Take Public Transportation to D.C. Area Memorials & Monuments

The destinations listed below are accessible by Metrorail, Metrobus, and other public transportation systems.

Please confirm times, fees, and directions. Hours of operation, entrance fees, and other information are subject to change. Please confirm with the venue you plan to visit. Phone numbers and Web links are provided. Most directions provided are from the nearest Metrorail station. (See interactive Metrorail system map.) Bus routes and their days and hours of operation are also subject to change. Get the most up-to-date directions, or find a more direct route from your D.C.-area location, by using Metro's Trip Planner. Addresses for each venue are provided to plug into the Trip Planner's destination field.

Have a favorite destination that you think should be added to our growing list? Send detailed information about how to get there by public transportation to our webmaster.

African American Civil War Memorial | Arlington National Cemetery | FDR Memorial | Jefferson Memorial | Korean War Veterans Memorial | Lincoln Memorial | National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial | The United States Marine Memorial — Iwo Jima Memorial & Netherlands Carillon | U.S. Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center | Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Vietnam Women’s Memorial | Washington Monument | Women In Military Service For America Memorial

African American Civil War Memorial & Museum

10th and U Streets, NW, Washington, DC
(202) 667-2667

The African American Civil War Memorial, a new memorial, is a sculpture commemorating the more than 208,000 African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The memorial is appropriately placed in the Shaw section of the District. Shaw refers to Robert Gould Shaw, the white colonel of the first African American regiment — the 54th Regiment featured in the film "Glory" — to fight in the Civil War. The African-American Civil War Museum is the Nation's first and only national memorial to Colored Troops in the Civil War Located 2 blocks West of the Memorial at 1200 U Street NW. Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take Metrorail’s Green Line to the U St/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo station. Exit the station and walk 2 blocks east on U Street NW.

Arlington National Cemetery

See Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington House, or Tomb of the Unknowns on the "Historic Sites, Museums, & Galleries in Virginia" page.

FDR Memorial

1850 West Basin Drive SW
Washington, DC
(202) 426-6841

The FDR Memorial depicts the 12 pivotal years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency through a series of four outdoor gallery rooms. The rooms feature ten bronze sculptures depicting President Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and events from the Great Depression and World War II. The park-like setting includes waterfalls and quiet pools amidst a meandering wall of reddish Dakota granite, where Roosevelt’s inspiring words are carved. It is the first memorial in Washington purposely designed to be totally wheelchair accessible. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 a.m. - midnight.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station, exit the station and take Metrobus 13B to the stop at Constitution Avenue NW & 17th Street NW. Walk a short distance west on Constitution Avenue NW, turn left on 17th Street NW, walk 2 blocks south, continuing walking straight on 17th Street SW. Walk 2 blocks south on 17th Street SW, continuing walking straight onto Independence Avenue, walk 1 block southwest to West Basin Drive.

Jefferson Memorial

Tidal Basin, 15th Street, SW, Washington, DC
(202) 426-6841

Thomas Jefferson - political philosopher, architect, musician, book collector, scientist, horticulturist, diplomat, inventor, and third President of the United States - looms large in any discussion of what Americans are as a people. Jefferson left to the future not only ideas but also a great body of practical achievements. Beneath the marble rotunda, the 19-foot statue of the third U.S. president is surrounded by passages from the Declaration of Independence and other famous Jefferson writings. The Jefferson Memorial is open daily except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 a.m.-midnight.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to the Smithsonian station. Exit the station and walk west on the Mall or on Independence Avenue two blocks to 14th Street SW. Then walk 3 blocks south on 14th Street SW, turn right on Ohio Drive SW and walk 3 blocks to the memorial.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Independence Avenue at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
(202) 619-7222

The Korean War Veterans Memorial, built by the Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory, is located adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Memorial features a sculptured column of 19 soldiers arrayed for combat with the American flag as their symbolic objective. A 164-foot mural wall is inscribed with the words, Freedom Is Not Free and is etched with 2,500 photographic images of nurses, chaplains, crew chiefs, mechanics and other support personnel to symbolize the vast effort that sustained the military operation. Open daily 8 a.m.-midnight. Free.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station. Exit the station and take Metrobus 13B to the stop at Constitution Avenue and 22nd Street. Walk 1 block Southwest on Henry Bacon Drive NW to the Lincoln Memorial. Turn left on Lincoln Memorial Circle and walk 1 block to the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Lincoln Memorial

West Potomac Park at 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC
(202) 426-6841

The Lincoln Memorial overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Inside, the 19-foot marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by inscriptions of his Second Inaugural Address and the famous Gettysburg Address. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 a.m.-midnight.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station. Exit the station and take Metrobus 13B to the stop at Constitution Avenue & 22nd Streets NW. Walk 1 block Southwest on Henry Bacon Drive NW to the memorial.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Visitor Center, 605 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-3213

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial's elegant marble walls display the names of more than 14,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty dating back to 1794. Located at Judiciary Square on E St., between 4th & 5th Sts. NW. Interactive video displays, free children's activity packet, gift shop, free walking tour brochures and maps are available at the visitors center at 605 E St. NW. Visitors center hours and information.

Take Metrorail’s Red Line to Judiciary Square station. Exit the station and walk two blocks west on F Street NW, turn left on 6th Street NW, and walk 1 block.

The United States Marine Memorial — Iwo Jima & Netherlands Carillon

Marshall Drive, Arlington, Virginia

The United States Marine Memorial, commonly referred to as "the Iwo Jima Memorial," depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II. Located on Marshall Drive, between Route 50 and Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA. Six blocks from Rosslyn Metro station. The memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775. It was officially dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on November 11, 1954, the 179th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. This largest cast-bronze statue in the world features 32-foot-tall figures (five marines, one sailor) erecting a 60-foot-tall bronze flagpole. The cloth flag flies 24 hours a day in accordance with a Presidential proclamation of June 12, 1961. The sculpture was designed by sculptor Felix W. de Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, from the Pulitzer prize-winning photo by news photographer Joe Rosenthal. The M-1 rifle and carbine carried by two of the figures are 16 and 12 feet long, respectively. The Marine Corps presents the Marine Sunset Review Parade featuring the Drum and Bugle Corp. and the Silent Drill Team on Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., May through August. The Memorial is open 24 hours a day and is free to the public.

So many voices in our troubled world are still unheard. From the People of the Netherlands to the People of the United States. This simple dedication on the Netherlands Carillon expresses the gratitude of the Dutch people for American aid received during and after World War II. The carillon itself symbolizes the friendship between the people of the Netherlands and those of the United States... a friendship characterized by a common allegiance to the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy which has weathered temporary differences. To that friendship and those principles, the Netherlands Carillon is dedicated. The Carillon is located adjacent to The United States Marine Corps War Memorial . Carillon concerts are presented by outstanding carillonneurs on Saturdays and national holidays from May through September. Concerts are 2-4 p.m. in May and September and 6-8 p.m. in June, July, and August. During concerts, visitors are welcome to go up in the tower to watch the carillonneur perform and view the city of Washington and other surrounding features.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Rosslyn station. Exit the station and walk 1 block south on N. Moore Street, turn right on Wilson Boulevard. Walk a short distance west on Wilson Boulevard, turn left on Fort Myer Drive, walk 2 blocks south, continue walking straight on Meade Street Ramp and walk a short distance south.

U.S. Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center

701 Pennsylvania Avenue #123, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-2300

The southern hemisphere of the Navy Memorial's 100-foot diameter granite map of the world is framed by 22 bronze reliefs. Set in deep relief, these lustrous 32-inch by 36-inch panels commemorate events in naval history or honor communities of the naval service. Mounted on twin granite sculpture walls facing Pennsylvania Avenue, the bronze reliefs eloquently affirm the heritage and educational focus of the Memorial. Art authorities have told the Navy Memorial Foundation that this may be the largest bronze relief program ever attempted in American art. The Education Institute creates historical exhibits in the Naval Heritage Center. These exhibits, which spotlight periods of naval history and the men and women who made that history, educate and inform the public about the significance of our maritime past.

Take Metrorail’s Yellow or Green lines to Archives/Navy Memorial station.The Memorial is at the station exit.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Constitution Avenue & Henry Bacon Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 426-6841

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a testament to the sacrifice of American military personnel during one of this Nation's least popular wars. By erecting this memorial, it was hoped that the issue of the veterans and their sacrifice could be separated from the U.S. policy in the war, thereby creating a venue for reconciliation. Open 24 hours.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station. Exit the station and take Metrobus 13B to the stop at Constitution Avenue and 22nd Street. Walk 1 block Southwest on Henry Bacon Drive NW to the memorial.

Vietnam Women’s Memorial

21st Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington , DC 20001
(202) 426-6841

Located in a grove of trees across from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the 2,000-pound bronze sculpture, designed by Texas native Glenna Goodacre, depicts three uniformed women with a wounded soldier. While one nurse comforts the soldier, another kneels in thought or prayer. The third looks to the skies - for help from a medevac helicopter, or perhaps from a higher power. Goodacre left the interpretation open so that people could read into it whatever they wished. The women's war was different from the men's - instead of exploding in the jungle, it blew up in the mind. Surrounded by death, the nurses had to shut down emotionally. They could not show their feelings to the soldiers they were trying to heal. Like the Vietnam Wall, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial has brought healing. Open 24 hours.

Take Metrorail’s Orange or Blue lines to Smithsonian station. Exit the station and take Metrobus 13B to the stop at Constitution Avenue and 22nd Street. Walk 1 block Southwest on Henry Bacon Drive NW to the memorial.

Washington Monument

15th Street & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington , DC 20001
(202) 426-6841

The Washington Monument, one of the tallest masonry structures in the world, this majestic obelisk was dedicated in 1885 to the memory of the first U.S. President. The monument has been closed and fenced off for a comprehensive security enhancement project. Check the National Park Service's Washington Monument page for the latest information.

Women In Military Service For America Memorial

Ceremonial Entrance, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
(703) 703-533-1155

The Women In Military Service For America Memorial is a unique, living memorial honoring all military women - past, present & future. Situated on 4.2 acres of land at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the Women's Memorial is the Nation's first major national memorial honoring women who have served in our Nation's armed forces during all eras and in all services. The history of women serving in defense of our nation began more than 220 years ago with women who served in the American Revolution and continues with those who serve today. Attractions include an interactive computerized Register which places the names, records of service, photographs and memorable military experiences of individual servicewomen at the public's fingertips; exhibits showcasing artifacts, text and memorable images depicting the various roles women have played in the history of our nation. Permanent exhibits include World War II and the Korean War. Temporary exhibits rotate throughout the year. Hours.

Take Metrorail's Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery station. Exit the station and walk 2 blocks northeast on Memorial Drive, turn right on State Highway 110, and walk 1 block Southeast.