Washington Monument

Address:	2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Phone:	+1 202-426-6841
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

TIANWEI CHEN

From the windows of the White House, where I live in Washington, DC, the monument to our first President, George Washington, dominates the skyline. It is a very tall obelisk. But very near this large monument there is a small stone which contains these words: "The United States neither established titles of nobility and royalty, nor created a hereditary system. State affairs are put to the vote of public opinion." 从我居住的华盛顿白宫窗口向外眺望，我们第一任总统乔治•华盛顿的纪念碑俯瞰全城。那是一座高耸的方形尖塔。在这座巨大的纪念碑旁，有一块很小的石碑，上面铭刻的碑文是：“米利坚合众国不设王侯之号，不循世袭之规，公器付之公论。” This created a new political situation, unprecedented from ancient times to the present. How wonderful it is. Those words were not written by an American. They were written by Xu Jiyu, Governor of Fujian Province, inscribed as a gift from the Government of China to our Nation in 1853. 我们美国就这样建立了一个旷古至今，前所未有的崭新政治体系。而最奇妙的事情在于。这些话不是美国人写的，而是出自中国的福建巡抚徐继畲之手，并于1853年由中国政府刻成碑文，作为礼物而送给了美国。 I am very grateful for that gift from China. It goes to the heart of who we are as a people, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the freedom to debate, to dissent, to associate, to worship without interference from the state. These are the ideals that were at the core of our founding over 220 years ago. These are the ideas that led us across our continent and onto the world stage. These are the ideals that Americans cherish today. 我很感激来自中国的这份礼物。它道出了我们全体美国人民的心声，即人人拥有生命的权利，自由的权利和追求幸福的权利，拥有不受国家干涉发表辩论，抱持不同政见的自由、结社自由和宗教信仰自由。这就是两百二十年前美国立国的核心理想。这些理想指引我们跨越了美洲大陆，走向了世界舞台。这也依然是美国人民今日珍视的理想。

Travelationship

The Washington Monument provides the best views of Washington DC and beyond. Reserve your ticket online for a very minimal fee or arrive at the monument in the morning to obtain a timed ticket. We had tickets for 8:30pm on the first re-open Friday. There is an introduction of rules outside the monument, a walk through the metal detectors and a wait for the elevator. By the time we got to the top of the monument it was about 9pm - plan accordingly. Once you reach the top there are 2 separate windows on each of the 4 sides of the monument. The views are wonderful and on a good day you can see for miles. Be sure to look up and notice the blinking red light lamps, the repairs, and the awe that you are almost able to see the top point of the monument. To descend the monument you can either walk down 1 flight of stairs to reach the tiny museum section and wait for the elevator OR (once the stairs reopens) you can walk the entire flight of steps. I highly recommend walking the steps. Each state has a dedication block on the walls, and they are very different. I found the blocks to be much more interesting than the museum. If you take the elevator down you will see a handful of the blocks as they slow the elevator for short views. The stairs were not open yet and now we HAVE to go back just to see the remainder of the dedication stones because some of them looked really beautiful. The museum area is very small and quite crowded with people waiting for the down elevator. It does get quite warm in the monument. Bring your patience when visiting. Due to the compact areas and the mass of people there were quite a few cranky pants people, and the bad attitudes tend to be acerbated by the small surroundings. The museum itself is about 4-5 display boards on the materials, making of and the earthquake. Disappointingly, there was no information on Washington himself. NOTE: There is NOT a bathroom in the monument. The bathroom is located at the bottom of a short hill next to the monument. Travelationship

Springtrap 777

Yes, Washington Monument itself is absolutely worthy to go. However, NP rangers were really unkind and one of them was racial. While we were waiting, I asked the park ranger in front of the entrance about where I could get junior ranger programs for my kids. He answered insincerely that he didnt know it. I asked whether there was junior ranger programs or not. He answered he didnt know it! But the volunteer that we met told us with pointing him, "Ask any park ranger." We talked about his answers and then, the volunteer asked him directly. Of course, he smiled to the volunteer and brought 2 junior rangers "folders" to us, with saying, "Go to the other side and get the badge." In order to complete junior program, we also needed to get sheets as well as a folder. But he didnt explain it and above all, there was no other side to get something. He should be shame on himself. How could such a man serve in Washington Monument? He was racial. We managed to get sheets from "other volunteer" not "a ranger." Three rangers that I met there were similar. Unkind, insincere and lazy. Rangers in other NP are not like them. On the other hand, volunteers were dedicated. 1. 워싱턴마뉴먼트 자체는 좋음. 전망대티켓은 아침 일찍 매표소에서 줄서서 받아야 함. 2. 파크래인저들이 대체적으로 불친절하고 혹자는인종차별적임. 자원봉사자들은 매우 친절함. 쥬니어래인저프로그램하기가 쉽지 않음.

Monico Havier

Theres a special feeling you get when you take the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument and you step out on to the observation level. Windows in every direction give you a view that is without equal in the Washington, DC area. I booked my tour in advance (online) and thats the recommended way to make sure you can visit since walk up tickets sell out quickly every morning. Getting a ticket may not be easy but I love that they keep the crowd levels under control by only allowing so many people to visit each day. One floor below the observation level is a mini museum with some artifacts, educational placards and even a few places to sit while you wait for your elevator ride down. And, speaking of the ride down, the elevator slows down every so often to let riders take a look at some of the memorial stones that are located along the inside walls. Its an awesome tour, but its also quick with little to do once you pass through security. On the plus side - that leaves plenty of time to see more of the National Mall. If youre a history buff (or you just like to see Washington, DC from an awesome vantage point) be sure to visit and take the tour.

C L

The beautiful Washington Monument towers over all other buildings in Washington DC and is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. You can get a great photo of this American symbol from the Lincoln Memorial, across the Reflecting Pool, or across the Tidal Basin. (See photos.) There is no parking so consider walking or taking the Circulator bus, Uber or the subway. You will at the heart of the National Mall, next to the equally beautiful World War II Memorial and a few-blocks walk to the Vietnam Wall Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and White House. Until the 2011 Virginia Earthquake, you could climb the stairs or take an elevator ride to the observation deck at the 500 height. The tours were closed through 2019 as more than 150 cracks are under construction. The 555 tall obelisk was built to honor President George Washington and is surrounded by flags. This amazing marble and granite icon is the worlds tallest stone structure. The color changes at different elevations because over the 36 years it took to build, different quarries had to be used with slightly different color stone.

Austin Graff

You know a monument is good when it attracts both tourists and locals. The Washington Monument is smack dab in the center of the National Mall giving it a great view of the Lincoln Memorial on one side and the US Capitol Building on the other. Its on a little hill and you can also see the White House. The monument itself is beautiful (Pro Tip: Hug the monument and look straight up. It feels like the monument will come crashing down on you, but dont worry. It wont). American flags surround the monument and large, marble (or stone) "benches" line the monument giving rest to the tourists. If you get there early enough, you can snag one of the free, timed tickets to go up the actual monument. Its free and worth it for the best view of DC in the city. The history behind the construction of the monument is also fascinating. Be sure to take a breather and sit on the benches to reflect on history and life. Then head to the nearby World War II Memorial, the White House, or the Tidal Basin.