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Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC

Photo: National Park Service, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicHistory BuffFree

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Constitution Gardens, 22nd St and Constitution Ave NW · Washington, DC

Why you should go…

Two black granite walls, each nearly 247 feet long, sink into the ground of Constitution Gardens and list in chronological order the Americans who died or went missing in the Vietnam War. Maya Lin designed the wall, dedicated in 1982. Nearby stand the bronze Three Servicemen statue, added in 1984, and the Vietnam Women's Memorial, dedicated in 1993. The National Park Service calls early morning and evening tranquil times to come.

  • #war memorial
  • #national mall
  • #vietnam war
  • #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 Vietnam Veterans Memorial, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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