Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

1850 West Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA

Address:	1850 West Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA
Phone:	+1 202-426-6841
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.8
Working:	Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

Charles Carlin

Where to begin is the great question with this man and his legacy. This memorial is open and almost sprawling in comparison to the other monuments and memorials in Washington. Maybe this is appropriate considering that Roosevelt was our only four term president. The memorial brings forward Roosevelt’s care and concern for all the people of our country and for the people of the world. This is well put in the quotation carved in stone “The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one nation. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world.” Watching war while China was attacked by Japan and England attacked by Germany, Roosevelt wante to stay out of the wars and still help the allies. Alas Pearl Harbor tested him to the limit as the United States entered the war and finished it. To help all the people some of the incredible actions of President Roosevelt include: Fireside Chats on the radio to give hope and inspiration to a suffering nation. Influenced the creation of the United Nations where Eleanor Roosevelt, our then first lady, who was the first delegate. Created the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) to protect the little guy from any bank collapses. He repealed prohibition (lets drink to that). He created the GI Bill to help all the returning servicemen from World War II. These things and more make the man, arguably by scholars of course, our number three top president, following George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Every engraving on this monument is incredibly thought provoking, especially if one has an inkling about the history and events surrounding each one. Oh yes and one last tidbit. This is the only Presidential Monument to include a First dog. Roosevelts dog was Fala, a Scottish Terrier.

Sam Bartley

My favorite memorial for the following reasons: best overall design, best conveyance of a story, and most beautiful view. The Memorial itself sits on the southwest side of the Tidal Basin, in between the Jefferson to the southeast and MLK Memorial (another great memorial) to the north along the rim of the Basin. The Washington Monument is right across the Basin. This makes the FDR Memorial a prime viewing spot during all seasons, especially during the spring, before, during, and after the cherry blossoms have bloomed. However, the FDR memorial is hike from the nearest Metro and parking is EXTREMELY difficult during nice days. It is usually best to take a Lyft/Uber/taxi to the Memorial or to bike. Please note: WALK your bikes through the memorials! Spoiler alert: This is one of, if not, THE best Pokemon Go spots in DC. Thats a heads up for tourists coming into the city for cherry blossom season. If you see dozens of people looking down at their phones and walking around aimlessly, its probably because theyre playing Pokemon Go. Dont bother the players and the players wont bother you.

C L

Beautiful Water Features & Amazing Views. See Photos. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a fitting tribute divided into four outdoor rooms tracing Roosevelts FDR’s presidency from the Great Depression bread lines until the end of his life. We liked that the controversial statue was added showing this great man disabled in a wheelchair. This great tribute has famous quotes from this great president and his wife Eleanor that make you think about tough topics. Even Fala, his dog, is shown. We got great photos of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin. It was just a short walk to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Parking is limited so consider the Hop-On or DC Circulator bus or Uber. There are limited food and beverage options. This is a great spot to watch a sunrise, see Cherry Blossoms in the spring, and see American History come alive.

Stephen Michael Fox Jr

A guided tour provides the most insight. The FDR memorial is just around the bend, clock wise from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, or South from the Lincoln Memorial, hugging the Tidal Basin. Its comprised of four difference sections, each representative of FDRs four terms in office. Everything is symbolically arranged to represent different issue both the Country and FDR had to deal with. A guided tour provides the most insight to understanding every symbolic aspect, from the obvious sculptures, to the inscriptions, to the design of the water falls. Give yourself at least an hour, more if youre needing a rest as this memorial provides many areas to sit and relax next to the Tidal Basin.

A Private User

Hands down, this is the best monument in DC. Combines a fantastic location on the tidal basin (beyond stunning during Cherry Blossom season), beautiful architecture and design elements (the waterfalls are lovely), and is the most informative of all the monuments/memorials (the quotes, the wheelchair statute, Eleanors inclusion, the breadlines). If you walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Jefferson (very easy for those in average health people), FDR is exactly in the middle. As a local who has seen all of the monuments/memorials/museums in DC many, many times, this is one of the very few destinations that I recommend that people of all ages must see on every trip to DC.

Amy Murphy

The FDR memorial is my favorite DC memorial. Make sure to go when the fountains are still running, though it is still a beautiful place to be inspired by Americas heroic past. The monument pays tribute to his legacy and is divided into 3 parts symbolizing his 3 terms as president. Each section highlights the work he did during each term to create jobs, help the poor, establish disability rights, and end a horrific war. The quotes are also inspiring to read. Elanors monument is also a great reminder of the important contributions she made as the first US ambassador to the UN. ... Its also a great place to catch Pokemon...

Austin Graff

My absolute favorite memorial in DC and Ive been to them all. Why is it my favorite you may ask. Well, let me tell you: 1) Its on the tidal basin and this is a great stop as you visit the Jefferson Memorial and the MLK Memorial. 2) FDR served 4 terms the memorial highlights each 4 terms. 3) By all the inspiring quotes along this memorial, you walk away thinking both FDR and Eleanor were the best people to walk this planet. 4) I love water and there are many waterfalls in this memorial. 5) GO AT NIGHT! Its best experience lit up at night. Its breathtaking! And there wont be many people at night so its a GREAT date spot.

Greg Garnhart

Of all of the memorials in Washington, DC, I personally favor this one. The attention to detail, and design of the memorial not only presents what FDR stood for, but also what was happening in the world when he was our President. The memorial takes visitors through the four terms FDR had in office. Each term features a water structure that somehow symbolizes his time in office. Having visited this memorial when I was thirteen or so, I was surprisingly captured by this. Compared to the other memorials on the Mall, this memorial continues to bring back thought provoking memories, and I look forward to going back.

Monico Havier

The Franklin Delano Rosevelt is a perfect integration of a massive presidential memorial in to the landscape of Washington, DC. The memorial includes sections for each of FDRs presidential terms complete with quotes and waterfalls. Its both peaceful and scenic (especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom). If youre in to photography be sure to check the expected dates for the Cherry Blossom festival (especially "peak bloom") and try to be here to get some amazing photographs. As part of the Tidal Basin walking tour its a do-not-miss memorial when visiting Washington, DC.