Physical / Mobility

A diverging pathway leading up to the Washington Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Contact us with questions or for help planning your visit.

Parking

Constitution Ave and Independence Ave have first-come, first-served parallel parking spaces and are the closest parking to the monument. There are accessible parking spaces west of 15th Street on Independence Ave. The Paddle Boat Parking Lot along Maine Ave is the next closest parking lot with nine designated accessible parking spaces. There are also five accessible parking spaces at the World War II Memorial. Other parking is along Ohio Drive SW between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson memorials. Bus parking is available primarily along Ohio Drive SW in West Potomac Park, between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.

 

Bollards in the pathway leading to the Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Path from parking to monument

From parallel street parking, the path to the monument is smooth and paved. Some pathways leading to the monument have retractable bollards at the base of the hill. The space between the posts is approximately 38 inches. There is a slight increase in steepness as visitors walk from parking to the monument. From the Paddle Boat Parking Lot, visitors must travel north and cross two streets with crosswalks to reach the monument. There are benches with no back or arm rests for visitors to sit located directly outside of the monument.

Equipment

The Washington Monument has one collapsible wheelchair available for loan at no charge. National Mall and Memorial Parks has others located at the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial if needed.

 

Entry way and waiting area for boarding the elevator.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Access to inside

The interior surface of the monument is smooth and well-maintained. The entrance door to the monument is about 46 inches wide, which rangers will open and hold for visitors. Visitors enter and turn left to ascend a slight ramp to security. After security, a ranger will direct the group through a 34-inch-wide automatic door that will be held open for them. If necessary, there is a push-to-open button to the right of the door. The passageway to the elevator entrance has a tight turn of 35 inches wide, and benches with no arm rest for visitors to sit.

 

The interior of the Washington Monument elevator.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Elevator

• The elevator in the Washington Monument was modernized in 2019 and is very reliable. There are usually around 14-18 people that ride the elevator up to the observation level together. The elevator entrance is around 48 inches wide.

• Before visitors enter the elevator, there is an exhibit in the waiting area with a wayside across from the elevator entrance. It is around 33 inches from the floor to the underside of the wayside, and around 58 inches long from wayside panel legs.

 

One of the eight viewing areas on the observation level inside of the Washington Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Observation level (500’)

• Once visitors arrive at the observation level, there are eight windows from which to view the city, two windows on each side. The window areas themselves are about 65 inches long and 62 inches wide. One window on each side of the level has a step for children to see out and the ranger on duty can provide a periscope for those unable to see out the window.

• There is a photo of what the view shows placed above each window. The walkway around the observation level is narrow and can get crowded, making maneuvering difficult.

 

Exhibit floor of the Washington Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Exhibit level (490’)

• When finished on the observation level, visitors walk down one flight of stairs to the exhibit level, where they also board the elevator to return to the ground floor. For visitors unable to take the stairs, the ranger on duty will take them down to the exhibit level on the elevator. The level can get crowded, making it difficult to maneuver around.

• The level has a bench that is about 50 inches long and 20 inches wide. There are tight spaces that are about 33 inches wide. At the ground level, visitors must navigate through an automated door that will be held open to exit.

 

Washington Monument Lodge entrance side.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Washington Monument Lodge

• The Washington Monument Lodge, a small souvenir store where tickets to the monument are distributed, is located on 15th Street, on the east side of the monument. The pathway to the lodge is smooth and well-maintained. Facing the entrance, a water fountain with two basins sits off to the right. It is 27 inches from the ground to the underside of the wheelchair accessible fountain basin.

• The lodge entrance has double doors which requires a pull to enter and a push to exit. Visitors must navigate over the door’s threshold. There is enough room inside to navigate in a wheelchair on the granite surface. The check-out counter for the store begins at 33 inches high.

• The ticket booth window is located outside on the back side of the lodge facing the monument. The ticket booth window begins at 35 inches high. Restrooms are split into gender and are located on either side of the lodge. They must be accessed from the outside. Visitors must navigate over a threshold to enter, and the entrance is about 3 feet wide. There is a 33-inch-wide tight turn in each restroom. Each restroom has one wheelchair accessible stall.

 

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