Washington DC Monuments At Night (Best DC Monuments At Night Tours!)

Are you planning a Washington DC trip and thinking about visiting the DC monuments at night? Imagine the Lincoln Memorial at night all lit up!  I bet you want to find the best night tours in Washington DC.

Awesome! There are a lot of great options to see the DC monuments at night. Touring the National Mall at night will help you beat the heat of the summer (if you go during summer!) and also the crowds will be so much lower all year round!

If you have been following along on my blog you will know that I am based in Utah. One exciting thing you may not know is that I lived just outside of Washington DC and was able to explore a lot of the East Coast during our time there.  

I love Washington DC and all of the East Coast historical sites.  I wish I could have lived there longer!

In this post, we are going to go over why it is awesome to visit the DC monuments at night, answer a few questions you might have visiting DC by night, and give you a plan of attack with the option of booking a DC night tour.

Let’s plan everything you need to know when visiting the DC monuments at night!

If you want to see the options for the Monuments at Night Tours scroll down to the bottom of the post!

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This post may contain affiliate links(Including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you. 

Why Visit the DC Monuments at Night?

Okay, truth be told is that on a trip to DC last year, my husband visited the monuments at night because he was in meetings during the day. So, yes, one reason is that it’s the only time you have time. 

But hopefully, that’s not the situation, in which case, here are the five reasons to why touring Washington DC at night is awesome. 

1. Washington DC Monuments are Open at Night

They’re open. There is not a lot open in the evening in DC. The museums close early. But the monuments are always accessible.

2. The Blazing Sun is Down

You don’t have to mess with the sun. Summer and DC when mixed together are ingredients for heat. For the most part, you are outside if you are visiting the monuments. By going at night, you can enjoy the monuments without battling the summer heat.

3. Less Crowds

Another reason is there are fewer crowds. You won’t be completely alone in most places. You will still see tour buses late at night. Sometimes you won’t see the buses, but all of a sudden see a swarm of people with lanyards and know tour or convention buses are still making the rounds.

You will also likely come across families and friends on rental bikes or scooters getting around Washington DC.  But there won’t be many. And with few people out and about, you will have plenty of space to roam around.

And if you happen to be a runner, and my husband and I are, avoiding the heat and having space is a recipe for a great, scenic run.

4. Monuments at Night are Lit Up

See the lights. The monuments are lit up at night, accentuating their majestic structures.

5. Peaceful

It’s peaceful. With fewer cars and fewer people, it is noticeably more quiet. It is a great way to quietly take in each monument and ponder on their messages.

Transportation to the Washington DC Monuments

Metro

Take the Orange, Silver, or Blue Line to the Smithsonian stop.  The Smithsonian stop is where you will want to exit to start your monument at night tour.

Car

There is a small free parking lot by the Washington Memorial that I used to park at all the time.  However, if spots are taken you can usually find a spot along the Mall.  These spots do cost money.  If you park at night, you should have better luck than finding a spot earlier in the day.

How Much Time Do I Need to See the Monuments at Night?

The National Mall is about a 5-mile round trip.  You can try to hit as many monuments and memorials as you can but it can take hours, so you may want to pick and choose the ones that are most important to you.

How Much Time Do I Need to See Washington DC at Night?

Obviously, you are not going to be speed walking you will want to enjoy each monument and read the inscriptions and take pictures at each one.  I would give yourself about 3 hours to tour around some of the top monuments and memorials on foot.

If you decide to rent a bike or take a moonlight trolley ride, you will be able to cut your time in half.

Things to Know Before Exploring the Washington Monuments at Night

The monuments are run by the National Park Service.

Do the Monuments in DC Close? Can you See the Monuments at Night? 

The monuments are open 24 hours a day.  There are park rangers available from 9:30 am – 11:30 pm daily.

Is it Safe to Walk Around the National Mall at Night?

Yes, but with caution. DC at night is amazing, however, there are a lot of homeless people in DC.  I think you are safe if you are in a group or near big groups.  If you are concerned about safety book a tour! 

Restroom Facilities

Restrooms are located at the Lincoln Memorial, the FDR Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.  There is another restroom as you are walking along the path.

Where Do You Park to See the Monuments at Night in DC?

The good thing about DC at night is the crowds are lower making the parking spaces more available.  Parking is strictly enforced.  So please pay attention to the signs. There is also a free parking lot near the Washinton Monument. 

Plan of Attack for Viewing the DC Washington Monuments at Night!

Make your plan of attack for viewing and walking DC monuments at night.  You will want to have a plan on which monuments you want to see first and which ones are the most important to you. 

This is a plan for the best route to see Washington DC Monuments at night. This is a self-guided walking tour of the best monuments to see in DC at night. We will list all of the group DC tours a little later.  

Washington DC at Night Map

This DC monuments at night maps will give you an idea of where everything is located. 

1. Washington Monument at Night

The National Mall stretches from the United States Capitol to the east, to the Lincoln Memorial to the west. From the Smithsonian Station, it is about half of a mile to the Washington Memorial (to the west of the station).

Is the Washington Monument lit up at Night?

Yes, It is so beautiful! You can see it for miles! 

2. Word War II Memorial at Night

From there, your next step will be likely the World War II Memorial, about a third of a mile to the west of the Washington Memorial. I really enjoyed the World War II Memorial and spent quite some time there before moving on.

The World War II Memorial is made up of two semicircles, with two arches commemorating the two theaters of the war: the Pacific and the Atlantic. Pillars line the semicircles, each with a name of one of the fifty states.

3. Lincoln Memorial at Night

From the World War II Memorial, you will have about a half-mile to the Lincoln Memorial.

Word of Caution

A word of caution here. I would recommend walking along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that runs between the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. It can be quite easy to follow a path that veers to the north.

I have found going toward the Constitution Gardens to the north is intimidating. There appear to be fewer people at night, the lighting is very poor, and you may see the occasional bench sleeper. It is not the best path to see the Lincoln Memorial at night. 

You will have plenty of light and should have plenty of company if you stay by the reflecting pool.

The Lincoln Memorial at night is an awesome sight and a favorite of many. Don’t be surprised if it seems crowded, even late at night.

4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Night

From there, unless you saw it on your way, consider going to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This is one of the best memorials to visit on a DC night tour. 

There do not seem to be many people at night, and the stillness of the evening help to reflect on the sacrifice of those who served.

If you call it good at that point, you probably haven’t been out too long, and can go back to your hotel or other abode and call it a night.

Continue Along the Path

But if you have time, stamina, and the desire to see it all, if you head south from the Lincoln Memorial, and walk along the west bank of the Tidal Basin, you can see quite a few more memorials.

5. Jefferson Memorial at Night

The last stop will be the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, which is over a mile from the Lincoln Memorial. 

Smithsonian Station

The good news is that you can get to the Smithsonian Station from there by continuing counterclockwise along the Tidal Basin (it takes about another mile).

Other Monuments Along the Way

Korean War Veterans Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Walking another mile is a tall order for me unless I get an early start. But if I’m ambitious, I might go part way, hitting the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

The other memorial along that route is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. This is an expansive memorial, with quite a bit to see.

Complete List of Memorials and Monuments

Here is a complete list of the major memorials and monuments on the National Mall in no particular order:

• Jefferson Memorial
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Washington Monument
• World War II Memorial
• Martin Luther King Memorial

Now for the fun part!  There is so much walking involved when seeing the monuments plus night time can be intimidating if you are alone. Let’s list out some of the best night tours of Washington DC so you will not have to deal with that. 

Washington DC Monument Night Tours

If you prefer to be in a group, there are many DC night tours available.  Many offer a form of transportation other than your feet. 

Touring Washington DC at Night

This is really nice because there is a lot of walking involved when touring the DC monuments.  Here are the best night tours in DC.

The following are the best monuments by night tours Washington DC has to offer. 

1. Washington DC Night Bus Tour

The Washington DC Monuments at Night Bus Tour is probably the best way to tour at DC by night.  You have the safety of a larger group as well as a guide.  This is a 3-hour excursion.  Keep in mind the night bus tour is not offered every night. Check the schedule to see when it is available.  

On our most recent trip, we decided to take the daytime bus tour.  We talked with many people who had done the DC night monument tour and loved it.  They said it was even better than the day tour. Unfortunately, the DC by night tour wasn’t offered on the days we were in DC.  

The Monuments by moonlight Trolley Tour is another option. These are some of the best options for Washington DC night tours!

2. Washington DC Monuments Night Bike Tour

A Bike Tour of Washington DC at Night is another great way to see the monuments.  

Washington DC Night Tours

This DC monument tour at night is about three hours and allows you to jump on and off your bike to see the spectacular views of the National Mall at night.

3. Roadster Monuments at Night Tour

The Night Time Roadster Tour is a great way to explore the Nation’s Capital at night.  This seven-passenger electric vehicle will provide a two-hour guided historical trip around the most fascinating DC attractions. 

It is a great opportunity to use your nighttime photography skills. This is a fantastic Washington DC evening monument tour to consider. 

4. Segway Monuments at Night Tour

A Washington DC Segway Night Tour is a fun adventure to try. You get the same benefits as the bike tour but with just a little less physical exercise involved.

Take a Drive to Iwo Jima

After you visit all of the monuments near the Mall, take a driving tour of DC monuments at night to Iwo Jima.  It is a short drive, and so worth it.  On our last trip, we never adjusted to East Coast time.  We ended up visiting Iwo Jima at midnight! 

I loved seeing this monument at night! There is plenty of parking all around! My brother was in the Marines, so this one has a special place in my heart. 

This was one of the best DC monuments at night to visit for me! 

Visit the DC Monuments at Night

Hopefully, this gives you some helpful tips for visiting the DC monuments at night!  It is so fun to experience these great memorials in a different light. (no pun intended) The National Mall at night is incredible! 

Memorials and Monuments and the East Coast National Parks and East Coast Historic Sites are a vital part of learning history. It helps us remember those that came before us and the lessons from the past. 

History is not always pretty but learning from these events will help us become better.  Without them, we may forget the learning moments of American history.

I hope you have so much fun as you tour Washington DC at night! 

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