Vietnam Memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 23, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

The Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC was dedicated in 1982. It was the first of the national war memorials on the National Mall and it honors the men and women who served during the Vietnam War. The Wall includes the names of over 58,000 Americans who gave their lives.

Vietnam memorial

Vietnam Memorial location

The Vietnam Memorial is located to the northeast of the Lincoln Memorial. It is a short walk over from the steps of Lincoln. The GPS address is 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW.

Getting to the Vietnam Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the memorial:

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Foggy Bottom Metro station and walk southbound down 23rd Street until you reach the National Mall. It is about an eighteen minute walk to the memorial.
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: Ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to the nearby station named “Henry Bacon Dr & Lincoln Memorial Circle NW”.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the Vietnam Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts 

  • The memorial’s design comes from a nationwide contest. The winning proposal was Maya Ying Lin, a college architecture student from Yale. She beat out more than 1,400 other entrants, including her own professor!
  • The VVMF (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.) raised money for the memorial. The Memorial was also funded by soldiers, individuals, and corporations.
  • There are three components that make up the memorial: the Wall, the Three Servicemen Statue, and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the Vietnam Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

Korean War Memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 22, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

The Korean War was a war between North Korea and South Korea from 1950-1953. Unfortunately it is known as the “forgotten war” in U.S. history because few Americans know much about it beyond M*A*S*H. The designers of the Korean War Memorial hoped to change that nickname by drawing attention to those who served. The memorial opened in 1995.

Korean War Memorial location

The Korean War Memorial is located southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and south of the reflecting pool on the National Mall. The GPS address is 900 Ohio Dr SW.

Getting to the Korean War Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the memorial:

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Foggy Bottom station. Walk southbound on 23rd Street until you reach the Lincoln Memorial and continue past it. The walk takes about 20 minutes.
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to the nearby “Lincoln Memorial” station.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the Korean War Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts

  • There are 19 statues of soldiers marching through what looks like a rice field. These are in proportion to the number of U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines who served in the Korean War.
  • The number 38 is important to the design of the memorial because of the 38th parallel and the 38 months of fighting between 1950 and 1953. However, there are only 19 statues, plus a reflective wall that reflects those statues. 19 + 19 = 38.
  • Statues are made of stainless steel because of their reflective properties. This is different from most statues on the National Mall which are made from granite or bronze.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the Korean War Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

Washington Monument: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 21, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

The Washington Monument was the first monument constructed on the National Mall in honor of our founding father and first president. Construction lasted for decades before the monument was completed in 1884.

Washington Monument

Washington Monument location

The Washington Monument is located in the center of the National Mall. It is approximately halfway between the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial and almost directly south of the White House. The GPS address is 2 15th St NW.

Getting to the Washington Monument

There are several transportation options to get to the Washington Monument. 

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Smithsonian station. Exit via the “National Mall” side and then walk westbound across the National Mall. It is easy to find the Washington Monument because it is visible as soon as you come above ground. The walk takes about nine minutes.
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to the closest station which is named “Jefferson Dr & 14th St SW”.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the Washington Monument is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts

  • The Washington Monument stands 555 feet. It is the tallest building in Washington, DC and was the tallest building in the world when it opened (until the Eiffel Tower broke the record a few years later).
  • Because Washington, DC does not have any tall buildings, once you reach the top you can see over 30 miles on a clear day.
  • There is a pyramid made of aluminum at the top of the monument. In 1884 aluminum was a very expensive precious metal, almost the same price as silver!

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the Washington Monument?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

FDR Memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 17, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States. As the only president elected more than two times, his memorial is one of the largest of all the presidential monuments, taking visitors through the story of his presidency. The FDR Memorial is located on the Tidal Basin as was dedicated in 1997.

FDR Memorial

FDR Memorial location

The FDR Memorial is located on the National Mall, in between the Jefferson Memorial and MLK Memorial. The GPS address is 1850 West Basin Dr SW. It is adjacent to the southwest side of the Tidal Basin.

Getting to the FDR Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the FDR Memorial

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Smithsonian Station, walk westbound Independence Ave SW and turn left to walk southbound on West Basin Dr SW.  It is about an twenty-four minute walk.
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to one of the two nearby stations: “Ohio Dr & West Basin Dr SW” or “MLK & FDR Memorials”.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the FDR Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts

  • The FDR Memorial is the only memorial to include a statue for a first lady. Visitors can see America’s first United Nations Delegate and former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. This is also the only memorial to feature a presidential pet, FDR’s dog, Fala.
  • Unlike many memorials which are made from white granite, the FDR Memorial was created from red granite. The designers had to ship in granite all the way from the Dakotas to make a memorial in this color.
  • The Memorial has over twenty quotes by FDR inscribed inside on the walls, including his famous “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the FDR Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

MLK memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 15, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the only major memorial on the National Mall not dedicated to a former president (there are a few smaller memorials dedicated to other non-presidents). Dr. King was a minister, activist and civil rights leader during the 1950s and 1960s.

MLK Memorial

MLK Memorial location

The MLK Memorial is located on the Tidal Basin, across the water from the Jefferson Memorial. The address of the memorial is 1964 Independence Avenue SW. Interestingly enough, this references the year the Civil Rights Act Of 1964 became law.

Getting to the MLK Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the memorial:

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Smithsonian Metro and walk eastbound along Independence Avenue SW until you reach the memorial.  It is about an eighteen minute walk.  
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to the nearby “Ohio Dr & West Basin Dr SW / MLK & FDR Memorials” station.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the MLK Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts 

  • The memorial is based on a single quote from Martin Luther King: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” This quote is carved on the side of the statue of Dr. King.
  • The designers chose quotes on the walls of the memorial from speeches other than I have a Dream to help visitors appreciate the different speeches that Martin Luther King delivered during his lifetime.
  • The MLK Memorial falls directly in line with the Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial. These three men form a “line of leadership” that honors Americans who shaped what the country is today.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the MLK Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

World War II Memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 15, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

The World War II Memorial in Washington, DC is the newest war memorial on the National Mall. Opened in 2004, it was constructed after the memorials for two wars that came after it (Korean War and Vietnam War). It honors the 16 million Americans who served in the global conflict and the over 400,000 Americans who gave their lives.

World War Memorial in Washington, DC

World War II Memorial location

The World War II Memorial is located on 17th Street SW, between Constitution and Independence Avenues. It is approximately halfway between Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

Getting to the World War II Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the memorial:

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Smithsonian station. Walk eastbound along Independence Avenue SW until you reach 17th Street. It is about a sixteen minute walk.  
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to the nearby “17th St & Independence Ave SW” station.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the WWII Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts

  • The WWII Memorial opened in April 2004, a month ahead of schedule. It was important to open the memorial as soon as possible because of the age of many World War II veterans.
  • “Kilroy” can be spotted at two places in the memorial. Look for them hiding on the outside of the memorial on the side closest to Lincoln. Kilroy was a symbol of American Serviceman during the war. Writing “Kilroy was here” was a claim of victory.
  • From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial the World War II Memorial is almost invisible. This is not by accident. The designers wanted to preserve the picturesque view from the far end of the National Mall.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the WWII Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

Lincoln Memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 12, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. The Lincoln Memorial stands at the far end of the National Mall, a little under 2 miles from the Capitol. The memorial was dedicated in 1922 and the famous reflecting pool nearby opened the following year. The monument to Honest Abe is a “must see” for Washington, DC visitors.

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial location

The Lincoln Memorial is located on the western end of the National Mall. The GPS address is 2 Lincoln Circle Circle NW. It is located about three quarters of a mile from the Washington Monument and approximately the same distance from the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

Getting to the Lincoln Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the Lincoln Memorial. 

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue, or silver line to the Foggy Bottom station and walk towards 23rd and I Street.  It is about an eighteen minute walk. If you are coming from Virginia on the blue line, exit at Arlington Cemetery station and walk across Memorial Bridge. This is about a twenty minute walk.
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to one of the two nearby stations. “Lincoln Memorial” is located on the south side of the memorial and ” Henry Bacon DR& Lincoln Memorial Circle NW” is located on the north side of the memorial next to the refreshment stand.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the Lincoln Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts

  • The Lincoln Memorial is modeled after the Parthenon. There are 36 Doric columns representing the 36 states in the country at the end of the Civil War. There are also the names of 48 states above those columns. These were the states in the country at the time of dedication in 1922.
  • The Lincoln Memorial has a typo! In Lincoln’s Second Inauguration (carved in the wall closest to Lincoln’s left hand), an engraver accidentally engraved an “E” when he meant to engrave a “F”. The error has been fixed, but it is still noticeable.
  • The spot where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered I Have a Dream in 1963 is commemorated with those words carved into the floor. Look down where you are about two-thirds of your way up the stairs.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the Lincoln Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

Jefferson Memorial: Tips and Interesting Facts

July 11, 2019 in Blog, Monuments and Memorials

The Jefferson Memorial is inspired Thomas Jefferson and his love for classic architecture. Jefferson’s Monticello and the University of Virginia are the basis for the design. Thomas Jefferson passed away in 1826 and probably never imagined a place like this would exist in his honor. These days, visitors marvel at his 19-foot statue and the quotes and writings that surround him.

Jefferson Memorial

Jefferson Memorial location

The Jefferson Memorial is on the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. It is one mile directly south of the White House. From the inside the White House, the President (or any visitors) gets an amazing view of the memorial. Also, visitors of the Jefferson Memorial get a cool view of the White House off in the distance!

Getting to the Jefferson Memorial

There are several transportation options to get to the Jefferson Memorial. 

  • Metro: Take the orange, blue or silver line to the Smithsonian station and walk toward 15th Street NW and then turn south and walk around the Tidal Basin. 
  • DC Circulator: Take the National Mall Circulator bus from anywhere on the National Mall. This bus route starts at Union Station and then makes a big loop past the Capitol, museums and monuments and memorials.
  • Capital Bikeshare: You can ride a Capital Bikeshare bike from anywhere into the city to the Jefferson Memorial station located on East Basin Drive SW, behind the memorial and directly across the street from the Jefferson Memorial refreshment stand.

TIP: The best and easiest way to see the Jefferson Memorial is on a guided tour. Our walking tours cover all of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We use an efficient route that allows you to see all of them in three hours or less.

A few interesting facts

  • The statue inside the memorial is not the original. President Franklin Roosevelt held a ceremony for the opening of the Memorial in 1943. Of course, because this was during the middle of World War II, our country bronze and other metals for the war effort, not statues. So, the bronze statue that you see today was installed later in 1947.
  • Speaking of Franklin Roosevelt, the president was a huge fan of Thomas Jefferson. He insisted that the location of the memorial on its current spot as it was a spot with a clear view from the White House. As a result, when you stand on the top step of the Jefferson Memorial you can see the White House clearly off in the distance.
  • However, the location was not without controversy. The Tidal Basin is the site of the world famous Washington, DC cherry blossoms. In order to build the Jefferson Memorial, construction workers needed to remove some trees. About 50 local women, protested on these grounds in what has become known as the Cherry Tree Rebellion.

Coming to Washington, DC and want to learn a whole lot more about the Jefferson Memorial?

Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites, including the monuments and memorials. Click here to check out the upcoming tour options and to book your tour here today! Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.