Lincoln Memorial Guide – Facts and Useful Information

To be precise, Lincoln Memorial is located towards the far west end of the National Mall, 23^rd St. Washington DC. The monument does not have a great parking space area, so it’s best to take a taxi or visit it on foot if you’re staying somewhere nearby. You may also choose to take a metro; the nearby metro stations include Farragut West, Farragut North, Metro Centre, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom, Arlington Cemetery Station, McPherson Square Station, and Smithsonian Station. All these metro stations are a walkable distance away. Make use of the award-winning National Mall and Memorial Parks system of maps to navigate your way through the city. Hop on hop off bus tours are quite common, and you may choose to take a tour of the Lincoln Memorial.

You may visit the Lincoln Memorial anytime as it is open throughout 365 days a year and 24 hours a day! Late evenings and early mornings are quite pleasant, so you may opt to visit it during these hours. Duty personnel are available on all days except 25^th December from morning 9.30 am up till night 11.30 pm to answer all the queries and provide interpretational programs related to the visit. Weekends are generally jam-packed the entire day so if you wish to have the memorial all to yourself then try visiting early morning before nine on a weekday!

If the happenings of history and stories interest you, then you must join the rancher for various interpretive programs at the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service offers multiple interactive sessions with the park ranger, which involve walking, and talk type of events. Attending these programs will give you an insight into the life and various events of the life of Abraham Lincoln.

The Reflecting Pool at the bottom of the steps is a part of the memorial; it reflects calm, peace, and tranquil! The still waters beautifully reflect most parts of the monument. It is often said that the only way you could completely see the reflection of the memorial is when you look at it from the Lincoln statue’s eye level! Nevertheless, please don’t climb up the statue to check for yourself! The reflecting pool is 2029 feet long and about 18-30” deep. The reflecting pool was built in the year 1922 when the memorial was dedicated, but recently in 2010, the entire pool was rebuilt. Previously, the water in the pool would turn stagnant and leak through small cracks in the foundation. The new pool is built in a way that it retains slight currents so that the water doesn’t become stagnant, the water is piped in from the Potomac River!

The Lincoln Memorial showcases an impressive architecture of an ancient Greek Doric Temple; it was built using the Yule Marble excavated from Colorado. The 30-meter-tall monument is surrounded by 36 Doric columns representing the states in the Union during the time of Lincoln’s death, each of which stands 44 ft tall and 7.5 ft wide. The façade and the columns are built in a way to slightly tilt towards the interiors to balance the deformity which would otherwise make the monument look more substantial at the top as compared to its bottom. The name of the 36 states present in the union during the time of Abraham Lincoln’s death, are inscribed in two rows on the wide central section on top of the colonnade. The top row lists the 48 states in the Union present in the year 1922 when the Memorial was dedicated. You can see eagles, garland adornments, palm leaves, and Roman Victory Tripods. The second row lists the 36 states in the Union present at the time of Lincoln’s death! In between the name of each state is the inscription of double wreath northern laurel on top of Southern Pine.

A most impressive figure, Abraham Lincoln’s imposing statue is one such specimen which will carve an everlasting memory in your mind! The statue depicts Abraham Lincoln sitting on a ceremonial chair, gazing ahead with a blank expression on his face. It was carved by the Piccirilli Brothers and sculpted by Daniel Chester French. The colossal is made up of Georgia Marble, and the seated figure is 19 ft tall, just imagine how tall it grows if Lincoln stands up! According to the reports, the sculptor has tried to feature the two main qualities of Abraham Lincoln – his thoughtfulness and compassionate behaviour. Lincoln’s face is said to be asymmetric; if you concentrate carefully, you can notice that one side of his face is relaxed, and the other hand is tensed. Look carefully to draw your own inferences! The glorious United States Flag is draped behind the back and sides of the chair; it’s the 36-star Flag of the Civil War! Lincoln is wearing a frock coat which is unbuttoned, and both his hands are resting on the broad arms of the curule chair. The front of the chair features the fasces and the Roman antiquity emblem.

To the right-hand side of Lincoln is inscribed the Gettysburg Address, a brief poetic speech which is quite reflective and thoughtful! Do take time to read it, it represents the ideals of the representative government prevailing at the time of Lincoln.

Just above the Gettysburg Address is a painting by Jeles Guerin, it represents emancipation with the help of illustrative images. At the center of the picture, a beautiful ‘Angel of Truth’ is shown breaking the bonds of slavery! On the right side of the angel, immortality is portrayed by the standing figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity. On the other side of the Angel, the seated figures hold the sword of Justice and the scroll of Law.

Once you are done touring the Lincoln Memorial,the next obvious stop is a restaurant,the restaurants listed below are located near the memorial:

Choice of the restaurant depends greatly upon what you wish to try! If you are in the mood for some Contemporary American cuisine then there is no better place than Tonic Restaurant! This restaurant is located at Foggy Bottom and is a walkable distance away from Lincoln Memorial. Enjoy casual dining in the cosy interiors with your friends and family at Tonic! Do try out the tater totes, signature homemade dips, sauces, and weekly specials!

In for grand buffet luncheon or dinner post the Lincoln Memorial tour? Then head straight to the Farmers Fishers Bakers, did you know its majority stakes are owned by more than 40,000 farmer families of the NDFU. Indulge in refreshing hand-crafted cocktail drinks, pizzas, tacos, sushi, fresh fish, etc. On weekends they offer a buffet spread so you can sit and indulge in the course meals till your heart’s content! The restaurant dress code includes business and casual wear.

Whether it’s a warm afternoon high tea or an elaborate luncheon, the Kingbird has it all! Feast on some exotic Mediterranean Cuisine with a spice of French Riveria Twist! The interiors are quite pleasant for lunch. Alternately, you can also indulge in al-fresco dining in the seasonal terrace with an awesome view of Potomac River. Weekends offer a fine buffet featuring some of the chef’s favourite menus!

How about some Belgian delicacies post the Memorial tour? If you like Belgian cuisine then Marcel’s is the place to be at! Located just a few minutes away from the Lincoln Memorial at Foggy Bottom, Marcel’s fine dining restaurant offers French, Belgian, and contemporary American cuisines! One of the most visited restaurants, it is definitely a must-visit for European cuisine lovers!

Go to the Rasoi Indian Kitchen to indulge in a gastronomical extravaganza! Treat yourself to the hearty Indian delicacies served some of the signature dishes include Makhmali Seekh, Tandoori Chicken Salad, and Tamarind Salmon Curry! USPs include friendly hosts, vegan options, variety of menu, and delectable thalis!

You can find several hotels starting from budget hotels to luxurious hotels for a stay near the Lincoln Memorial. The closer the proximity, the more expensive the fares! However, advance bookings and proper planning you will be able to fetch amazing deals! Recommended below are a few hotels you might checkout when you are selecting the hotels:

Located merely 1.2 kilometers from the Lincoln Memorial, The Watergate Hotel Georgetown is one of a kind legendary luxury hotel in Washington DC! The hotel offers 336 guest rooms and suites which boast high-end hospitality, class, and opulence! If budget is not a problem for you then you must book a stay at this hotel. The hotel features modern fine dining restaurants, cocktail bars, lounges, and rooftop bar. Specialities include The Whisky Garden that features a patio with private temperature-controlled Winter Igloos from November to March! If you book a stay here dining at the Whisky Garden is a must!

Capital Hilton is a posh upscale hotel located at Washington DC. Located merely 1.5 kilometers from the Lincoln Memorial, Capital Hilton offers sophisticated boutique-style rooms to its guests! While it cannot be termed as a luxurious hotel, but it falls under the upscale category of fine hotels in town. Book well in advance to avail great deals. Upgraded rooms also have free access to the lounge.

Recently renovated the CQ Hotel is located just two blocks away from the White House! Apart from the perfect location the hotel offers a warm and delightful stay to its guests! The CQ Hotel app enables you to unlock and lock your hotel room using your smartphones! It also offers high-speed internet throughout the hotel!

If a budget hotel is in your mind for this trip, then you may check out the Inn of Rosslyn. Located 3 miles away from the White House Inn of Rosslyn is just 4 minutes away from the Lincoln Memorial! It’s a casual mid-century motel with all basic amenities for a comfortable stay. Rosslyn is quite a lively place with parks, gardens, global eats festival, etc!

High Road Hostel is simply a backpacker’s delight! Located on the Belmont Road this one is a chic hostel set in the Victorian townhouse! The hostel offers clean and streamlined single-sex and mixed dormitory beds which sleeps around 4 to 12 people in a room. It also offers computer and a communal kitchen to its guests. Additional perks include a breezy terrace and a cosy lounge with a fireplace!

There is a lot more to visit near the Memorial! Enjoy a refreshing stroll in the nearby parks, some of the nearby parks include Jefferson Manor Park, Madison Square, Deer Park, and Clock Tower. Some of the landmark areas nearby include National Harbour, Tilghman Island, Armory Square, etc.! Theatre enthusiasts can go to John F Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts which presents the best music, dance, theatre and international festivals in town! Take time to tour around the monuments with utmost historical importance including the White House, The Pentagon, Jefferson Memorial, The FBI Building Washington, etc. Lovers of art may choose to visit the renowned galleries nearby which include National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Art, American Visionary Art Museum, The Walters Art Muse, etc. For some fun time with family and friends do visit the Baltimore Zoo, a 135-acre park located in Baltimore! National Aquarium in Baltimore is also worth the visit if you love to spend time with the aquatic species!