Right next to the Pentagon is a powerful memorial honoring the lives lost during 9/11. It's open…read moreall the time, but plan to Metro there. Parking is sparse. Each life lost is honored as a bench where you can reflect on their life. If the bench faces the Pentagon, they passed away on the flight that ran into it. If the bench faces away from the Pentagon, they died while inside the Pentagon. It's a very powerful mme

Despite being a Washingtonian, I had visited the World Trade Center and its memorial, as well as…read morethe Flight 93 site in Western Pennsylvania, but had not been to the Pentagon Memorial for the same series of events until I figured a notable anniversary was the time to do it. The practicalities of the memorial have always bugged me; obviously they wanted it to be onsite at the Pentagon, but the reality is that you can't drive there, you have to get off at a Metro stop that no one normally gets off at unless they are a card carrying member of the Military Industrial Complex, then walk around the Pentagon through some unpleasantly utilitarian scenery with a thousand signs about national security that make it seem like you don't belong. It's very different than many of our DC memorials in terms of accessibility. Many people who visit New York will see the WTC site, but very few DC visitors will even be aware of this memorial. It's also by a loud highway, and has some limited temporary bathroom facilities. So as a visitor experience, it just isn't what it could be. The experience of the memorial itself is nonetheless distinctive and noteworthy. Curve benches carry the names of victims of the attack, and are notoriously lit up after dark, which is really the time to see the site. It is a place that inspires reflection, and many still gather in specific recognition of people whose only crime on 9/11 was showing up to work.

What an amazing monument to the soldiers of this country. The Iwo Jima photograph is legendary…read more It was months between the time the photo was taken and it was developed. Could you imagine taking a photo that would live on in history and you didn't even get to see your picture for nearly two months? Mind boggling in the day and age of instant digital photography. There is no fee to park or visit this memorial and it has easy access right off of the highway. You can see the Washington Monument in the background of the memorial from the parking area. I suggest taking an hour to walk around and read all of the signs and just reflect on the history of this recreation as well as thinking about all of the wars the US has been involved in which are mentioned on the base of the monument. Sit quietly and reflect on all of the sacrifices that were made by others at the cost of their lives so we can be here today.

Such an amazing memorial. This was our first stop on our DC at Dusk tour. It was very warm and…read morehumid when we went, but everyone was so respectful around the memorial. It's located right next to Arlington Cemetery, another place that can't be missed. We enjoyed a nice stop here to admire the memorial and learn some amazing facts about it from our tour guide. Wish it had been a little darker so we could have seen it when it is lit up at night!

--Location/Parking-- Located on the southern edge of the…read moreNational Mall. I recommend parking in one spot of the National Mall and walking throughout. I didn't see any local parking spots. --Ambience-- Outdoor memorial where you can see the sculpture and read the inscriptions on the wall. I believe there is an outdoor restroom nearby. Great to complete your stamp collection --Service/Staff-- The gift shop next to it has the last remaining stamp you need for the National Mall tour area. This is a must to stopping place that is sometimes overlooked because of its proximity to the Mall which is off the beaten path. --Products-- The gift shop has the usual items you see at the various tourist attractions throughout the National Mall. This was no exception. What makes it unique is the hidden stamp you can only collect at this spot which many travelers miss. --Overall-- For history buff and stamp collectors this is one of the hidden gems you must trek for 30+ minutes to reach even if you park close to the National Mall. I recommend an umbrella on those sunny days

The Eisenhower Memorial is one of The National Mall's newly erected memorials. It seems The Mall is…read morerunning out of space for new memorials and the location of the Eisenhower memorial seems to be in somewhat of an odd place in the Southwest quadrant of Independence Avenue, across the street from the Air & Space Museum and adjacent to the U.S. Department of Education federal building. Like many other memorials on The Mall that feature presidents or American leaders, this memorial has a fine depiction of the 34th president's leadership through imagery in some of his famous quotes and life-size sculptures. The memorial occupies a lot of land, however, much of it is landscaping, making the visit a quick walk-through. The landscaping is beautiful during the early spring when the grass is lush and green. Many tourists who visit the area pass by en route to the Air & Space Museum, the Holiday Inn hotel nearby, the Museum of the Bible on 4th Street, or the many food trucks situated along Independence Avenue. The location has an epic shot of the Capitol Building to the west. The good thing about the location is the memorial has restrooms on site (and perhaps one of the cleanest on The Mall), is in walking distance to the Capitol Building, 4th Street along The Mall which is less busy with tourists, and multiple Metro stations. Overall, a great memorial to visit, but if you have a tight itinerary I recommend lowering it on your list of priorities if you have other must-see museums or memorials on your list.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is much larger and more impressive in person. Walking alongside the…read morelong black granite wall and seeing name after name after name is incredibly somber. There are more than 58,000 names inscribed on the memorial, representing those who lost their lives or remain missing from the Vietnam War. We really enjoyed learning more about the history of the memorial from our tour guide. The Wall was designed by Maya Lin, who was only 21 years old and an architecture student at Yale when her design was selected through a national competition. The polished black granite was designed to be reflective, so as you look at the names, you can also see your own reflection in the wall--a simple but powerful detail. Something else I found interesting is that the names aren't listed alphabetically. They're arranged chronologically by date of casualty, which would make finding one particular person incredibly difficult without some help. Thankfully, there is an index that tells you exactly which panel and row to look for. Our guide had the website pulled up on his phone, and several people in our group were able to search for loved ones and then find the names on the Wall. Watching them have that experience made our visit feel even more meaningful. It's a beautiful, thoughtfully designed memorial and an incredibly moving place to visit. Definitely take your time walking through it and really looking at the names rather than just passing by.

Words cannot express the overwhelming feeling of gratitude (and sadness) walking thru the Vietnam…read moreVeterans Memorial on the National Mall included DC. Tastefully designed, beautifully placed near the Lincoln Memorial, remembering the men and women who gave all for this country is a moving experience.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial is expansive, with so much to see and take in. Walking through…read moreit feels like a journey through his presidency, the events that shaped those years, and the legacy he left behind. The water features are especially lovely, and I appreciated the tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt as well. Give yourself time to explore, and please walk your bikes or scooters through the memorial out of respect for the space.

We had a great experience at this monument. FDR is my daughters favorite president so she really…read moreenjoyed visiting the monument. This monument is a great history lesson

This is a beautiful and reflective Memorial. It was near one of our hotels, the JW Marriott, so it…read morewas one of the first that we visited. It's also near the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. A really beautiful area. The Monument is kept very well-maintained and clean. It's a Monument which has a little bit less traffic than the others so quite relaxing..

Off the National Mall property but a beautiful memorial worth visiting. My favorite part was the…read moresculpture.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is one of the most striking and somber memorials I've visited. The…read more19 soldiers seem to be moving through difficult terrain, and some appear to look right at you. It's hard to stand there without imagining the fear and exhaustion of being on that patrol. The Korean War is often called the "Forgotten War," because it has received less public attention than World War II and the Vietnam War. Yet the Wall of Remembrance bears the names of more than 36,000 Americans who died. The memorial makes that loss feel personal. Look at the soldiers reflected in the black granite wall: the 19 figures appear to become 38, a reference to the 38th parallel (the line of latitude 38 degrees north of the equator, used to divide Korea into northern and southern occupation zones after World War II, and it became a symbol of the division between North and South Korea). It's a moving place to slow down, reflect, and remember the people behind a war we don't talk about enough. We got to visit once during the day and once during our dusk tour. Both experiences were equally moving.

It's hard to believe this memorial has been around for thirty years now. Seems as though it should…read morehave been in existence for a lot longer. Note that The Wall of Remembrance wasn't erected until 2022. You can find it in West Potomac Park (National Mall). The memorial has a few components: United Nations Curb (lists nations that provided medical and combat services) The Mural Wall (mural made of granite) Sculptures (19 statues of soldiers) The Wall of Remembrance (all the names of those who lost their lives in battle) This is a somber and poignant dedication that no one should miss out on.

The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial is one of the most impressive memorials in DC for location-specific…read morereasons. It sits between the Capitol Reflecting Pool and the U.S. Capitol building, making it a photography dream - great DC shots. This statue of Grant is the largest equestrian statue in the U.S. and the fifth largest in the world. If you're visiting DC for the first time or the 10th, it's a great memorial to include on an itinerary, because its location makes it a special one - even among all the great memorials in the city. Worth a visit for sure!

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial - This memorial pleasantly surprised me with its grandeur and remarkable…read moreattention to detail. Even from a distance, it looks monumental, and as I got closer, I noticed the many finely crafted details on the equestrian statues as well as on General Grant himself. I also appreciate its location near the National Mall with a view of the Capitol, which gives the entire area a unique and impressive atmosphere. During my visit, it was not overly crowded, so I was able to take my time exploring the different parts of the memorial and capturing some great photos. It is a fascinating place that I believe is well worth visiting for anyone interested in American history or who appreciates high-quality historical monuments.