Washington DC Landmarks and Monuments

(Washington, District of Columbia - DC, USA)



A number of America's most noteworthy buildings reside within its capital of Washington DC, with the presidential White House certainly appearing at the very top of that list.

Until the arrival of WWII, members of the general public were actually freely permitted to enter the White House, although today, it is necessary to book up for a brief tour, where you will be able to look at a handful of the 130+ rooms. Most tours operate on a self-guided basis, with helpful staff from the Secret Service being on hand to answer your questions.

Another renowned landmark is the Washington Monument, which stands within the National Mall and Memorial Parks area, being positioned nearby the Jefferson Pier Marker and the German-American Friendship Garden. Close by is the Jefferson Memorial, while on the corner of East Capitol Street and 1st Street is the impressive Washington Library of Congress.

The Lincoln Memorial on West Potomac Park, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial on West Basin Drive and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building on Pennsylvania Avenue are also sights likely to be familiar. For a fun photo, pay a visit to the giant Albert Einstein Memorial on Constitution Avenue Northwest, which is to be found alongside the National Academy of Sciences.


Washington Landmarks and Monuments

White House

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20500, USA
Tel: +1 202 456 7041
Being the home of the President of America, the most powerful man in the world, the White House is perhaps the most important building in the world, and certainly in Washington DC. Located in the very heart of the city, this palatial building was completed in 1800 and has functioned as the official residence for each and every one of America's presidents, with the exception of George Washington, who served between 1789 and 1797.

In 1814 (during the War of 1812, which actually lasted until 1815), the White House was attacked by British invaders, who were unsuccessful in their attempt to burn the building down. Soon after, much reconstruction work was undertaken, with the building being completely whitewashed to hide the scorch marks on its outer walls.

The recreational facilities available onsite are immense and these include a cinema, tennis courts, tenpin bowling and extensive gardens, with rose beds, pools, fountains and old trees, as well as a sizeable vegetable garden planted in 2009 by the Obamas. Impressive White House statistics include more than 400 doors, over 30 bathrooms, some seven staircases and a staff topping 100.
Open hours: Self-guided tours by arrangement: Tuesday to Thursday - 07:30 to 11:00, Friday - 07:30 to 12:00, Saturday - 07:30 to 13:00. Tour requests should be made at least six weeks before scheduled tour

Washington Landmarks and Monuments

Washington Monument

Address: Madison Drive Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., USA
This monumental obelisk towers for just over 555 feet / 169 meters and was erected in 1884, 101 years after Congress voted to honor George Washington with a memorial of some kind.

The Washington Monument is the world's tallest freestanding masonry structure and rises in a straight line between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Interestingly, it is actually slightly off-center between the White House and the Jefferson Memorial, because the original site was considered too marshy to build on. Visitors will find that there is an observation deck, which can be reached by elevator and offers some of the best possible views across the cityscape. Following the strong Virginia earthquake on 23rd August 2011, the Washington Monument suffered significant damage, including large cracks and falling chunks of mortar. Many millions were subsequently raised to see this structure repaired and reopened to the public.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 09:00 to 22:00; October to April, daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Washington Landmarks and Monuments

Jefferson Memorial

Address: south end of 15th Street SW, Tidal Basin, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20242, USA
Tel: +1 202 426 6841
The Jefferson Memorial is situated in the National Mall area, where it is an especially elegant landmark, resembling a classical Greek temple in its appearance. Dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of America, the memorial features numerous grand columns and a domed roof. President Franklin D. Roosevelt liked this neo-classical structure so much that he actually had trees removed so that it would be visible from the Oval Office windows at the White House.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours, Rangers, daily - 09:30 to 23:30
Admission: free

State Department

Address: 2201 C Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20520, USA
Tel: +1 202 647 3241
The Department of State resides within the Foggy Bottom district, being found just across from the Edward J. Kelly Park. Established in 1787 by Congress for matters of diplomatic relations, this is the nation's oldest cabinet agency. The current building was constructed in 1960 and is the department's headquarters and worldwide communications hub. Guided tours are available, although it is always necessary to register for these tours in advance.
Open hours: Tours by arrangement: Monday to Friday - 09:30, 10:30 and 14:45
Admission: free



Washington Landmarks and Monuments

Washington Library of Congress

Address: 101 Independence Avenue Southeast, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20540, USA
Tel: +1 202 707 5000
The Library of Congress is situated in the Capitol Hill area and functions as America's national library. Interestingly, this is the biggest library in existence, anywhere on the planet, and comprises three huge buildings, which together house in excess of 100 million items. These include documents from some 20 US presidents, with bookshelves measuring over 500 miles / 805 km. A visitor center offers a film presentation, packed with interesting facts, with guided tours being recommended and taking in the Main Reading Room, where elaborately decorated high ceilings are a noteworthy feature.
Open hours: Thomas Jefferson Building: Monday to Saturday - 08:30 to 16:30; James Madison Memorial Building: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 21:30, Saturday - 08:30 to 17:00; John Adams Building: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - 08:30 to 21:30, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: free

The Octagon

Address: 1799 New York Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20006, USA
Tel: +1 202 626 7439
The Octagon is situated in downtown Washington and boasts no less than eight sides. Once the home of President Madison, after the White House was badly damaged in the 1812 War, the Octagon features many interesting historical attractions and is in fact where the famous Treaty of Ghent was signed. Of note, the Farragut West Metro station is close by and within walking distance.
Open hours: Thursday and Friday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: free, donations suggested

Washington Landmarks and Monuments

Albert Einstein Memorial

Address: 2101 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20418, USA
Tel: +1 202 334 2000
The Albert Einstein Memorial is an enormous bronze statue depicting the renowned German-born physicist, shown sitting on semi-circular granite steps next to the National Academy of Sciences. The statue was unveiled in 1979 and measures in at some 12 feet / 3.5 meters in length. Einstein's left hand is shown holding a paper with a series of his most notable mathematical and scientific equations. This epic monument provides fun photo opportunities and regularly makes an appearance on holiday snaps.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours

Department of Agriculture

Address: 1400 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20050, USA
Tel: +1 202 720 2791
The Department of Agriculture is situated in the National Mall neighborhood, between 12th and 14th Streets. There are two buildings, the first of which dates back to 1905, while the other was constructed in the 1930s. Both buildings are equally impressive and come with an interesting visitors information center.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Cedar Hill)

Address: 1411 West Street Southeast, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20020, USA
Tel: +1 202 426 5961
The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is situated in the Anacostia region and was built in 1854. This Victorian country house was the final home of famous author Frederick Douglass, who lived here between 1877 and 1895. Douglass was actually born as a slave in Maryland and taught himself to read. He then founded an abolitionist newspaper and soon became a valued adviser to President Abraham Lincoln and several other presidents of America.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 09:00 to 17:00, November to March, daily - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge

Washington Landmarks and Monuments

Lincoln Memorial

Address: West Potomac Park, (at 23rd Street NW), Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20242, USA
Tel: +1 202 426 6841
The Lincoln Memorial is one of Washington DC's most visited and most photographed landmarks, and offers some spectacular panoramic views of the city. This is perhaps best known as the site of many public protests and demonstrations in the city. After the tragic assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, it took more than 50 years to decide upon a suitable monument for the 16th president and finally in 1911, Henry Bacon's classic monument design was chosen. This imposing structure is particularly striking at night, being floodlit. Interestingly, the 'cage' that surrounds the marble statue has one Doric column for each of the 36 states in the Union at the time of his death. The sculpture of Abraham Lincoln sits at the center of a 19-foot / 5.5-meter structure, gazing out over the Reflecting Pool, and is situated close to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro train station. This memorial has appeared in many classic blockbuster movies in recent years, including the likes of Independence Day (1996), Planet of the Apes (2001), Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), amongst others.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours, Rangers, daily - 09:30 to 23:30
Admission: free

Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial

Address: 1850 West Basin Drive, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20242, USA
Tel: +1 202 426 6841
Standing next to the West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin, this enormous Washington landmark pays tribute to legendary Franklin D. Roosevelt, who became America's 32nd president and the only president in history to be elected four times, serving office between 1933 and 1945. Despite his preference for a simple memorial slab, a 42-year campaign produced the elaborate Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, which was dedicated in March 1997 and cost almost USD 50 million. The memorial consists of four large outdoor galleries, waterfalls, pools, statues and giant stones.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours, Rangers, daily - 09:30 to 23:30
Admission: free

Washington Landmarks and Monuments

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Address: 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest,Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20535, USA
Tel: +1 202 324 3447
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is situated in downtown Washington, between 10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. This world-famous building uses many state-of-the-art methods to track down some of America's most wanted criminals and guided tours are usually available. Nearby places of interest include the Naval Heritage Centre, the National Archives and the Freedom Plaza.

Theodore Roosevelt Island and Memorial

Address: George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington, Virginia VA, 22101, USA
Tel: +1 703 289 2500
Theodore Roosevelt was America's 26th president and this grand memorial is one of the main landmarks in nearby Arlington. The memorial is situated within a large wildlife park and stands at the center of an island, measuring around 22 feet / 6 meters in height and therefore being quite easy to spot.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to 22:00
Admission: free

Tudor Place

Address: 1644 31st Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20007, USA
Tel: +1 202 965 0400
Tudor Place is situated in the Georgetown district and was once the home of George Washington's granddaughter. This mansion features many interesting attractions, with regular guided tours being available.
Open hours: tours, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00, Sunday - 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors are children under 18 years old, children seven years old and under are free. Admission by tour