In the News: See the Lincoln Memorial and the Newly Opened Washington Monument

Although the Lincoln Memorial is just one of the District's many monuments, the larger-than-life Honest Abe is also among travelers' favorites. History buffs might enjoy the man of few words' (albeit powerful words) two famous speeches, the second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address, which are all etched into the memorial's opposing walls. Meanwhile, art history and architecture aficionados will enjoy admiring the building's striking design by Henry Bacon, complete with 36 Doric columns that signify the states in the Union at the time Lincoln passed away.

A necessary refurbishment is complete on the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The monument is still incredible, but I can't wait to go back when it is all done. With the completion of the Washington Monument the area around the Lincoln Memorial has returned to a more photogenic area.

Though most agree the Lincoln Memorial is a worthwhile visit by day or night, many recent travelers say the most captivating time to visit is after dark.

A recent D.C. visitor describes the memorial as "moving, powerful, reverent, and gorgeous." According to another reviewer: "It doesn't matter how many times you have seen it in pictures and movies. One can't visit D.C. and not make time to see the Lincoln Memorial.

The Lincoln Memorial is free and can be viewed 24 hours a day, but keep in mind that the site is only staffed by national park rangers from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. You'll find the memorial situated at the eastern end of the National Mall. For further details, consult the National Park Service's official Lincoln Memorial page.

Over the years, our National Mall has been loved to death. Years of wear-and-tear and deferred maintenance had taken their toll.

Weeds grew where dreams once flourished. Great memorials were in a state of disrepair. Pathways were cracked. Steps were crumbling. Waters were polluted. Basic amenities were lacking.

Despite the best efforts of the dedicated National Park Service, our National Mall didn’t fully reflect our unstoppable American spirit.

The reopening of the Washington Monument on May 12, 2014 marks the completed restoration of one of America’s most well-known pieces of architecture, a 130-year-old structure that sees more than one million visitors annually. It also embodies the spirit of successful public-private partnership central to the mission of the Campaign for the National Mall.

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