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(Direction from the United States Capitol)
Enter the Capitol South Metro Station. Take the Orange Line train toward Vienna or the Blue Line train toward Franconia-Springfield. Exit the train at the Smithsonian Metro stop and follow the signs toward "The Mall."
Once you have exited the Smithsonian Metro station, head onto Jefferson Drive in the direction of the Washington Monument. Cross 14th Street and make a right onto 15th Street.
If you do not already have a ticket and wish to enter the Washington Monument, follow the signs for Washington Monument ticket information; if you wish to view the monument from the outside or visit the monument at a later time, follow 15th Street until you reach Constitution Avenue.
The Washington Monument stands 555 feet, 5 1/8 inches tall, towering high above the nation’s capital. The monument offers an incredible view of Washington, D.C. Nearly 600,000 people visited the monument in 2003. The monument was created to pay respect to the nation’s first president. President George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. In 1775, Congress chose Washington to command the American troops; he created the Continental Army and successfully waged a revolution against the most powerful nation in the world. By the end of the war, Washington had gained a huge amount of respect from the American people. His leadership, bravery and loyalty to this nation made him an ideal selection for president of the new government. President Washington served two terms from 1789-1797. He retired to his home in Mount Vernon, where he lived until he passed away on December 14, 1799. Through this monument, citizens of the U.S. show their enduring gratitude and respect to one of our nation’s greatest leaders.
Make a left onto Constitution Avenue. Follow Constitution Avenue until you reach 17th Street. Make a left onto 17th Street. Follow 17th Street until you reach the World War II Memorial, on your right; The Washington Monument will be on your left.
The World War II Memorial is the nation’s newest war memorial. Dedicated on May 29, 2004, the memorial pays respect to "The Greatest Generation," the men and women who emerged from the Depression to fight and win the most devastating war in history. This memorial pays tribute to the citizens and soldiers who sacrificed all they had in order to liberate a world which risked falling prey to the forces of tyranny. Included in the memorial are: the twin Atlantic and Pacific pavilions which symbolize a war fought across two oceans; the Freedom Wall with 4,000 gold stars which commemorates the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the war; Roll Call of the Nation, which lists the 56 states, territories and District of Columbia that united in a common cause; and the Arsenal of Democracy, wreaths of oak and wheat on each of the memorial pillars symbolizing the nation’s industrial and agricultural strength.
After you have viewed the World War II Memorial, use the pathway on the Constitution Avenue side of the monument. This pathway will lead you through the Constitution Gardens and towards the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Vietnam Memorial pays tribute to the men and women who lost their lives, became prisoners of war, and/or are still missing in action. There are 58,209 names, inscribed in chronological order of the date of casualty, showing the war as a series of individual sacrifices and granting each name a special place in history. The wall stretches 246.75 feet long and 10.1 feet high. The memorial was designed by Maya Ying Lin of Athens, Ohio, who, at the time, was a 21-year old student at Yale University. The memorial was dedicated in 1982. Nearly 3 million people visited the memorial in 2003.
After exiting the Vietnam Memorial you may then follow the pathways toward the Lincoln Memorial across the street or make a left onto Henry Bacon Drive, which also leads across the street to the Lincoln Memorial.
The Lincoln Memorial’s construction began in 1914, and the monument was dedicated in 1922. The memorial pays tribute to the nation’s 16th president. The 36 columns around the memorial represent the states in the Union at the time of his death; the names of the 48 states in the Union when the memorial was completed are carved in the exterior attic walls. President Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, won the Republican nomination in 1860. Upon his electoral victory, seven states of the lower south seceded, forming the Confederate States of America. The President felt it was his duty to uphold the Union and would do whatever was necessary to keep the states united. On April 12, 1861, the South responded by firing on Fort Sumter; the result was four years of tragic conflict. In 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves within the states of rebellion. In 1865 he received Congressional approval for the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. President Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, six days after the official end of the war.
Once you exit the Lincoln Memorial, walk down the steps towards the right. You may once again cross the street taking a pathway which leads to the Korean War Memorial, or walk along Daniel French Drive and then cross the pathway into the Korean War Memorial.
The Korean War Memorial was authorized in 1986 and dedicated in 1995. In 1950, the Communist government of North Korea launched an attack on South Korea. The memorial pays tribute to the 1.5 million American men and women who struggled side by side during the conflict to secure democracy. The triangular park features 19 statues of soldiers from various military branches and ethnic backgrounds, positioned in front of a 164-foot gray granite memorial wall. Over 2,500 photos from military support personnel have been etched into the granite. The memorial also includes the Pool of Remembrance, which lists the 22 countries of the United Nations that sent troops or gave medical support throughout the war.
Make a left out of the Korean War Memorial, follow Daniel French Drive to the FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin. At the Independence Avenue crosswalk, make a right and follow the signs directing you towards the FDR Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin Boathouse.
After crossing the crosswalk, make a right at the Basin pathway. Follow the pathway around the basin. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Park will be located on the right.
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Park was authorized by Congress in 1955, but construction did not begin until 1994. The park includes walls of red South Dakota granite, waterfalls, pools, gardens and statues created by American artists. The memorial is separated into four outdoor rooms. The first room introduces President Roosevelt’s early presidency, when he launched the "New Deal" program in response to the worst economic crisis of the century. The sculptures filling the second room recall the despair and hope of the times. A grassy berm separating Rooms Two and Three represents America’s entry into World War II. In Room Three, the President is seated with his beloved dog, Fala. The fourth room honors the life and legacy that the nation’s 32nd president left behind.
After exiting the FDR Memorial, make a right and continue on the pathway around the basin; the Thomas Jefferson Memorial will be located on the right-hand side.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial pays tribute to the principle author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States. Construction began in 1939, and the memorial was dedicated in 1943. The interior of the memorial features a 19-foot-tall bronze statue of Jefferson facing the White House. President Jefferson’s thoughts about independence and freedom are inscribed on panels of white Georgia marble. Etched around the rotunda above Jefferson are his words, "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
After exiting the Thomas Jefferson Memorial continue, around the basin until you reach the bridge outlet. Follow the pathway back up to the street level. Make a right at 15th Street, also known as Raoul Wallenberg Place Drive. Walk straight, passing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. While on Raoul Wallenberg Place Drive, you will be heading toward the Washington Monument until you reach Jefferson Drive.
Make a right onto Jefferson Drive walking past the Department of Agriculture. Make a left onto 12th Street. The Smithsonian Metro Station will be in front of you.