This is one of my favorite DC memorials. I love how simple and elegant so many of the memorials are in DC and this one is no exception. A circular area with a huge statue of Thomas Jefferson. 4 walls etched with historic documents/sayings. There are benches around the inside of the memorial where you can sit and gaze toward Jefferson or out toward the Tidal Basin. You can also sit on the steps on the outside of the memorial. There is an area at the ground level where there are bathrooms, a gift shop, and some information about the memorial and Jefferson. There is also an elevator on the ground level that will bring you up to the main memorial level. This memorial is completely away from the other sights in DC. We took a cab here. Afterward, we wanted to get another taxi, but they don't come by that often. If you go here when hardly anyone else is here, have a plan on how to get out. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Visited the Jefferson Memorial during the Cherry Blossom Festival (early April) and it was crowded with visitors during the daytime. Currently have constructions going on, so you have to enter by the road. Have 2 gift stores located on the ground level. Great spot of taking pictures at night when there are less people. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely gorgeous at night! The memorial itself isn't as grand as the Lincoln Memorial but the night time view is fantastic. There are also restrooms downstairs, with an exhibit on Jefferson's life and contributions. There is also a gift shop if you're a true Jeffersonphile. The biggest struggle with the Jefferson Memorial is how far away it is from all the other memorials. I'd recommend coming by car rather than attempting to walk it. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Beautiful view of the water and if the season is right there are the famous cherry trees in blossom. Great yo go and sit or walk towards the mall. read more

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My favorite of the founding fathers. This gorgeous memorial pays tribute to Thomas Jefferson. What a remarkable life he led! He wrote the Declaration of Independence, served as Washington's Secretary of State, Adam's Vice President and our nation's third President. He made the Louisiana purchase for a mere $15 million dollars. He penned the universal truth about human rights that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Our democracy would not be what it is today without his leadership. The memorial is beautiful and a domed and columned structure surrounds a huge statue of Jefferson as he looks out on the White House. The tidal basin is ringed with the Cherry Blossoms that must be quite a sight when they are in full bloom, we were about a month late for that. Note that there is a lot of construction around the North and East sides that makes entry difficult. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I enjoyed this memorial, much more than I did Lincoln. Both beautiful, but this one was easier to access via Uber to & from. Great views from the memorial, nice place to just sit and hang out with friends. When I came, there was a wedding on the lawn, in front of it - nice idea! The elevators seem super sketch (they're old, slow & dark), but they work! You can find some cool stuff down there, restrooms & they also have a gift shop. Employees were friendly and I got some great magnets to bring back! Definitely check out this memorial when in DC. read more

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Huge...this statue is huge. It's 43 stairs up to the statue (there is an elevator too) The statue of Thomas Jefferson is impressive...and well worth the climb up the stairs read more

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The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is one of the most classic memorials/monuments in DC, so I knew we had to visit when we visited DC for a few days this past week. And it was well worth visiting. Walking up to the memorial, the memorial appears so grand - it's enormous and facing the water - it's just very impressive. It was my first visit to DC (as an adult, I'm told I visited in my youth, but I have absolutely no memory of this), and visiting this memorial and the other classic memorials made it a trip to remember (and babble about for days)! read more

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For my 300th review I wanted to write about my time at the Jefferson Memorial during my recent trip to DC with my family. I went to the Jefferson Memorial twice during my trip. Once with a tour company during the day, a second time I went there myself right before sunset. Surprisingly there is not a lot of people in the Jefferson Memorial either time I went. It certainly doesn't get as many people as the Lincoln Memorial. Which for me was a good thing. I was able to see a breathtaking sunset watching from the memorial as I watched the sun disappear and the sky darken as the night enveloped the tidal basin. After trekking thru DC for days...rushing to and fro as I try to see as much of this great city as possible...it felt good to just relax and see this beautiful sight. I certainly recommend anyone in DC to experience a sunset from the Jefferson Memorial. The site itself if beautiful. It seems modeled after the Pantheon of Rome. Jefferson's statute stands at the Center and he is surrounded by inscriptions of writings and quotes from his life. It may be a shrine to Jefferson but it is a temple to liberty. A beautiful testament to a man who though full of many accomplishments including the presidency, is best known for being the writer most responsible for one of our most hallowed documents, the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men." This is the foundation of our beliefs as Americans. Have we always lived up to these ideals...no. But it is something we continue and must continue to strive for. Beautiful memorial. I loved every moment here. read more

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This place is amazing from afar and is amazing up close. The dome is visible from the backside and the front is square shaped with massive columns holding it up. This place has multiple levels to see. The lower level has gift shops, restrooms and walk-through history of Thomas Jefferson. The upper level has a huge statue of Thomas Jefferson as well as memorable quotes displayed on the inside. My only complaint is parking but it is understandable that the government wants to protect this monument. Outstanding! read more

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This is a magnificent memorial dedicated to the 3rd US President. A gift from Japan, the Cherry Blossom trees planted around the Tidal Basin make the Jefferson Memorial views breathtaking. Its located on the far end of Tidal Basin. The view from the steps looking at our nations Capital is something every American should see. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

As other helpers have pointed out, Thomas Jefferson Memorial is subordinate to The Lincoln Memorial, as there are many more crowds of people over at The Lincoln Memorial. Don't be fooled, The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a gem. Tommy wrote the Declaration of Independence and purchased The Louisiana Territory. This guy is a saint, and his statue is towering and domineering. There is a cool breeze off the water that saturates the whole property and this is the prime location for cherry blossoms. This is a must visit. read more

Jefferson Memorial - All men are created equal. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I probably have the least to say about this monument, but Jefferson was a great intellectual and this memorial is grand but falls short on somehow conveying how much he influenced this country's legal system. A beautiful structure, no doubt. You should definitely visit it. read more

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This was my first time in DC and the Jeffferson Memorial was one of the places I had to see. The building is beautiful and a site the see. We went during the week and it was not too busy. They also have a few exhibits and a store in the mower level of the memorial. This memorial is a little ways from the National Mall so we took a lyft to get to it. I would recommend this memorial as a must see when in DC. read more

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I almost missed seeing this memorial because of its distance from the rest of the mall. It's a pretty good walk from some of the other more popular attractions, but I'm glad we walked on over. There weren't a lot of people over by it at all. It is a beautiful structure and it sits on the Tidal basin. It gave us a nice cool breeze on a summer night. With it being night time and hardly NO lights along the path to get there, the walk was a little sketch. I think it would help if the pathways were lit. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful memorial. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I went here with my parents on a warm Saturday night in April 2022. As soon as I arrived I thought: "Wow, what an enormous and beautiful landmark!" I loved the enormous statue of Thomas Jefferson and the 4 speeches that surrounded him on each side of the memorial. It's beautiful how it's been built in the style of the Roman Temple since the Romans are one of the most influential, if not, the most influential people in history, and we became the next Great Empire of the world! This memorial is a true symbol of American power, freedom, and democracy!! The best part? My parents and I had the entire memorial to ourselves!! As a result, it was really quiet and we walked around the landmark with reverence, as we listened to the soothing sounds of (big) city traffic around us! It was especially uplifting to be looking out over the Tidal Basin and see the Washington Monument completely bright against the night sky! That image will forever be etched in my memory! I picked up good vibes, the moment I got close to the memorial! I had a huge smile on my face, the entire time that we were in the city, and when we saw the DC skyline, glowing like a lightbulb! You cannot visit DC and miss out on exploring this iconic landmark! read more

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A little off the beaten path of the National Mall but stunning to see in person rather than off in the distance or in pictures. I'm a bit of an American history nerd so I geek out on all the little symbolic elements put into monuments. The monument itself was stunning (and so much larger than you'd expect but that seems to be the case with almost all of them) but part of the view was ruined by construction along the Tidal Basin- fencing and whatnot. There weren't too many people around and given that this is off the main stretch of memorials, museums, and monuments, it's very peaceful at it overlooks the basin and all the hoopla nearby. Overall, still an amazing and worthwhile trip. I took the better part of an afternoon of cruising around the Mall then going to the Jefferson Memorial then walking to the MLK Memorial then around to the Korean War Memorial then making the loops to Lincoln then finally the WW2 Memorial. Yes, it was a bit of a hike hitting all those at the same time with no car, cab, bike, etc. but it was worth it. Lots of picture opportunities if you take this walk- you can get some angles of the monument that you don't typically see. read more

Great place to spend Independence Day. The fireworks exploding over the water make this a special place to view the fourth festivities. A fitting tribute to Thomas Jefferson as he stares across the tidal basin keep watch on the White House. Inspirational quotes surround the inside wall and give us insight to this great American to whom we owe much as the author of our Decleration of Independence. read more

Jefferson Memorial - The bombs bursting in air - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great first visit beautiful memorial. Learned somethings about him I did not know. The marble they used there was absolutely beautiful. The view from the steps was nice as well. read more

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Hypocrisy aside, Thomas Jefferson lead an amazing life, so visiting his memorial was a great honor. read more

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Another historic site that you have to visit if you are in Washington D.C. I am wow & wow when I see the memorial. It is so unreal when I am really looking at the status in person. Once I walk up the stairs.... people inside the memorial tend to keep quiet for showing the respect. The place is kept very clean and maintain very well. read more

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I love Jefferson Memorial! I think he's a bit underrated though and out shined by Lincoln. The building is after the Pantheon and has a good view of the Washington memorial with the Potomac River. It's also far away from all the others, so it means less crowded. read more

Wonderfully preserved and magnificent monument!!! Definitely chaos during weekends in the summer and cherry blossom season. Otherwise a random weekday in the winter months not many people are out there. read more

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This memorial is a sight to behold during Cherry Blossom season with pastel trees surrounding the tidal basin. Nothing frames the structure better than pretty pink flowers. We saw the memorial both during night time and day. Each provides a glorious view. At night, you won't have to contend with the crowds. After 9, the visitors have already dispersed, so you can enjoy the memorial with some peace and quiet. read more

Jefferson Memorial - during Cherry Blossom season - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

One of my favorite memorials simply because it isn't as popular as the Lincoln Memorial so the crowd is smaller here. It's on the tidal basin which makes for a great stroll. You can visit this one and walk alongside the water to the MLK Memorial and the FDR Memorial (my all time favorite in DC). There are bathrooms at this memorial and if you need an escape from the tourists, go to the back of this memorial and dangle your legs off the side and have some good introverted time. Note: The one downside is that this memorial is aging and the green stains on the walls and cobwebs on the ceiling are testimony to that. Despite this, it still is a great memorial. read more

This memorial is dramatic in its own right. Its not as massive as Lincoln, or as ornate at WWII, but it still is a must visit when visiting DC. Our 3rd President stands tall in the middle of the rotunda, with quotes surrounding him. We came on a wintery day, so the inside was a bit dim and the surrounding area quite stark. I'm sure when the cherry blossoms are out, the Memorial is qute beautiful and well lit. On the Hop on/ Hop off bus, they take you on the back side. Be sure to Hop OFF so you can see the front. read more

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It's currently under some construction but it doesn't interfere with the view of Jefferson. Not exactly wheelchair friendly if you need that! read more

History teaches us a lot, if we are open to learn those lessons. For one, we are informed, knowledgeable, and hopefully agree not to repeat our forefathers mistakes. Visiting Washington D.C. was such a luxury and should be on every American's travel bucket list to see at least once in your life. Seeing the city and its numerous Monuments of various historical leaders is fascinating. Up close and personal is a very prideful patriotic experience. Humbling in fact. I am a big fan of President Thomas Jefferson. I have a sweet spot for him. Blushing. Now, TJ was not a perfect man or leader, but than again, who is? His talent and civic contributions far out weigh any imperfections. He was deeply in love with his wife Martha Jefferson. Unfortunately she died before her time and being a grieving widower he fell for his sister in law, Sally Hemings. Now that was Martha's half sister genetically. In those days, family ties were different. And she supposedly resembled her sister quite a bit. Yes, TJ had children with her, this we know. And yes, his daughter Martha was there to help fill the role of First Lady. But in spite of ending his presidency in personal debt. Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of the Constitution. He was also Secretary of State. A Governor. A U.S. Minister. And a Vice President. Impressive credentials to say the least. He was also a lawyer, farmer, and linguist as well. During his travels in France, he admired their refined gourmet foods and drinks. Bringing back grafting of trees, customs, and recipes. He planted French Vines in hopes of procuring excellent American wines. Unfortunately those failed and he went with tobacco instead. But his intention of bringing a more civilized way of life into our rugged and young country is part of his legacy. This Greco-Roman column Rotunda is in the perfect architectural style TJ would approve of. Upon climbing the dozen or more steps up into the main area, one is blissfully greeted by a standing replica of this incredible leader. Some of his magnificent words are inscribed on four separate tablets hanging on the side walls. I felt overwhelmed in such a proud, patriotic way I had not intended, but enjoyed all the same. There is a small sign asking visitors to limit their conversations and noise, which I found appropriate. The solitude and quietness richly cements the profound experience. It is a small bit of a walk to this memorial, it is not directly near other sites, but Washington DC is a walking city. Put on your most comfortable shoes, grab your shades, and hit the many paths to this and so many spots in the immediate area. I found a gem of a free parking lot tucked around the corner to the west of the Tidal Basin. Otherwise rideshare, bike, or walk your way around town. read more

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Visited last month. Playing catch up on reviews. Under construction. You can still go in. A must see if you have the time. read more

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A beautiful memorial to one of our founding fathers. The monument sits proudly on our National Mall among some of the other important historical figures. Our visit occurred at night and it was not crowded which allowed for a better view. The Jefferson Memorial overlooks the Washington Monument which provides a great photo op. If you want to miss the crowds you may want to consider a night visit but just be prepared for a hike because the parking is a bit far. read more

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This was the fourth tourist attraction that was doing construction/renovating in high tourist visiting time. This building is beautiful from a far and up close even with renovations. I was told that cherry blossom season is when it is the prettiest, I'll have to agree from photos I saw, March-April. There is a very small gift shop at top of stairs and bathrooms, usually open. Don't forget your state park stamp book, there is an ink stamp in book store. We recommend this monument, it's beautiful. read more

Thomas Jefferson is of course remembered for being the writer of the Declaration of Independence and was the third president of the United States who ended the slave trade (though slavery itself would remain for another 60 years) and doubled the size of the country through the Louisiana Purchase. Coming from a more refined, neoclassical era, Jefferson's monument fits in that same tradition which he would have recognized and built himself seeing as how he was an architect as well but on a massive scale. The columns are enormous and may need five people in order to scale just one of them! The statue in the round is impressive and the design of the monument also reminds me of the Pantheon in Rome. I also enjoy the quotes on the wall too. It's not as crowded as the Lincoln Memorial which is great and gives the place a more relaxed feel. Definitely a great place to check out and remind yourself of what the founding fathers did to create our country from the ground up. read more

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Amazing place. 1) It is just beautiful in night or day. 2) The Tidal Basin around it makes it even better. 3) Must visit. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My hands-down favorite spot in Washington, DC. Any time, any weather - I try to make a trip to the Jefferson Memorial. In the spring it is sublime. At dusk, dawn and night it is enchanting. It is off in a corner, so it is hard to get as crowded as others. I enjoy the quotes, the memorial the location, everything. Visit it. You will enjoy it. read more

So beautiful. It is my favorite monument and a lot less crowded compared to Lincoln Memorial because it is a little further out. It's worth the visit. I lived walking distance to the monuments and would try to get my exercise in daily. Seeing the Tidal Basin and Thomas Jefferson Memorial was amazing each morning. Especially during the cherry blossom season. I highly recommend going! Parking near the monuments is difficult when visiting during peak hours. I recommend parking further way, walking, or Ubering. You can also get bikes through the city's use Capital Bike share! read more

Jefferson Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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MUST SEE memorial while in DC. I believe it is just as important as the Lincoln Memorial however it is less crowded. Maybe its location is not the best, its about a 40 minute walk from the entrance of the Lincoln memorial to Jefferson. Along the way you might stop by the Korean War memorial and the MLK Memorial. That walk tends to be very peaceful because you are walking along a sidewalk that is next to a lake with great views of the city. The sun was starting to set when we got there and we could see the rays of light peeking in through the columns, it was beautiful. Even though there was a hand full of people with us admiring the sculpture of one of America's presidents, it was silent. You could hear a pin drop. Along the walls there was writing that reflected Jefferson's thoughts. On the lower level you have two gift shops one at each side, a small exhibition on Jefferson and bathrooms. There is also an elevator that will take you from the ground level to the memorial in case you do not want to go up all the stairs. read more

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An amazing historical experience can be had here. A must see for all Americans young and old.

The Jefferson is really beautiful. All the monuments are really beautiful. Jefferson is a little off the beaten path but worth the effort. There is a security guard up there who is awesome! I think his name is Phil. He is full of information and knows history. He answered all of our questions, provided additional information and also gave us a wealth of information about FDR and was the reason that we all made an unscheduled stop at FDR before heading over to Martin Luther King, JR. Turns out they are really close to each other so it was perfect. Jefferson was full of contradictions but to see his quotes, it definitely let's you see them but also how he left wiggle room for himself and the country by acknowledging the need and inevitability of change and growth. Worth a visit. read more

Jefferson Memorial - Jefferson - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Legends never die, they live forever. The late Thomas Jefferson is a legendary man. He was the archetypal Renaissance Man. In his lifetime; he was an architect, musician, political philosopher, book collector, horticulturist, inventor, one of the drafters of the Declaration of Independence, and third President of the United States of America from 1801 to 1809. The Thomas Jefferson legacy lives in the Jefferson Memorial. The Jefferson Memorial is on 2.5 acres along the Southeast shoreline of the Tidal Basin. The designers purposely planned the Jefferson Memorial to be exactly south of the White House and Washington Monument. As a matter of fact the 19 foot high bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson is looking directly at the White House. With that said, the views of the White House, Washington Monument, Tidal Basin, and Washington D.C. from the Jefferson Memorial are second to none. It just takes some effort climbing up all the marble steps to reach the rotunda. One of my dearest moments in Washington D.C. was watching the sundown over the Tidal Basin from the rotunda. Thomas Jefferson was a man who had a way with words. His famous quotes are displayed on the four panels of the interior walls. They tell a story of a legendary man who strongly believed in democracy, freedom, and education. Reading his words were inspirational. Just as touching as Thomas Jefferson's words is the memorial dedicated to him. The Jefferson Memorial is down the shoreline from the FDR Memorial. The two men's bonding goes beyond the shoreline connecting their memorials. FDR respected Thomas Jefferson and paid his respect with the idea of the Jefferson Memorial. J.R. Pope designed it in 1936 with Neo-classical architecture. The circular dome is influenced by the Pantheon in Rome. Fast forward a few years to 1943, and FDR paid the ultimate compliment to Thomas Jefferson with the opening of the Jefferson Memorial. It was on our first full day in Washington D.C., where I visited the Jefferson Memorial and back in 1984 on a school field trip. Anyways the Jefferson Memorial was the last landmark we saw on a tour of the memorials and monuments on the West National Mall and Tidal Basin shoreline. The walk from the FDR Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial added to the experience. The Jefferson Memorial is a mesmerizing site reflecting on the Tidal Basin. With each step forward on the treeline walking path on the shore the Jefferson Memorial became closer and more spectacular. We'd take in scenes of paddle boats and geese enjoying life in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson. In my opinion, if you have a few days in Washington D.C., I highly recommend a walk along the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial instead of being dropped off there. Fortunately we caught the Jefferson Memorial when the sun was transitioning to night over the Tidal Basin and beyond (I think Thomas Jefferson would like photography). This was the ultimate conclusion to a day touring the sights of Washington D.C. Legendary people never die. Thomas Jefferson lives on in the Jefferson Memorial. read more

A perfect day for my stroll around National Mall. Next Stop: The Jefferson Memorial. BACKGROUND The Jefferson Memorial is another highly visited tourist stop for travelers in Washington D.C., hoping to get a glance of one of the country's most famous presidents. Dedicated to President Thomas Jefferson, who was one of the most important Founding Fathers and writer of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was also a member of the Continental Congress, governor of Virginia, minister to King Louis XVI, and the first U.S. Secretary of State under President George Washington. It's hard to deny the monstrosity of his legacy, which is why a neoclassical memorial building on the Tidal Basin off of the Washington Channel of the Potomac River was erected in his honor. The product of architect John Russell Pope, built under direction of Philadelphia contractor John McShain, it took 4-years to complete the memorial, wrapping up in 1943. Four years later, a bronze statue of Jefferson was added to the site. Today, the Jefferson Memorial is managed by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior, under the National Mall and Memorial Parks Division. THOMAS JEFFERSON Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States, integral to the founding of the nation we know and love today. Previously serving as Vice President under John Adams from 1797 until 1801, Jefferson continuously championed democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, motivating colonists to turn away from British monarchal rule. Born and raised in colonial Virginia, and a graduate of William and Mary college, Jefferson saw firsthand how biased and unruly the British colonial hold on America was at the time. During the American Revolution, he drafted one of the most iconic pieces of literature in the world, declaring American independence from the British. Proficient in several languages, an architect by trade, philosopher, and philanthropist, there isn't much that Jefferson didn't dabble in during his time with our country. THOMAS JEFFERSON MEMORIAL Situated directly south of the White House, in 1901, the Senate Park Commission recommended placing a Pantheon-type structure in the area, filling it with notable figures from history. During President Franklin Roosevelt's term in 1934, he added to the discussion about creating a memorial specifically for Jefferson, being a staunch admirer. By 1935, a Congressional commission was appointed to oversee the project, selecting Pope as the architect. Construction officially began in 1938. President Roosevelt unveiled the structure on April 13, 1943, on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birthday. In 1966, it claimed a title as a National Memorial, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building is visited by architects as an open-aired memorial example, with marble steps, a portico, ionic order columns, and a shadow dome. It signifies the founding of our great nation just 200-years ago. This memorial is massive and filled with a ton of tourists. Underneath the monument are the gift shops and restrooms, and both had long lines; it was basically pure chaos. CONCLUSION Understanding America's rich history is Important to me, so visiting The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a no brainer. 5/5 RECOMMEND read more