U.S. Navy Memorial

The basics

The adjacent visitor center serves as the U.S. Navy Memorial’s companion museum, featuring exhibits that educate the public on the mission and history of the Navy, as well as a look into the life of those who serve. In the center, visitors will find interactive displays, historical text and documents, artifacts, and more, as well as a souvenir shop. Stop by the log room to search for a service member or to register yourself. The site is typically included in guided memorial tours, as well as general sightseeing tours of DC.

Things to know before you go

• Visitors can buy a flag to have flown over the memorial; it comes with a certificate of presentation.
• The Burke Theater inside the visitor center is often used for Hollywood movie screenings.
• Seeing the memorial lit up at night is a scenic way to visit.

How to get there

The U.S. Navy Memorial is conveniently located near the Archives/Navy Memorial metro station, which is accessible by both the green and yellow lines, right next to the National Mall. Public parking is also available. Guided tours usually provide round-trip transportation and the memorial is also reachable via the city’s hop on, hop off buses.

When to get there

The U.S. Navy Memorial is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The visitor center is open from 9:30am to 5pm, and closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The U.S. Navy Band performs a free concert on the plaza every Tuesday at 7:30pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day. (If the weather is bad, the concert may be moved to the Burke Theater.)

National Archives Museum

Located across the street from the U.S. Navy Memorial, the National Archives Museum houses the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, as well as rotating exhibits. There are also hands-on activities such as scavenger hunts and games for families, as well as a learning lab where students can analyze historical documents.