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Washington Monument
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Washington D.C.

Washington Monument

7.5
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The Washington Monument stands in the center of the National Mall. Built to commemorate George Washington, the first president of the United States, it is an obelisk approximately 169 meters tall, standing out prominently in the predominantly low-rise urban landscape of Washington, D.C. Construction began in 1848, but was halted for over twenty years due to funding shortages. The federal government then took over the project, and construction was finally completed in 1884. Because the two sections of stone were sourced from different periods and locations, their varying degrees of weathering have resulted in a distinct color dividing line on the monument, a clear marker of this turbulent construction history. The monument is entirely simple, devoid of elaborate carvings, and tapers to a four-sided pyramidal apex at the top. The tower is hollow inside, with nearly two hundred commemorative stones embedded in its inner walls, donated by various states, cities, organizations, and countries across the United States. One particularly special stone is a Chinese inscription donated by a person from Ningbo during the Qing Dynasty. The inscription is taken from a passage praising Washington in *Yinghuan Zhilue*, a work by Xu Jiyu, a renowned official of the late Qing Dynasty, and is the only Chinese inscription among these commemorative stones. Inside the tower, there are nearly nine hundred spiral steps, but these are not open to visitors. The only way to reach the top is by elevator, which takes about 70 seconds to reach the observation deck at a height of approximately 150 meters. While downhill ride the elevator, pay attention to the commemorative stones flashing by on the inner walls. The observation deck has two viewing windows in each of the four directions: east to the U.S. Capitol Building, west to the Lincoln Memorial, south to the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin, and north to the White House. Daily access to the tower is limited, so advance reservations are recommended.

Washington D.C. · 42.8km from Ashburn

Experiences you can't miss in Ashburn

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· 1 review
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Featured Culture & history in Ashburn

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Small Group Max 13: Half-Day Washington DC Monuments and Landmarks Tour
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Featured Outdoor & sports in Ashburn

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What travellers say about Ashburn

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 July 2026
5.0
The Washington Monument looked like a giant pencil stuck in the ground, blindingly white. We queued to go in and take the elevator; my ears were ringing as I went up. Looking out the window, the plaza's pool and Lincoln Hall looked like tiny squares. An old lady pointed into the distance, saying that was her state, but I couldn't really see anything. My legs were a little weak as I came down; walking around the base, I noticed the stone's color varied from top to bottom, darker above the waist. People were lying on the lawn sunbathing, and kites floated gently in the sky.

Washington Monument

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泰迪小熊7 December 2024
5.0
Came here on September 21, 2017. Between Capitol Hill and the Washington Monument, there is a long and narrow green space, which is the National Mall of the United States. There are many national museums and memorials around the square. Each venue is very interesting and you can spend half a day visiting a single place. If you don't have enough time, it's also good to take pictures. These buildings have different shapes, and taking pictures and checking in are very photogenic.

National Mall

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Ashburn?

Don't miss these attractions in Ashburn: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Hyper Kidz Ashburn, and K1 Speed Dulles. If you like Food & drink, try DC: Evening Local Neighborhood Food Tour with DrinkEatWalk. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Small Group Max 13: Half-Day Washington DC Monuments and Landmarks Tour.

You can give DC: Evening Local Neighborhood Food Tour with DrinkEatWalk and Washington D.C.'s West Market: college life, food hall, and the Foggy Bottom neighborhood a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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