Tours and Tickets to Experience Lincoln Memorial

Yes, visiting the Lincoln Memorial is worth it. One of DC's most iconic landmarks—and one of the most moving memorials on the National Mall—the larger-than-life monument to President Lincoln makes a moving impression. And as the site where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech, it has a timeless legacy. On the other end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, don’t miss the World War II Memorial.

As with the rest of the monuments on the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial can attract big crowds, especially on weekends, during the summer, and on holidays. For the best chance of enjoying the grandeur of the setting without quite so many other people, aim for early morning or evening.

Yes, there is free parking near the Lincoln Memorial, but it may be in high demand. On-street parking near the monument is generally free for 2-hour slots. If you can get it, free day-long parking is also available nearby on Ohio Drive SW or in the lots south of the Jefferson Memorial. If you’re unable to find free parking, expect to pay around US$2.30 per hour for street parking, assuming you’re able to find a spot on the street.

Yes, the Lincoln Memorial is accessible to disabled visitors. Wheelchairs are available to rent, and visitors can access the main chamber of the monument via a basement-level elevator. Accessible bathrooms are also located in the basement, and several parking spaces are located on David Chester French Drive.

Yes, you can walk up the stairs at the Lincoln Memorial. They make a grand entrance and are the primary way most visitors access the landmark. They're also a historical icon in their own right: It was on these steps that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech at the height of the civil rights movement. There are 58 steps leading from the chamber to the plaza, and another 87 steps leading from the chamber to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

One of the most popular times to visit the Lincoln Memorial—and see the other sights of the National Mall—is during the spring, when Washington DC's famous cherry trees are blossoming. Alternatively, skip the searing heat and crowds that summer brings and aim for the autumn shoulder season. If you visit in the winter when there is ice, keep in mind that the memorial’s pink Tennessee marble steps can be quite slippery.