Washington Monument Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guidebook Washington DC

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument honours George Washington, the first president of the United States. It is a marble obelisk about 555 feet, or 169 metres, tall, and it dominates the skyline because no building in central Washington may rise higher. Construction began in 1848 and finished in 1884, and it opened to the public in 1888.

Look closely at the stone and you can see a change in colour about a third of the way up, where building stopped for years because of funding problems and the Civil War, and later stone came from a different quarry. When it was completed, it was the tallest structure in the world. People searching for Washington Monument tickets are usually looking for entry to the inside, which is what this ticket provides.

The ride and the observation level

Your timed ticket lets you skip the standing queue and go through security and straight to the elevator. The ride to the observation level takes about a minute, and the observation level is around 500 feet up, with small windows on all four sides looking north, south, east and west.

From there you see the White House to the north, the Capitol at the east end of the Mall, the Lincoln Memorial to the west and the Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin to the south. On a clear day you can see far into Virginia and Maryland. The digital guidebook helps you identify each landmark.

The National Mall around the monument

The Washington Monument stands on a small hill in the middle of the National Mall, the long park that runs from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. From the base you see the World War II Memorial and the Reflecting Pool to the west, and the museums of the Smithsonian to the east.

Many visitors combine the monument with a walk to the Lincoln Memorial, about 20 minutes on foot, or with a guided tour of the monuments. If you want to know how to get to the Washington Monument, the nearest Metro stations are Smithsonian and Federal Triangle, and it is a short walk from either.

Planning your visit: timed slots, security and best time

This is a timed ticket, so you must arrive for your chosen slot. Entry times are offered between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM, and the booking panel shows which are open. You show your digital ticket at the entrance on the National Mall and pass through a security check. Bring as little as you can, because large bags are not allowed.

The monument is sometimes closed for maintenance or weather, and opening hours change by season. The best time to visit the Washington Monument is a clear morning, when the view is sharpest, or spring, when cherry blossoms surround the Tidal Basin. Allow about one hour for the visit.