World War I Memorial

Things To Do Near World War I Memorial

Follow the quotation walls around the World War I Memorial as they guide your experience through different periods of the war. Stop and see the various statues. Pay your respects to the brave men and women who died during World War I at the reflecting pool. 

Hiking Trails

• Milkhouse Ford Trail 

  The Milkhouse Ford Trail begins near the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium in Rock Creek Park. After crossing Military Road, explore Fort DeRussy which housed Civil War soldiers. Then, follow the creek to see poet Joaquin Miller's two-room log cabin. Just north of the house, follow Milkhouse Ford Road back to near your starting point. 

  Location

  Nature Center, Rock Creek Park, 5200 Glover Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20015

  Length

  1.75 Miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Jusserand Memorial Loop 

  The Jusserand Memorial Loop starts near the Tennis Center at Rock Creek Park. Follow the narrow trail to see Boulder Bridge, which workers constructed in 1902. Then, follow the path to see Peirce Mill, where employees ground corn, rye, and wheat from 1826 to 1897. See the Jusserand Memorial, which is the first memorial dedicated to a foreign diplomat erected on federal property. 

  Location

  Tennis Center, Rock Creek Park, 4850 Colorado Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20011 

  Length

  5 Miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Multi-Park Loop 

  This trail starts by turning left at the entrance to Thompson's Boat Center and runs through half of the Rock Creek Park Exercise Course. Then, it runs along a small creek, which may be dry, until it reaches Dumbarton Oaks Park and Beatrix Farrand's Landscaped Wild Garden. Next, it runs along Whitehaven Street to Glover Archbold Park and Francis Scott Key Memorial Park. The end of this trail runs by the Lincoln Memorial before returning to the boat center. 

  Location

  Thompson's Boat Center, 2900 Virginia Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20037 

  Length

  10 Miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

Sightseeing

• Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens 

  See over 13 acres of formal gardens at Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens created by Marjorie Post in the 1950s. Then, tour the home to see how Post brought the outside into the interior. This home is a great place to see orchids and Faberge eggs. 

  Location

  4155 Linnean Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20008 

• Ford's Theatre 

  Follow in President Lincoln's footsteps on a tour of Ford's Theatre. See where the president sat in his box decorated with American flags and a George Washington lithograph on the fateful night of April 14, 1865, when John Wilkes Booth shot him behind the left ear. Imagine you were the actor as he jumped from that box to the stage before escaping. Then, follow in the footsteps of audience members as they carried the president's body to the Petersen Boarding House. 

  Location

  511 10th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004

• Washington National Cathedral 

  Officially called the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Washington National Cathedral is a great place to explore on a 30-minute guided tour. Then, head outside to explore the medieval-style gardens and the building's Gothic exterior on your own. Among the 112 gargoyles decorating this church, see if you can spot the hippie and the Darth Vader ones. 

  Location

  3101 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20016

Museums

• Folger Shakespeare Library 

  The Folger Shakespeare Library contains the world's most extensive collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare. This museum hosts several gardens, including the Elizabethan Garden featuring plants from Shakespeare's plays. This facility often hosts Shakespeare-inspired plays in the theater. 

  Location

  201 East Capitol Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003 

• National Building Museum 

  Learn about architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design at the National Building Museum. Organizers have used The Great Hall at this museum for several inauguration balls. Among this museum's exhibits are 1,800 bricks from all around the world. 

  Location

  401 F Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Capitol Hill Bookstore 

  Select new books to enjoy from three floors of used, first editions, and rare books at Capitol Hill Bookstore. This bookstore has been open since 1991. It's owned by a group of employees who have consistently expanded its offerings. 

  Location

  657 C Street Washington, DC 20003 

• Eastern Market 

  Get food directly from the producers who raise or grow it inside Eastern Market. Then, wander around the outside of this venue to find arts, crafts, and homemade goodies. 

  Location

  225 Seventh Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003

• Ambar 

  Enjoy a Balkan dining experience at Ambar. Start your meal by swiping freshly baked pita bread through a variety of sauces. Cevapi, the paprika-laced ground veal-and-pork sausage, is a favorite at this restaurant. You will love the décor with its Carrera marble bar, an antique white-tin ceiling, hanging plants, and a room-length partition wall featuring black-and-white street scenes from Old Belgrade. 

  Location

  523 8th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003 

• Valor Brewpub 

  Watch the big game while enjoying a delicious meal at Valor Brewpub. This restaurant regularly donates to veterans' organizations, is run by a veteran, and is located across from the Marine Barracks. The menu features fabulous comfort food. 

  Location

  23 8th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003

How To Get To World War I Memorial

It is easy to walk from Lafayette Square to the World War I Memorial in about four minutes. From the north end of the square, head east until you reach the corner. Turn right, and walk down 14th Street Northwest. The White House will be on your right. Directly after you pass the White House grounds, you will be at the park.

Address

Penn Avenue Northwest between 14th & 15th, Washington, D.C. 20003 

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee to visit the World War I Memorial.

Pay tribute to the men and women who gave their all during World War I by visiting the World War I Memorial. This memorial that opened in 2021 is just south of the White House in the area formerly known as Pershing Park. A great way to explore this area is by bringing your RV to Washington, D.C. If you do not have one, then rent one from RVshare.