Washington Monument Reviews

Really beautiful place to visit. Washington monument is placed in the middle of a big park that on its ends has the white house, Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol Building, so you can take great pictures and have a really nice walk.
Extremely recommended. If you want to take it further, you can apply for a ticket to go to the top of the monument.

You can see the monument from everywhere. No matter where you are in the DC area, it is visible. Walking up to it will take your breath away. A symbol of our country.

I didn't know we could go up for free. We were just walking around but saw a lot people milling at the base. I decided to go and ask the ranger how much would it cost to go up, he answered "it's free", you just need to get a ticket down at the booth and wait in line. After waiting for 15-20 minutes, we were up. The view of the the surrounding are amazing. The sun was out but chilly. It is highly recommended.

A fabulous and free must do attraction in the heart of DC!
Tickets should be booked online for a variety of times but can be picked up (limited availability & first come first serve) at the Monument Lodge at 08:45. On the day of my visit 9am and 4pm tickets were available. I headed straight up to the base of the Monument, to join the line and was in as part of the first 8 (small group due to limited space in the security area).
You will go through airport style security and items incl. e-cigarettes, vapes, matches, lighters, nail clippers and scissors etc are strictly not permitted. There are no lockers or storage facilities to leave such items.
Once inside a lift will take you up 500ft to the observation level which offers spectacular views across Washington DC. One level below a small exhibition / information space leads to the elevator down where visitors will be able to see some of the commemorative stones inside the structure.
This is an absolute must do attraction!

Not only is this a great monument on its own, the fact that the elevator to the top is open again and only costs $1 for a reservation on the website is just surprising. i think you can get free tickets if you show up in person when they release new tickets. It is really sad that they just had someone deface the monument just before we left town. This is a must see - easy to stand behind that. You can also come by at night, perhaps after riding an electric scooter, and see it bathed in the lights.

A beautiful big ovelisk. U liked more arround the park. The monument is 14x14m length, it is possible to view from the top, fir that you pay extra

We had tried to get tickets to go up the monument online before our trip to DC but this attraction sells out very fast online. Additional tickets are released the day before but even then you're lucky if you get one. So the only option is an early morning queue outside the ticket office to get some last minute on-the-day tickets.
We got there around 8am and the queue was already formed. We were lucky to get two tickets, we weren't bothered about the time as we had all day to explore so if you want a specific time, get there early.
The monument is great to look at from the outside, its amazing that they managed to build it solely from blocks with no steelwork back in those days. I don't think you appreciate the building until you get inside and get to hear from the rangers about the history of the building. when you go up the elevator to the observation deck there is more information to read about and also more importantly 4 viewing windows to see out across DC. The views are stunning and great photo opportunities, with a map above each window to show you what you're looking at.
On the way down the elevator there is a nice little surprise too, I actually wish i'd been able to walk down the 800+ stairs to see the internal block work.
One of the best attractions in DC.

Note that tickets are required to take the elevator to the top. They are released 30 days in advance and sell out within minutes. They also release a limited number of tickets at 10 AM for the next day, and a limited number of same day In person tickets are available at 8:45 AM. You will pay a one dollar per ticket charge when ordering online. Do not pay the $25 per person being listed here on TripAdvisor.

That being said, it is the best view of Washington DC you will have during your trip. Incredible views of the National Mall as well as the Reflecting Pool, Lincoln Memorial, White House, and the US Capitol. Be sure to bring a pair of binoculars or a camera with a long zoom lens. I was even able to take a great video of a plane taking off from Reagan National airport during my visit.

Security screening is required as is common at most government building these days. After screening, you’ll be taken to an elevator that will carry you up 500 feet to the observation level. There are two windows facing all four directions. The left window at each station has steps available for the kids to stand on to take in the view.

Then you can go down a set of stairs to a small museum, which contains some interesting history about the monument. I won’t spoil anything, but there are some interesting hidden articles inside the monument.

I also suggest a night visit if possible. The monuments along the national Mall take on a whole new life at night.

Amazing to see and so interesting to hear the story. Take a deep breath and take a walk along the lake and to enjoy viewing the monument from distance.

I booked access to the obelisk (reservation to be made well in advance, free if you exclude the $1 reservation per ticket given the very few places available) for me and my family. The exterior is imposing and very suggestive, but also the view from the top, which can be reached via a lift with limited access, is certainly worth the visit. You can clearly distinguish both the Capitol on one side and the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial on the other, as well as the White House on one side.
On the way back, during the descent which can also be done on foot, the lift shows some of the commemorative stones commissioned by the various US states during the construction of the monument.

Great view of the city . Well worth thw trip up. Once tickets booked no waiting around . Very efficient. Elevator up and down

Just like in the movies. Beautiful reflecting pond. Monument is on a hill you can see White House, capitol, Jefferson monument and Monticello monument (I think).

Very tall structure carefully located in the National mall where we can remember the father of our country. It was very pleasant to walk around this monument and admire the surroundings.

Got to go on my last day in the capital. It was beautiful and stunning, much taller than I imagined. Weather wasn’t great so didn’t take too many photos but just was a beauty on the eye and to take in

An impressive place to discover from afar. Once at the foot of the building, we imagine the engineering developed with the means of the time to build this site.

At the first glance it may appear just as an anonymous obelisk, but it actually is much more… it’s one of the most important monuments in Washington DC, dedicated to the first US President!

The Washington Monument is the tallest structure in Washington DC and you can see it from everywhere. On our recent vacation, this was our first stop on the National Mall. We did not go to the top (I've heard the view is very cramped and there are other better views of the city). Still, this is a "must do". I was amazed you can clearly see the two different types of limestone used (the monument building was halted for a few years due to lack of funds so they had to use different types of limestone).

Greatest plce to visit !
Washington Monument can be seen all over the DC area, and so I decided to get up close and see just how tall it is from the bottom. It is massive!

I have seen the monument on TV and in print plenty of times before, but this is the first time I've actually seen it. It is much larger than I thought. We did not go to the top, but I would imagine that the views would be great.

Unfortunately, we didn’t end up getting to go into the monument as they had to close for emergency works. We were a bit disappointed as we reserved in advance, but seemed out of their control and were trying to get it back open. Unfortunately, they didn’t reopen for our time in Washington so could not try to get other tickets.
I would advise to check your emails regularly on the day of your visit as they can close very quickly, we had 12pm tickets and received the email at 11:15 when we were already on the way.
But very nice monument from the outside.

After seeing this monument on TV many times, it was great to actually see it in person and walk up to it. This is a must see for visitors.

After several days of trying to get tickets on line, we arrived at the ticket booth just east of the monument at 0650 and were numbers 14/15 to get “same day tickets”. We were able to choose our entry time of 0900. (Tickets are free.) There are usually over 100 same day tickets available, but there is no guarantee that all of these ticket holders will actually get in. So, the lesson is to be there early and wait - it’s worth it! One person can get up to six tickets, so the whole family does not have to be in line.

This is probably the most recognizable building you will see as for monuments go. You can see it from a lot of locations. Great photo ops and plenty of open space.

Beautiful monument. From all sides. My favorite side is where the Lincoln memorial is with the reflection pond. It’s a beautiful view.

Great views on a clear sunny day. Had to wait in the heat with no shelter. That was the only downside. We booked are tickets before going which was easy to do from the uk.

Had a wonderful lunch under the Washington Monument! They had about 40 food trucks on the street of all different types. It was a great way to have lunch with a wonderful view.
It was so much more impressive than seeing it on TV or a picture, and it a must-see for anyone going to DC.

Awesome view but tickets literally sell out in less than a minute so you have to be on the website RIGHT AT the opening bell. Lots of fun facts once you are in

We enjoyed seeing the Washington Monument during the day and especially at night! So beautiful when it was all lit up and not a lot of people. We were lucky to have visited the first weekend in April 2021 and the Cherry Blossoms had peaked the previous weekend. The petals blew off due to heavy winds the weekend we were- yet still so beautiful to see! Viewing the monument from the National Mall and also Lincoln Memorial are a must!

You really can't miss it. A beautiful 555-foot marble obelisk built to honor George Washington, the United States' first president.
It was completed in the 19th century.

I would recommend seeing it not only during the day but also in the evening, it looks really spectacular. You can also visit it inside, you have to book the tickets in advance.

I made reservations 30 days in advance. Two or three days later, they cancelled my reservation because they were planning maintenance for that day. It’s not like they could have planned the maintenance for a couple of days later for a date where tickets had not already been released. We tried to reserve the tickets released the day before for each day we were here, but they go in just seconds. We were very disappointed.

ONE OF OUR MOST MEMORABLE STOPS IN D.C. The tour allowed us to see almost all the buildings and memorials we had visited -- from a superior vantage point.

Many thanks to Park Ranger Ed Fleming for the extra special care and guidance he gave to this U.S. Air Force veteran pilot and his son - we were handled with much courtesy and respect - although he may not remember us -- we'll remember him -- and his heads-up call to Ranger Arthur Doyle at the World War II Memorial. Thanks, men.

You have to drive up here, but remember to get tickets early! As a foreign visitor, you won't get a better view of the White House garden than from up there. Plus, you get a panoramic view of the monumental and truly green capital.

So cool to see from so many different places in the area. Great view from the bottom, didn't go to the top. You need a reserved timed pass for that. It is 0.8 miles to the Lincoln Memorial from the base of the Washington Monument. In March 2023 the reflecting pool was drained for cleaning. While we missed seeing that, it was pretty neat to be able to walk inside it on our way back from the Lincoln Memorial.

Do not come here. The Washington Monument is full of security. No tourists here. Only people in uniform.

The views were good and the elevator was cool, going up and then going down. The wait was not very long and the museum exhibit was nice. Overall, it was great!!

Found viator tour, which was not a tour and as far as i can tell was not tickets. Paid the $25, received a 'voucher.' The day before the trip (no reason why they should wait until the last day) i received an email that said the tickets were sent to me in the app. I never found the tickets.

The view was amazing. Always wanted to see what was inside and learn more about its history. There is a museum on the lower level of the top floor.

Loved the reflecting pond. Very nice structure.
Will take my kids there. Hope to go againm soon to see and experience many more monuments.

You can see the Washington monument from so many places in town, but our favorite is from the Lincoln Memorial looking down the reflecting pool to the Washington monument park with the Capitol behind it! Absolutely stunning in spring but it’s beautiful to walk between the monument & Lincoln at any time.

We booked our tickets to visit online, managed to get there on time. There is a security check at the start, once you're inside you can take your time, the elevator was interesting on its own, the view is great and the little exhibits are interesting.
Really worth the little bit of planning it needs

the monument tour is great. A must see. WARNING: Do not buy tickets for $25 it is a scam . You can get your tickets for free through the government website. The park ranger said we got sucker punched.

I think that everybody who is visiting Washington DC is visiting all the iconic monuments or places and this is one of them. When we stood in front of Lincoln Memorial we had good view at the Monument and its reflection in Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

See it at night! Rent bikes and then you can easily get from one monument/memorial to another. It’s easy to bike around the National Mall. No cars, flat, and broad pathways.

Very impressive, I have been there in 2014, then, after 10 years, I have returned to visit Washington Monument. Unfortunately, none of these times I went up, but it is an amazing place, good to take pictures. I'm sharing one to try to express the feeling of being there.

You can book tickets online in advance but we hadn't done that. You can queue up in the morning at the window and the ticket desk opens at 8.45am and they have a list on the window of the time slots of available tickets. There were only about ten people ahead of us and we got tickets for 9 am and went straight up. You queue up outside and are brought in at your time. After security screening you are brought up in a lift. The windows at the top are small but you can look out. It was cloudy on the day we went so the view was limited. However we enjoyed the experience of being up there. You can spend as long as you like looking around. Then you walk one floor down a stairs. There is an information display down there. When you are finished the lift takes you back down. It stops on the way twice and the glass clears so you can see plaques on the inside of the Monument walls. Entry is free of charge on the day. If you book in advance I think there is a fee of one dollar. Highly recommended.

This turned out to be one of the 2 or 3 best things our family did in Washington. I wasn't expecting much from a quick trip to the top of the Washington Monument for views of the city, but it's very well done - and the views are awesome because they perfectly align with the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and Capitol Building. As many have stated, tickets are available either (1) 30 days in advance online, (2) 1 day in advance online, or (3) in-person on the morning that you want to go. We went with option 1, and the tickets were all sold out in 5 minutes (by 10:05am). So long as you log on right at 10am, though, it shouldn't be a problem. And with tickets costing only $1 each, it's a great bargain. On the day of our tour, we showed up for our 11am tour at 10:45am, and they were still finishing with the 10:30am folks. Right at 11am they took the first group of 11am tour people up. First you go through security in a group of about 8, then you go up the elevator in a group of 10-15. It takes only a minute or so for the elevator to get to the top, and so the whole trip up from the time you are called to go through security is about 8 to 10 minutes. Once at the top, spend as much time as you'd like, and you have access to 2 floors: First, the 500-foot floor, which has the views, and then walk down one flight of stairs to the 490-foot floor, which has information about the Monument. Once you finish with the 490-foot floor, take the next elevator down to the bottom. We spent a total of about 40 minutes from start to finish.

I mean, to go to most of the monuments in Washington, the best way is to have comfortable clothes (not cold days) and walk everything, you have to stop by and stop here too, icon of the area, worth a visit

This beautiful 555-foot marble obelisk towers were built to commemorate George Washington, the United States' 1st president.

This was well-organized from the start. Where to go, based on our entry time, was clearly marked outside the monument. National park staff and volunteers were present letting us know how long it would be and answered questions we had on the memorial. The observation and exhibit areas at the top was not crowded as the groups were appropriately sized and spaced. Be sure to get your ticket about 30 days ahead of time. Highly recommend.

We got tickets which when we went were released the day before at 9am, I understand you can get them for further in advance of that now. For sure arrive at your time or even slightly before as you are taken up in small groups. There’s no toilet so go before you go!
The lift up is cool and at the top there are several windows to look out of. The views were great! They have pictures so you know what you are looking at in the sky line.
There’s a exhibit up there too telling you how and when it was made. On the way down you can see some of the original slabs which were sent by the sponsors.
A really great memorial.

It's alright, just a big tower unless you're into history and stuff. It was cool to see while exploring the city but there's nothing that fun to do other than just looking and taking pics. The view was quite nice so I guess you have that.

This monument is SO impressive up close, instead of just in pictures. We saw it in daylight, dusk, night, and dawn. It was glorious each time!

The Monument - Obelisk was built in honor of the first President of USA George Washington on a hill between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial

Very stately monument in the middle of Washington. Is easy to see almost anywhere. Nice both in the evening and during the day when it shines down in the pond

The Washington Monument was my first stop in DC. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by. Within a mile or so walk, you can hit up this monument and several others.

We got tickets to go to the top online a month before we visited.
The views from the top allow you to see all of the monuments and government buildings from above.

The Washington Monument is absolutely gorgeous! The view from the top was amazing you can see all around the city and everything looks so green and beautiful The grass around the monument is very well maintained and it adds to the peaceful and scenic atmosphere It’s a perfect spot to walk relax and take in the iconic sights You can see the Capitol the Lincoln Memorial and even the White House in the distance The whole area is full of history and beauty This is a must do when you visit Washington DC Don’t skip it it’s one of those places that leaves a lasting impression!

A truly impressive structure in Washington DC. The area around the monument is a nice grassy area to rest or take in the majesty of the monument. The visitor’s center provides some information about the monument and its construction.

Be aware that tickets to enter the monument sell out super fast; so if you are hoping to make it to the top, plan early and accordingly. The lawn allows for some great views of surrounding attractions, including the White House and the Lincoln Memorial.

Also be aware of bikes and scooters on the pathways around the monument. Unfortunately these are an issue all over town and some will disregard safety and run over people if your head isn’t on a swivel.

We went to visit two of our grandsons in Ocean City, Maryland, in the summer of 2024 where they were working as lifeguards.
We took the opportunity to see Washington again with a tour of the city on Big Bus multi-stop buses.

On the course and it is hard to miss, we were able to admire this famous obelisk of about 500 feet (150 meters) erected to honor the most famous citizen the United States has had, General George Washington.

Located in this very large area of the National Mall, it was erected in two stages, due to the Civil War and lack of funds, spanning from 1848 to 1884.
The work at its highest point is surmounted by a pyramidion.
Within it there are stairs and an elevator.

This tour is an elevator ride to the top. It is worth it and you will probably never get a nother chance. So make a reservation and go.

There is a very limited number of people allowed up the monument each day.

Tickets are released 30 days in advance as well as day before. Release is t 10:00:00 and they may be gone by 10:00:40. Especially weekends and warm months. If you miss out on the regular tickets, use the large group tickets option. There is no minimum. Practice the on line reservation a few times before the day you really need to do this to know how it works.

The advance effort is worth it.

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Monument with my parents while we were in Washington, the views are incredible and it’s definitely a must do experience if you get the chance. Despite it being an enclosed viewing experience (behind windows) you can still get great photos, and also try and get near one of the two sides in the lift going down as they slow the lift at a couple of points to highlight some unique building stones that were used to construct the monument that are only visible from the inside.

Unfortunately we couldn’t book tickets in advance as the national park service website wouldn’t allow me to sign up (it wouldn’t take my UK phone number) so we had to head to the lodge early in the morning to secure tickets. Make sure you get down there early if you find yourself in the same position, it opens at 9am but lots of people are there 8:30 or before. We managed to get 3 tickets for 10:30 but hung around as we didn’t have enough time to fit something else in and a huge thank you to the NPS lady who let us go in early as there was enough space. So in the end we were back down for 10:30 and carried on with our day.

Visiting the Washington Monument was one of our highlights on our trip to D.C.! We came over Memorial Day weekend and we extremely lucky to snag two tickets for the tour (they are released on recreation.gov 30 days prior). The tour was amazing! The elevator up to the observation area was smooth and quick and it was amazing to see D.C. from the tallest structure in the city. You really get a feel for the layout in D.C. as you can see The Jefferson Memorial to the South, The Lincoln Memorial to the West, The Capitol Building to the East, and The White House to the North. We went on a cloudy day and the views were still spectacular. It was also amazing to see how the monument was constructed and getting to see the insides of the monument was a thrill. On the way back down from the observation area the elevator will randomly stop halfway down to show you many of the memorial stones that are from various states, societies, and other countries as they line the inside of the elevator shaft. That was also very interesting and it would be worth it to tour the monument again to see some more of those.

The Washington Monument is one of the most interesting national monuments and I would highly suggest trying to tour the monument if you can (tickets are grabbed up fast!). If you can't get a tour, then definitely still come here and marvel at the tallest stone structure and tallest obelisk in the world and a fitting tribute to our first president and founding father.

The Washington Moument is one that is a must see when in DC. We walked by it several times and each time we took the time to take a picture and enjoy the granduar of the area. It wasn't too crowded and walking from the Monument through the World War memorial all the way to Lincoln was a bit of a walk but you get to see all sides of the monument and how well these are all laid out.

We recently came to Washington DC. On our way to florida. The monument is a must see spot
On the dc tour. Easily found and in an important spot centrally located in the monument government area. Many tours are available but we just drive up and savored the view

Great monument from afar but not worth going up. There's an airport type security, a cheesy video in the elevator and the windows could do with a clean from the inside! Thankfully it only cost a dollar but was underwhelmed by the visit.

The monument looks much larger when a very small corgi stands next to it. Much larger than expected. However, very cool monument.

We prebooked the tour up the monument on the day, securing an afternoon slot. When it was our time many people were being turned away so def worth doing. We were whisked up in the elevator and could wander around inside the top of the monument for as long as we liked, seeing all four aspects across the city. Amazing views and impressive architecture

The Washington Monument, located near the western end of the National Mall, is the tallest structure in Washington. It has the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, it is made of marble, and its construction took 36 years. When it was completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world. At the base there are as many flags as there are American states.

The Obelisk is an imposing monument that represents the greatness of the nation. Its presence on the city skyline is a reminder of American strength and determination.

Ask questions or just listen--the park rangers have some much information about the monument--it is far more than I knew. Be sure to look out each window--the scenery is different. Peruse the exhibits. the individual stones (engraved) contributed by varied groups tell their own stories

Tickets are almost impossible to obtain. The National Park Service opens ticketing 30 days in advance. We were going to be in DC for 4 days so I tried for tickets 4 days in a row. I had two computers open and started a couple minutes prior to opening time. No luck. When trying to win tickets there were two categories available to me. Individual Tickets and Large Group Tours. I noticed the large group tours had plenty of availability but the individual tickets were gone in seconds. On the fourth and last day of trying, when I had yet again lost out on individual tickets, I figured "What the Heck" and put down for 2 tickets in the Large Group Tour category. I scored 2 tickets! When we showed up I fully expected to be turned away because I wasn't in a large group. To my surprise, the Park Ranger graciously let us in with no questions. The large group tours are for professional tour companies and schools on field days, etc. I have a problem with the Park service. I believe if the individual tickets are going so quickly and everyone is having such trouble procuring tickets perhaps they should remove some of the large group availability and move them over into the individual group. The demand is definitely there. Also, if you pay a professional tour company, you should have the ability to go to the top. Seems kind of unfair to me, the Park service gives the tour companies free tickets and then you have to pay the tour company for the privilege of going to the top.
Enough complaining! What I went through was definitely worth the effort. It is quite an experience, the views are amazing, the infrastructure inside is fascinating. The exhibits inside are well done. Definitely happy I went through the effort. It really was one of the highlights of our trip.

Difficult to get tickets on line so I waited in line and got there an hour before they started giving out the tickets. I was 50th in line and by the time I got to the window I just have 2 slots to chose from. Needless to say the 100 or so people standing in line behind me did not get tix. These tix go FAST on line and in person. We were supposed to go on the last slot which is at 4PM. By the time it was our turn, the elevator stopped working and they had to cancel all remaining tours. The park rangers did tell us that we can comeback anytime the next day and they will honor our tickets. We did show up and finally got to take the tour. Great history behind it. If you can get tix, do yourself a favor and take the tour to the top. It is worth it!

The monument is beautiful. I walked by on a nice night and went up the hill to lol closer. It’s really great and is in a great spot. It’s a wonderful part of the country.

Famous obelisk that is depicted in every photo of the city and in every movie and TV series shot right in Washington. It is a 170-meter high masonry structure dedicated to George Washington, the first president of the United States. Admission inside the Washington Monument is free, but bookable well in advance, unfortunately we could not even try 2 months before. The alternative, for those who have time, is to go to the opening of the ticket office in the morning at 8.30 and get in line hoping to grab some unsold tickets. We did not have all this time and we were content to photograph it from every angle.

Teenage grandson really wanted to do this but I had been able to get tickets online. Went at 8:00 for the 8:45 daily tickets and snagged 2 for 9:00 that morning. Views were terrific and it really wasn’t that crowded.

Group of 5 visited on Labor Day weekend. Ticket reservations were sold out online, but I saw that they gave out daily tickets each morning at 9 a.m. Arrived at the building at the base of the hill near the monument at about 8 a.m. and there were roughly 50 people already in line. Hundreds more showed up over the next 45 mins. Booth opened at 8:45ish and had a sign displaying what times were available and got ours for later in the afternoon. Some early times went fast, since people were already there.

A single person can get 6 tickets to make it easier for large groups or families. I'm not sure the total tickets that they were giving out, but it looked like a few hundred were available.

Incredible views from the top. Be sure to pay attention to restricted items. My mother forgot she had nail clippers in her purse and they made her go out and discard them before she could enter.

Well worth the visit though!

An Iconic Monument to a Great President and Leader

In March, we were staying just above Lafayette Square, and the White House, behind which the iconic Washington Monument rises majestically. Actually, from our hotel suite, in the venerable Hay-Adams, it dominates the skyline to the south, behind the White House.

It was great to see the Monument in its full glory, as it had been surrounded by scaffolding on several previous visits - while it was not open yet, during this visit, it was a welcome sight - no scaffolding anywhere.

Probably the most famous view is with the Reflecting Pond in the foreground, but that was being worked on, so construction barricades nullified that view. Same for the White House fence - covered in construction barricades.

So on this cloudy day, my best views were from different directions - and then from my hotel room.

Because of the scale of both the Washington Monument, the National Mall, and Reflecting Pond, one should allow several hours - and that is not including any tour inside.

We didn't go to the top but you don't have to to appreciate the grand scale of this beautiful monument. It was clean and peaceful and such an iconic structure. Definitely check it out up close if you can!

We loved hanging out near the Washington monument when we visited DC. We also got the opportunity to go inside of it, which was pretty cool.
It offers some amazing views of the White House and surrounding areas and landmarks. I’d definitely recommend going inside and up if you get the chance. Everyone working there was kind and informative. We learned a lot about the monument on this visit too.

Beautiful monument.

I'd seen it in movies, on TV, and in magazines.

But to be in DC, and to see it up close was memorable.

Worth the trip.

We enjoyed visiting the Washington monument and soak in the surrounding atmosphere.Nice to be part of history in some way or the other.

Very beautiful but we were unable to get close. Also unable to go inside. So take a picture and go see the other exhibits that you can get up close to.

Don't miss this opportunity. Amazing view from the top.
A bit cumbersome to get tickets but really worth a visit. Also free.

You can see the monument in the distance about anywhere in D.C. When you are there surrounded by the flags, it is mesmerizing. One of our favorite spots

Anyone who visits Washington will want to visit the monument. You can best access the Mall through the Smithsonian Metro station. Great panoramic views and photo opportunities.

A very impressive obelisk dedicated to the first president of the USA. On one side you can see the Capitol and on the other side the Lincoln Memorial. Unfortunately we forgot to book tickets in advance, so we couldn't go up. I therefore recommend booking tickets online early. But even without climbing the top, the visit was well worth it!

Brilliant.
Lovely parks dept staff, great history, and amazing views . Don't miss it if you are here.

Visited: 08/07/2023

Fabulous monument. It certainly stands out as you walk down the Washington Mall. It was nice to see it as close as we did, in lovely weather.

Small toilets and public water fountain are nearby as well, which is handy.

With such a tight schedule, we only walked by this beauty. Impressive and impossible to miss when in the heart of DC. One can catch a great view from all angles.

As a kid I always wanted to go up in the Washington Monument (went to DC 3 times), but never had the chance. We got tickets for our family this time though!! It was so cool and one of the highlights for me of our trip. It't not as high as, say the Empire State Building, but it's still fun to go up and look down from this historic structure.

What a spectacular monument. If you want to go up the monument, I recommend buying the tickets the day before. We didn’t know that and the tickets were all out by the time we got there.

1 of the best if not best things to see in Washington, free entry to go up top and look over Washington like a bird.... best views of monuments u can ever see!!

One of the highlights of our trip was the view from the top of the monument. A spectacular way to see the city. However, as others have said, you need to be on the ball to get tickets the day before at 10am as they sell out within 5 minutes. We were lucky and the experience did not disappoint.

Beautiful views especially at night whether from the top or from the bottom. Because it sits atop its own hill, nice views are possible from he walkway surrounding the monument which is well lit at night. No need for any ticket and you can linger as long as you like. It's particularly scenic at night since several other monuments, also illuminated, can be seen. Note that tickets to go to the top are available online, and cost $1 per person.

The view never gets old and never disappoints. The most annoying part of the entire experience is actually getting the times tickets 30 days in advance. But totally worth the trouble for the view.

Marvelous and a good walk. Accessible and very historic.The park around it is clean and the view from all sides is great.

It's kind of hard to get excited about a big obelisk..... unless I can climb to the top! Okay, the stairwell is closed, but there is an elevator. The view is spectacular.

My first trip to DC about fifteen years ago, I literally just drove/passed through and didn't see anything but the Treasury Building and the Monument - from afar.

This trip, my sister and I were able to drive right over to the area at the base of the monument and were really just in awe. We saw it during the day and then at night when it had the lights shining on it and I just can't decide which looked better.

If you haven't seen it in person, you should really see it. It's beautiful and I feel blessed to have experienced it.

Make sure you order your tickets at least a day before you want to go so you won’t have to stand in line at 7am to get same day tickets. Tickets are no charge but the numbers are limited. You will be glad you went, what a view from all sides

I have been here many times and the view from the top is amazing! At the top in the middle of the room is a metal grate that you can look all the way down to the bottom. It is definitely worth the climb! I would definitely come again!

Really struggled to get tickets online before we arrived. Seemed like very limited availability. So queued up on the day. Arrived at 8.45 as it opened and was about 50th in the queue. Waited 35mins and got tickets. A lot of slots had gone but still had some choice. Would recommend getting there before 8.30am
Great experience otherwise. Nice lift up there. Friendly and informative staff and amazing views.

21st May. The second stop on our tour of Dc and the National Mall, a great experience to be able to see it in person, we didn't go up though.

Arrived slightly late but the rangers were ok with that.

Was a bit worried as the website was very, very, very strict about what you could bring in, but we were ok with bottled water and unopened food.

Was a very formal visit but good.

Make sure you book well in advance.

I stead out past bed time for this one. The Massive Monolith stands Proud.
It is just as Beautiful at night as day. Take the Elevator to top or stay planted on ground. Visit the Visitors Center for your Passport Stamp.

Amazing view from the top. The first time it was cloudy so I came another day. Great informational writings.

This thing is tall. I couldn’t ever get tickets online. So, my husband stood in line one morning and got us 4 tickets. In the rain! The guards outside were very rude. Not happy to be there. The inside guy was kind. I was scared at the top. Since it’s so old. But, wow. The view was incredible!

Monument honoring George Washington, first president of the United States. It is fine to climb to the top of the obelisk to enjoy amazing views of the city, especially the entire Mall.

Tip: Tickets are limited for capacity, so you may not find them online for the dates you want as they sell out very quickly as soon as they are put on sale. One option is to get up a little early and queue up at the ticket office the same day. Being there 1 hour before they open is enough. They always reserve 100 tickets to sell at the box office. It’s a bit risky because it may be that tickets will sell out before you, but it’s worth taking the risk to have a chance to visit the monument.

When you go up and down the elevator pay close attention to the walls!!! Hidden and for a fraction of a second you will see various plaques of states and individuals who donated money to build the monument. A practice that was quickly banned to avoid piques between donors to see who put up the most pompous plaque.

it was frankly mid. The buildings were alright and the architecture was nothing above average. I will admit I am a bit biased seeing as though this is my least favorite president, but that's besides the point. The food was sub par, and not worth the hype. DONT GE TTHE WAFFLES HERE.

Our family was really excited to visit the Washington Monument during our trip to DC, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The views from the top were breathtaking. We could see the entire city, and it was fun pointing out landmarks like the Capitol Building and Lincoln Memorial from above. It felt like the perfect way to get a bird’s-eye view of the capital.

Although the tour is self-guided, it still felt meaningful. There are plaques with information and windows facing every direction, making it easy to take in both the views and some interesting history. Getting in, though, takes a little patience. Even with timed tickets, you need to line up in advance, and there is very little shade. It was hot during our visit, so we rotated who sat on the sunny bench while the rest of us waited nearby in what little shade we could find.

It’s not something we’d do on every trip, but it was a memorable part of this one and a great way to start our time exploring DC.

If you want tickets to go up to the top, you need to be at the ticket window early. Ticket window opens up at 8:45 and the line forms much earlier than that. I went, in the cold and rain, and got there about 8:00 am and there were already 50 people ahead of me. I got to the window and asked for tickets at a specific time, which is common, and the guy was just a jerk. They change the hours of the Monument with no notice and I apparently offended him by asking for a specific time. I'm happy for him that he gets to enjoy the vast amount of power that he has in being rude to people. Oh well, we all have bad days I guess.

Wow. it is taller than it looks and when you go up into it the view is spectacular. We were fortunate to be here during the Kite festival which was simply amazing.

Washington Monument is just another great stop when visiting the National mall. You need to get tickets to get to the top either earlier online or line up as early as 6am. Great views from the top and nice spot to visit both day and night.. I actually enjoyed it more at night. The weather was nicer and it wasn't as crowded, but everything is lit up so you can really appreciate the size of the monument. Again.. best way to enjoy the mall is on a scooter as it a lot of walking.

It looked like an ocean. The flags glimmered like silver scaled fish. This was an experience, NOT a display. To stand in the middle of 695,000 flags was overwhelming. I could not see the end of the planted white flags' edge. I could see people and couples crying. I could hear people sharing their stories of pain. This puts the pandemic in new perspective.
We found parking along Constitution Avenue.

I have been here for the Kite Festival and Cherry Blossom and protests and joyful gathering, but nothing ever prepared for the emotional impact of the COVID remembrance.

This is an amazing site to see. I had been before but I took my kids for the first time (ages 9 and 7) and it was the top ranked location we visited in all of D.C. by them. You need to plan your trip in advance and get tickets to ride to the top of the structure via their website. (don't wait until the last minute). The sights and views are absolutely amazing. A true modern marvel of construction.

The National Park Service offers an amazing tour of the inside of the Washington Monuments however, the tour tickets must be reserved on the National Park Service Website.  Please note that tickets are released at 10:00am each day and they go fast.  You will have to pay a $1.00 convenience fee per ticket but that is a small price to pay for the fabulous views and the historical information that you will learn from this visit.  Please note that visits are timed so you must indicate your desired time to attend although it may not be available.  That is ok but just make sure that you are flexible on the day that you plan this tour.  Also, make sure to create an account with the National Park Service because you will need it to request tickets.  The park rangers are very kind and attentive to visitors.  However, please note that large bags and a list of other items that can be found on the National Park Service Website are not allowed for the safety and security of guests and for the monument.  You will have to pass through a security checkpoint as well. However, all of this is worthwhile for the fabulous views that you will see of the White House, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, U. S. Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial.  Absolutely breathtaking views!!! We had an amazing visit and hope to one day again enter the monument that pays homage to George Washington the 1st President of the United States.  A truly priceless moment!!!

Tickets are limited so we settled for a 9.30 slot, although this meant an early start it was probably a really good thing, because the area around the Monument was quiet and the queue moved pretty quickly. Tickets are also pretty reasonably priced for what you get.

If you get the chance to get tickets, do so because this was amazing. Such wonderful views on a clear day, with Washington DC being so flat and no high rise buildings, you can see for miles.

Book your tickets online at recreation.gov the day before at 10 am sharp! Tons of people were trying to get tickets the day of and they were turned away. Can't beat tickets for $1! Super cool views and hardly any people if you can get a ticket. Windows are surprisingly small but still super fun and awesome view! Whole visit takes less than 30 minutes.

Obviously the monument is tall, but in person it is VERY tall. There’s a windy pathway to walk up, but standing back is better for photos and to look at the monument in its entirety. There is little to no shade around this area. You need to either me walking to the Lincoln memorial, or walk back down to some trees at the sidewalk.

This was a lot bigger than I imagined and surprisingly an emotional experience. An iconic symbol of democracy, freedom, and patriotism.

First up I need to say how lucky we were to go up the top of the Washington monument. I had to get up at 2am Australia time to secure tickets. There are limited times and tickets per day. I would NOT risk coming all the way to Washington and miss out. Tickets sell 30 days in advance so make sure you save the date and time in your calendar

This is the ONLY way to see Washington from above so it’s a unique opportunity. It’s a simple tour. You sit in your allotted time slots with others from your group, which means you are exposed to the elements - today we sat in the hot sun , so wear a hat

Airline security measures are in place to enter as they are in most places in DC

Quick lift ride up and then you get a bird’s eye view of DC . I would recommend doing this early in your visit to Washington so that you get lay of the land. It really is planned out very cleverly.

There is a little museum at the top and some facts on your lift ride on the way down

I visited the monument as part of a visit to the National Mall. I visited this site several times before and I was not impressed as it always looked not very well kept. When I visited last October, it looked different. It was very clean and well maintained. The day was beautiful and the views from even the base of monument were nice. I like it. To go to the top you have get tickets online. They are very cheap.

Never knew you can go up. Tickets are required (only $1pp processing fee) They book up fast and only 30 days prior. I had a 3day window and luckily got the last ones of the last day for my family. SO WELL WORTH IT. Book at recreation.gov

Just one of the classic areas that is a must visit. Nice area surrounding it as well so plenty to see and do while out. Must do.

Always a wonderful sight!

Built to honor George Washington, the United States' first president, the 555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, D.C. It is one of a few sites in this area where that brings that “there it is” thought to anyone who visits for the first time! Have never been up inside, but love the calmness around the exterior of the monument. A must while in DC!

This is the first monument we visited. It’s so large. We did not tour the inside. I’m hoping to be able to do it at another time. It was very busy when we were there.

NOTE: I travelled here in November 2023. Even though were didn't go inside, we still have plans though, it was an amazing experience. You can see the monument and its history.

They do a good job of limiting the amount of people in the viewing area so you get a good chance to see out of the windows. Great views of DC and they do a good job of illustrating what you are looking at. I also particularly enjoyed the pictures of what the views looked like 75+ years ago. Glad we did it.

Only negatives are the line runs behind the entry times and the AC is broken but it wasn't overly warm.

Awesome monument to our founding father. Those that can't or won't appreciate what an awesome country we live in need to either leave or take a good hard look at themselves in the mirror and do some deep thinking. God bless America

The lawn of the Americans.... People who play sports or stop in the shadow of this obelisk... almost not there... as few know why it is there

You will run into people who are horrible as a person working in customer service of this drab pencils like structure. Look from far and do not go anywhere near.

It is impressive from the outside but even more amazing inside. The views are spectacular. Timed entry tickets are required. We were unable to secure them online because they sell out so quickly. Got in line around 6:45 in the morning to get tickets. You actually line up in the back of the Washington Monument Lodge to get the tickets.

Must see! Finally after half a dozen visits to D.C. we got to go to the top of the Washington Monument. The elevator is working great and it was nice and cool despite the summer heat wave. The park service staff are very friendly and helpful. You must get tickets in advance, so plan ahead. The views from the top are spectacular--we even saw Marine One land on the White House lawn to pick up the President.

This monument is one of the most iconic places in all of Washington. Even driving into the city and seeing towering over its surroundings is stunning. Getting to get up close and personal with this monument is a must do in DC.

This was my first time visiting DC. I was visiting my son who was recovering from an injury during deployment. We took advantage of this opportunity and explored DC. Fantastic monument to see. I am not a fan of heights, so I didn't go up, but everything around it was incredible.

This monument can be seen from I-95 it's so high. Once again seeing it on TV does no do this justice! Make sure you have great walking shoes so that you may visit as many as the memorial that you can in one day.

Worth the trip to the top of the Monument. Must get tickets in advance. So interesting how it was built and how states are represented. View of all directions is captivating.

By booking in advance and especially at the time indicated, we were able to get on Washington Monument and for 1 dollar. There is a great view.

Strangely enough, we never walked right up to the Washington Monument on our US History tour, but it’s one of the things I took the most pictures of. It is SO visible all over the area. It looked different under varied light conditions, and from every angle. It is so much taller in person than it looks in any picture, movie or drawing I’ve ever seen. It beautifully stands there, tall and stalwart in its simplicity! It's a very fitting monument to the steadfast George Washington.

Highly recommended. This was a real highlight of my trip. You need to book a ticket, just $1, thirty days in advance. Be ready at 10am EST.

After a brief security check the elevator takes you up to the top where you will be rewarded with amazing views of the city.

Stately monument that at first glance is not really that special, but after spending a few days in the city, the feeling is that everything is built around the Washington monument, which can be seen from so many different places. Can go up the "tower" and enjoy the view!

Booked online a couple of weeks before we arrived in DC. TICKETS ARE FREE!!!!

Our tickets were for 11am and we were at the top by 11:15.

Knowledgeable staff and great views from the top.

If you’re in DC it’s 100% worth going to the top!

incredible and iconic. it was so great to be able to see it in real life and in real time rather than on tv or in postcards. everyone should go at least once in their lifetime
!!1

I used to live in DC and we've been to DC many times and have seen the Washington Monument. It's really cool to see, and also see the color variation where construction stopped. However last week for the first time in my life, we went to the top of the Washington Monument. I was lucky enough to score tickets. It did not disappoint and was one of our favorite things we did in DC. You have unlimited time at the top and it's not crowded at all. The Park Rangers are there to answer your questions and you get a birds eye view of Washington DC. I HIGHLY recommend getting tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument if you can. It does not disappoint.

We had the pleasure to visit the Washington monument in early September and managed to get tickets to go up the monument. The view at the top was phenomenal and the exhibition was also very well done. All the staff the site were super friendly. Overall a great visit and a must-see in Washington DC.

It is worth visiting the monument from close up as well as from further away.
The further away you can appreciate the size and scope of the monument. The adjoining grounds are well maintained and looked after.

This monument was so much bigger in person than I imagined. It was a treat to see in person. We did not take a ride to the top.

It's an awesome photo opp unfortunately you can't take the elevator up to the top but still a wonderful view to look at especially across the water

Everything was well-organised and the staff were friendly and efficient. I particularly liked the fact that they emphasise you can stay at the top for as long as you like.
The views of Washington are breathtaking, and unique unless you're in an aircraft. There are information boards that are interesting, and even the elevator rides are interesting.
All in all a fantastic experience and a highlight of our Washington visit.
TIP: Tickets sell out almost immediately (i.e. within seconds of the 10am release time). Create a recreation.gov account well in advance and have a couple of practice runs to make sue you don't waste time on the day. Tickets are released at 10am (Washington time), 30 days before the booking date.

Great views from above - this is such a cool monument. Staff are very stressy though - lots of rules. Proper government building (no real sense of customer service).

Large tower in the national mall park. Beautiful architecture, very historic attraction, really is a must see if you are in the area. Pictures on tv don't do it justice.

Last time I visited it was covered with scaffolding. Nice to see it this time! Tons of food truck around, I’d recommend grabbing a bite and enjoying the view.

We were in Washington DC for my birthday on 23rd April and walked up to this beautiful monument, wondering if you could get inside it. We are from the UK and it’s not something we had considered prior to travelling. A gentleman happened to overhear us talking and asked if we would like to have his 4 free tickets as he’d been lucky enough to not only get an allocation on line but went at 7am that day and got straight in so his other tickets were surplus to requirements. We were so grateful to him and because the entry time was immediately, I didn’t get a chance to ask his name or thank him properly. He had an accent and may have been French so if anyone knows who this person was, please pass on my most sincere thanks. It was a kind and generous thing to do and made my birthday extra special. He said someone had once done him a kindness and he wished to pay it forward. I will be sure to do the same xx

A beautiful monument but it you want to get tickets to visit the top of the monument just know that the website for tickets is a little glitchy. Your best shot may be to go the monument the day before and try to get tickets for the next day.

A monument representing Washington, D.C. You can go inside, but even if you don't bother, you'll naturally catch the eye as you walk along the National Mall. Both my wife and my son don't like sightseeing around, so we decided to just take pictures of this monument close by.

The Washington Monument is a famous landmark in Washington DC that honors the first president of the United States, George Washington. The monument is a towering obelisk that stands at over 500 feet tall and can be seen from many parts of the city.

On a busy day, the Washington Monument can be crowded with tourists and visitors, making it a bit more challenging to navigate and fully appreciate the monument. There may be lines to go inside the monument, and it may be difficult to find a good spot to take photos.

Despite the crowds, the Washington Monument is still a fascinating and inspiring place to visit. The monument is an engineering marvel, and visitors can learn about the history of its construction and the significance of the monument to the United States.

One way to make the most of a busy day at the Washington Monument is to plan ahead and arrive early to avoid the crowds. Visitors can also purchase tickets in advance online to skip the lines and have a more streamlined experience.

Another option is to visit the monument during off-peak times, such as early in the morning or later in the evening. This can provide a quieter and more serene experience, and allow visitors to fully appreciate the grandeur of the monument without the distractions of large crowds.

We came to D.C. during cherry blossom season and there were so many trees around the Washington Monument that just me the experience that much better. The monument is definitely a sight to see.

The huge obelisk is a cornerstone of Washington DC. In commemoration of the first president, the Washington Monument is tallest structure in the city as well as the most remarkable one. A short but pleasant walk to the base of monument rewards with a pleasant view of the National Mall.

we seen this far and near. located int he national mall. you need tickets for specific time entry to get in and go to the top. amazing building

I hope someone who deals with the account creation for tickets reads this. (I doubt it, to be honest, but here goes anyway.)

You have to enter a valid phone number when you create an account. Fair enough. However, on entering our perfectly valid British phone number, it would not accept it despite trying every which way. Yes, we added a +. Yes, we added the country code. Yes, we took off the initial zero. We then tried with it added back on. Nothing worked. So there must be a bug in your software. Please sort it out as it is very annoying. In the end, I had to lie and enter an American friend’s phone number instead. It’s a bit of a shame that your system effectively forces people to enter incorrect information in order to get anywhere. Surely this could be a security risk.

None of it mattered as the tickets went in a flash anyway. So in the end we queued up early outside. That may be the best way to avoid your blood pressure going through the roof!

Incidentally, I bet whoever reads this assumes we must be stupid tourists who couldn’t be bothered to read and follow clear instructions. So I fully expect nothing will be done. My advice is to save yourself the hassle and just put in an American phone number. They don’t check it anyway. The email however is checked and will be verified. Luckily there wasn’t a problem with that.

The monument itself is of course iconic. Once you’re in.

One of the many "must-sees" in the United States! Absolutely beautiful! You can see the Washington Monument from so many spots in DC. It's at a great centralized location for checking out the city!

It was a waste of electricity to have it lit. Bad carbon footprint. We went there back again since our last review and still did not like it at all.

Superb place my preference to make at night another image than the day especially do not forget to make the photo of the obelisk reflect an impression of seeing double

Really just a stake in the ground when you think about it. Had hoped for more, but it’s really just a stake in the ground

The towering Washington Monument in Washington DC
is truly a beautiful monument to America's 1st President
of the United States, General George Washington.

Great view of Washington with the most important sights
Perfect organization - NOTE: Timed ticket for $1 per person is absolutely necessary!
Sold 30 days in advance via recreation.gov - be sure to plan ahead!

The remaining tickets sell out quickly on the day of the visit

Beautiful city with beautiful people and beautiful monuments ! Just a nice walk from Union Station to the Capitol, Washington monument and Lincoln Memorial ... With a glance on the Withe House on your way !

The views were amazing and, given The White House was blocked off as the election was in the next couple of weeks, this was our best view of The White House! Interesting information plaques at the top with identifiers for the buildings below. Even the lift ride back down was interesting with a stop half way back down to view the inside of the monument. Great experience.

I can't add much of anything to the thousands of other reviews about "the big nail" that dominates the Washington Mall landscape. Difficult to score a ticket, but worth it to see Washington from above, if you have the chance.

This simple monument, the first to be installed on the National Mall, towers over the city, serving as a reminder of the importance of the nation's first military leader and president. View it from a distance and then walk all the way up to it to fully appreciate its impact.

I love the reflecting pond and the monument was one of my best experiences ever.
I would love to go back and visit with my children in the future.
The view was great.

Book this 30 days out or one day prior at 10am online for $1 per ticket. I believe they have same day tickets too but go quickly. You wait outside on a marble bench until your time for the tour. The earlier you get there, the first in line and the first in. They break you into groups of five to go into security. An elevator takes you up and you look out a series of seven out of eight windows. The views are spectacular! You can slightly feel the building shift and sway. I appreciated the strong ventilation and constant airflow. Then you walk down a few stairs and to an exhibit. Hop in the elevator and be sure to stand facing the Lincoln Memorial bc the elevator will slow down and they will show you huge bricks on the inside. You want a good view. When booking online it will give you the date for when they close once a month for maintenance.

And that sums up my review - it is just an obelisk. It can be seen from a distance so is a visual clue for direction in getting around the city.

We booked in advance and had an excellent experience. Helpful guides take you through airport style security then the elevator to the top. Numbers are controlled so it was not busy, amazing vistas across the city and beyond. No hurray to leave we stayed around 30 minutes. Warning! List of prohibited items includes nail clippers which do not appear on the warning posters or the booking acknowledgement.

Excellent trip and a must if you are in DC.

One must experience & witness this historical Egyptian obelisk standing at over 550ft. I was amazed at the marble & granite stonework and overall construction...no wonder it took 36years to complete. Truly spectacular & a must visit in DC!!!

This monument is actually very beautiful to look at, including the park.
However, despite staying in Washington for a week, we were unable to take part in a tour. Back home in Europe, I had already tried repeatedly to order a ticket online a month in advance, despite the time difference. During our stay in the city, we tried again online every day. There were never any tickets available. We have never experienced such a strange booking system in seconds and it is just a lottery. It's a shame, other museums and monuments can do it much better despite the large number of visitors.

You have to pre-book tickets to go up to the top online 24 hours before, it seemed a lot of people didn't know that. It's $1 to book a ticket. There's airport style security at the bottom and then in small groups you go to the top in the lift, on the way up you can see bricks with people's names on. At the top there is fantastic views over the Potomas, Virgina and National Mall. Would definitely recommend.

While my husband and I had seen the monument many years ago, this was our first time taking the tour. We brought our granddaughter, and all of us were astounded at the views! You take the elevator to the top then after checking out the views you come down one floor to the museum. You reboard the elevator on that floor then take it down when you are ready, no rushing because your tour is over.

This is horrible. One, it doesn't even look like washington, two Washington wasn't even there, three Washington was better in Hamilton, and four it's too tall I hurt my neck looking at it. 0/10 this is a horrible place to go.

This monument dominates the skyline and was one of the first things we noticed on our way to our hotel as it is truly lovely at night.
When we had a chance to see it in daylight it was even more beautiful though unfortunately we could not get tickets to the top.
This is a must see if you are in Washington D.C.

This was a very cool place to visit and lots of people were there. Some people are able to go inside but you have to book that in advance. Recommend to look online and book ahead to go inside.

The Washington Monument is a tall obelisk in the center of the National Mall in Washington DC. It is a very well known monument, arguably the most famous one in DC. There is usually many tourists and I recommend visiting during the night as well as during the day. Take many pictures! Also you can go to the top if you either purchase tickets ahead of time or the morning of, there will be people selling last minute discounts.

Choppers seem to fly too close to this monument. It looked grand on TV but in person, not that inspiring.

Really wanted to go up the Washington memorial. You're supposed to be able to buy tickets online 30 days before you visit, but they weren't released, so I had to buy on the day. They're supposed to release some tickets at 10.00 the day before, but I didn't have access to check. We got to the queue at 8.45 am and they ran out of tickets about 6 people in front of us, so I'd recommend getting there before 8.30, although we were there the weekend before memorial so it might have been busier than normal in May.

You have to plan ahead if you want to go to the top; it’s VERY limited access. If you get a ticket; the views are outstanding. If you’re unable to get tickets, the view from the hill is still great. You can see the monument from so many sites around the city.

People who come here needs to bring good shoes. The walk is long. From National Mall through pool to here and other attractions are tiring. And no clean lavatories.

Well, you can't miss this grandiose monument. It stands right in the middle of the National Mall. If you look eastwards across the Reflecting Pool from the middle of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial then it obscures the view further along to Capitol Hill. In fact, as we were driving towards Washington DC from Ocean City the day before we kept seeing glimpses of this tall and distinctive structure

It is obviously an impressive obelisk built to commemorate George Washington, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, victorious commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1784 in the American Revolutionary War, and the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

We didn't venture too close to this monument and certainly didn't attempt to go inside. But we got the essential photographs proving that we had been close...

You can spot her from all over the city, but sadly, due to COVID, you still can’t get tickets to go up to the top. Still beautiful to walk around, and it’s outdoors and free!

Day or night this is a stop you need to make in Washington D.C. If you plan to take the tour from the inside and walk/ride to the observation deck, then I would recommend a daytime visit. If you want the most beautiful views from outside the Monument, then plan your visit at night.

The Washington Monument, able to be seen from so many places around Washington D.C., is great as a point of orientation.

We waited and booked the exact 30 days out so we had tickets for the day we wished to go. The monument is completely worth the time and walk over to go up to the top. Great views of all the major DC sites and terrific staff at all stages of the visit. The second floor with history and even the elevator ride down are benefits from the visit itself. A highlight of the trip

How can you top this experience? We were lucky to get tickets for a same day visit! Many trips to DC, first here. The views are incredible. If you're not good with heights, may want to avoid. Interesting elevator ride down, lots of interesting plaques and stones!

It is so wonderful to be able to go to the top of the monument again. This was a highlight of our trip. The tickets are available at 10 a.m. the day before and go quickly. Know which time slot you want and constantly refresh your browser right before 10 a.m. We had no problem getting a slot. It is well worth the time and effort it takes to get the tickets. We highly recommend it. The views are stunning and you can see things from a perspective that cannot be found elsewhere in DC.

We just stopped by at night, a few minutes before closing, we couldn't not stop there when we were just 20 minutes from DC. It was late at night, all lit up, really gorgeous to see! Didn't go inside or spend time, but it's very impressive to look at!

shorter than i expected and a boring grey color. they should add rgb lighting- might make it more interesting. history was very boring and dry.

Amazing and gigantic place. If.quusee visit the monument needs to make an online reservation. A place worth staying enjoying the landscape.

This monument is impressive and amazing to visit. The grounds are really clean, and there is a lot security around. Great place to walk around, ride a bike, relax, take pictures and/or have lunch from the food trucks. The structure is magnificent piece of Art, the monument is more beautiful in person, I definitely recommend it to anyone. Built for US first commander in chief and American pioneer!

The monument is legendary and a must see for our nation's history. The grounds are clean and well kept. Many paths keeps the crowds moving along. Multiple national park rangers present for assistance.

Plan well in advance if you want to get the timed ticket to the top.

The National Park stamp station was out of scrap paper to collect the stamping for those that forgot their national park stamp book.

Impressive view from above of Washington - almost like a helicopter ride. You can see the entire mall and the White House. Interesting museum on the mezzanine. Vivid explanatory video during the lift ride. Elaborate, but probably essential in this situation and with this prominence
Security concept. It is best to book tickets online early. Booking dates are indicated on homepage. On the booking date you have to be punctual and fast. With me all tickets were taken after 3 minutes.

One of the most beautiful places in Washington DC, you can see it from various points in the city and use it as an orientation point

Was lucky enough to grab tickets the day before for $1. Yay!

Getting to the top was a painless experience - staff were friendly and guided us through early, which is the first time that's ever happened on a tour.

The view is great - you can see all the big DC monuments in one place.

Recommended. Note the whole thing will take 30m, max.

The setting is so iconic! I've seen photos, of course. But to actually see it reflecting in the pool... It just makes me grateful for this country.

We watched the website like hawks and were lucky to get last minute tickets for the day we wanted. As others have mentioned, getting tickets is extremely difficult. It makes sense once/if you can get inside, as the space is quite cramped.

However, we had a wonderful experience and in fact this was a highlight of our entire visit. Do your best to get tickets even if that means keeping the website open on your phone and/or having someone stand in line. It's worth it!

Spectacular view. You book a month in advance, or the day before starting at three if there is availability. It's worth going up. Imperdi ile in washington

This is a fitting monument to honor one of the great founders of our nation. We didn't get to go up it, but it was beautiful to look at.

You have to book in advance.
Logging in to get the tickets was the most stressful thing about the whole experience. You need an account and password (the same account for US Capitol) and I suggest you explore the website before hand. I logged in 10 minutes before 3pm UK time (10 am) so I was ready.
Work out your plans for the day, allow 30 minutes to queue as you go up in groups of 8 but have to pass through security first.
Once you are 'up there appears to be no restriction on how long you can stay up, we went 'round' 3 times. There is a small museum one floor down, which was interesting.
No food is allowed- nor are tweezers and scissors etc- so make sure you leave all prohibited items at the hotel. There are no toilets- but the museums along the Mall have cafes and toilets so you can grab a snack and use the facilities before hand.
A little planning and preparation makes the whole experience completely worthwhile- the highlight of the day - it was a top 'wow' moment!

The monument, of course, is a sight to see, and is easily seen from many places in Washington, DC. Aside from the views in all directions (if you take the elevator up) the history of its construction is pretty interesting. On a clear day, you will have a great view of the White House, Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol Bldg., and Jefferson Memorial. Unfortunately it rained when we went up so the view was not as good.

You must have a ticket to go up in the monument - they are free but you have to pay a $1.00 processing fee per ticket on the website, Recreation.gov the day before you want to go up. I'd set my phone alarm for 10:00 AM (the time you could order) on a day that we were walking around the National Mall so I would remember to order the tickets for the following day - easily completed the ordering process on my phone, but tickets do go fast.

On the day we were going up in the monument, we parked along the street (National Mall) close to the monument using an app that allowed us to pay the meter as well as extend parking time.

Would recommend that if you're visiting the monument, plan ahead and get tickets to go up.

The Washington Monument is iconic and impressive in the daylight as well as the night time. I regret that we did not get to ride the elevator to the top. You can apply the day before to get them, but I didn't know this. We rode bikes at night to the monument and it was beautiful. It is definitely one of the things you want to do while in Washington DC.

I have visited the Washington monument and climbed to the top. This time we were not able to secure tickets. Nevertheless, the monument and grounds around are still beautiful and worth visiting

I had some extra time and decided to visit the area. I walked by and there were lots of people around. I walked from the train station and it was more than 10 minutes walk. It was hot that day and I should have brought more water. The view was amazing. If you haven’t seen it, you should.

My husband and I weren’t planning on going up into the Washington Monument but since so many things were closed, we thought this would just give us something to do. We are so glad we went up! Great views of DC and learned some history from the workers there. This is actually a good time to go now with these restrictions. Usually you would have 20-25 people in the elevator up and on top fighting for spaces by the windows. We had 5 people total in our group and you get 10 mins at the top. Was great not having many people! I highly recommend it!

The Washington Monument is my favorite of the the memorials and monuments in DC. It stands tall and proud. It’s amazing that it was built so long ago and is still standing. Really cool.

One of the most recognizable monuments in Washington, this was a great experience for my kids and everyone who went. Loved looking at all the monuments but this one is one of our favorites just because of the simplicity and what it means. Loved being here and appreciating this and all of the monuments.

It is the focal point of the city because you can see it practically everywhere. In a dominant position on a hill, adorned with a circle of flags, from up there you can enjoy an incomparable view of the entire Mall. It is obvious that the Reflecting Pool has the task of doubling its shape so its view from the Lincoln Memorial is memorable.

A beautiful, regal & majestic tribute to our most important founding father. Worth visiting, though you can actually view it from so many locations. It’s a good reminder that Washington declines to be named king and chose instead to serve then leave to allow others to serve.

It is definitely worth climbing because you enjoy splendid views of Washington DC (especially the Mall). Tickets go on sale online I think a month before approx. Every day comes out a day and the cost is 1$. Access with online tickets starts 10am. However, the ticket office opens at 8:45 and tickets are delivered (free of charge) for different times of the day and can be accessed from 9am. I believe that during the day tb other tickets are offered (the latter I do not know for sure). I had booked online for one day go to 11am but decided to queue from about 7:30 to get another day at 9am. I climbed in the first elevator of the day and released the entrance I had reserved. All very organized and with different options to get entry. Highly recommended. Total visit approx. 30min.

We walked all around town and saw this from many different angles. Stunning after stunning views, everywhere we went. Quite a lovely thing to see.

It's a beautiful site to see in person. Snap some awesome photos for your memories. There's more than just the Washington Monument.

You can see the Washington Monument from so many directions. Breathtaking. We didn't try to get close because we didn't think it was open, but we stopped along our walks to take pictures.

Pictures do not do this monument justice. You have to walk up to it to be able to take in the sheer height and mass of this monument. It is beautiful and a great place to take a break or take pictures.
You can take a tour to the very top of the monument but you will need to reserve tickets for the tour the day before. We didn't take the tour but you can still go to it and enjoy it.

PROS
• Beautiful impressive structure
• Prominent tower
• Stunning architecture
• Important historical place
• The center of the National Mall and the center of Washington D.C.

CONS
On a wind-swept hilly Location

“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… because of its centrality, importance, history and significance.

I went inside and to the top in 1970 and 2015, but not this time, when I sat there, admired the structure from zero meters away, and touched it.

TIPS
For sure you’ll see it but you can go visit it too.

If you make reservations to go inside and to the top (which is worthwhile), know that out of a small stress and can be quite crowded

Please look at my many interesting and “helpful” photos.

Though I have never been inside the monument, the Washington Monument is something you should not miss. It is so majestic and full of history, If this building could talk. Take time to walk around and really look at the structure.

It is nice yo just sit on the benches and people watch. The lawns are full of people socializing and flying kites. The perfect place to relax and take everything in.

This is a must-see in DC! Plan ahead and get your tickets on line (free). We had lots of choices of times when we booked the day before (tho to be fair it was January). Views are amazing. You can't walk up or down the stairs anymore (like I did as a kid), but the elevator going back down slows a few time so you can see the memorial stones set into the walls. Fabulous!

Neat to see such a well known monument but underwhelming overall. The view from a top the Lincoln memorial looking out at the monument was the best part.

I recommend the tour to all family and friends who're visiting. Tickets open up the day before at 10am and usually are gone within seconds, so you do have to plan ahead and make sure you're ready to purchase as soon as the tickets are available.

Unable to get tickets on line. Tickets were released at 10 AM EDT 30 days ahead and I was on line at 9:59 EDT and had my cursor over the ticket times ready to click. The web site did not work! I called the phone number and was told sorry! Try again the day before your visit to Washington DC as more tickets will be released at 10:00 AM EDT on that day or show up at the ticket window the morning of your visit and try to get tickets then. Very disappointed that we never were able to obtain the tickets to visit the Washington Monument.

We booked this amazing experience the day before on the official website. It was really easy. The views were incredible. All the monuments were easy to see..

I was stopped from going near this place. Too many restrictions and security around this place. I didn't like it.

As we flew into Washington DC this amazing structure was clearly visible and stood proud in the city landscape. We visited the monument and were incredibly impressed with the structure and symbolism

We didn’t secure tickets in advance and decided to give it a try in the morning of. I read in other reviews to get there at 7am. My husband got there just after 7am on a Saturday morning in April 2024 and was about 15th in line. Rest of the family slept in and had breakfast :p We were a group of 5 but also had local friends, family of 4. If possible, we wanted to go up together. We knew he could get up to 6 tix. He asked a couple in front of him, and since they only needed 2 tix, they helped him get the extras to have 9 total for our group. I also told him to pick 11am or later slot so we’d have enough time to finish breakfast and make it there leisurely. He picked the 11:30am slot (there was also 9am and much later ones available). And it all worked out great!

We were so disappointed with our stop in DC. We just wanted a few photos of the big sights, but it was awful. Everything we wanted to see was caged off by big fences and lots of security, so we couldn't even get close enough for a decent picture. There wasn't a bathroom to be found, and traffic/parking was difficult. Perhaps in a calmer political climate and without corona it would be worth it, but not now. I feel like we could see the monument better on the drive in than trying to find a view of it walking.

From the Grand Canyon to the Chicago skyline, I've seen plenty of breathtaking sites. None, however, were more beautiful than that of the Washington Monument--that towering pillar of white stone which Eliza Hamilton herself raised funds over two centuries ago.
Seeing this is the obvious highlight of any trip to Washington, D.C. The way the Lincoln memorial, reflection pool, Washington Memorial, and Capital dome are all lined up makes for one unbeatable photo opportunity once sunset rolls around (though the view is amazing at any time of day).
Even if you don't enjoy walking, this walk will be worth the effort. Don't miss out on the chance to take in America's most beautiful sight.
Oh, and it's all free.

This is a nice statement piece. You can see it from a distance from a lot of places. The park surrounding the monument was well maintained, and is a nice walk.

The Washington Monument is located in the center of the National Mall and is a huge obelisk (the world's tallest). As it is located on a hill, its playground warms up with beautiful views of the National Mall and other landmarks such as the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, etc. You also have the opportunity to view the monument from the inside, but you must book a ticket (the price is very symbolic and is $1.00). U.S.) and do this in advance as visitors' tickets per day are very limited. We were unlucky, and there were no tickets for our dates in Washington.

When booking the tickets, I missed on seeing this monument twice, first was realizing I needed to create an account first, and second was it only added one person to the cart. Thankfully, third time was the charm and had to click as fast as I could!

The staff were lenient with the times as I was rushing to the site due to the delayed Metro at Pentagon. Thankfully we were allowed in. Funny, the next group after us was 30 minutes late, but they were also let in. The view from the top was pretty epic with Capitol to the east, White House to the north, Tidal Basin to the south, and Lincoln Memorial to the west!

Going down, it was interesting that each state and some cities provided a stone to the monument! I did see Colorado's and Baltimore's on the way down, so stay in front of the doors to see them!

We were unable to book our tour online unfortunately and we read several reviews that indicated we needed to get in line early morning to obtain tour tickets. This was absolutely true. We got in line around 7:15am (window opened at 8:45am) and there were 2 individuals in front of us. By 7:35-7:45, the line grew. Once the window opened we were able to secure our tickets; however, only about half the people who waited were able to get tickets. Tickets were dispersed QUICKLY! The monument tour was fantastic. The views were absolutely phenomenal. Worth the wait is all I can say. *Leave all sharp items in your hotel as you cannot even bring nail clippers. You will walk through metal detectors*

Excellent place to enjoy, reflect, relax.
The view is beautiful and the history of the place too. Visit it!

It is very very difficult to obtain the pass: a month in advance and the few places are gone in a few minutes!
But it's worth a try! Take the elevator up and from the top there is a superb 360° view, particularly of the mall and all the surrounding monuments!
It is undoubtedly the most beautiful view of the White House (quite small in fact! But superb!) and the Capitol!
On the way down, the elevator slows down so that we can see stones carved in the name of donors (including American states!)
Funny to see once again the Ricans displaying their supremacy: when it was built it was the tallest building in the world......for only a few years since it was outclassed just after by the Eiffel Tower! .........yes but without metal!!!! So it's the tallest in America without metal! 😁 sacred Ricans!

Been to DC 4 times since 2014 but the monument was never opened for tourists to go to the top. Our visit this week we we're scheduled to go Tuesday 1:30pm timed ticket. Got there a little early only to be told it had to close due to air conditioning not working and too hot for tourists. They said come back the next day first thing in the morning, and they would get us in. It was an unbelievable day and not a cloud in the sky and this was the highlight of all 4 of our visits. A must do.

At this time the grounds are covered in tiny white flags for those who have died of COVID. 637,000 and counting. Moving. Due to COVID the monument is not open to climb. If you do climb it in the future, it has a great view from the top. Photo op.

Loved this! Amazing views from the eight windows at the top. Make sure to get timed tickets 30 days in advance. Hard to get because not very many per day available. One of our fave monuments for sure!

Wanted 9am reservation so I could spend more time at nearby Smithsonian which opens an hour later, but recreation.gov website only offers "Washington Monument Tour" reservations starting at 10am, unless you choose "Washington Monument LARGE GROUP Tour" - by the time I discovered this, the 9am tickets were gone, but I was able to get 9:30am tickets for two. Then I canceled my previously purchased 10am tickets, but they do not refund the reservation fee.

This place is well worth a visit. My husband also managed to get tickets to go round, which really adds to the experience. The Park Rangers are very informative and knowledgeable (although telling me about an earthquake 15 years ago, whilst at the top was maybe not the best information (lol). The views from the viewing points are amazing.

We went on a random day of the week, around 12pm, when it had been drizzling out so it was pretty quiet in the area. The sun had started to come out, though, and National Mall was getting busier. The Monument was still pretty quiet and as we wandered up, it was around 12:03. We looked to see if we could join the 12pm tour group that was getting ready to go up but looking online, it was sold out for the next hour or so. We didn't have a lot of time to walk the Mall so it was for the better that we didn't go up anyway.

You had to go fairly far away or take a realllllly extreme angle if you're up close to fit the whole Monument in your picture! But when it's against a blue sky, it's perfection!

One of the most iconic views of Washington.

Very spectacular, although very long to do all the way, especially in the heat

We were able to secure tickets to tour the monument. Luckily, my wife knew to get the national park app, bc you must get your tickets the day before to tour.

Each day, at 10am, they open the tickets online to purchase. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds to get.

My wife and myself were online at 10 am to get 6 tickets, and luckily she hit to get them, however, I wasn’t lucky! I would say have multiple people attempting to get the tickets just to make sure you secure them!

The tour is awesome, and the views are even better

Like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, Monticello, the Brooklyn Bridge and the White House, the Washington Monument is an iconic structure that is synonymous with the history of the United States. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., east of the Lincoln Memorial, the 555-foot marble obelisk towers over the city. Built of marble, granite and bluestone gneiss, it is the world's tallest predominantly stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk. Construction began in 1848, was halted from 1854 to 1877 due to lack of funds and the Civil War, then completed in 1884 and opened to the public in 1888. Built in the shape of an ancient Egyptian obelisk, it was the tallest structure in the world upon completion. It was surpassed by the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889. Today, it remains the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. The 500-foot column is surmounted by a 55-foot tall pyramidion. The walls are 15-foot thick at the base and 1 1/2-foot thick at the top. States, cities, foreign countries, benevolent organizations and individuals have contributed 194 memorial stones, all installed in the east and west interior walls above the stair landings for easy viewing. The largest single donation toward the construction of the monument was $30,000 by Ottoman Sultan Abdul Mejid I. Curiously, for various reasons, including COVID, an earthquake, the January 6 insurrection and lightning strikes, it has been closed more than it has been open during the past decade.

It is just a different feeling seeing the Washington Monument tower above you. It was quite nice for the monument to be surrounded by grass and a path which allowed for visitors to stroll around and observe the monument and the many American flags from all angles.

This was seriously an incredible experience and whilst we were unable to go inside, visiting from the outside was worthwile!

This is the monument our child thought of first when we said we were taking a trip to DC. It was worth a trip for her to be able to say she's seen it. This is what they learn abut in school so it was a good stop for us, glad we did it and suggest you stop by too if you have small children who will be learning about our country's history and monuments. It helps them relate.

Visited Washington Monument, it was a rainy day and so we could not climb up as it was closed due to bad weather, the monument itself is unbelievably tall, the city view from the surrounding area is amazing, this is a must visit place when you are in DC.

The Washington Monument is one of the many iconic landmarks in Washington DC. Honoring the first president of the country, construction began in 1848 but was interrupted by the Civil War and was not completed until 1884. You can see a change in the color of the marble about a quarter of the way up indicating when construction was interrupted. It is the tallest obelisk in the world but when it was completed it was the tallest structure in the world until 1889 when it was surpassed by the Eiffel Tower. The monument is simple yet beautiful. You can go inside and ride an elevator to the top which is fun and offers views through windows in all directions, but the monument is best appreciated from the outside. If you want to ride the elevator to the top, book tickets in advance online. They are free except for a $1 service charge. Tickets are released 30 days before the entry date at 10am ET and sell out immediately. More tickets are released one day before the entry date and there are limited same day tickets available at the ticket office at the Monument, but this involves standing in a long line and no guarantees of entrance so not ideal.

Had a good time visiting Washington, DC. Haven't been since I was a child. We got lots of steps in seeing all the monuments.

We saw the Washington Monument from both sides at both day and night. It is beautiful. We enjoyed walking the distance to the Lincoln Memorial by the reflection pond. It was very peaceful when we were there.

As with visiting anything near the Washington Mall area., wear good walking shoes. You will be walking a lot. My husband and I averaged 5.5. miles each day. We did not take any formal tours. We took a ride share service to the general area and walked from there.

I got there first thing in the morning in February on a weekday, not many other people there. I got my ticket at the window at the back of the small gift shop at the bottom of the hill beside it. Going up was smooth. You great great views of the White House, national mall and pretty much everything else in DC. If you can make sure to go!

The National Park rangers outside were great: they got us in an hour early before our ticket-time and were very chatty and helpful. Unfortunately the staff inside - running a small airport-security style machine - were astonishingly miserable, rude and sullen-faced, as if we'd just interrupted them chatting about something more important, like false-nails or hair-braiding or something. They acted like we were a great inconvenience for whom they had no patience whatsoever. That was a shame, but sometimes a person who works somewhere important can think that some of that importance rubs off on them.

Every American needs to see this monument as well as others in the National Mall. Truly amazing. Just don’t buy $11 ice creams in the food trucks 😂

We visited Washington in May and booked a time to go up to the top and it was really worth the wait - it was marvellous with extremely friendly staff on duty.

Great views of DC. Small, yet insightful museum at the very top. On the way down, the elevator will pause a few times to allow you to check out some of the neat stone blocks that have engravings on them (mottos, names, state flags, etc.) that you can only see from inside the building.

There are a few ways to get tickets: 30 days in advance (online); 24-hours in advance (online); same day, first-come first-served (in person). You have to be quick no matter which option you choose.

No bathrooms in the building itself, but there are bathrooms in the Washington Monument Lodge (gift shop) near the base of the building along 15th St NW.

We had no idea that you can gain access to the monument, well worth booking up for the free entry, take the lift up to the top for fantastic views over The Mall and Washington. The National Park Rangers are so helpful

Grab tickets the day before at 10am to take the trip to the top! The views of the city are spectacular, and the elevator ride allows you to see the stones sent from all over the country to build it.

The area is beautiful!
Booking tickets is hard! Bad on me for not realizing that tickets were needed. We tried booking tickets for the next day and they were gone is 30 seconds.
Book your tickets in advance!

Washington Monument located in the center of the Mall...is totally a must see. Don't even hesitate...just do it. Spectacular viewing when you are on the ground looking at the spire...also equally spectacular when viewing the surrounding areas below when you have ascended to the top of the spire.
Pretty sure you need to make reservations to get a time slot if you wish to go up to the top. So make certain you check that out prior...otherwise, there are usually extremely long lines waiting.
So plan on no more than 30 minutes if you are just going to view from the ground...but it could be a couple hours if you have a timed ticket to ascend the spire.

You can go up to the top of the Washington Monument by reserving tickets the morning before. Tickets go live at 10a and get grabbed up quickly.

Do this is you are able to. The views from the top are unmatched. It's really such a unique way of seeing DC. We were there on a cold and extremely windy day. Once inside the monument, all of that went away. This is one of my favorite things to do in DC.

Be aware that even with tickets, the queue for entry is outside in the elements, so if the weather is bad or really hot / cold, be prepared to wait outdoors before you are allowed to enter the monument as they do it in small groups based on reservation time.

Not worth price. We paid for what I thought was skip the line. Not true. You wait in line by time of visit and then by the time you get to the monument. I thought we would have a tour. Nope. Video on the way up and way down. Short videos at that. If you are going for the view it may be worth it. For us it was not worth the time to get there and stand in line.

In order to truly “see it all” you will want to reserve timed tickets to travel to the top. Once you arrive the rangers will scan your tickets and then you will enter with a group. You will go through security like the airport so avoid bringing anything questionable or extra. There was audio information in the elevator as we ascended. There were a lot of primary sources to read and see at the top.

A favorite spring time activity is to visit the tidal flats and area around the Washington monument. Cherry blossoms abound and on the weekends there’s lots of festivities for families.

We booked our tickets in advance, however it was a bit confusing where we needed to go when we arrived. The main ticket office was closed as all tickets for the day had been sold but there was noting to tell us to head to the entrance; we just followed the crowd.
Once there again it was a bit confusing where to wait - we were told to sit on a bench, which we did but people who joined the queue/bench after us went in ahead of us (go figure!)
When we finally got to the entrance door, we were held for appx 5-10 mins waiting for security. The ranger here was very friendly and fun - he ran a quick quiz & was amazed I knew the answer - even if I pronounced aluminium the English way not the American. :)
Security to enter the monument was even tighter than all the airports put together! There was a scanning machine where belts, shoes, watches had to come off & we got a lecture about using our phones here too.
Once we passed through here (and the thick metal door) the ranger for the lift was friendly and gave us information about the building & the statue in front of the lift. We waited for about 5 minutes to go to the observation deck. Once there it was finally great to see the landmarks clearly identified on a map in front of you and also a map on the wall above each window. I liked the compass points as they helped get your bearings & work out where things were in the city. There was absolutely no rush to get round or go down, although just as well because the viewing windows were tiny in comparison to the size of the monument. Some great views to be had, if the weather is kind.

Even though we arrived without tickets, we got lucky because someone gave us tickets, and we were able to go on the next tour which was in in two minutes. The tickets had already been given out before 1 pm that day. They are free and you get them online. You go through security, but women with purses don't unload your stuff because you don't need to do that. We took an elevator 31 floors up. The view was great. From many different sides you could see views of the White House, the river, Lincoln Memorial, and more. On the elevator down, we saw building stones from all states used during construction for what is the talleet nonsteel structure in the US.

Such a beautiful sight! We did not do the tour to go up, it was already sold out so if that’s something you’d like, I suggest looking into early arrival or getting your spots early. It’s a nice walk and can be hot during summer so keep your water bottle handy and wear gym shoes for comfort! Great photo opportunities!

***FAKE MONK ALERT***
There are at least two fake monks pan handling there. They are demanding and intrusive. They try to give away bracelets and when you decline they get pushy. Once you give in and take the dumb trinket they demand money. I immediately realized they were fake and one broke character snd told me to F off. Why are they allowed there? To be clear, they do not say, “I am a monk”, but they have shaved heads and wear habits in brown signifying peace. AVOID THEM and enjoy the beautiful WAMO. Closed in inclement weather.

Wow. it is taller than it looks and when you go up into it the view is spectacular. We were fortunate to be here during the fire works in the 4th of July on U.S. Independence Day, which was simply amazing.

Dedicated to the first U.S. president, an iconic American symbol that stands tall in the National Mall. I've seen it in various movies from around the globe, and felt amazed to visit it.

The people who come here are surrounded by people in all sorts of (security related) uniform. Guess, this is just an extension of American Justice system with watchful eyes on guys out on yard. This is not a tourist destination.

Another Washington DC must-do. We had booked in advance and were aware that while we were lining up, many people were being turned away as they hadn't, and there were no tickets available on the day.
It's a simple experience really: take a lift up, look out of the windows on all 4 sides, and come down again. However, it's worth it for the amount of things that can be seen from those windows, so take pictures and enjoy the stunning views.
Can get crowded in what is quite a small space at the top, so be prepared to wait your turn at the windows.

A Definite place to visit when in DC! Prepare yourself for strenuous walking! The views of this monument are simply breathtaking! Restrooms are close by in case your in need - but dont expect cleanliness! Again-Soo much walking🤭! GetSome!!

Before visiting DC this was top of my wish list. Obtaining tickets - even just one - is not easy, and I spent ages on the computer on the specified advance date. Eventually, one ticket popped up and I managed to book. Ahead of the scheduled time those in the next group need to wait in turn close to the entrance. There is no cover, so come prepared if the weather is unpleasant. Once inside you are whisked up to the top of the monument in the elevator. The views from the top are spectacular with distant panoramas in every direction and information boards pointing out all the major sites across the Capital and beyond.
Well worth the free visit.

Definitely a must-do! 100% accesible for anyone, and guaranteed beautiful pictures. Not too mention the view! On one side of the monument you can look out and see water, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Capitol building! Little bit of a walk to get too, but 100% worth it and zero stairs.

Interesting history. Amazing height. Nice architecture. Good location. It's definitely worth a visit. A must-see in Washington, DC

it should be the tallest monument there, you will see it from far away, there is a pool in front of it, take picture of that view is beautiful, you can also book a ticket to go up

Incredible and hugely famous monument which is the centerpiece of the National Mall area. Although we didn't go to the top, we walked around the base. Surprised at how tall it was. You can get great photos of the monument through The Reflecting Pool if you view from The Lincoln Memorial

Ideal to visit on a tour or on your own, it always looks clean, you will get good shots for your Instagram.
Try to go in the morning to find a lot of people.

The monument is visible from most places in Washington DC so it is very easy to admire it from afar or from the base.
However, you are able to go up the monument. This requires a free timed ticket. The easiest way is to buy it online with a 1$ fee. Otherwise, it involves waiting at the Monument Lodge on 15th Street to get one for the day. The ticket box at the back of the building opens at 0845 and can quickly run out for the day.
There are seats at the base of the monument with signs for the timed entry. Make sure that you are waiting before your time otherwise, you might not be able to get in. Upon entry, there is a security check and then an elevator ride to the top. The view from the monument is quite interesting. There are maps by the windows to help highlight some of the famous buildings in the area. The bird's eye view around the area is quite nice. You can even see the planes landing at the nearby airport.
After enjoying the view, you head down some stairs to a small museum and the elevator down. I thought it was a really nice experience and worth a trip up if you are in DC.

Washington Monument can be seen all over the DC area, and so I decided to get up close and see just how tall it is from the bottom. It is massive.

Currently however, nobody is allowed to enter due to COVID (May 2021). Area around has some seating and green space, can also sit around and look out across the National Mall from the Monument base.

I've been to DC 40-50 times and I've never gone up so I did this time. I'm rating this based on the monument itself not the process of getting a ticket. If you want my unsolicited advice, you need to know a few things. 1) monument and other things like museums do not open till 10 am. 2) you can only fit so many people inside, so only so many tickets per day are available here. I think it's about 30 per hour? SOOOO you should go online and order tickets. Now they said order either day before, a month before or stand in line early in the am and try to get in person. For the month in advance, I tried to do this several months and unable to get any. You literally have to be there right day and minute to get it and I've never been able to figure out when that is. SO I recommend getting it day before. You need to be there the SECOND the online time opens up. Suggest you be like comic con and get two people to get online two computers and try it. Second time I tried it this way I finally was able to do it. If you go in person. Suggest getting there a couple hours early. That is not good but wait in line and then wait around till your time, which might be many hours later... good luck with that as parking near there is expensive or short. Park services people are WONDERFUL. Chatty, friendly. DO NOT bring tweezers or nail clippers or liquids. Leave all the crap in your car; they will make you leave it on the grass far from the monument or go back to your car! DO NOT do that. Inside much nicer than I thought. I thought it'd be rough but not. It's got a couple things to look at and stellar views of DC in all four directions. You'll be in an out within an hour for this. Enjoy.

Went for a night walk of DC. It is so beautiful, especially at night. There are free walking tours in the area and I highly recommend that you check them out.

Another great monument to see and tick of our DC tour list!
Loved hearing the history of the monument and why it had two tones to it.
Not sure if you can go up it but that would definitely be fun to do!

Our 11 year old spotted the monument on the way in and was really excited to stop in. It is a long walk if you’re making other stops on foot but worth stopping and grabbing a sweet treat from the carts. The kids enjoyed their treats in the grass to cool off before heading to the ww2 memorial.

This is a “must do” on any tour of the Nations Capital. The view is stunning from the top and you can see so much of America’s history laid out below.

The tickets are free, with the majority issued in the morning – we were fortunate that in late Sept there were still tickets at 9:45 whereas they are usually long lines ahead of the ticket booth opening.

Built in a wonderfull and cool way. Really tight as a square.
Standing close to the monument gives a dimension that took me by suprise.

I strongly recommend going up close.

It took two tries to get tickets, but the trade-off is a much less crowded experience. Beautiful views of the city and surrounding areas.

We came to DC on a day trip. I had read we could queue up and but that is not the case. The tickets are allocated at 8.45am for the whole day... wouldn't work for a day tripper so we missed as a result, use a tour company to get in.

Excellent history of the monument and great views of Washington. Iconic DC landmark. Visited the top of the monument in small groups due to space constraints and it was not overly crowded which I liked. However there is a lot of demand to visit the monument and there is a strict ticketing process. We lucked into tickets the day before we left Washington. Thought we would have to miss this again and had tried unsuccessfully on prior occasions to get tickets. Because of the ticketing situation I doubt I would go again, but if you can get tickets, I would definitely put this on your must do list for Washington!

This starkly beautiful memorial is a meditative reminder of what this country stands for and what it could achieve. It's not as intricate as some of the other nearby memorials, but it's an integral part of the city's landscape and anchors the surrounding attractions. You can buy tickets to go to the top, but they sell out quickly, so either buy tickets well in advance or be prepared to wait in line to see if there are any remaining on the day of your visit.

Yes, we were here...
Good monument, good picture and good place for family time. We can relax in this area.

Magnanimous, Deep routed, lasting impression, Unity. It’s an exceptional monument and just going around it is very uplifting - the spirit of America can be experienced here.

This is an easy 5 star if obtaining tickets wasn't so obnoxiously difficult. In order to get tickets for most days of the year, you literally need to prepare and practice ahead of time. Then you need to be fast and lucky to snag a time.

Beyond that, the monument itself is awesome and worth the effort. Our 13yo is a little anxious with heights but enjoyed this. One reason he said it wasn't too scary is the shape and orientation of the windows means you aren't looking straight down - more out and away, like an airplane. The staff wasn't super friendly or anything, and security seemed ready to be done for the day, but it was fine.

We booked our tickets when the booking window opened, 30 days before our visit. Even then, although we did it at 8 AM, there was no more room for single tickets. However, we could pick group tickets which we did.

It was pretty cool to be inside that building that you see on tv all the time. Going up is simple and easy (look at restrictions beforehand) and once there, you get to walk about and see various sites. Afterwards, just sitting on the benches, looking at it surrounded by US flags, was a true moment of bliss.

It so disappointing the way NPS does tickets for this, not being able to book until the day before and all tickets being gone in 2 minutes. You are out in the queue right at 10 am and tickets are gone by the time the system loads. I am a local to DC and allows try to get tickets when visitors come to town. I’ve tried about 15-20 times and have never had success. I have several kids in my family who are continually disappointed that they can ever go to the top. They really need to implement a system that is fair to everyone.

I have also heard several rumors in the local area that the tickets are scooped up by bots of local tour companies who then use them for people who pay for their toys.

I had a travel bee, and I lost and and the customer service was horrible, I will never call there horrible service ever again.

Without a doubt, this monument is the most famous memorial in Washington. Visible from a distance of up to 30 miles away, this tribute to the first president of the US is not only iconic, but also a wonder of workmanship. I have been fortunate to visit Washington several times, and the only constant in my trips has been seeing this beautiful monument.

We didn't go TO the monument but I very much enjoyed getting photos of this monument at night! Absolutely gorgeous!

We stopped here to visit. It was neat to see this. I didn't think id ever make it here so I was excited when I did.

The Washington Monument is a MUST SEE in DC. It is awesome to see and up close and personal it exceeds my expectations. Take a moment to see this. It was extremely windy when we arrived, but we didn't care. We sat down and absorbed the scenery upwards and around us. It was fun to people watch too. There is a small shop but it as crowded so we didn't go in. You can buy tickets online ahead of time to tour the monument too.