Originally Posted by
tex1721
(5/10/23) I will be staying here with the family in a few weeks. … I have not been to DC for 20 years.
(For the intent of this post, I hope “in a few weeks” is still in the future and not in the past.) I hadn’t been to DC for almost 50 years (since childhood) until the fall of 2021, 3 visits (and GH DC stays) since then. My visits were very enjoyable, many sights in DC are eminently walkable (particularly from GH DC) and I found it highly enlightening to SEE (for myself) the local geography for the events of 1/6/21.
One “touristy” thing which you might consider, about which I was unfamiliar, is riding the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument, outstanding views for anyone who appreciates “observation deck” views but challenging to get (almost free) tickets.
FWIW, my experience with obtaining tickets: 18 months ago, no Walk Up tickets at the time, website at 10:01 nothing available next day, website at 10:20 got 2 tickets for next day at 1:00pm or 2:15pm. Went to monument, was not allowed through metal detector due to small penknife for which they had no options for holding during my visit, Park Ranger suggested I put it under one of the sandbags securing a sign on the plaza. Next day website nothing available at 10:00-10:02, at 10:30 obtained 2 tickets for the same day at 12:45pm. Few weeks ago nothing available for next day after checking several times. My point is that there is no rhyme or reason to ticket availability and they take their security screening very seriously. (Yes, as per the flags in the small image below, it was very windy at the base of the monument when I visited, as I think it often is.)
(BTW, the Walgreens (cheap wine) I referred to in
this post is right next to the northern side of the
Friendship Archway (
paifang) at Chinatown DC.)
Washington Monument Tickets Overview Walk Up Tickets (Same Day Only) The Washington Monument Lodge, located along 15th Street between Madison and Jefferson drives, opens at 8:45 a.m. for distribution of free, same day, timed tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis. One person may obtain up to six tickets as well as request their preferred ticket time. All visitors (including children ages 2+) must have a ticket to enter the Washington Monument. During peak season, tickets run out quickly. Be advised that many visitors form a line to wait long before the ticket window opens.
Online Advance Tickets 30 Day Advance Reservations - Order tickets online up to a month in advance of your visit. Inventory for the next available day (30 days out) becomes available at 10 a.m. each morning (e.g. - on May 7 at 10 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on June 6).
24-Hour Advance Reservations - Didn't get tickets in advance or planning a last minute visit? A limited number of additional tickets are made available at 10 a.m. each day for the next day's visits (e.g. - on May 7 at 10 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on May 8).
Both 30 Day Advance and 24 Hour Advance reservations may be made at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Though there is no admission fee for the Washington Monument, there is a $1.00 service charge per ticket to cover reservation service; these fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Ticket availability is limited and all tickets for a given day are often reserved the day they become available.
