If you are traveling to Washington DC, you must visit some of the most famous Washington DC landmarks and memorials. This blog post will tell you which ones are the most famous Washington sites, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the White House, Abraham Lincoln Memorial, and other parts of this city filled with American history. Some of the most famous landmarks in Washington DC:
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1. Abraham Lincoln Memorial
The Abraham Lincoln Memorial was completed in 1922 and is one of the most famous Washington DC landmarks. It has 36 columns representing each state at the time of Lincoln’s death. The statue of Lincoln is 19 feet tall and carved from 28 blocks of marble. There were 16 sculptors who worked on this project for four years. Inside, there are murals by Jules Guerin with scenes depicting the principles governing Lincoln’s life.
2. Washington Monument
The Washington Monument was built to commemorate George Washington’s military achievement in the Revolutionary War. Washington went on to be the first president of the United States. It is 555 feet tall and took 37 years to build. The monument was closed after an earthquake in 2011 damaged it, but it reopened in May 2014. Visitors can now ride an elevator up to the top for a great view of DC.
3. The White House
If you want to see some of the more historic landmarks in Washington DC, check out the White House. The White House is home to the president of the United States and has been since 1800. It is also the oldest federal building in Washington DC and is a popular tourist destination.
4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a wall with 58,281 names carved into it. It was dedicated in 1982 and honors those who died during the Vietnam War. Visitors often leave items at the memorial as tribute, such as flowers, letters, and photos.
5. World War II Memorial
The World War II memorial is a beautiful tribute to those who made victory possible. It has wonderful fountains and 56 pillars, each representing one of the 50 states and Washington DC and six other territories, including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The memorial was dedicated in 2004.
6. Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is a must-see in DC, not just for its size and rows upon endless miles of white markers, but also because each grave tells an interesting story about the person who rests there. Here you will find the graves of two presidents, heroes, athletes, and actors. You can also see the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
7. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial pays tribute to FDR, the 32nd president of the United States. It includes waterfalls and four outdoor rooms representing each term of his presidency. The memorial was dedicated in 1997 and is located next to the Jefferson Memorial along the Tidal Basin.
8. Jefferson Memorial
The Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in 1943. It is located just across the Tidal Basin from the Washington Monument and has an impressive view of DC. The memorial contains a 19-foot bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson inside, who wrote the Declaration of Independence.
9. The National Mall
The National Mall is a place of honor and memory. It’s a stage that hosts events including the annual Independence Day celebration as well as numerous protests. All along it you’ll find some of the famous Smithsonian museums.
10. United States Capitol
The United States Capitol building is where Congress meets to make the country’s laws and is one of the most iconic Washington DC landmarks. It first opened in 1800. It was completed in 1866 and its cast iron dome is 288 feet high. It has wonderfully manicured gardens.
The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Vietnam War Memorial are just a few of DC’s many famous monuments. If you plan on visiting any time soon, don’t leave without taking in all that these landmarks have to offer. So do yourself a favor and visit – make sure to take your camera because they are quite photogenic.
