Jefferson Memorial (Historic monument)

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

A photograph of Jefferson Memorial — Photograph · King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0

Monday	00:00 – 23:59
Tuesday	00:00 – 23:59
Wednesday	00:00 – 23:59
Thursday	00:00 – 23:59
Friday	00:00 – 23:59
Saturday	00:00 – 23:59
Sunday	00:00 – 23:59

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Per person	Free entry

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Today: Open today, 00:00 – 23:59
Visit duration: 45 min
Accessibility: Step-free
Price: Free entry
Standing: Must see · Heritage site
Rank: Rank 14 of 3,796

Plan a day around this Map

Place details and sources

This place is a Attraction. It was established in 1943. It was built in the Neoclassical architecture style. It was designed by John Russell Pope. It is built of bronze. It carries the National Register of Historic Places listed place heritage designation. It is run by National Park Service.

Official website: www.nps.gov Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Address: West Basin Drive Southwest, 16, 20242, Washington, DC OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Wheelchair access: Available OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Type of place: Attraction OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Established: 1943 Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Heritage designation: National Register of Historic Places listed place Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Material: bronze Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architect: John Russell Pope Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Operator: National Park Service Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Creator: John Russell Pope Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Wikipedia article: Jefferson Memorial Wikipedia · Checked 2026-09-09

About Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial on Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin, dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers. Its circular colonnade, shallow dome, and bronze statue create one of the capital's most recognizable classical landmarks. The surrounding reservoir waterfront connects the memorial with the city's celebrated cherry blossom landscape. The Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers and the third President of the United States. It stands on the Tidal Basin, an artificial reservoir that forms part of the Potomac River waterfront. The memorial is a prominent landmark in the city and serves as a principal setting for the annual cherry blossom viewing. The structure features a circular colonnade design with a bronze statue of Jefferson at its center. Visitors should verify current accessibility before planning their trip. No admission fee is required.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

What's inside

Inside, a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson stands beneath the dome. The memorial walls carry excerpts from Jefferson's writings, including passages associated with the Declaration of Independence and other important documents. Visitors can walk around the open interior, study the quotations, and take in the way natural light falls across the statue and pale architectural surfaces. The open design keeps the memorial closely connected to the water and landscape outside. The interior of the Jefferson Memorial contains a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson created by sculptor Rudulph Evans. The walls bear inscriptions from Jefferson's writings, including excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and other significant documents. The memorial's design incorporates elements of classical architecture, with columns supporting a shallow dome. Visitors can walk around the interior space and read the inscribed quotations.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

How long to spend

Allow roughly thirty minutes to one hour for the memorial itself. That gives you time to approach along the Tidal Basin, enter the colonnade, view the statue, read the inscriptions, and appreciate the architecture. Add more time if photography matters to you or if you want to continue along the waterfront path toward nearby landmarks. The setting rewards a slower walk, especially when the basin is calm and the trees are in bloom.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Season and crowds

Spring is especially popular because the memorial stands beside the Tidal Basin, one of Washington's principal cherry blossom settings. Expect the busiest paths during blossom viewing. Summer brings warm, humid conditions, while autumn and winter offer a different atmosphere and generally fewer visitors. Daylight makes it easier to enjoy the waterfront approach and surrounding landscape, and each season changes the balance between flowers, foliage, water, and white marble.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Tickets

Entry to the Jefferson Memorial and its grounds is free. You can visit the exterior, enter the memorial, and read the inscriptions without an admission ticket. Parking nearby is a separate concern: spaces are limited and may involve fees or time restrictions. Commercial guides may charge for their services, but the memorial itself does not require paid admission. This makes it an easy stop to combine with other free monuments around the National Mall.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Getting there

The memorial stands on the south side of the Tidal Basin. Walking paths link it with other monuments along the basin and the National Mall. Metro access involves additional walking, and Metrobus services reach the wider area. Bicycles and shared mobility services are practical for covering the waterfront. Driving is possible, but nearby parking is limited and competitive during cherry blossom season, weekends, and special events, so the approach is often easiest on foot or by transit.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

What to watch out for

The Tidal Basin edge is close to the walking route, so keep children near you around the water. Steps and paths can become slippery after rain or in winter. Blossom season creates crowded, narrow movement along the waterfront. Summer heat and humidity are more noticeable in the open landscape, and geese share the park surroundings. After dark, lighting varies across the grounds, so stay aware of the route and nearby visitors while leaving.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Photography

The Tidal Basin provides broad views and reflections of the memorial, while the circular colonnade frames the statue from inside. Cherry blossoms add a distinctive foreground in spring. Morning and evening light change the appearance of the white marble and water, making both times rewarding for different moods. Interior photography is permitted, but flash can disturb other visitors. Tripods may be restricted, and drones are prohibited in National Park Service-administered areas.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Common questions

What is inside the Jefferson Memorial?

A bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson stands beneath the dome, and the walls carry excerpts from his writings, including passages associated with the Declaration of Independence.

How much does it cost to visit the Jefferson Memorial?

Entry to the memorial and its grounds is free. Nearby parking may involve separate fees or time restrictions.

Can I see cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial?

Yes. The memorial is beside the Tidal Basin, one of Washington's principal cherry blossom settings.

Is parking available near the Jefferson Memorial?

Nearby parking is limited and competitive, particularly during blossom season, weekends, and special events.

Are there inscriptions inside the memorial?

Yes. The walls carry excerpts from Jefferson's writings, including passages associated with the Declaration of Independence.

Can I take photographs inside the Jefferson Memorial?

Interior photography is permitted. Flash may disturb other visitors, and tripod use may be restricted.

Where it is

Nearby

Within 9 min on foot

2 hours
5 min walk
Tidal Basin
- Must see
- Activity
1 hr 30 min
9 min walk
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Must see
- Museum
45 min
8 min walk
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Must see · Heritage site
- Historic monument