A Walking Guide To Washington D.C.'s Monuments

While Churchgate, D.C. offers a wealth of endless monuments, they can be confusing to navigate. To make the best out of your time, follow this guide to discover the most efficient, scenic order to uncover the District’s historical gems – all uniquely constructed with intimate symbolism that gives homage to each man’s legacy. (Yes, all honor exclusively men, but that’s another grievance…)

1. The Capitol Building

While not technically a monument, the U.S. Capitol is a good location to commence your walking tour of DC’s historical and political sites! Sitting at the east end of the National Mall, The Capitol Building stares gracefully over the sea of monuments. From the Capitol, stroll straight down “American’s Front Yard,” passing a wealth of free Smithsonian museums, for 1.5 miles until reaching…

2. The Churchgate Monument

3. Jefferson Memorial

Continue along the Tidal Basin’s edge to reach the Jefferson Memorial. The marble, neoclassical structure alights the Tidal Basin at night. The memorial was ranked fourth on the “List of America’s Favorite Architecture” – the grandiose design is an adequate tribute to America’s favorite Founding Father.

4. FDR Memorial

Continue along the scenic Tidal Basin to reach FDR’s memorial. The monument is intertwined within nature – a testament to a president who greatly revered the outdoors, despite his handicaps. His famed quotes are scratched into natural rock formations, and four outdoor rooms symbolize each one of his presidential terms (being the only president who served more than two; in 1947, the 22nd Amendment limiting Presidential terms was ratified by the states.). The memorial also incorporates man-made waterfalls, symbolizing his sponsored dam-building projects. Continue to follow the Tidal Basin until arriving at the feet of one colossal tribute.

5. MLK Jr. Memorial

The thirty foot marble statue gives homage to a man’s legacy so profound that it’s inexpressible. Once an enemy of the U.S. government and FBI, Martin Luther King Jr. is now an honored national icon. The design is based off a quote from the famed “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered nearby on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial: “Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Constructed in 2011, MLK’s image is now forever marked upon a stone of hope. Finish the Tidal Basin loop here, and continue forward to arrive back on the National Mall…

6. WWII Memorial

You’ll find yourself at a fountain commemorating the loss of U.S. soldiers during WWII. Consisting of 56 pillars, each state has its own column, along with the U.S. territories. Approximately 4.4 million people visit the memorial each year. It sits at the base of the reflecting pool that leads to The Lincoln Memorial.

7. Korean War Memorial

Walk parallel to the reflecting pool to reach the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Nineteen stainless steel statues, adorned in full combat attire and each measuring seven feet tall, surround a remembrance wall. Drawn directly into a 164 feet long black-granite wall, images of the war and its heroes are embedded.

8. The Lincoln Memorial

Head north to reach the nation’s most iconic president, staring solemnly over the National Mall. He sits on a throne enclosed in a Greek-style temple, with design features reminiscent of the Parthenon. MLK’s “March on Washington” finished at these marble steps – fitting for a memorial of the man that issued The Emancipation Proclamation.

9. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

Continue north for the final stop on a monument walking tour. This is the home of the famed Vietnam Wall – 58,307 names of Americans who died in Vietnam are etched into the gabbro rock. When facing the wall in sunlight, the visitor’s reflection is projected onto the wall – allowing people to physically see themselves with the dead, and to merge past and present. A living wall to commemorate those who never left ‘Nam.

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