Washington Monument Reviews (Washington, D.C., United States)

The Tallest Structure in Washington DC

Tustin, California

October 10, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo The Washington Monument is an obelisk commemorating our first President, George Washington. It sits at the intersection of Constitution Ave and 15th Street NW, just south of the Ellipse and the White House. As it’s the tallest structure in ...Read more The Washington Monument is an obelisk commemorating our first President, George Washington. It sits at the intersection of Constitution Ave and 15th Street NW, just south of the Ellipse and the White House. As it’s the tallest structure in Washington DC, it’s very hard to miss.

The Washington Monument is a 555 foot and 5 1/8 inch tall obelisk made of granite, marble, and sandstone. The pointed top cap of the Washington Monument is a large singular piece of cast aluminum. It’s located atop a small hill, which offers great views of the National Mall. On the east side of the hill is a small guardhouse manned by the National Park Service. You can obtain the free, same-day tickets required for entry into the Washington Monument at this guardhouse. The tickets are for specific entry times, and are given away on a first come, first serve basis. The tickets are very popular and run out quickly, as we were unable to obtain any tickets on several visits to the guardhouse. The tickets allow entry into the Washington Monument, where one can climb up a set of stairs to an elevator, which takes you up the rest of the way to the top, where you can peer out of the windows in the top.

At the top of the hill, the Washington Monument is surrounded by circular concrete apron and a ring of flags. A lot of people were milling around, some with tickets awaiting entry into the Washington Monument, and others resting and taking in the view of the Monument and the city below. There’s another guardhouse attached to the east side of the monument that serves as a National Park Service Ranger station. The Rangers are very knowledgeable about the Washington Monument and are welcome to questions as well as history lessons about the Monument.

The Rangers told us the Washington Monument started construction in 1848, but stopped in 1854, because donation money had run out. Then the Civil War occurred, further complicating efforts to restart construction. Finally in 1879, construction resumed, and was completed in December of 1884. The Washington Monument was dedicated on George Washington’s birthday on February 22, 1885. As a result of the stalled construction, the white marble exterior is one shade from the bottom to about 152 feet up, and a different shade after that to the top. The differences in shade are due to using different quarries to mine the marble.

When standing at the base of the Washington Monument, the view is really good from here, and one can easily spend a lot of time taking pictures, or just taking in the different points of interest as far as the eye can see. To the north, you can make out the White House through the trees. To the west, you can see the National World War II Monument, the Reflecting Pool, and the Lincoln Monument beyond. To the east, you can see the straight line of the National Mall, and the U.S. Capitol Building in the far distance. We visited in the early evening, when it started to cool down, and it made for great views too. The Washington Monument is one of those "must-see" attractions that’s definitely worth visiting. Close

From journal Our Nation's Capital

Nice Free Attraction

by mrsmadis0n

Greensboro, North Carolina

September 30, 2009

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We had a great time at the Washington Monument. What made it better was that it was FREE!If you meet at the little building by the monument at 9am of the day you want to visit, you get free tickets for that day. It was definitely worth it. We got ...Read more

From journal History and Fun

Get There Early

by Dana Schnoor

Keller, Texas

February 26, 2009

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They only hand out a limited number of free tickets each day to take the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument. Those limited tickets go FAST! The ticket window opens about 8:30 AM, we got there about 8:00 AM to get in line. With tickets ...Read more

From journal First Trip to our Nation's Capital

Washington Monument

by mh75

Harrisonburg, Virginia

May 29, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo One of the most recognized and most visible monuments in the Washington D.C. area, the Washington Monument stands over 555 foot tall between the National Mall and the Reflecting Pool. Construction began in 1848 from white marble quarried from ...Read more

From journal Business Trip to Washington D.C.

Washington Monument

by winwiz88

Panama City Beach and Orlando, Florida

March 22, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The Washington Monument along with other memorials, monuments, and the US Capitol form the Mall. The tallest structure in the District of Columbia at 550 feet, there is an elevator that takes visitors to the observation level at 500 feet. Planning ...Read more The Washington Monument along with other memorials, monuments, and the US Capitol form the Mall. The tallest structure in the District of Columbia at 550 feet, there is an elevator that takes visitors to the observation level at 500 feet.

Planning your Visit
When starting to plan your trip to Washington, D.C., planning your visit to the Washington Monument is critical if you are intending to go to the top. During the tourist high season, from approximately March through September one can expect to have a hard time in obtaining tickets. Your best bet is to plan what day and time you will specifically visit the Washington Monument. Then when you have figured this out you will want to book tickets. Go to the National Park Service Reservations website to check dates and availability. After doing so you will be able to reserve your free tickets. However, as there will be a small service charge to process your reservation. You can than pick up your tickets from the Washington Monument ticket booth will call window.

If the dates or times you want are not available, you still have one more option. Starting at 8:30am you can pick up free same day tickets completely from the ticket booth. Be advised that lines can be long during the more tourist congested months and tickets will run out if you get there too late.

Visiting the Monument
After securing your ticket, you will probably have a little bit of time before getting into line. Take a moment and walk around the monument on the circular sidewalk. Heading up to the base of the monument you will see brown wooden signs that display a time on it. There will be at least two lines, so make sure you get in the correct one. Go ahead and get in line, shortly a park ranger will be along to brief your group and collect tickets. After that, you will enter the monument, clear security and get in line for the elevator.

At the top you will have ample opportunities to look in each cardinal direction at the famous sights of Washington, D.C. There are two windows in each direction and at each window is a description of what you are seeing out of the window. In the early morning, do be careful when looking out the window, as condensation forms around the window and you could wind up with a soaked head.

After taking in your various sites of D.C., head towards the stairs to the 490 foot level. This is where you will wait for the elevator back down. While you are waiting feel free to visit the gift shop. Yes, there is actually a gift shop 490 feet in the air in the Washington Monument! The elevator will take approx. three minutes to return to the ground level.

Have a great time on your visit to the Washington Monument! Close

From journal Spring Break in Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument

by Traveling Jen

East Bridgewater, Massachusetts

March 15, 2007

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The size of the monument is what hits you... it just seems to hover over everything else in the area. I guess that is what you would expect from a father... so why not from the father of this country? It really is indescribable how magnificent to ...Read more

From journal Weekend in Washington DC

Washington Monument

by mafnet

Lake Forest, California

November 20, 2006

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Composed of two different types of stone from two different quarries, this statues is more beautiful than actually depicted. It is even larger than some pictures make it seem! The monument is next to a giant reflecting pool for all to see. This ...Read more

From journal Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument

by grannola

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

October 22, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo The Washington Monument is truly a landmark worth visiting. It is free to get in, but you do need to get free tickets to reserve a time. There is limited space and the line-ups would be horrendous otherwise.To get your ticket you have to go to the ...Read more The Washington Monument is truly a landmark worth visiting. It is free to get in, but you do need to get free tickets to reserve a time. There is limited space and the line-ups would be horrendous otherwise.

To get your ticket you have to go to the ticket booth early in the day. They give out tickets from about 8am until they are all gone. No strollers are allowed inside the monument, because of very narrow passages, and also because the elevator picks you up a floor lower than it lets you off.

We got to the ticket booth around 10:00 on a cloudy, rainy Saturday. We could have had tickets for as early as 11:30, but we chose 1:30, figuring it would give us time to wander off and see something else first. We got back right at 1:30 and went to the lineup. The Monument is run by the US Park Services, so there are Park Rangers who let you in and bring you up in the elevator. They were very friendly and knowledgeable about the monument.

Once inside the building you have to let your bags get searched and go through a metal detector. (Rather standard in DC these days). Then you are taken to a line-up for the elevator. The elevator lets people on and whisks them up to the top of the monument (Well, as high up as it will fit) to the observation area. There are 2 windows on each of the four sides of the building, so you have to take turns looking out. There are also labelled photos at the window so you can figure out exactly what you are looking at. Very helpful for figuring out which Smithsonian is which and that sort of things.

One of the two windows on each side had a small step that the kids could stand on so they could see. The 8-year-old could see a bit without it, but not the 4-year-old. You can stay on the top level as long as you want and then you walk down one flight of stairs to catch the elevator. There is also a gift shop and some museum-type displays on this level.

The elevator takes you back down, pausing to look at some of the donated stones. We learned that all of the states donated a stone that was native to that state. There were also stones donated from cities such as Boston and New York. The park ranger on the elevator gave us information both on the way up and the way down, so it was great. This was someplace that the 8-year-old really wanted to see and he was so excited that he got to go up to the top. He loved the view. Even on a rainy, cloudy day, the view was impressive, although the pictures are a bit foggy looking. Close

From journal Washington - Sights and Tastes

Washington Monument

by kwasiak

Tucson, Arizona

March 4, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo My only memories of my first trip to DC, when I was 6, was going to the top of the Washington Monument and knocking over a cardboard Bill Clinton. Since then I have been back to DC several times, but have not been able to get to the top, due to ...Read more My only memories of my first trip to DC, when I was 6, was going to the top of the Washington Monument and knocking over a cardboard Bill Clinton. Since then I have been back to DC several times, but have not been able to get to the top, due to various reasons such as its renovation and not arriving early enough for tickets. The weekend my brother and Dad came to visit me while studying in DC, I decided to make sure we went to the top, as the only other time my brother had been to DC was during its renovation. They got tickets in the morning for us to go to the top after my classes on Friday.

In my opinion, to truly experience DC, you must see it from above. It is also the only way to truly see the compass layout of important sites with the Washington monument at its center, and the Lincoln Memorial, White House, Capitol, and Jefferson Memorial as the four points. We were lucky enough to go on a day that was clear, and we were able to see the whole city very well.

To go to the top of the Washington Monument you must get a timed entry ticket. You can get them for free by arriving early enough in the day before they run out. Tickets run out early in the day, depending on the demand. In the winter it is not as much of a problem, but in the seasons when there are more tourists, such as in the summer, they run out early. I believe you can also get timed entry tickets online for a small service charge.

Being the tallest structure in DC, the Washington Monument offers the best view of the city, but if you are unable to get a ticket to enter you can get a good view from the Old Post Office Pavilion. Also, for those in wheelchairs, it can be hard to see out the windows. My brother was given a large periscope to help, but it still was hard to get it high enough to view anything but the sky. For those that can stand with support there is a bar and steps in front of the windows, which he used to get a view. It just takes some patience to wait for people to move away from the windows with stairs, of which there is one for each side. The other window just has a bar, which works fine for taller people. Close

From journal Accessible D.C.

Washington Monument

by lgarcia45

McAllen, Texas

July 1, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo Currently, the area around the monument is undergoing renovation and construction. The only way to approach the base of the structure is to obtain a ticket at the national park kiosk (clearly marked). Do know that tickets are handed out on a ...Read more Currently, the area around the monument is undergoing renovation and construction. The only way to approach the base of the structure is to obtain a ticket at the national park kiosk (clearly marked). Do know that tickets are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at, I believe, 8:00 or 8:30am. They go fast! You are better served by logging on the NPS website and securing your ticket this way. You can select a date/time convenient to you. We secured ours about 6 weeks out. If you plan your visit during the popular summer tourist season, get your tickets ASAP. A small convenience fee may apply (well worth it).

The monument offers the best views of the city. New high-speed elevators whisk you up to the observation level, where four windows offer spectacular views in each direction. It’s about the only way to see the Pentagon in its entirety. Planes will, at that point in their approach/takeoff from Reagan National, be lower than you. The views of the Lincoln Memorial to the West, White House to the North, and Capitol/Mall to the East are picture-postcard-perfect. Look up while your here and note the way the tip is tapered. The entire structure is composed of marble, and on the way down, your elevator will pause, and the operator will point out the many memorial stones submitted by each state and territory.

Waiting in line and security takes more time than the actual visit, and the whole thing should last 1 to 1 1/2 hours start to finish. The NPS is also adamant about certain rules regarding food and drink; in a word, no food and only water is allowed in clear bottles, the rational being that years upon years of minor spills lead to problems renovation (paid for in part by Target) had to overcome. There are stairs up the 55 stories, but you will not be allowed to use them. If you cannot be denied, a once-a-week tour on Sunday led by a park ranger descends down the steps, with stops at the major commemorative stones, including the million-dollar jasper job given by Alaska and the hunk of petrified wood sent by Arizona.

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From journal An Eight-Day Vacation in Washington, D.C.

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The Tallest Structure in Washington DC

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