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Washington Monument

"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee

The Washington Monument serves as a memorial to the nation's first president and leader of the American Revolution, George Washington.

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VISITATION:
The Washington Monument receives over 800,000 visitors a year.

LOCATION:
Washington, DC

ADDRESS:

National Capital Parks-Central
The National Mall
900 Ohio Drive, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024

e-Mail National_Mall@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:
(202) 426-6841

OPERATING HOURS:

**Washington Monument 1999 Schedule**
Season Begins	Hours	Tickets Required	Ticket Booth
Winter-September 7	9 a.m. to 5 p.m.	All day	8:30 a.m.
Summer-April 4	8 a.m. to Midnight	All Day	7:30 a.m.

Washington Monument is closed on Christmas Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:The climate in Washington D.C. is seasonal. Summers can be very hot and humid with an average temperature of 82. Winters are variable and can be very mild to very cold. The average winter temperature is 35. Clothing should be in accordance with the season.

DIRECTIONS:

BY CAR:
Interstates 66 and 395 provide access to the National Mall from the south. Interstate 495, New York Avenue, Rock Creek Parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway,and the Cabin John Parkway provide access from the North. Interstate 66, Route 50 and 29 provide access from the West. Routes 50, 1, and 4 provide access from the East. Call 202-426-6841 to request a "Welcome to Washington Map" that illustrates the routes to the National Mall as well as other important visitor information.

BY METRO:
There are several metro train routes from the suburban areas surroundingthe city. The Smithsonian Metro is the closest stop to the Washington Monument. Metrobus and subway schedule are available at 202-637-7000 or www.wmata.com.

BY AIR:
Three major airports link Washington, D.C. with the rest of the country andthe world. Ronald Reagan National Airport, Dulles Airport, and Baltimore-Washington Airport all have limo, cab, or Metro services available that will connect with the National Mall.

PARKING:

CAR:
Two hour parking is available for the monument off of Constitution Avenue near 15th Street. Parking is available on city streets during non-rush hour times (9:00 AM until 4:00 PM) during the week. Long term parking is available along Ohio Drive under the 14th Street bridge.

BUS:
Bus parking is primarily available along Ohio Drive near the FDR Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial. A brochure concerning Bus parking and loading and un-loading areas is available by calling the park at (202)426-6841.

RECREATION:

Bicycles and rollerblades are allowed along paved roads and sidewalks in the park. Neither are allowed in the Washington Monument and in areas such as in the chambers of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, or within the FDR Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial.

FEES:

There are no fees to visit any of the monuments or memorials on the National Mall.

PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:The Washington Monument Interpretive Center is open. This center incorporates exhibits, videos, touch screen interactives to bring to life the history of George Washington and the monument dedicated to him. Park Rangers provide information and assistants to guide you through the center and will escort you from the center into the monument.

LODGING AND CAMPING FACILITIES:

There are hundreds of hotels and motels in both downtown Washington, D.C and the surrounding areas. Contact the Washington Convention and Visitors Association at www.washington.org to obtain a visitor information packet.

Camping is not allowed in the District of Columbia. Tent camping and trailer facilities are available at:

Assateague Island National Seashore	MD & VA	410-641-1441
Catoctin Mountain Park	Thurmont, MD	301-663-0330
Greenbelt Park	Greenbelt, MD	301-344-3848
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP	Maryland	301-739-4200
Prince William Forest Park	Triangle, VA	703-221-7181

Other Concessions/NPS Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Bookstore:
There are bookstores located in the Lincoln Memorial the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. All of the bookstores are operated by Parks & History Association.

Shuttle Tour:
Tourmobile Sightseeing offers daily narrated shuttle tours to 18 major sites on the National Mall and in Arlington National Cemetery. One ticket allows unlimited free reboarding throughout the day. You will find boarding locations throughout the National Mall, at the major monuments and memorials, and at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Center. Advance arrangements available through TicketMaster 1-800-551-SEAT (outside DC, Maryland and Virginia). The local number is 202-432-SEAT.

Food and Drink:
Guest Services Management, a concessioner, has five locations on the National Mall that provide food and drink. With one located in front of the Washington Monument.

Accessibility:
The Washington Monument is wheelchair accessible. The Washington Monument has a wheelchair that may be used while visiting the monument. No reservation are needed to obtain a wheelchair.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES, PARK USE:

Attend a Park Ranger interpretive talk while visiting the monument. Photograph from the tallest building in Washington, DC.Check out the wayside displays to find out about George Washington and the monument. Visit the Washington Monument Interpretive Center.

RESERVATION, PERMITS:

Tickets are required for all ages. Free timed tickets are available as well as purchased advance tickets.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

In order to see and appreciate all that the National Mall has to offer, a full day or more is recommended.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

There are numerous special events that take place on the National Mall. For more information about special events, visit the National Capital Region, Office of Public Affairs website at at www.nps.gov/ncro/PublicAffairs or call (202)619-7222. Park Rangers lead interpretive programs at the memorials from 8 a.m. until Midnight.

For more information regarding ranger programs, contact the park at (202)426-6841.

VISITOR IMPACT:

Information concerning closing of the sites due to weather conditions or other factors can be obtained by calling the National Mall Ranger Station, (202)426-6841.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial all are located within the National Mall.

There are a number of other National Park Service sites nearby. Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, Arlington House,The White House, the Old Post Office, the Frederick Douglas House, Rock Creek Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Prince William Forest Park, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway are all very close to the National Mall.

The Smithsonian Institution Castle Visitor Center is where you can pick up information regarding visiting some of their museums, galleries and the National Zoo.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write to the park headquarters for more information at:

ADDRESS:

National Capital Parks-Central
The National Mall
900 Ohio Drive, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
e-Mail National_Mall@nps.gov

Last Updated: Wednesday, 09-Jun-99 09:34:50
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm
National_Mall@nps.gov