If you come to visit Arlington, please do not leave without visiting the Tomb of the Unknown…read moreSoldier. It is one of the most moving and solemn ceremonies you will ever witness in your lives. This tomb is the most heavily guarded grave in the world; guarded by the elite soldiers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard." They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, through all weather conditions. The guards march exact patterns of 21 steps, pause for 21 seconds, and turn meticulously, all to honor the fallen. The tombs holds unidentified American service members from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The inscription reads: "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God." The Changing of the Guard ceremony lasts about 15 minutes. This ceremony represents one of the highest honors in the United States military. During the ceremony, one Sentinel is relieved by another in a series of precise movements. The guard's weapon is inspected, and a slow salute is exchanged. In the summer, the guards change every 30 minutes. At night, the schedule extends to two-hour shifts, but the watch never ends. Visitors who plan to attend should arrive a few minutes early and remain silent throughout. Being silent during the ceremony only enhances your experience of this solemn event. This changing of the guard has been happening without interruption since 1948. On the day we were there, we not only had the privilege of the changing of the guard, but we also had the honor to witness a wreath laying ceremony, which was a really moving experience.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was such an amazing experience…read more I thought it was for one person, but it's a beautiful memorial to all of the unnamed soldiers that pass in battle. We were lucky enough to whiteness the changing of the guard. It only lasts a few moments , but it's such an amazing thing to experience.

Absolutely beautiful and powerful!…read more The visual of MLK's figure carved out of a mountain is incredibly powerful and thought provoking! Photos do not do the scale of this memorial justice. I loved the engraved quotes on the walls. Then this memorial is right off the water and surrounded by trees. I highly recommend stopping by, if memorials are your thing.

He looks Chinese…read more That is all I'd like to say but since this review needs at least 85 characters, I'll keep writing to take up space.

Having visited DC at least three times over the past two and a half years, I had never been to the…read moreJefferson Memorial. If you have not been, it's fun to check out. It's a glorious, open-air white marble monument overlooking the Tidal Basin. We went there for the cherry blossom festival, but there weren't many blossoms when we went. If you do make the trek up the staircase to the main chamber area, there is a 19-foot bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson. But our focus was more on cherry blossoms. Despite that, it is a thrill to experience the architecture, with the Washington Monument being across the Basin. And if you're able to go when the weather is beautiful and pristine, with clear skies, it makes the experience all the better. Depending on where you're staying, try to check out the Jefferson Memorial. It's worth the visit.

The Jefferson Memorial is absolutely beautiful! The architecture, peaceful setting, and views of…read morethe Tidal Basin make it such a special place to visit. A wonderful experience for the whole family and a must-see in Washington, DC!

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!

I come year almost yearly with a student group and always appreciate America's history.read more

Interesting memorial to the Union General who defeated Lee at Gettysburg. I had to look that up…read moresince I wasn't sure who he was either. It's in front of the courthouse and worth a look if you're walking by like I was but not really worth a separate trip unless you're a big Civil War buff.

Another obscure memorial of an obscure American. It doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. The George…read moreGordon Meade Memorial honors a Civil War hero. It seems many statues in DC do. This doesn't take long to look at, so it's more of a stop. General Meade was another war hero. It was his service in the Civil War that helped the Union. The Battle of Gettysburg was an important turning point in the war. He led the troops against General Lee in that battle. This was an important victory. It was legendary enough that it was the subject of the Gettysburg Address. The statue has some notable details on it. Surrounding it are six figures. They represent chivalry, energy, fame, loyalty, military courage, and progress. It can be found on Constitution Avenue at Pennsylvania Avenue. It's in front of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The John Marshall Park is near there.

I happened onto this memorial by chance when walking around the large park area. The memorial…read morefeatures forever soldiers on active duty during the Korean War. The figures are large and lifelike with details galore. The backdrop to it is trees with a manicured lawn.There are lots of photo opportunities.I felt like I was witnessing an actual moment in the war. From the pics I've seen it's even more striking at night. I'd like to go back to experience it. I'm glad I happened upon it and encourage you to check it out. It will evoke feelings so keep that in mind if that is not something you're looking for.

Nice monument dedicated to the Korean War veterans but a bit haunting in many ways - which may be…read morean indication of the superb design. Definitely worth checking out in DC.

I've visited the FDR Memorial for leisure a few times before, however, most recently I've been able…read moreto appreciate the memorial for its tribute to FDR. Not until you read all the messages and quotes inscribed on each and every stone wall do you realize how vast the memorial grounds is and FDR's impact on the nation as president and as an American. The construction of the memorial is very creative and embraces the former president's modest lifestyle resulting from a polio diagnosis that would limit the use of his legs. This condition would eventually enable him to better connect with the everyday American and spirit of the nation at the time of his presidency. Many of the statues, wall quotes, and fountains are situated at eye level or within arms reach to promote maximum accessibility; a construction commitment taking into consideration persons with disabilities. The memorial does an excellent job of depicting the FDR the person, the American, as well as the former Commander in Chief. The memorial gives a great history lesson on FDR's influence and leadership during the twelve years of his presidency which managed struggles like the Great Depression, WWII, and the New Deal, all of which were defining moments shaping the future of America. There is plenty tree coverage throughout the memorial, providing shade on hot summer days. There is also ample seating throughout the memorial to take breaks from walking or simply to pause to reflect or take in the tranquility produced by the calming waterfalls or adjacent Tidal Basin. There are also restrooms on site. Strategically located near the Tidal Basin, a recurring theme at this memorial is flowing water which is symbolic of the president's personal life and achievements during his four presidential terms. There is ample street parking along the entrance and Ohio Drive. Plan to arrive early or later in the evening to avoid tours buses and groups. Overall, an excellent free activity on The National Mall that serves as both educational and a relaxing pit stop.

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

Happy Memorial Day, 2026!…read more Many people typically enjoy Memorial Day by spending extra quality time with family and friends, and enjoying the unofficial start of summer. For others, this day is appreciated because it means they get to have a three-day weekend, enabling one to relax and enjoy life a little more. I always enjoy Memorial Day for these reasons, but I also take part of the day to remember those who have served this country and to mourn the loss of those who died in the process. In addition, I always take time every Memorial Day to remember my own loved ones who served this wonderful country. I would struggle to think of any person more honorable than someone willing to serve their country. I have had six family members who have served in the U.S. military, four of whom served during World War II. My grandfather was one of those individuals, and he served this country through active duty in Nazi Germany during World War II. I thank the good Lord that he came back, and that I actually got to spend quality time with him almost daily for the first 25 years of my life. He was not only an honorable American, but he was an amazing grandfather to me, as well as a wonderful mentor and a good friend. I am also thankful that the World War II Memorial was created to honor those who fought in this terrible war. World War II lasted from September of 1939 to September of 1945, so the creation of this memorial in 2004 was long overdue. The World War II Memorial is located in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It was dedicated to Americans who served during World War II, both in the armed forces and as civilians. The memorial consists of 56 granite pillars, decorated with bronze laurel wreaths, with each representing a U.S. state or territory. The memorial also has a pair of triumphal arches for the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, all surrounding an oval plaza and fountain. On its short axis is a memorial wall of 4,048 gold stars, with each star representing 100 of the Americans who died in this war. Unfortunately, I also have to highlight something that was negative about my visit to this location as well. During the second Trump administration, numerous government organizations have had drastic cuts in funding from a "chainsaw cutting mentality," which eliminated about a quarter million federal employees with the assistance of Trump's cronies at DOGE. The National Park Service (NPS) was one of these government agencies that had drastic cuts, and the World War II Memorial is maintained by NPS. Sadly, I could see the negative effects of these actions in three key areas while here: (1) many nearby restrooms were not adequately maintained, (2) the primary fountain and other water-filled parts of the World War II Memorial were not operational, and (3) the adjacent Infinity Pool was quite dirty. Although this was a negative during my specific visit, and poorly represents the respect that this location deserves, I'm sure that the World War II Memorial will be returned to its pristine state of honor and respect once we have a new/better President. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, I highly encourage you to make this one of the places you visit. While you are here, it will be an excellent opportunity to pay your respects to the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, with over 400 thousand being our men who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

The National World War II Memorial is one of the most powerful and beautifully designed memorials…read morein Washington, DC. Standing in the center of history surrounded by the fountains, pillars, wreaths, and tribute walls gives an overwhelming sense of honor, sacrifice, and patriotism. Seeing the Tennessee and Oklahoma pillars personally hit differently -- especially coming from roots connected to both Southern culture and Oklahoma history. Every section of the memorial tells a story, and the "Here We Mark the Price of Freedom" wall is deeply moving in person. The memorial itself is massive, clean, peaceful, and incredibly well maintained. The fountains and open-air layout make it feel both reflective and grand at the same time. It is one of those places where photos simply do not capture the full emotion or scale of the experience. Perfect stop while visiting the National Mall, especially for history lovers, veterans, military families, and anyone wanting to truly appreciate the sacrifices made during World War II. The views, architecture, and atmosphere are unforgettable. And the weather? Absolutely perfect DC skies for memorial photos. Your bright colors against the granite and blue skies made these pictures stand out beautifully