Sight guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Visiting Lincoln Memorial
Daniel Chester French's 5.8-metre seated Lincoln looks out from a Greek Doric temple completed in 1922, with the Gettysburg Address and second inaugural address carved on the walls.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Lincoln Memorial is a landmark in National Mall, Washington, D.C.. Allow 45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- National Mall
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history, after dark and views
- Best months
- September–November
About Lincoln Memorial
Daniel Chester French's 5.8-metre seated Lincoln looks out from a Greek Doric temple completed in 1922, with the Gettysburg Address and second inaugural address carved on the walls. An inscription on the steps marks where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his 'I Have a Dream' speech in 1963, overlooking the Reflecting Pool.
Tip: Come back after dark, when the memorial is floodlit, crowds are thin and the view down the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument is at its best.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: National Mall, george Washington University, the State Department and quick walks to the Lincoln Memorial.
Best time to visit Lincoln Memorial
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- September: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- November: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-September the sun sets at about 19:17 local time (calculated for Washington, D.C.).
When to visit Washington, D.C. has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Washington, D.C. itinerary visits Lincoln Memorial on day 1, together with National Mall and Washington Monument.
- No. 2 of the 20 sights in our Washington, D.C. things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 7-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Washington, D.C..
- One of the picks in historic sites in Washington, D.C..
- A family favourite in Washington, D.C. with kids.
Near Lincoln Memorial
Also in National Mall, so you can walk between them:
- National Mall — half a day, free
- Washington Monument — 1 hour, free
- National Air and Space Museum — 2–3 hours, free
If you like Lincoln Memorial
- United States Capitol — Capitol Hill, 1.5–2 hours
- Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial — West Potomac Park, 1.5–2 hours
- Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) — Capitol Hill, 1–1.5 hours
- Arlington National Cemetery — Arlington, Virginia, 2–3 hours
Staying near Lincoln Memorial
Stay in Foggy Bottom and West End ($$$) to walk here: george Washington University, the State Department and quick walks to the Lincoln Memorial. All areas to stay in Washington, D.C..
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Lincoln Memorial?
Plan 45 minutes. With National Mall nearby, it fits a half-day in National Mall.
+Is Lincoln Memorial free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Lincoln Memorial?
September–November, the quietest of the good months. Come back after dark, when the memorial is floodlit, crowds are thin and the view down the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument is at its best.
+Do I need to book Lincoln Memorial in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Lincoln Memorial good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Washington, D.C.. Washington is one of the best US cities for families on a budget: dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond, space capsules and pandas are all free.