Visit the Memorial

The memorial—each granite stone, bronze tablets, plaza tiles, wall engravings, tombstone carving, lion-head lantern above the observation deck, and the rotunda floor inlay—was designed and erected with the same strength and determination as Perry's leadership.

NPS Photo 2015 by Doug

Beyond the Memorial's overwhelming presence (352 ft or 107 m above lake level), there is a profound sense of bravery, leadership, and patriotism when visitors enter the rotunda. Rising to the top of the Memorial via stairs and an elevator, then standing outside on the observation deck expands one's view of international peace. Learn more about the architecture, construction and history of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.

Basic Information

Important information for visiting the Memorial column is below or click the links in the Visitor Guide Panel for current hours, fees, and more.

Approaching the Memorial

Parking is limited at the Memorial and the visitor center. Sidewalks connect the visitor center and parking areas to the Memorial. Visitors must climb approximately 5 steps to get on the lower plaza and another dozen steps to reach the Upper Plaza. Inside the rotunda there are 37 narrow curving stone steps to the elevator landing. For more information go to the Accessibility page.

 

Visitor Guide

• Tickets and Park Passes
• Hours of Operation
• Get Tickets and Reserve a Time
• Alerts
• Weather
• Accessibility
• Construction and Purpose of Memorial

What's Free and What Needs a Fee

• Visiting the memorial plaza and rotunda is free.
• Tours to the observation deck (via 37 steps and an elevator) are every 15 minutes. Time slots must be reserved and tickets purchased in the visitor center the day of your visit.
• Tickets are $10 for ages 16 and older, children 15 and younger are free. All America the Beautiful annual and lifetime passes are accepted and available for purchase at the visitor center. 
• Purchase tickets with credit, debit, or prepaid gift cards only. 
• Parking is limited near the memorial and the area is very congested due to the seawall construction. Visit early or park and walk from the visitor center.  

 

From Top to Bottom

On the Observation Deck

Enjoy views of the surrounding islands on both the United States and Canadian sides of the world's longest undefended border. Many notable landmarks on the Ohio, Michigan and Ontario, Canada lakeshores may be visible dpending on weather conditions. Bald eagles, turkey vultures, and osprey often circle above and below the observation.

Lightning
Summer months are extremely hot and humid, with occasional and sudden severe thunderstorms. The memorial will temporarily close when lightning is detected eight miles out or the lightning rods are buzzing.

Windy Conditions

Wind is almost always a factor up on the observation deck. It ranges from a calm breeze to strong gusts and high sustained winds. Sections or all of the deck will close and all visitors are required to return to the rotunda and plaza when the wind is determined as unsafe. During the fall and spring consider bringing a jacket or sweater to break the wind's chill. Be prepared to remove your hat and hold onto your skirt!

Backpacks and Bags

Backpacks and large bags are not permitted on the observation deck. Visitors will be asked to leave their bags near the elevator.

Feet on the Floor, Nothing on the Ledge
When at the top, all feet must remain on the floor. Children and adults are not allowed to stand on the Memorial ledge. Cameras, hats and other possessions (see Superintendents Compendium, section 1) should be kept secure on your person to avoid anything falling over the edge. It is 317 ft (96 m) down to the plaza. A falling object can cause injury to unsuspecting visitors and damage the plaza.

 

After the formal laying of the cornerstone, another ceremony took place on September 11, 1913. It was for the re-burial of six officers, three Americans and three British, who died during the Battle of Lake Erie.

In the Rotunda

Visitors are invited to enter the rotunda at any time it is open. Hand-carved into the limestone walls are the names of the 123 American soldiers, sailors, marines, and militiamen killed and wounded in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. The intricate marble floor includes a stone memorial that marks the final resting place for six officers—three Americans and three British. Discover more about the rotunda and the internment on The Memorial webpage.

Outside on the Plazas

A grand staircase approaches the Memorial from a lower plaza. Surrounding the entrance to the Memorial is an artfully designed plaza where visitors have great views of Lake Erie, the sun rising and setting, birds and boats. Two of the four carved corner vases bear the names of the Lake Erie flagships. On the weekends, a ranger in historic dress talks about War of 1812 uniforms, weapons, and military life. A live black powder demonstration is performed on the lawn below the plaza.

Getting Around

Wheeled vehicles of any type including golf carts, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters, are prohibited from the upper and lower plazas and the grand staircase of the Memorial, except for those used as mobility aids including strollers, walkers, wheelchairs.

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