Washington Monument
Washington Monument
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Dedicated to the first U.S. president, this 555-foot obelisk is an iconic American symbol that stands tall in the National Mall.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Washington Monument
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- Smithsonian • 8 min walk
- Federal Triangle • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,357 within 5 kms
Attractions
624 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Alejandro BOttawa, Canada971 contributionsDCs most iconic landmarkWithout a doubt, this monument is the most famous memorial in Washington. Visible from a distance of up to 30 miles away, this tribute to the first president of the US is not only iconic, but also a wonder of workmanship. I have been fortunate to visit Washington several times, and the only constant in my trips has been seeing this beautiful monument.Visited December 2022Travelled soloWritten December 12, 2022
- LeonhknyHong Kong, China14,189 contributionsUltimate DCThe huge obelisk is a cornerstone of Washington DC. In commemoration of the first president, the Washington Monument is tallest structure in the city as well as the most remarkable one. A short but pleasant walk to the base of monument rewards with a pleasant view of the National Mall.Visited December 2022Written December 16, 2022
- Emily MUnited States1,328 contributionsVery well organized!This was well-organized from the start. Where to go, based on our entry time, was clearly marked outside the monument. National park staff and volunteers were present letting us know how long it would be and answered questions we had on the memorial. The observation and exhibit areas at the top was not crowded as the groups were appropriately sized and spaced. Be sure to get your ticket about 30 days ahead of time. Highly recommend.Visited August 2022Written December 29, 2022
- Andrew NHendersonville, North Carolina121 contributionsAmazing experienceIt is impressive from the outside but even more amazing inside. The views are spectacular. Timed entry tickets are required. We were unable to secure them online because they sell out so quickly. Got in line around 6:45 in the morning to get tickets. You actually line up in the back of the Washington Monument Lodge to get the tickets.Visited December 2022Travelled with familyWritten December 31, 2022
- Amy DLondon, United Kingdom295 contributionsUnique viewpointYou have to pre-book tickets to go up to the top online 24 hours before, it seemed a lot of people didn't know that. It's $1 to book a ticket. There's airport style security at the bottom and then in small groups you go to the top in the lift, on the way up you can see bricks with people's names on. At the top there is fantastic views over the Potomas, Virgina and National Mall. Would definitely recommend.Visited February 2022Written January 26, 2023
- TheOrganizedTravelCoach28 contributionsInspiring landmark to visitThe Washington Monument is a famous landmark in Washington DC that honors the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument is a towering obelisk that stands at over 500 feet tall and can be seen from many parts of the city. On a busy day, the Washington Monument can be crowded with tourists and visitors, making it a bit more challenging to navigate and fully appreciate the monument. There may be lines to go inside the monument, and it may be difficult to find a good spot to take photos. Despite the crowds, the Washington Monument is still a fascinating and inspiring place to visit. The monument is an engineering marvel, and visitors can learn about the history of its construction and the significance of the monument to the United States. One way to make the most of a busy day at the Washington Monument is to plan ahead and arrive early to avoid the crowds. Visitors can also purchase tickets in advance online to skip the lines and have a more streamlined experience. Another option is to visit the monument during off-peak times, such as early in the morning or later in the evening. This can provide a quieter and more serene experience, and allow visitors to fully appreciate the grandeur of the monument without the distractions of large crowds.Visited April 2022Written February 23, 2023
- Johanna C113 contributionsMore Beautiful in PersonSo cool to see from so many different places in the area. Great view from the bottom, didn't go to the top. You need a reserved timed pass for that. It is 0.8 miles to the Lincoln Memorial from the base of the Washington Monument. In March 2023 the reflecting pool was drained for cleaning. While we missed seeing that, it was pretty neat to be able to walk inside it on our way back from the Lincoln Memorial.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten March 19, 2023
- Justin WHasbrouck Heights, New Jersey3,631 contributionsWhat a beautiful monumentThough I have never been inside the monument, the Washington Monument is something you should not miss. It is so majestic and full of history, If this building could talk. Take time to walk around and really look at the structure. It is nice yo just sit on the benches and people watch. The lawns are full of people socializing and flying kites. The perfect place to relax and take everything in.Visited April 2023Written April 6, 2023
- Stefan GWashington DC, District of Columbia1,062 contributionsExcellent views, informative museum - tix go fast!Great views of DC. Small, yet insightful museum at the very top. On the way down, the elevator will pause a few times to allow you to check out some of the neat stone blocks that have engravings on them (mottos, names, state flags, etc.) that you can only see from inside the building. There are a few ways to get tickets: 30 days in advance (online); 24-hours in advance (online); same day, first-come first-served (in person). You have to be quick no matter which option you choose. No bathrooms in the building itself, but there are bathrooms in the Washington Monument Lodge (gift shop) near the base of the building along 15th St NW.Visited March 2023Travelled with friendsWritten April 8, 2023
- Passport53Oxford, Alabama160 contributionsJerk at ticket windowIf you want tickets to go up to the top, you need to be at the ticket window early. Ticket window opens up at 8:45 and the line forms much earlier than that. I went, in the cold and rain, and got there about 8:00 am and there were already 50 people ahead of me. I got to the window and asked for tickets at a specific time, which is common, and the guy was just a jerk. They change the hours of the Monument with no notice and I apparently offended him by asking for a specific time. I'm happy for him that he gets to enjoy the vast amount of power that he has in being rude to people. Oh well, we all have bad days I guess.Visited March 2023Written April 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
9,489 reviews
Excellent
5,710
Very good
2,771
Average
870
Poor
83
Terrible
56
sfuhere
uk780 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
I hope someone who deals with the account creation for tickets reads this. (I doubt it, to be honest, but here goes anyway.)
You have to enter a valid phone number when you create an account. Fair enough. However, on entering our perfectly valid British phone number, it would not accept it despite trying every which way. Yes, we added a +. Yes, we added the country code. Yes, we took off the initial zero. We then tried with it added back on. Nothing worked. So there must be a bug in your software. Please sort it out as it is very annoying. In the end, I had to lie and enter an American friend’s phone number instead. It’s a bit of a shame that your system effectively forces people to enter incorrect information in order to get anywhere. Surely this could be a security risk.
None of it mattered as the tickets went in a flash anyway. So in the end we queued up early outside. That may be the best way to avoid your blood pressure going through the roof!
Incidentally, I bet whoever reads this assumes we must be stupid tourists who couldn’t be bothered to read and follow clear instructions. So I fully expect nothing will be done. My advice is to save yourself the hassle and just put in an American phone number. They don’t check it anyway. The email however is checked and will be verified. Luckily there wasn’t a problem with that.
The monument itself is of course iconic. Once you’re in.
You have to enter a valid phone number when you create an account. Fair enough. However, on entering our perfectly valid British phone number, it would not accept it despite trying every which way. Yes, we added a +. Yes, we added the country code. Yes, we took off the initial zero. We then tried with it added back on. Nothing worked. So there must be a bug in your software. Please sort it out as it is very annoying. In the end, I had to lie and enter an American friend’s phone number instead. It’s a bit of a shame that your system effectively forces people to enter incorrect information in order to get anywhere. Surely this could be a security risk.
None of it mattered as the tickets went in a flash anyway. So in the end we queued up early outside. That may be the best way to avoid your blood pressure going through the roof!
Incidentally, I bet whoever reads this assumes we must be stupid tourists who couldn’t be bothered to read and follow clear instructions. So I fully expect nothing will be done. My advice is to save yourself the hassle and just put in an American phone number. They don’t check it anyway. The email however is checked and will be verified. Luckily there wasn’t a problem with that.
The monument itself is of course iconic. Once you’re in.
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MomOfTheNorth
Sauk Rapids, MN20 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
Went for a night walk of DC. It is so beautiful, especially at night. There are free walking tours in the area and I highly recommend that you check them out.
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SUNILDASWANEY
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates618 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
We enjoyed visiting the Washington monument and soak in the surrounding atmosphere.Nice to be part of history in some way or the other.
Written November 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne
Tokoroa, New Zealand103 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
This was a very cool place to visit and lots of people were there. Some people are able to go inside but you have to book that in advance. Recommend to look online and book ahead to go inside.
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShaneSellsSeashells
247 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Book this 30 days out or one day prior at 10am online for $1 per ticket. I believe they have same day tickets too but go quickly. You wait outside on a marble bench until your time for the tour. The earlier you get there, the first in line and the first in. They break you into groups of five to go into security. An elevator takes you up and you look out a series of seven out of eight windows. The views are spectacular! You can slightly feel the building shift and sway. I appreciated the strong ventilation and constant airflow. Then you walk down a few stairs and to an exhibit. Hop in the elevator and be sure to stand facing the Lincoln Memorial bc the elevator will slow down and they will show you huge bricks on the inside. You want a good view. When booking online it will give you the date for when they close once a month for maintenance.
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chelsealynne
Pensacola, FL955 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Friends
Book 30 days in advance through the national park website to get a tour. The views from the top are great in all directions. Elevator up and down! Pay attention to the open glass on the sides of the elevator for the commemorative stones. Highly recommend!
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitney D
Racine, WI95 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
The Washington Moument is one that is a must see when in DC. We walked by it several times and each time we took the time to take a picture and enjoy the granduar of the area. It wasn't too crowded and walking from the Monument through the World War memorial all the way to Lincoln was a bit of a walk but you get to see all sides of the monument and how well these are all laid out.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob M
Cheyenne, WY7,606 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
With such a tight schedule, we only walked by this beauty. Impressive and impossible to miss when in the heart of DC. One can catch a great view from all angles.
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niki S
Holland, MA165 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
The area is beautiful!
Booking tickets is hard! Bad on me for not realizing that tickets were needed. We tried booking tickets for the next day and they were gone is 30 seconds.
Book your tickets in advance!
Booking tickets is hard! Bad on me for not realizing that tickets were needed. We tried booking tickets for the next day and they were gone is 30 seconds.
Book your tickets in advance!
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoasterNerdett
Belfast, UK350 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
We booked our tickets to visit online, managed to get there on time. There is a security check at the start, once you're inside you can take your time, the elevator was interesting on its own, the view is great and the little exhibits are interesting.
Really worth the little bit of planning it needs
Really worth the little bit of planning it needs
Written October 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle K
1 contribution
Where do people leave strollers? Is there anywhere? Will have a 2 year old so walking will not be possible.
sabrinak136
New Orleans, LA685 contributions
Good Day! It might be difficult to visit at this time because strollers are strict prohibited. If you make a reservation online prior to your visit and are staying nearby you may want to take a taxi or Uber, visit the monument, and return to your hotel to pick up the stroller. The views are beautiful however, I don’t know if your two year old will enjoy the entire experience. That is a personal decision because you know your child better. Enjoy your visit to Washington, D.C.
ariah
Minneapolis, MN9 contributions
Are walk up tickets available currently? I tried to get next day online and had no luck.
sabrinak136
New Orleans, LA685 contributions
The Washington Monument Lodge, located along 15th Street between Madison and Jefferson drives, opens at 8:45 a.m. for distribution of free, same day, timed tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis. One person may obtain up to six tickets as well as request their preferred ticket time.
Where is Obelisk located in Washington is front of the White House
JonInIndy
Indpls., IN389 contributions
The Washington Monument obelisk is located in the National Mall. From the top, if you look to the North, the White House is about 2 blocks away. Great views, on a clear day, of other memorials and points of interest.
Washington Monument tickets are currently only available online at 10am day before; however, there is nothing listed as “NR” after March 24. Is the Washington Monument closed for some reason after this date.
sabrinak136
New Orleans, LA685 contributions
It could be closed due to the Cherry Blossom Festival. I believe some activities take place close to the Washington Monument. Give the National Park Service a call.
jocat94
Nuneaton, UK56 contributions
We’d like to visit at the end of October and saw online tickets we’re due to become available 2 days ago. I tried to buy some on that day, but it’s just says 12 for every time slot hadn’t been released yet. Does anyone know when they might be released? There are a separate number of tickets reserved to purchase on the day, so I don’t think they’ve been kept aside for then.
Lenny B
Oakland, TN551 contributions
We couldn’t buy ours in advance. We tried. They only give out a certain number daily. People were lined up at 3 am. I wasn’t about to do that.
prepper
michigan155 contributions
I am hoping to get my husband on this. We will be there the 2nd week of August and I am hoping it will be open by then. He is afraid of heights though. This is not a glass elevator, is it?
Ashley
Saint Paul, MN828 contributions
From what I understand, the monument will not be open for a while....
Hola Jose Luis, estoy tratando de reservar entradas para no hacer la cola cuando vaya en unas semanas, pero me sale que esta cerrado? Pudiste entrar y subir al ascensor? Si puedes comentarme tu experiencia, te lo agradeceria por favor.
Eliana
Thomas251073
Taufkirchen, Germany879 contributions
Hello, the whole monument is closed. The elevator is renewed, so there are no tickets.
The conversion will last until 2019.
Will you be able to travel to the top of the Wash monument Oct 2017?
PBgrant
New York City, NY12 contributions
If Spider-Man can do it so can you
Rémi R
Povoa de Lanhoso, Portugal1 contribution
Bonjour Quentin,
Pourrais tu me communiquer le nom de l'agence de voyage par qui tu es passée pour ta journée à Washington ? Etais tu parti de New york ?
merci d'avance.
baltolegario
Buenos Aires, Argentina101 contributions
No tome ninguna agencia de viajes. Se que nuevos lugares generan incertidumbre. Pero Washington, no es de esas ciudades donde te asustara.
Tuve oportunidad de viajar en avion .Al llegar al Ronald Reagan Airport. desde el centro mismo de la galeria que aparecera luego de retirar las valijas , saldras hacia el ancho pasillo que te llevara al metro. Hay un despacho o sino un asistente te ayudara con las maquinas expendedoras de boletos. Usa el mapa, lo mas preciso posible para tomar el tren correcto .ojo hay que ver y mirar en el frente de los trenes ,los destinos, Luego la ciudad es muy amable tranquila , largas cuadras te esperan y sabrás pacientemente llegar a ese maravilloso espacio donde están los edificios emblemáticos. Casa Blanca, Obelisco, Lincoln Memorial, Capitolio, y entre elos Museos y museos Los Smithsonian Gratis completamente . Soño te queda decidir a cual ir cada dia,fotos y ver. Decide caminar , es lo mejor.Otro dia tomate un subte ,planifica el regreso y visita algun barrio pintoresco. Washington es mucho mas, Pero estos para la primera vez 3-4 dias. Disfrutalo es muy linda ciudad. y super segura,
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingWASHINGTON MONUMENT - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Monument
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Washington Monument:
- Washington DC Hop-On Hop-off Trolley Tour with 15 Stops (From C$68.49)
- Big Bus Washington DC Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (From C$74.04)
- Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions (From C$135.74)
- Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley (From C$82.20)
- 4-Hour Small Group Guided National Mall Tour with 10 Top Attractions (From C$135.74)
- Hotels near Washington Monument:
- (0.81 km) Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
- (0.76 km) Salamander Washington DC
- (0.79 km) InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C., an IHG Hotel
- (1.20 km) The Hay-Adams
- (1.02 km) Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
- Restaurants near Washington Monument:
- (0.19 km) G Street Food
- (0.33 km) Sweet Home Cafe
- (0.37 km) United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Cafe
- (0.96 km) Old Ebbitt Grill
- (0.80 km) Round Robin Bar
- Attractions near Washington Monument:
- (0.01 km) White Crow Tours
- (0.20 km) DC Design Tours
- (0.12 km) The Jefferson Pier
- (0.30 km) National Museum of African American History and Culture
- (0.26 km) Washington DC Tour Guide