Do you want to go inside the Washington Monument? We’ve got you covered!
The Washington Monument is one of the most recognized monuments in the country. The 555-foot tall obelisk stands in the heart of the National Mall. And it draws visitors from all over the country and the world.
It’s one of the most popular things to do in Washington, DC. And because of that, it’s difficult to get tickets to go inside the Washington Monument.
We got lucky on one of our weekend visits to Washington, DC, and were able to secure tickets. It was such a fun experience to see the city from above!
If you want to go in the Washington Monument, the guide below will explain how and when to secure those tickets. And we even give you a sneak peak of what to expect at the top!
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Where is the Washington Monument?
Before you go inside the Washington Monument, you need to know how to get there!
The Washington Monument is almost dead center between the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial in the National Mall. The Monument is between 14th and 17th Streets and Constitution and Independence Avenues.
Parking for the Washington Monument
The National Park Service offers paid parking all along the National Mall. Parking time is limited to 2-3 hours to allow for more visitors, depending on where you park.
There is a small parking lot off of Maine Avenue, along the Tidal Basin.
Otherwise, there is street parking along Madison and Jefferson Drives and sections of Constitution and Independence Avenues.
How to Get Tickets to the Washington Monument
Since the Washington Monument reopened in 2019, tickets have been hard to get. Especially on holidays and weekends!
There are three ways you can get tickets to the Washington Monument.
First, the National Park Service releases tickets at 10 am, eastern time, 30 days in advance. So if you want to visit on June 6, those tickets will be released on May 7th.
The National Park Service also saves some tickets to be released the day before at 10 am eastern. Using the above example, tickets for June 6th would be released on June 5th.
Both the 30 days in advance and day require a non-refundable fee of $1 per ticket.
Last-minute visitors have an opportunity to get same-day walk up tickets.
They are released at 8:45 am at the Washington Monument Lodge, located along 15th Street between Madison and Jefferson drives.
You may reserve up to 6 tickets per person/account. Kids under two years old do not require a ticket.
Touring Inside the Washington Monument
When you arrive at the Washington Monument for your reserved time, you’ll have to go through security.
No food or drinks are allowed inside the building. Exceptions to this include formula for infants and sealed water bottles.
After security, you’ll be directed to the elevator. On the elevator ride up to the top of the Washington Monument, you’ll learn some fun facts about the structure.
At the top of the Washington Monument, on the observation deck, windows are facing in all four directions. Photos near the windows help visitors find and identify important buildings and monuments from 500 feet up.
On a clear day, visitors will be able to see almost 25 miles away. But some of the best things to see are right near the Monument, including the Lincoln Memorial and Reflection Pool, the White House, the Pentagon, and the Capitol Building.
After exploring the Observation Deck, you must go down to the floor below to ride the elevator down to the exit.
While waiting for the elevator, take the time to explore the mini-museum, full of interesting facts about the construction and history of the Monument.
Lastly, the elevator ride down to the bottom of the Washington Monument takes a little longer than the ride up.
The longer ride allows visitors to see some of the 193 memorial stones on the east and west interior walls. The elevator slows down at two points to let riders look at some of the beautiful stones.
Tips for Planning Your Visit to the Washington Monument
Keep in mind these following tips to make your visit inside the Washington Monument stress-free:
- There are no bathrooms inside the Washington Monument. Several public restrooms are near the Monument, including one facing 15th Street and another along Independence Avenue.
- No food or drinks are allowed inside the Washington Monument. Exceptions are made for baby formula and sealed water bottles.
- No weapons or sharp objects are allowed inside the Monument. This includes items like nail clippers and tweezers. Double-check they are not in your bag!
- You are not allowed to bring strollers inside the Washington Monument.
- Your visit will take about 30 minutes.
Washington Monument Facts
Before you visit the Washington Monument, you can wow your friends and family with these fun facts:
- At 555 feet, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1884. It lost its title to the Eiffel Tower in 1889.
- There are 896 steps to the top of the Washington Monument. Don’t worry! Everyone gets to ride the elevator.
- The stone color changes about 150 feet up because the stones came from different quarries during construction.
Other Fun and Tips While Visiting Washington, DC
There is so much to do in Washington, DC, including FREE museums and other attractions.
Before you visit with kids, check out these tips to make your trip a little easier.
The surrounding area, Arlington and Alexandria, also has tons of things to do!
And don’t forget to visit George Washington’s home of Mount Vernon. It is a short drive from the city.
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