DC Monuments Walking Tour: Small Group, Big Ideas
Description
On this interactive walking tour, we will explore some of DC’s most iconic monuments, learning about the people they honor and those who made them. We will talk as a group about what monuments mean to you and why we have them. Come prepared to walk about a mile (1.6km). There will be benches, but not at every stop. A water bottle is recommended. Most importantly, bring your curiosity (and your camera!). So, who am I? I’m glad you asked! My name is Shelley and I adore talking about people, especially the ones that lived in the past. I started my career as a ranger with the National Park Service – you know, those people with the funny hats. You could have met me at The Frederick Douglass House, Cape Cod National Seashore, or The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal during my seven years of service. I have a Master's in museum studies and a Bachelors in anthropology and linguistics. I’m excited to meet you!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour will begin with the Washington Monument, which is dedicated to the United States’ first president, George Washington. We will view and discuss the monument from a distance. If you wish to see the monument up close, I recommend you do so before the tour.
The World War II Memorial honors the service of the 16 million Service Members who were part of the U.S. Armed Forces, the support of millions on the home front, and the 405,399 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
The Vietnam Veteran Memorial is made up of three separate parts: the Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial (The Wall). While here, we will talk about how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was created and how it is used today to honor those who died during the war.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors the sacrifices of the millions of Americans and allied partners who fought during the Korean War with a moving Wall of Remembrance and 19 service men statues.
We will end our tour at the Lincoln Memorial, which is dedicated to the nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who led the country during the American Civil War and was crucial to ending slavery.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travelers that have a hard time walking long distances.
Reviews(4)
Shelley was an excellent tour guide! She answered all of our questions and gave lots of context for each of the memorials we visited. She even had some engaging questions prepared for our young children. She was wonderful!
Great experience. I learned a lot and enjoyed the conversation. Time well spent, even on a super cold day.
Shelley is fantastic! My husband and I live in the area and we brought along some family visiting from out of town, and all of us got so much from this tour. Shelley is a fount of knowledge about the design and meaning behind the monuments as well as the history of what was happening when the monuments were built. Take her tour! You won’t regret it.
A walking tour with Shelley is such a great way to experience these monuments. She’s knowledgeable about the history itself as well as what went into the design and making of the monument itself. She’s was able to speak to all ages represented in our group (8, 12, 15, and 40+).
