The Lincoln Memorial is the white Greek temple that closes the western end of the National Mall in Washington, with Abraham Lincoln seated, gazing toward the Capitol. It's free, open 24 hours and, at night, lit up and nearly empty, it's one of the most moving places in the city. In 2026 it added something new: a museum on the lower level, beneath the steps, that requires a timed ticket. This guide covers what to see, the history in a few lines, how the new museum's reservation system works and how to get there, with National Park Service information checked on November 11, 2026.
What you need to know
- Hours. Open 24 hours, every day.
- Price. Free.
- Lower-level museum. Since June 25, 2026 it requires a timed ticket, free but with a $1 online reservation fee.
- Where. At the western end of the National Mall, facing the Reflecting Pool.
- Time. 30 to 45 minutes for the chamber and steps; an extra hour if you visit the museum.
Why it was built and what it represents
The memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1922, more than half a century after the assassination of Lincoln, the president who held the country together through the Civil War and signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Architect Henry Bacon designed it as a Doric temple inspired by the Parthenon: 36 columns surround the building, one for each state in the Union when Lincoln died. The names of those states are carved above the columns.
Inside is the statue of Lincoln, by Daniel Chester French: nearly six meters (19 feet) of white marble, seated, with one hand clenched and the other open. Carved on the side walls are two of his most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. Reading them there, in silence, is part of the visit.
On these steps, on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech to more than 200,000 people. The exact spot where he stood is marked with an inscription on one of the steps; look for it on your way down.
A stage for the nation's history
Beyond King, the memorial's steps have seen moments that explain why Americans feel so attached to it. In 1939, the African American singer Marian Anderson, who had been denied a Washington concert hall because of her race, sang outdoors in front of the memorial to about 75,000 people. Ever since, marches for civil rights, against war or for causes of every kind have ended here.
It's also a familiar face even if you've never been. It appears on the back of the five-dollar bill and for decades was on the reverse of the one-cent coin. Film has used it countless times, from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in 1939 to the Forrest Gump scene at the Reflecting Pool. Perhaps that's why, the first time you climb the steps, it feels more like a reunion than a discovery.
The new museum beneath the memorial
Since June 25, 2026 the Lincoln Memorial has had a museum and exhibit in the undercroft, the structural space beneath the chamber that almost nobody could visit before. Here's what the Park Service says:
- Admission is free, but timed.
- Reserve on Recreation.gov up to 30 days ahead, with a $1 fee per reservation.
- There are same-day tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, handed out at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, a few steps away, while supplies last.
- One person aged 16 or older can get up to six tickets.
The statue chamber and the steps remain open to all. If you don't get a museum ticket, you won't miss the essentials.
What's around it?
The Lincoln Memorial is the end point of a walk along the National Mall. From its steps you see, in a straight line, the Reflecting Pool, the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument and, in the distance, the Capitol.
On either side are two memorials worth pairing:
- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to the north: the black wall bearing more than 58,000 names. One of the most moving places in the city.
- The Korean War Veterans Memorial, to the south: 19 life-size steel soldiers walking through the brush.
Across Memorial Bridge, on the other bank of the Potomac, is Arlington National Cemetery. And to the south, around the Tidal Basin, the Martin Luther King Jr. and Thomas Jefferson memorials.
How far is it from the Washington Monument?
A frequent question, because from a distance they look close. Between the Lincoln Memorial and the obelisk it's a little over a kilometer, about 15 to 20 minutes on foot along the Reflecting Pool. From the obelisk to the Capitol is another two kilometers. Walking the whole Mall end to end is about three kilometers, plus detours to the memorials: allow half a day and comfortable shoes.
How to get to the Lincoln Memorial
The memorial doesn't have a Metro station next to it. The closest:
- Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue, Orange and Silver lines). About 20 minutes on foot heading south.
- Smithsonian (same lines). About 25 to 30 minutes, past the Washington Monument, which turns the walk into part of the outing.
Metro fares are paid with a SmarTrip card or your phone. You can also arrive by bikeshare or Uber, which drops you at Lincoln Memorial Circle. Street parking near the Mall is scarce and time-limited.
The best time to go
At night. With the memorial lit, the statue has a different presence, and the view down the Mall with the obelisk reflected in the water is the best photo in the city. There are far fewer people than by day, and the area is busy and safe.
At sunrise. If you're an early riser, the sun comes up behind the Capitol, straight ahead, and the light hits the facade full on. Photographers' favorite moment.
Avoid summer midday: there's no shade on the Mall and Washington's humid heat is draining. In spring, in late March or early April, the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin draw huge crowds.
With kids
Children are impressed by the size of the statue and enjoy hunting for Martin Luther King's step. An idea that works: before going, look at a five-dollar bill together and ask them to find the same angle. The steps are wide and safe, but in summer the marble reflects the heat; go early or at sunset.
Accessibility and tips
Besides the steps, there's an elevator to the statue chamber for anyone who can't climb stairs. There are restrooms and a small bookstore at the memorial. Bring water in summer and a coat in winter, when the wind sweeps across the Mall unchecked. Most museums in the area are free, so the memorial fits easily into a day of Smithsonian visits.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Lincoln Memorial?
Nothing. It's free and open 24 hours. Only the new lower-level museum requires a timed ticket, free but with a $1 fee if you reserve online.
What is underneath the Lincoln Memorial?
The undercroft, a structural space beneath the chamber that since June 25, 2026 houses a museum and exhibit with timed entry.
How far apart are the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument?
A little over a kilometer, about 15 to 20 minutes on foot along the Reflecting Pool.
When was the Lincoln Memorial built?
It was dedicated on May 30, 1922. Henry Bacon designed it and the statue is by Daniel Chester French.
Where did Martin Luther King give his "I Have a Dream" speech?
On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, on August 28, 1963. The spot is marked with an inscription on one step.