NPS
THING TO DO
Visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks
Each year, millions of people visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks to recreate, to commemorate presidential legacies, to honor our nation's veterans, to make their voices heard, and to celebrate our nation's commitment to freedom and equality. From Ranger Programs to photography to recreational opportunities, the National Mall and Memorial Parks has it all!
After the First Federal Congress passed the Residence Act of 1790, President George Washington selected the exact site for the republic’s new federal government along the bank of the Potomac River. Secretary of State, and future president, Thomas Jefferson offered his assistance to President Washington's city planner Peter L'Enfant and eventually an impressive federal city emerged.
The resulting federal parkland, therefore, is the oldest such land managed by the National Park Service. In its administration of this parkland, the National Mall and Memorial Parks shares the privilege with other units of the Greater Washington National Park system.
After the First Federal Congress passed the Residence Act of 1790, President George Washington selected the exact site for the republic’s new federal government along the bank of the Potomac River. Secretary of State, and future president, Thomas Jefferson offered his assistance to President Washington's city planner Peter L'Enfant and eventually an impressive federal city emerged.
The resulting federal parkland, therefore, is the oldest such land managed by the National Park Service. In its administration of this parkland, the National Mall and Memorial Parks shares the privilege with other units of the Greater Washington National Park system.
Lincoln Memorial
Visit the Lincoln Memorial for a variety of events year round.
President's Park (White House)
Explore President's Park—approximately 82 acres containing two trails and many significant statues, memorials and structures.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Explore the memorial that remembers those who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.
Scenic Views In the City
Details
Duration
1-7 Days
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pets are allowed on the National Mall but are excluded from most memorials.
Service animals are allowed in all NPS facilities and on all trails unless an area has been closed by the superintendent to protect park resources.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance Fees:
Fee Free - $0.00
All of the Sites within National Mall and Memorial Parks are FREE. The only exception is if you wish to reserve tickets ahead of time for the Washington Monument.
Note: The Washington Monument is currently closed for modernization of the elevator. Read More
Entrance Passes:
No Passes - $0.00
No Passes
Location
National Mall
National Mall and Memorial Parks preserves more than one thousand acres of federal parkland in Washington, DC, including: the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, DC War Memorial, and East and West Potomac Parks; Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site. The park is also the caretaker of many of the greenspaces throughout Washington DC including Dupont Circle, Farragut Park, Franklin Park and many of circles and squares in the city.
Please use the links above to find directions that are specific to one of the National Mall and Memorials Park's sites.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Any Time
National Mall and Memorial Parks Sites
The public may visit the sites of National Mall and Memorial Parks 24 hours a day (With the exception of the Washington Monument). Rangers are on duty at the sites to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and to provide interpretive programs throughout the day and upon request.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
Accessibility Information
Accessibility is a top priority for National Mall and Memorial Parks. Many of our facilities are historic and accessibility is not always ideal. However, we are always working to improve accessibility. We have established a parkwide Accessibility Coordinator. Your comments on accessibility areas for improvement are always appreciated. Please feel free to email us!
Click Here information about handicapped parking.
Braille Brochures
National Mall and Memorial Parks provides braille brochures of each of the memorials free of charge to onsite visitors. If possible, please feel free to email us or call 202-426-6841 to provide advance notice of your visit. Or visit the Survey Lodge Ranger Station to pick up copies upon your arrival. Brochures available include the Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., Vietnam Veterans, and Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Washington Monument.
National Mall and Memorial Parks provides braille brochures of each of the memorials free of charge to onsite visitors. If possible, please feel free to email us or call 202-426-6841 to provide advance notice of your visit. Or visit the Survey Lodge Ranger Station to pick up copies upon your arrival. Brochures available include the Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., Vietnam Veterans, and Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Closed Captioning
Closed captioning is available for the films in the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials and the Washington Monument. If you do not see closed captioning on these films during your visit, please make the park ranger on-site aware or email us. We will rectify the situation immediately.
Closed captioning is available for the films in the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials and the Washington Monument. If you do not see closed captioning on these films during your visit, please make the park ranger on-site aware or email us. We will rectify the situation immediately.
Large Print
A Large Print version of the Gettysburg Address is available at the Lincoln Memorial. Please see the park ranger on-site to pick up a copy.
A Large Print version of the Gettysburg Address is available at the Lincoln Memorial. Please see the park ranger on-site to pick up a copy.
ASL interpretation
American Sign Language interpretation is available by request (FREE). Please call the Accessibility coordinator or Please feel free toemail us at least 3 weeks prior to your visit.
American Sign Language interpretation is available by request (FREE). Please call the Accessibility coordinator or Please feel free toemail us at least 3 weeks prior to your visit.
Wheelchairs
All the major monuments and memorials are wheelchair accessible. There are a limited number of loaner wheelchairs available upon request and on a first come first served basis at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. Visitors wishing to borrow one will be asked to provide a form of ID that will be held until the wheelchair is returned.
All the major monuments and memorials are wheelchair accessible. There are a limited number of loaner wheelchairs available upon request and on a first come first served basis at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. Visitors wishing to borrow one will be asked to provide a form of ID that will be held until the wheelchair is returned.
Last updated: October 2, 2018