National Mall and Memorial Parks
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National Mall and Memorial Parks at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Walk Around the Tidal Basin
- Nearby city
- Washington, DC
Explore this park
About National Mall and Memorial Parks
This is where the nation comes to remember and where history is made. As “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall and Memorial Parks is home to many of our country’s most iconic memorials telling the story of people and events that shaped us as a nation. Each year, millions of people come to recreate, commemorate presidential legacies, honor our veterans, and make their voices heard.
Weather Information
Washington, DC has all four seasons. Humidity will make the temps feel hotter in summer and colder in winter.
- Spring
(March - May) Temp: Average high is 65.5 degrees with a low of 46.5 degrees
- Summer
(June - August) Temp: Average high is 86 degrees with a low of 68.5 degrees.
- Fall
(September - November) Temp: Average high is 68 degrees with a low of 51.5 degrees
- Winter
(December - February) Temp: Average high is 45 degrees with a low of 30 degrees (Source: www.usclimatedata.com)
Can get into the 100s.
Operating Hours
National Mall and Memorial Parks Sites
The public may visit the sites of National Mall and Memorial Parks 24 hours a day, with the exception of the Washington Monument which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rangers are on duty at the sites to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in November - February. They are on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in March - October. Rangers offer interpretive programs daily and provide programs and information upon request. Rangers and volunteers will not be available Dec. 25, the park is still open to visitors.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Washington Monument
This site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. It has a regular one day a month closure for cleaning. It is also closed on Independence Day July 4 and Christmas Day December 25. Monthly Closures for 2023: Tuesday, January 10; Monday, February 6; Friday, March 3; Thursday, April 6; Tuesday, May 2; Monday, June 5; Friday, July 7; Thursday, August 3; Tuesday, September 5; Monday, October 2; Friday, November 3; Tuesday, December 5.
- Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Common questions
Planning National Mall and Memorial Parks
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 2 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Lincoln Undercroft and WASHINGTON MONUMENT. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
