Lincoln Memorial

One of the most beautiful monuments in DC. Such an incredible place. Definitely worth the stop. Stunning at night. There are 2 metro stations fairly close by McPherson Square and Arlington on the blue line. Granted a bit of a walk from either one.

The Lincoln Memorial, situated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a testament to both architectural magnificence and historical significance. Yesterday, I had the privilege of standing before this awe-inspiring monument dedicated to one of America's greatest leaders, Abraham Lincoln. The sheer size and grandeur of the memorial left me speechless.

The larger-than-life statue of Lincoln sitting majestically in his chair, gazing out over the Reflecting Pool, emanates a sense of strength and wisdom. Inside the memorial, the carefully carved words of Lincoln's iconic speeches resonate deeply, reminding us of his unwavering dedication to freedom and equality. Visiting the Lincoln Memorial was a humbling and thought-provoking experience that allowed me to reflect on the timeless ideals upon which our nation was built.

The last (or the first) monument on The Mall - and quite a spectacular one! It’s a statement monument rising above the reflecting pool and housing a statue of a sitting Abraham Lincoln made of white marble.

There are some stunning views from the monument towards the reflecting pool and Washington monument. The Capitol can be seen as well, just not from the middle as it’s hidden behind the Washington monument. The steps are steep but safe, as the surface is not smooth, so even during the rain it’s perfectly safe to walk on them.

The only problem with this place is how incredibly crowded it gets, be prepared to be pushed over by others, unless you visit early in the morning or late at night, and even then you won’t be alone. I visited at 6:30 AM (it was still dark) during the cherry blossom festival in March and several people were already wandering around. I also preferred the marvelous neoclassical memorial during low light conditions, it added another dimension to my experience.

There is nothing inside apart from the statue of Lincoln and inscriptions of two of his speeches, nevertheless it is an amazing place to visit! Plenty of parking in the proximity and surrounding streets, you just have to come early enough to secure a spot.

Visited in March 2023.

PS: While walking on the stairs to the memorial, lift your eyes up to the frieze (top part of the building) and look at the inscription of the names of 36 states that were part of the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death.

Historic, larger than expected, beautiful and powerful monument. Would recommend coming with a local guide to learn the history- way too much to put in a Google review. Did go on a weekend and it was very busy, however worth it. A good amount of walking is required.