Blind / Low Vision

Bollards in path to the Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Path to monument

The path to the monument is smooth and paved. Some pathways leading to the monument have retractable bollards at the base of the hill. There is a slight increase in steepness as visitors walk from parking to the monument. There are benches with no back or arm rests for visitors to sit located directly outside of the monument.

 

Visitors wait in line to enter the Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Access inside

Visitors in their group must wait in a line outside of the entrance door until rangers direct the group inside. The interior surface of the monument is smooth and well-maintained. Rangers will open and hold the automated door for visitors. Visitors enter and turn left to go through security. After security, a ranger will direct the group through an automatic door that will be held open for them. If necessary, there is a push to open button to the right of the door. After visitors have entered through the secure door, a ranger will direct the group through a passageway to the elevator entrance. The passageway has benches with no arm rest for visitors to sit.

 

A ranger holding open the elevator door directs visitors to exit to the Observation Level.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Elevator

• The elevator in the Washington Monument was modernized in 2019 and is very reliable. There are usually around 14-18 people that take the 70-second ride up to the observation level together. On the elevator ride up, there is a video with sound of a ranger in uniform discussing the history and importance of the Washington Monument, illustrated with pictures on the screen.

• On 2 minute and 20 second elevator ride down, the lights turn off twice and a voice refers visitors outward where stone artifacts on the interior surface of the monument are displayed

 

A visitor captures a photo of Washington, D.C. from the observation level of the Washington Monument.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Observation level (500’)

Once visitors arrive at the observation level, there are eight areas to observe Washington, D.C.’s views from a window. One window on each side of the level has a step for children to see out and some window areas have handrails under the window. The walkway around the observation level is narrow and can get crowded, making maneuvering difficult.

 

Stairs leading from the observation level to the exhibit level.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Exhibit level (490’)

• When finished on the observation level, there are two separate staircases to choose from to descend to the exhibit level. Staircases have handrails and tactile flooring to indicate the next step. For visitors unable to take the stairs, the ranger on duty will take them down to the exhibit level on the elevator.

 

A miniature tactile model of the Monument's top two floor.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

• On the exhibit level, there are many tactile exhibits of the monument, including the original design, the inside material, commemorative stones on the interior walls of the monument, and more.

• The level can get crowded, making it difficult to maneuver around. The level has a bench that is about 50 inches long and 20 inches wide. When finished on the exhibit level, visitors take the elevator down to the ground level. At the ground level, visitors must navigate through an automated door that will be held open to exit.

 

A tactile map with braille displays six locations throughout the National Mall.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Braille

• There is a braille version of the Washington Monument brochure. Please ask the rangers at the monument for a copy or contact the National Park Service at 202-426-6841 in advance of your visit. There are no large texts publications of the Washington Monument.

• Window areas on the observation level each have a map with braille and tactile elements for visitors to understand the locations of sites in the city. Additionally, the maps contain miniature tactile versions of the monuments and memorials on the National Mall. There are informative signs with braille on either side of the elevator wall on the observation level. On the exhibit level, there is an exhibit of Senator John Sherman’s quote with braille.

 

The back side of the Monument Lodge where the ticket booth window is located.

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Washington Monument Lodge

• The Washington Monument Lodge, a small souvenir store where tickets to the monument are distributed, is located on 15th Street, on the east side of the monument. The pathway to the lodge is smooth and well-maintained. Facing the entrance, a water fountain with two basins sits off to the right.

• The lodge entrance has double doors which requires a pull to enter and a push to exit. The interior surface is granite. The check-out counter sits about eight feet from the entrance doors.

• The ticket booth window is located outside on the back side of the lodge facing the monument. Restrooms are split into gender and are located on either side of the lodge. They must be accessed from the outside.

 

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