Washington Monument Tours and Tickets

Yes, the Washington Monument is open for tours. The landmark is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with the last admission at 4:30pm. However, the monument closes every year on Christmas Day and the Fourth of July. It also closes once per month for maintenance.

Same-day tickets to the Washington Monument are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:45am every day. It’s advised to arrive early to guarantee your admission. A limited number of 24-hour advance tickets are available online from 10am the day before admission. Also, 30-day advance reservation tickets are offered online.

That depends. Once inside the Washington Monument, it’s a 70-second elevator ride to the top. While there are no time limits on the observation deck, visits typically last between 20 and 30 minutes and include time to admire the views and browse the shop and museum before descending.

As it is operated by the National Park Service, the Washington Monument is free to visit, with same-day tickets offered on a first-come, first-served basis. However, for those booking advance tickets online, there is a non-refundable $1 service charge per ticket to cover the cost of the reservation service.

Yes, visiting the top of the Washington Monument is worth it. One of the country’s most recognizable landmarks, it has been a highlight of the National Mall since its opening in 1888. At the top, there’s a bird’s eye view of Washington DC.

Wait times at the Washington Monument can vary—and are particularly long during summer and school holidays—but visitors often line up at 8am (or earlier) to guarantee their entry. Same-day tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis from the on-site ticket office, which opens at 8:45am.