The Lincoln Memorial was opened on Memorial Day in 1922, 57-years after the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated.
The immense Greek Temple stands in front of a gleaming reflecting pool and is a stunning spectacle during the day and especially at night. The sculpture of Lincoln sitting inside is 19-feet tall and inscriptions related to his Presidency along with his Gettysburg Address adorn the walls that surround him. An exquisite mural of an angel of truth freeing a slave, along with other depictions inside the memorial are reminders of the significant changes that Lincoln is credited with. A place of inspiration and a symbol of the distinction of this extraordinary President, the Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited sites in the area. It is also used as a gathering place for political rallies including the March of Washington in 1963, when Martin Luther King delivered his famous, “I have a dream” speech.

Approximate Time to Allow: 1 hour

Often referred to as the wall that heals, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial beckons visitors of all ages, races and nationalities. It was created to honor and remember the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and to help our country heal after the controversial, emotional conflict ended. The enormous black wall lists 58,209 names of those who are missing or were killed during the war. Everyday, people from all walks of life come to search the wall for the name of a loved one, friend, fellow soldier or simply to take a moment to think and reflect. It’s not uncommon for folks to leave flowers, gifts, medals, notes, cards and other items next to the wall and many of these items are brought to the Museum of American History. Also part of the memorial is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial that honors the women—both enlisted and civilian, who gave their service to our country during that time. A sculpture of three-young soldiers also sits nearby—an ever-present reminder of the young people who went to Vietnam to fulfill their patriotic duty.

To remember those who fought in the Korean War, the United States Congress approved a Korean War Memorial to be constructed in the National Mall. The memorial has several interesting aspects to it including the “Field Of Service” which has 19, larger-than-life-size stainless steel statues of servicemen from all four of the armed forces. The men appear to be a squad on patrol and are dressed in full combat gear. A granite wall right next to the field features sandblasted images of soldiers in the war on one side and the names of the countries that provided medical support, troops or other aid to South Korea on the other side. The pool of remembrance is especially moving with inscriptions that list the total number of those who were lost, killed, missing in action and held as prisoners of war. The simple message “Freedom is Not Free” is inscribed on a plaque and conveys the message of the true cost of war.

Honoring the 16 million people who served in the United States Military during the war, the more than 400,000 who died and the countless others who supported our troops from home, the World War II Memorial is a stunning tribute to the sacrifices that were made. Those who visit this awe-inspiring monument are moved by its grandeur and its message of commitment, spirit and freedom. 56 pillars surround the memorial plaza, representing the states and territories that united together during the war effort. 4000 sculpted gold stars sit on the freedom wall as an accolade to the 400,000 Americans who lost their lives and the rainbow pool serves as a serene focal point of beauty and balance with seating around its circumference. The World War II Memorial sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It opened to the public in May of 2004 and since that time, has become one of the most important points of interest in the National Mall.

The Old Town Trolley Shuttle leaves from this location to take guests to the Arlington Cemetery. Just hop off the Trolley and hop on the shuttle. Although it is one of the more somber spots in the area, the Arlington National Cemetery is visited by 4 million people each year. Some visit out of respect for America’s fallen war heroes, others come to see the final resting place of the 300,000 people who gave their life to serve their country and many more come to say goodbye to a loved one or friend.

Arlington National Cemetery