National Mall Walking Tour with Washington Monument Ticket

Walk four memorials in two hours instead of choosing between them

A small-group guided walking tour of the National Mall covers the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WWII Memorial and White House grounds, with skip-the-line entry to the top of the Washington Monument included. The tour runs two hours with a licensed guide who explains the history and stories behind each site. You avoid the 7am ticket queue at the Monument. Wheelchair accessible. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Lincoln Memorial20m
2. Vietnam Veterans Memorial20m
3. The White House10m
4. Washington MonumentEntry included45m

Explore National Mall memorials and monument

• Visit Lincoln Memorial and learn history
• Reflect at Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Walk around WWII Memorial pillars
• See south lawn of the White House
• Climb Washington Monument with ticket

The experience

The tour starts at the Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922 to honor Abraham Lincoln. You'll see the famous statue and hear about the 16th President, including the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. stood to deliver the "I Have A Dream" speech. From there, the group moves to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial: a quiet place designed for reflection with over 58,000 names of US casualties etched into black granite panels. The guide explains the stories behind the wall and points out the Three Soldiers Statue and the memorial to female nurses who served.

Next comes the WWII Memorial, where 56 granite pillars surround a fountain honoring Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and emerged as heroes from the war. The guide walks you through different aspects of the conflict from the US perspective: both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns. You'll also spot Kilroy hidden among the columns. The final stop is the White House, where you see the south lawn where Marine One, the President's helicopter, lands.

After the walking portion, you head to the Washington Monument. At 555 feet tall, it's the largest free-standing masonry structure in the world and has towered over DC since 1888. Your ticket gets you straight to the elevator: no waiting in the 7am same-day line. The guide is a licensed professional who keeps the tour engaging while encouraging reflection and respect at each memorial.

What’s included

• Skip-the-line ticket to the top of the Washington Monument.
• professional, licensed tour guide in English.
• guided walking access to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WWII Memorial and White House grounds.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 10:30, from US$ 75 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by DC by Foot

Is this one for you?Book this if you're new to DC or have only an afternoon free and want to understand the stories behind the major memorials instead of walking past them. The guide and the fixed two-hour route mean you cover four sites with their history intact, rather than choosing between them or spending the morning in a ticket line.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

229 verified traveler reviews

5 ★216

4 ★9

3 ★2

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

What's actually inside the Lincoln Memorial when I get there?

The Lincoln Memorial houses the famous seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, and the guide explains his place in American history and points out the exact spot on the steps where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the "I Have A Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington.

How many names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall?

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial holds over 58,000 names of US service members killed and missing in action from the conflict, etched into black granite panels designed as a quiet place for reflection.

Do I actually go inside the Washington Monument or just see it from outside?

Your ticket includes entry to the top of the Washington Monument. You take the elevator up the 555-foot structure, which is the largest free-standing masonry structure in the world.

Is the tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and it's suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.

How long does the whole thing take from start to finish?

The tour runs two hours total, covering the four memorials on foot and then the Washington Monument visit with your included ticket.

What makes this different from just walking the National Mall on my own?

A licensed guide explains the history and stories behind each memorial and helps you understand what you're standing in front of: the Lincoln Memorial's significance, the 58,000 names at Vietnam Veterans, the WWII Memorial's design honoring different states and theaters of war. You also skip the early-morning ticket line at the Monument, which alone saves an hour or more.