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World War II Memorial

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain

🎡 Attractions

World War II Memorial

Washington, DC · National Mall

About

Set between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, this is the National Mall's grand open-air tribute to the 16 million Americans who served in World War II. A ring of 56 granite pillars, one for each state and territory, wraps around the oval Rainbow Pool, with Atlantic and Pacific arches anchoring each end and a Freedom Wall of 4,048 gold stars marking the fallen. It is free, open 24 hours a day, and best at dusk when the fountains catch the last light and the whole plaza quiets down.

Highlights

56 state and territory pillars around the Rainbow PoolAtlantic and Pacific triumphal archesFreedom Wall with 4,048 gold starsFree and open 24 hoursFountains and reflecting pool views at dusk

Getting there

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Washington D.C. Attractions23 places

Washington D.C. Attractions

No city packs more world-class attractions into a walk than Washington, and most of it is free. The Smithsonians line the National Mall like a museum mile, from the moon lander hanging in Air and Space to the Hope Diamond and the Wright Flyer. Between them stand the monuments and memorials: Lincoln gazing down the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument over the Tidal Basin cherry trees, the marble halls of the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Bring good shoes and a full day, and you still will not see it all.