Washington Monument
It took George Washington, the nation's first president, more than 40 years to orchestrate the construction of this astonishing and exhilarating monument. At slightly over 555 feet tall and shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, the monument is an icon of the city skyline, visible from about 30 to 40 miles away on a clear day. At its official opening in 1888, it was the world's tallest structure, a title later taken by the Eiffel Tower; the monument does remain the tallest building in Washington. Today, guests can ascend the monument by elevator in 70 seconds or, for the truly brave, the 897 steps of the stairwell. At the top, visitors marvel at stunning panoramic views of the city below including that of Lincoln Memorial at its spot across the Reflecting Pool.
The monument is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM; the last tour runs at 9:45 PM. It is closed July 4 and Christmas. Admission is free, but tickets are required. The ticket kiosk at the monument's base opens at 8:30 AM and sees guests on a first come, first served basis. Tickets can be reserved in advance for a fee of $1.50.For more information: 202-426-6841
