Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is 555 feet tall, making it the world's tallest free-standing stone structure. From the top of the observation deck, you get breathtaking views from nearly 25 miles in all directions. You'll spot famous places like the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Washington National Cathedral. It stands out as a massive and impressive landmark in the Washington, D.C. skyline.

The Washington Monument is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol. Other important places nearby include the White House and the Jefferson Memorial. Since it's right in the center, it’s easy to visit while touring the nation's capital.

Building the Washington Monument was tough. Designed by architect Robert Mills, you'll notice the Egyptian obelisk has two different colors. That's because they had to pause construction during the Civil War. When construction began again, they used stones from a different quarry, which is why there's a color change about a third of the way up. This makes the monument's history even more interesting!

You can get to the Washington Monument by taking the Metro to the Smithsonian or Federal Triangle Station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Many buses also stop at the National Mall. If you’re driving, you can park on Ohio Drive, between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. Once you arrive, just follow the signs and enjoy a scenic walk to the monument.

Washington, D.C. has more than 160 monuments and memorials. Some of the famous ones are the National Mall, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Korean War Memorial Park, the National World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Statue. Each place shares a part of America's history, making the capital a fantastic spot to learn about the country's past.

You can visit the inside of the Washington Monument and take an elevator that brings you to an observation deck with great views of Washington D.C. At the bottom, the Washington Monument Lodge has tickets, gift shops, and exhibits about the monument’s history.