Memorials and Monuments in Washington, DC
President Lincoln Memorial Washington DC
One of the more exciting parts of our field trips in DC are the stops to visit the memorials and monuments built in and around the city. They were built in honor of our military for their service, and some of our nation’s early leaders, many of whom became President of the United States.
When our field trips stop at many of these tour destinations, our experienced guides will walk your group through and around these architectural wonders and relay important facts and interesting notes about the building itself, and the people they are honoring.
The excitement the students have as they are able to see and touch such a large reference of history is amazing. When you are planning your DC field trip, let us know if there are any specific monuments or memorials you wish to visit on your tour.
Listing of Monuments and Memorials
African American Civil War Memorial and Museum
Located at 1200 U Street, NW. | Google Maps
Here is a wall built to honor the 209,145 United States Colored Troops (USCT) who served in the Civil War. The wall itself lists the names. The onsite museum delves into the African American struggle for freedom and equal rights in the United States. Museum is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm | Saturdays 10am to 2pm
Arlington National Cemetery
Located over on the VA side of the Memorial Bridge (across from Washington, DC) | Google Maps
This is the burial ground that was built to be a resting place for and the honor of our country’s military. Brave soldiers and generals alike, this is hallowed ground for American war heroes and presidents. President John F. Kennedy and others rest here. The cemetary also features the Tomb of the Unknowns. Hours are 8am to 7pm daily.
DC War Memorial
Located at The National Mall, west of 17th St. and Independence Ave. SW. | Google Maps
This memorial commemorates the 26,000 citizens of Washington, DC who served in World War I.
Eisenhower Memorial
Located Between 4th and 6th Streets SW. | Google Maps
Plans are underway to build a national memorial to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower on a four-acre site near the National Mall. The memorial will feature a grove of oak trees, huge limestone columns, and a semicircular space made monolithic stone blocks and carvings and inscriptions that depict images of Eisenhower’s life.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Located at West Potomac Park near Lincoln Memorial on Ohio Drive, SW | Google Maps
This memorial has four outdoor spaces, one to represent each of FDR’s terms as President of the United States of America, holding office from 1933 to 1945. Several sculptures depict the 32nd President. Hours are 8am to midnight.
George Mason Memorial
Located at 900 Ohio Drive, in East Potomac Park, SW. | Google Maps
Monument dedicated to the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which also played a role in the writing of the Declaration of Independence (George Mason inspired Thomas Jefferson when he was drafting the Declaration of Independence. Mason also convinced the early forefathers to include individual rights as a part of our Constitution’s Bill of Rights.
Iwo Jima Memorial
Located on Marshall Drive, next to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. | Google Maps
This memorial is dedicated to the marines who gave their lives during one of the most historic battles of World War II, the battle of Iwo Jima. Note: This memorial is also known as the United States Marine Corps War Memorial.
Jefferson Presidential Memorial
Located at 15th Street, SW | Google Maps
This dome-topped rotunda honors the country’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. The large bronze statue of Jefferson is located on the Tidal Basin, surrounded by a grove of cherry blossoms, which line the tidal basin and are feature in the spring season. The Cherry Blossom Parade is viewed alongside the memorial. Hours are 8am to midnight every day.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Located at Daniel French Drive and Independence Avenue, SW | Google Maps
This war memorial honors Americans who were wounded, killed, captured, or remain missing in action (MIA) during the Korean War (1950 -1953). Nineteen figures represent every ethnic background. The statues are supported by a granite wall with 2,400 faces of land, sea and air support troops. A Pool of Remembrance lists the names of the lost Allied Forces. Hours are 8am to 11:45pm
Lincoln Presidential Memorial
Located at 23rd Street between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW | Google Maps
This presidential memorial was dedicated in 1922 to honor President Abraham Lincoln. Thirty-Eight columns encircle a stately statue of Lincoln seated on chair made of marble. His statue is surrounded by parts of Gettysburg address, inaugural address, as well as murals by famed French painter Jules Guerin. Hours are 8am to midnight.
Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove
Located at George Washington Parkway, Washington DC. | Google Maps
Surrounded by a grove of trees and built on 15 acres of land, are the gardens and memorial to President Johnson. A section of this dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson Park, and honors the former first lady’s for her expanded influence on country’s landscape. The Memorial Grove hosts annual picnics and features amazing views of the Potomac River and Washington, DC.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
Located at The Tidal Basin, Washington, DC. | Google Maps
Just recently dedicated by President Obama, and now open to the public is the long awaited memorial to honor Dr. Martin Luther King. ’s national and international contributions and vision for all to enjoy a life of freedom, opportunity, and justice. The focus of the memorial is the center stone work – the “Stone of Hope”, a tall statue of Dr. King, with a wall of inscriptions with important quotes from his powerful sermons and public speeches.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Located at Judiciary Square at E Street, NW, between 4th and 5th Streets. | Google Maps
This monument honors the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers from our federal, state and local levels. A marble wall has inscribed names of officers who have been killed in the line of duty since the first known death in 1792 (over 17,000). A Memorial National Law Enforcement Museum has been under construction underground, beneath the monument. The museum is slated to be dedicated in late 2013.
National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception
Located at 400 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC | Google Maps
Formally called The Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, this is the largest Catholic Church in the United States of America! The Shrine is both a place of worship, and a place that followers of the Roman Catholic Church often make pilgrimages to. The Shrine is open every day, and is visited by thousands of people every year.
Pentagon Memorial
Located at I-395 at Boundary Channel Drive, Washington DC. | Google Maps
The Pentagon memorial honors those 184 military personnel and citizens that died in the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial is built on almost a two acre plot and features a park. Open daily.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Located at George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington, DC. | Google Maps
The memorial to the nation’s 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, honors his contributions to conservation of public lands for forests, national parks, wildlife and bird refuges, and monuments. Set on a 91-acre wilderness preserve, the island has 2.5 miles of public trails. Also onsite is a large bronze statue of Roosevelt, which proudly sites middle of the island.
United States Air Force Memorial
Located at One Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia. | Google Maps
This is one of the most recent memorials to be erected in the Washington, DC area, which was completed in late 2006. The memorial honors the men and women who have served in the United States Air Force. Open daily.
U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Located at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. | Google Maps
The Holocaust Museum serves as a tribute and memorial to the millions of people who were tortured and eventually murdered during the Holocaust. Open 10am to 5:30pm, daily except holidays such asYom Kippur and Christmas Day.
United States Navy Memorial
Located at at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., between 7th and 9th Streets. | Google Maps
The memorial honors our U. S. Naval history and all who have served in the Navy. Open 24 hours. There is also a Naval Heritage Center which is open from Monday – Saturday 9am to 5:30pm.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Located at Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW | Google Maps
This memorial honoring the Vietnam War has a granite wall that is shaped like a “V” that is inscribed with names of over 58,000 Americans soldiers missing or killed in the Vietnam War. The lawn features the iconic bronze sculpture of the three young servicemen. Hours are 8am to 11:45pm.
Washington Monument
Located at Constitution Avenue and 15th Street, NW. | Google Maps
The memorial to George Washington, our nation’s first president, took 40 years to complete its original construction due to lack of funds, was eventually dedicated in 1885. In recent times the monument was refurbished to its original condition. In early 2011, the monument was damaged by storm, and is not available for tours and rides in the elevator. Normally visitors take the elevator to the top and see a whole view of the Washington, DC.
Women in Vietnam Memorial
Located at Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW. | Google Maps
This memorial honors women who served in The 91-acre wilderness preserve serves as a Vietnam War. Inside there is a sculpture that shows three military females and a wounded soldier. The memorial sculpture was dedicated in 1993 as with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
World War II Memorial
Located at 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues | Google Maps
This memorial stands to honor all those military and soldiers who served in World War II. The memorial is open day and night, 24/7.
