In addition to historic and important government buildings and museums, Washington DC is home to over three dozen national monuments and memorials. These monuments and memorials honor prominent figures from throughout American history, and veterans of foreign wars. Many are incredibly popular tourist attractions for international and domestic visitors alike.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers visiting Washington DC Monuments and Memorials – FAQs
Hotels in Washington DC aren’t cheap, and airfare is getting more expensive all the time. You would hate to lose out on the airline tickets and hotel room you’d already paid for if you had to cancel your trip. Unfortunately, that’s a real possibility, as these prepaid charges are typically nonrefundable. The solution is to have trip cancellation insurance.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance before traveling to Washington DC Monuments and Memorials?
Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason. This is critically important, because it only takes one illness, family emergency, or natural disaster to cancel a vacation.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Washington DC Monuments and Memorials?
Once your trip begins, most travel insurance plans can also provide coverage for things like baggage loss, trip delay, trip interruption, and even emergency medical care.
Most Popular Washington DC Monuments and Memorials
You could spend weeks exploring all of the different sights in Washington DC. But since you most likely don’t have that kind of time, we’d recommend you start your sightseeing adventures with the following suggestions.
Washington Monument
Once the tallest structure in the world, the Washington Monument is a 555-foot obelisk on the National Mall. This iconic monument is a true symbol of America that every visitor should see. You can even go up to the top. There’s an iron staircase you can climb if you’re feeling fit, or an elevator that takes about 70 seconds. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a ticket to enter, and the monument can be very busy at times. Over 600,000 take the trip to the top each year.
Lincoln Memorial
Mimicking the style of a Greek temple, the Lincoln Memorial pays tribute to Abraham Lincon, the 16th President of the United States. The Lincoln Memorial is a massive structure, covering some 27,000 square feet. The centerpiece of the memorial is the massive statue of a seated President Lincoln that stands more than 30 feet high. Over 7 million people visit the Lincoln Memorial annually. It is open to the public 24 hours a day.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a US national memorial that somberly remembers all US servicemembers who died or remain missing as a result of the Vietnam War. The memorial consists of two walls, each 246 feet in length, with 58,320 names currently engraved into black granite that was quarried in Bangalore, India. This memorial has averages nearly 4 million visitors annually.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
This four-acre national memorial dedicated to famed civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was opened in 2011. Its centerpiece is a 30-foot white granite statue of Dr. King entitled “Stone of Hope.” The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the first memorial near the National Mall dedicated to an African American, and only the fourth dedicated to a non-president.
Jefferson Memorial
Situated on the banks of Potomac River, the Jefferson Memorial is named for Thomas Jefferson, who was the nation’s third president and founder of the Democrat-Republican Party. This neoclassical-style memorial covers some 80,000 square feet, and features a statue of Jefferson, along with inscriptions of famous quotes from one of the nation’s founding fathers.
Key Guidelines for Visitors to Washington DC Monuments and Memorials
When to Visit
The majority of memorials and monuments in Washington DC are open year-round. However, spring is the most popular time to visit due to the city’s famous cherry blossoms being on full display. Summer vacation season is popular as well, though the heat and humidity can be considerable during this time. Visiting in winter is certainly possible and will be much less busy, but cold and snow should be expected.
Be Respectful
Remind yourself and especially remind your children to act respectful at these places, particularly at memorials that honor members of the US military that died in service of their country. These are not places to be loud or boisterous. You can certainly take pictures, but be considerate when doing so. And of course, be sure not to litter.
Don’t Try to See Everything
Washington DC has so many tourist attractions it can seem overwhelming. Don’t feel the need to try to see each monument and memorial. Just pick out a few major ones like the Lincoln Memorial and sightsee in the area. The National Mall alone can keep you busy for most of the day.
Before You Visit Washington DC Monuments and Memorials – Do This
- Pack comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll be on your feet most of the time.
- Bring clothes that fit the season. The vast majority of these monuments and memorials are outdoors.
- Protect yourself with travel insurance.