From parades to The Changing of the Guard, honor veterans and fallen heroes in the nation's capital.
1. You can’t talk about Memorial Day in DC without mentioning the
National Memorial Day Parade. Put on since 2005, the parade—the largest of its kind in the U.S.—is
run by the American Veterans Center and honors those servicemen and
servicewomen who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.
Set on Constitution Avenue, the march wows audiences exceeding 250,000
strong with marching bands, active duty and retired military units,
youth groups, floats and hundreds of veterans. This year's parade is set
for Monday, May 25, starting at 2 p.m.
2. Arlington National Cemetery hosts an array of events to mark Memorial Day. Head to the Memorial Amphitheater at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 26 for an official Memorial Day service, sponsored by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Meanwhile, more than a quarter million mini flags will decorate the cemetery's headstones. For another powerful tribute, head to the Tomb of the Unknowns, which is guarded by Tomb Guard Sentinels 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year. Stick around and you’ll see the impressive Changing of the Guard ceremony, which occurs every half-hour until the cemetery closes at 7 p.m.
At 4 p.m. The Women in Military Service for America Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, will hold a ceremony that includes formal military honors, a keynote address, wreath-layings and the Memorial’s signature event, the scattering of rose petals in tribute to departed comrades.
3. A legion of hogs descends on DC each Memorial Day weekend for the
Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally. This “ride for freedom” draws upwards of 900,000 motorcycle riders from all over the country who journey to honor POWs and MIAs. While the riding rally, held on Sunday, May 24, is the main draw each year, there are other Rolling Thunder events on the docket, too: a candlelight vigil will be conducted on Friday, May 22; a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the U.S. Navy Memorial on Saturday, May 23; and on Sunday evening, look for Rolling Thunder’s Saluting Our Troops concert near the Vietnam War Memorial.
4. At dusk on Memorial Day eve, the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol transforms into a patriotic concert venue. The
free performance pays tribute to those who have served our country, and with a portion of the evening being dedicated to honoring current service members, there will be many opportunities for you to recognize active servicewoman or serviceman. As for the concert, it will be co-hosted this year by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise, two actors who have taken on veterans causes in recent years, and it features the National Symphony Orchestra.
5. Strolling the
National Mall is a Memorial Day must-do. Start with honoring the most famous war general in U.S. History by visiting the
Washington Monument. From there, pay your respects at the
National World War II Memorial, which was dedicated in 2004. Etched with 58,621 soldiers’ names, the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed in 1981 by Maya Ying Lin, a 21 year-old architecture student at Yale. Next up, trek to the
Lincoln Memorial to read one of the most powerful speeches on sacrifice: the Gettysburg Address. Nearby, the
Korean War Veterans Memorial provides a unique empathetic experience with its 19 life-like, poncho-clad soldier statues.
6. One hidden gem on the
National Mall is the
DC War Memorial. The domed structure honors the 26,000 Washington, DC residents who served in World War I. The memorial was restored in 2011 thanks in part to Frank Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran. It features Roman-style architecture and sturdy columns, and was originally dedicated in 1931 by then President Herbert Hoover. Notice the nearly 500 names engraved in the base of the memorial.
7. Not far from the walls of
Arlington National Cemetery is a permanent installation of one of the most iconic photographs of World War II: Raising the Flag on Iowa Jima.
The Marine Corps War Memorial—known by many as the Iwo Jima Memorial—is an homage to all marines who have died defending the U.S. since 1775. The scene was originally unveiled in 1951 and offers sweeping views of the DC skyline.
8. If you’re touring the
Smithsonian museums on the Mall, you’ll definitely want to pay a visit to the
National Museum of American History. The permanent exhibit
The Price of Freedom: Americans at War chronicles our nation’s conflicts and the many sacrifices made in the name of freedom, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq. Learn about the impact wars had on soldiers and their families and towns while also understanding how military conflicts affect the political and social landscape.
9. Before Quartermaster Montgomery C. Meigs made the decision to turn Robert E. Lee’s estate into the national cemetery, it had originally existed only a few hundred yards of
President Lincoln’s Cottage on the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home. Now called the United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, the site conducted more than 5,000 burials between 1861 and 1863. Visit on Memorial Day for a wreath-laying ceremony at 10 a.m. and a complimentary cemetery tour to follow. The Cottage is also open for tours and it’s strongly recommended that you purchase a ticket.
10. Before you get into the swing of your Memorial Day weekend, head to
Jazz in the Garden—the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, that is—which will debut its summer series on Friday, May 22. Each week features a different band between 5 and 8:30 p.m. Bring a blanket to sit on and feel free to pack a picnic or to head to the on-site Pavilion Café for sangria and sandwiches.
DOUBLE ROOM:
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HOTEL AMENITIES
MEETING/EVENTS AMENITIES
DC is not only home to some of the most notable museums in the world, but most of them are also free to the public. All 19 of the Smithsonian Museums offer adults and children of all ages an unforgettable experience. From the Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History to the Natural History Museum and the American Indian Museum, you could spend hours at each and still not see it all. A visit to Washington, DC isn’t complete without a stop in to these renowned institutions.
A part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is also free to the public. It has also earned a reputation as one of the world’s best zoos with more than 2,000 different animals of 400 species. Adults and children are enthralled by a visit here where you can see Giant Pandas, Great Apes, Lions, Cheetahs, Tigers, Asian Elephants, gray wolves, California sea lions, Bald eagles, sloth bears, giraffes and many more. There are 163 acres to explore and enjoy at the National Zoo, located in the heart of Washington, DC. Plan on spending 2-3 hours to see as many of the fascinating animals that make the zoo their home.
Taking a tour of the White House is one of the most popular things to do when visiting Washington, DC. To get tickets, you do need to start planning and making requests in advance. It has been known to take a month or a few months to get a reservation; but it’s totally worth it to see the White House up close. If you can’t get a reservation to take a tour, just seeing it from the outside, viewing the grounds and stopping in at the White House Visitor Center is an experience you won’t forget. Inside the visitor center you can learn all about the history of the White House, the first families who have lived there, the furnishings, the architecture and much more. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs.
Perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring sights you’ll witness in DC, besides the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, is Arlington National Cemetery. It’s here that more than 250,000 men and women who’ve served in the United States Military have been laid to rest. This is also home to the Tomb of the Unknowns, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is where an unknown American soldier from World War I and unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are buried. The area is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make sure to also view the Eternal Flame, which marks the grave of President John F. Kennedy, and the Arlington House, a tribute to Robert E. Lee.
Springtime not only brings better weather,
it means the DC Ducks are back in action! The DC Ducks are fully
restored World War II vessels that were used to carry supplies back and
forth to ships that did not have port facilities. These amphibious
vehicles are built to go from land to water and back again. Today, you
can ride on an authentic Duck and see the sights of DC by land and by
sea. The tour is about an hour and a half and takes you past the
country’s most famous monuments and museums before splashing down in the
Potomac River for more fun and adventure. The DC Ducks Tour is the perfect spring outing for kids and adults and a fun and unique way to learn about the history of our nation.
