Get the app

Sight National Mall, Washington, DC

Lincoln Memorial

A sight in National Mall, Washington, DC, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Sunrise.

Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Official website
Lincoln Memorial in National Mall, Washington, DC
Photo: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 3.0 · license

Why go

Daniel Chester French's seated Lincoln, facing the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument.

It is one of 10 curated places we feature in Washington, DC, alongside 4 sights, 3 places to eat and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Lincoln Memorial, 0.0 mi away as the crow flies. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
National Mall
Price
Free
Time needed
45 min
Best time
Sunrise

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 5 beyond Washington, DC. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Lincoln Memorial

    Open around the clock; its steps look down the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

    Sight · National Mall & Downtown · 0.0 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    New Year's Eve on the National Mall

    In 2025, Freedom 250 projected a 250-foot birthday candle onto the Washington Monument and fired fireworks at midnight.

    Activity · National Mall & Downtown · 0.8 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath

    Flat towpath beside the 1830s canal, starting in Georgetown and running 184.5 miles to Cumberland, Maryland.

    Outdoors · Georgetown · 0.8 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Theodore Roosevelt Island

    Wooded island memorial in the Potomac with a loop trail of about 1.5 miles and a boardwalk over the marsh.

    Outdoors · Georgetown · 0.9 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Smithsonian museum tracing African American history from slavery to today.

    Sight · 1.0 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Washington Harbour Ice Rink

    Outdoor rink on the Potomac at Washington Harbour, typically open from mid-November to early March.

    Activity · Georgetown · 1.0 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Lincoln Memorial is a stop on our Capital Cities Corridor route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More sights to see in Washington, DC

3 more curated sights in Washington, DC. See the full Washington, DC guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Washington, DC run from 40°F in January to 88°F in July; June is usually the wettest month. For Lincoln Memorial itself, we suggest: Sunrise.

Modelled monthly averages for Washington, DC from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Washington, DC weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Lincoln Memorial, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002, USA
Coordinates
38.88927, -77.05018
Destination
Washington, DC, District of Columbia
Website
nps.gov

Lincoln Memorial: quick answers

How much time do you need at Lincoln Memorial?

Plan on about 45 minutes at Lincoln Memorial. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Lincoln Memorial?

Our pick: Sunrise. Insider tip: Go at sunrise or after dark when it's lit and quiet.

Is Lincoln Memorial free?

Yes, we list Lincoln Memorial as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Lincoln Memorial?

Lincoln Memorial is at 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002, USA, in National Mall. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Lincoln Memorial?

Lincoln Memorial appears on Capital Cities Corridor, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Lincoln Memorial to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Washington, DC.

Get TripsCircle

Plan Washington, DC

Lists & regions

Also in Washington, DC

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.