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One of the sites that you absolutely must see if you ever get a chance to take a trip to Washington D.C. is the Lincoln Memorial. Built early in the twentieth century to honor President Abraham Lincoln, this landmark has been the location of many important aspects of history. Additionally, it is a testament to the art and culture of our nation with murals and exhibits that depict the history and art history of the United States. Even the architecture of this National Memorial alone represents the history and design of the nation.


You could just plan to show up at the Lincoln Memorial one day and see what it’s all about. You would certainly get an eyeful and probably learn a few things in the process. You would also get some great pictures to take home as souvenirs. But if you really want to get the full experience of what this institution means to the country, you need to explore the Lincoln Memorial in a little more depth. A little bit of planning in advance and preparing to spend a good chunk of time at the site will help to make sure that you get the most out of this experience.

Here are some tips for making the most out of a visit to the Lincoln Memorial:

• Learn about it in advance. You’ll get a better understanding of what you’re seeing and experiencing at the Lincoln Memorial if you take a little bit of time to learn about it first. If you’re really interested in the history associated with it, you’ll want to get some books and videos that tell you more about who Abraham Lincoln was and what he did for this country. If you’re not quite that interested in such an in-depth exploration, use websites to get the gist of what he was about. And make sure that you also learn about the rest of the history associated with the Lincoln Memorial. Did you know that it was the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech? If you didn’t, you should start briefing yourself on what this destination attraction is all about.
• Open yourself up to creativity. We primarily think about the Lincoln Memorial in terms of its historical importance. However, it’s importance to the art history of the nation is significant as well. The architectural design of the building, created by Henry Bacon, harkens back to the design of Greek architecture. The massive sculpture of Abraham Lincoln constructed by Daniel Chester French speaks to the solidity of sculptural work at the time of its creation. And you’ll also find that there are murals to catch your artistic eye as you explore this site. Before heading to the area, open yourself up to really approaching it with an artistic frame of mind. You might even consider taking an art history class – or just a basic art class – to get in the mood. We all need a little more creativity in our lives!
• Brush up on your digital photography skills. In the creative vein, you’ll want to make sure that you bring a camera to capture this attraction. And you might want to consider brushing up on the basics of taking good digital photographs. The design of the building, the changing light in the area and the interesting size of the Lincoln statute in comparison to its surroundings are all things that make for great photo opportunities if you know what you’re doing with your camera.
• Plan to go during the day. The Lincoln Memorial can actually be visited at any time of day or night. And at night, it’s lit up beautifully. However, if you go during the daytime hours, you’ll be able to get information from the guide staff working there. Day or night, you won’t have to pay to see this free landmark.
• Consider taking a cell phone tour. There are tours available which provide you with additional information about the landmark as you are there. These are delivered directly to your cell phone and can be listened to as you are wandering around and observing the attraction. This is a great modern way to get information about what you are seeing.
• Look for the legends. There are some “legends” or rumors about the Lincoln Memorial that have made their way around the nation over time. They aren’t all true but it’s kind of fun to look for them anyway; you’ll get a whole new perspective on the Lincoln Memorial.


Here are some of those rumors:

• Look at the hands on the Lincoln statute. It is said that the sculptor crafted them in the shape of the American Sign Language symbols standing for Lincoln’s initials. One of the things that you might not have known about Lincoln was that he signed a law allowing a deaf university to give college degrees to its students.
• Reportedly, the face of General E. Lee is carved into the back of the Lincoln statue.
• Read the Gettysburg Address. This is one of the things Lincoln is most famous for. The words of the speech are inscribed in the memorial. Read them aloud to get the full impact of their meaning.
• Use public transportation to get there. There are a lot of people who come to see this attraction and the crowds make it hard to find parking in the already congested area surrounding the museum. Take a shuttle from your hotel, use a cab or take the Metro instead of driving there on your own.
• Get some additional reading material from the bookstore located at the Lincoln Memorial. It doesn’t hurt to continue learning about the landmark, the former president and the nation’s capital even after you leave the attraction.
• Enjoy the rest of West Potomac Park. There are numerous other historical sites to see within this park other than the Lincoln Memorial. And even without these sites, the park is a nice place to spend some time. Hang out by the artificial inlet of the Potomac River. Walk through the trees planted in the area. Take some time to just experience the world around you and absorb what you’ve just seen.
• Head to a nearby restaurant for some food. If you spend enough time at the Lincoln Memorial, you’re going to get hungry. You can just grab a bite at a snack bar but you might have a better time in the nation’s capital if you go get some food at a local restaurant. There are some really unique restaurants located within close distance to the Lincoln Memorial. For small plates, you can go to Jaleo (Spanish tapas) or Zaytinya (Middle Eastern mezze). For bigger meals, head to Oceanaire Seafood Room, The Capital Grille or TenPenh Restaurant.

Almost everyone who visits Washington D.C. takes the time to stop at the Lincoln Memorial. If you only have a short amount of time and want to drop in, take some pictures, and leave, you’ll still get a great experience of the attraction. But if you really want to understand America a little bit better, take the time to really explore what this historic site is all about.

photo credits: chadh, sphillp, jasonpratt, craigweb, sphillip

Tags: North America | United States | washington dc