National World War II Memorial
National World War II Memorial
National World War II Memorial
4.5
About
Consisting of 56 pillars that represent the U.S. states and territories, this impressive national monument honors all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Cleveland Park
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2,684 within 3 miles
Attractions
905 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Whitney DRacine, Wisconsin100 contributionsBeautiful MemorialAnother memorial on your main walk to visit several and this is another one you shouldn't miss. Its quite a site to see and you can really take your time to explore the memorial. Its breath taking and such an amazingly beautiful memorial. Its on your way from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Monument so if you like to walk, take you time to do so.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 October 2023
- Kevin BMount Juliet, Tennessee3,973 contributionsStunning and a fitting tributeThe World War II Memorial is a gorgeous memorial that's located at the end of the reflecting pool across from The Lincoln Memorial (near The Washington Monument). It had a fountain in the middle and is flanked by large pillars for the Atlantic and Pacific theaters and smaller pillars for all of the states. It's shocking to think that this memorial was only completed in 2004 as it feels much older and feels like it was always there. It's one of my favorite memorials and one that I would visit every time I was in D.C.Visited May 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 23 January 2024
- Ddb2422Arlington, Virginia698 contributionsImpressive design and great way to remember those who served our great nation.This is another location that I had not taken advantage of going to while living here in DC. On the day we visited I was able to meet two WWII veterans who were visiting the location as part of an honor flight. It was awesome to hear their stories and discuss their amazing lives. I would highly recommend visiting this location.Visited May 2024Travelled on businessWritten 19 May 2024
- Rachel & Andy393 contributionsBeautiful Memorial.Visited: 08/07/2023 Stunning memorial to WW2. Lots of architectural detail in the design, it names all the countries involved, and the fountains are beautiful. It's a really peaceful area commemorating the horrors it took to get there. Lots of signs, you can dip your feet, but no swimming or walking through the waters (both humans and pets) - it's disrespectful to the memorial and disrupts other visitors.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
10,225 reviews
Excellent
7,529
Very good
2,104
Average
479
Poor
87
Terrible
28
mttaylor9
Baltimore, MD837 contributions
Jan 2021
Looking at this beautiful memorial it is breathtaking. But understanding this memorial takes some time.
We downloaded a walking tour (Atlantis) from the app store and heard an explanation as we explored.
From how the states are arranges to the sculpture under the Atlantic and Pacific arches, to the inscription at the entrance referencing the positioning between monuments to Washington and Lincoln and especially the inscription under the 4800 stars, each representing 100 US lives lost in battle.
Let this be the last World War Memorial and let it serve as a reminder or the price we paid for freedom.
We downloaded a walking tour (Atlantis) from the app store and heard an explanation as we explored.
From how the states are arranges to the sculpture under the Atlantic and Pacific arches, to the inscription at the entrance referencing the positioning between monuments to Washington and Lincoln and especially the inscription under the 4800 stars, each representing 100 US lives lost in battle.
Let this be the last World War Memorial and let it serve as a reminder or the price we paid for freedom.
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erbyjones
Northern Virginia, VA20 contributions
Mar 2020
I am pleased that a WWII memorial was finally built. One should have been built years ago. However, I am disappointed that it feels so sparse. It's a huge ring with a fountain surrounded by the names of states and Atlantic & Pacific theaters carved in stone. I have great appreciation for all the WWII veterans in all branches of service but it felt impersonal. After seeing the Vietnam and Korean memorials I was let down because there is no sense of the magnitude and the challenge that the war cost. I hope it is more inspiring in the summer.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helenandpaul13
Worcester, UK1,685 contributions
Jul 2022
We passed through here on our way down to the Lincoln memorial and we also saw it at night as part of the evening tour. It's built in two parts detailing the Atlantic and Pacific theatre from WW2. In the middle is a fountain that people can dip their feet into. The obelisks making up the monument contain all fifty states and those other countries like Puerto Rico and the Philippines who also took up arms. They are all joined with sculptured knots showing the binding of forces together and presenting the USA as having strength through unity. This really is a beautiful monument and just as impressive as the Lincoln Memorial that it faces at the other end of the separate large water feature which you are not allowed to dip your feet in. It also looks great in the evening with the fountain in the middle.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel L
Apex, NC821 contributions
May 2021
The memorial features a fountain surrounded by columns representing all of the US States and Territories.
It is large and inspirational, and yet simultaneously offers a great place to sit at the edge and cool off your feet, after spending a long day parusing the surrounding National Mall. Just make sure to keep things respectful.
The water is quite cold, be warned.
It is large and inspirational, and yet simultaneously offers a great place to sit at the edge and cool off your feet, after spending a long day parusing the surrounding National Mall. Just make sure to keep things respectful.
The water is quite cold, be warned.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris D
Athens, GA44 contributions
Apr 2022
A tribute to those who served in WWII and the Greatest Generation. The memorial is a sprawling area with large granite arches that represent the states and territories of the USA. As some have noted, there are little things around the memorial to find (such as the “killroys”).
The downside to the memorial is not anything to do with the memorial itself, but rather with the visitors. Inevitably, there will be several visitors wading, playing in, or dangling their feet in the water. They do this despite numerous signs right next to it explicitly stating not to.
The memorial is situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and is at the end of the reflecting pool for the Washington Monument.
Worth a stop and a little time reflecting on the sacrifices of those who served in WWII, but please respect those sacrifices and stay out of the water.
The downside to the memorial is not anything to do with the memorial itself, but rather with the visitors. Inevitably, there will be several visitors wading, playing in, or dangling their feet in the water. They do this despite numerous signs right next to it explicitly stating not to.
The memorial is situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and is at the end of the reflecting pool for the Washington Monument.
Worth a stop and a little time reflecting on the sacrifices of those who served in WWII, but please respect those sacrifices and stay out of the water.
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dadofbob
London, UK27 contributions
May 2022
2st May. Our 3rd stop on the National Mall and this is a truly beautiful memorial that leaves you full of gratitude for the amazing men and women that served and fought during WW2. We were fortunate enough to be wandering around the memorial whilst there were a lot of veterans there, a very humbling experience, and nice to see the veterans being so proud and having their photos taken in front of their respective states.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
Florida3,433 contributions
Jan 2020
My second visit to the WW2 memorial and after researching its design it is growing on me. From the wall of stars that each star represents 100 fallen patriots to the 2 tall monuments that honor both theaters and all the locations and major battles. Of course all the States and territories. I spent time looking at the bronze plaques that showed reliefs of the war. The fountain is peaceful. I think my Grandfathers and great Uncles would be proud.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JNYCwriter
New York City, NY7,517 contributions
Dec 2020 • Friends
You will find the World War II is a grand monument combining a statues with water. It is almost a lesson just walking around and noting all the states involved in this war effort. The monument is closest to the Washington Monument when you are touring the Mall area.
Written 10 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bertram S
Wyoming, MI998 contributions
Jul 2021
We stumbled across this impressive memorial. The arrangement of walls and wreaths representing each state and territory is well done. The Pacific and Atlantic monuments stand on either side of the reflecting pool and balance each other very well. The fountain in the middle is breathtaking.
Written 22 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne O
Kennesaw, GA3,819 contributions
Apr 2022
This is an expansive monument commemorating the World War II theaters of war and the states and territories involved. Quotes from wartime leaders are engraved on the walls. It is beautifully done and reminds us of what an undertaking it was to overcome the evil that existed at that time.
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We've been planning a trip to the outter banks for 8month, was planning to stop in DC for the first few days of that trip so the kids could see the monuments. With all the "unrest" wasn't sure that it was safe, or that the monuments had been cleaned up after being defaced recently. Has anyone been recently? Whats the situation? safe for families with kids?
Written 7 July 2020
Unrest? Only unrest on the mall lately is the ducks in the reflecting pool, let me warn you, they are aggressive! Don't feed them. Otherwise, it's situation normal here.
One word of caution, it is hot, humid, and sunny. The monuments are impactful day or night, but without museums open due to COVID, there aren't as many places to rest and recharge, so bring water.
Written 8 July 2020
About how much time do you suggest to visit this memorial and any museum attached to it?
Written 17 March 2019
Hello!
Thank you for your question...
I would suggest 2 hours to enjoy the National World War II memorial. It is a rather large area with lots to read, great photo opportunities and a great place to relax and enjoy the day.
It can also be viewed in a shorter time frame if your day is starting to get busy.
Written 20 March 2019
What is the best Kindle guide to all the memorials? There are quite a few out there. Thanks!
Written 17 December 2017
The "Washington DC National Mall, Monuments and Memorials Walking Guide (Washington DC City Walking Guide Series) Kindle Edition" is a decent download for just $3.99. You may want to give it a try.
Written 23 December 2017
Wilson K
Franklin, Tennessee
How long would you recommend a family with young teenagers budget to spend at the World War 2 Memorial? Thanks!
Written 28 April 2017
Depends on how much you or the teens are interested in WW II. You may spend 5 minutes or half an hour; totally up to you
Like others have said it's outdoors between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and also near the Vietnam and Korean War memorials which, to me, are much more impressive. Several of the Smithsonian galleries are in the same area and when I was there in February there were food trucks to suit every taste in the area. Enjoy your visit😊
Written 28 April 2017
I believe there is, when i visited there was a lot of visitors in wheel chairs, and good disabled access to the memorial. The veterans in question had come by coach, but i am sure there was car parking there as well.
Written 25 May 2016
Is it safe for a woman alone at night? Can I place flowers at the Pacific Theatre area for my father?
Written 18 May 2016
The area is fairly well lit at night and has a number of people there, that being said, there are lots of dark areas nearby with many parts of the memorial blocked from view from the outside, so, unfortunately the beset I can give you is a "maybe" not being a woman. One approach might be to take the Moonlight Memorial tour from Union Station around. It stops at the Lincoln Memorial which allows people 15 minutes to run (you'll have to run) over to the WWII memorial.
As far as flowers, on my visit last week, there were many flowers and wreathes, generally laid out next to the state marker. Each state has one, so that might be a nice place to put your father's flowers.
Written 18 May 2016
where do you get off the Metro in DC to see the WWII Memorial, if coming from Alexandria?
Written 14 September 2015
Yes, get off at the Smithsonian Station and head left. You can see the Washington Monument from the station and just head toward it.
Written 14 September 2015
As will all the memorials and monuments in the Nation's capitol, they belong to the people, so there is no charge. Go, enjoy, and pay homage those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Written 8 June 2015
National World War II Memorial was made of Construction Material like Granite, Bronze, Water and mainly by Memories of the incident. Main purpose is to recall the contribution of Nation in the incident.
Written 6 May 2015
Showing results 1-10 of 11
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing