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Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Photo: Cris Godfrey / CC BY-SA 4.0

Attractions

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Washington, DC · National MallFreeFree; open 24 hours a day

About

Maya Lin's black granite wall descends into the earth and rises again, carved with more than 58,000 names in the order they were lost. Walk the slope and the polished stone hands your own reflection back to you, set among the names and the trees behind you. It is open day and night, free to all, and a few steps west of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.

Highlights

The Wall: two polished black granite panels carved with 58,000+ namesThe Three Servicemen bronze statue and flag at the entry plazaThe Vietnam Women's Memorial honoring nurses and women who servedFree and open 24 hours, just west of the Lincoln Memorial

Getting there

5 Henry Bacon Drive NW, Washington, DC

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A first trip to Washington is a long walk. Nearly everything here sits on or near the Mall, between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Wear real shoes and plan on seeing half of it.