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Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, DC

Photo: Rachel Hendrix, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicHistory BuffFree

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

1850 West Basin Dr SW · Washington, DC

Why you should go…

This memorial sits at the northwest corner of the Tidal Basin, on a sightline between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. You enter by passing through the Mountain of Despair, two granite pieces, to reach the Stone of Hope, a 30-foot relief of Dr. King. A crescent-shaped granite wall 450 feet long carries fourteen quotations from his sermons, speeches and writings. Cherry trees on the grounds bloom in early spring.

  • #civil rights
  • #memorial
  • #national mall
  • #tidal basin
  • #monument

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

    Free

    Walk through four open-air rooms of red granite, cascading water and bronze sculpture that trace FDR's four terms beside the Tidal Basin.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Korean War Veterans Memorial

    Free

    Walk among 19 stainless steel soldiers on patrol beside a black granite wall etched with the faces of those who served.

    0.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Tidal Basin

    Free

    Walk the path around a 107-acre basin lined with cherry trees, past the Jefferson, FDR and Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    World War II Memorial

    Free

    Circle a fountain plaza ringed by 56 granite pillars and two arches honoring Americans who served in World War II.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Powerful

    United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

    Free

    A profound, self-guided journey through Holocaust history just off the Mall, free, with timed passes for the Permanent Exhibition.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    History Buff

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Free

    A powerful journey through African American history and culture, from the slave trade galleries to Motown and beyond.

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums