & Space Museum, and National Gallery of Art are all right near the National Mall. Add in days to see Ford’s Theatre, Frederick Douglass NHS, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS, and a show at the National Theatre, you could easily spend a week in DC.
Comment below or reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram if you need help planning your day(s) in this amazing city!
Last updated: April 5, 2023
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