Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Things To Do Near Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is magnificent when the cherry blossoms are blooming. Be sure to step inside the monument and read the inscribed words. When Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he wrote, “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,” but he was outvoted, and the word was changed to unalienable rights. The inscription on the monument has it as Jefferson wrote it. See the 45-foot statue of this early American leader, and sit on the steps while gazing at the view of the Tidal Basin. 

Hiking Trails

• Chopawamsic Trail

  Stop at Prince William Forest’s headquarters to get a permit and the key before starting this beautiful hike. Enjoy stunning views of Breckenridge Reservoir and Chopawamsic Creek shortly after this hike begins. Then, hike near the creek for about 1.5 miles, which will bring you back to the starting point. 

  Location

  Chopawamsic Backcountry, Prince William Forest 18450 Breckenridge Road, Triangle, Virginia 22172

  Length

  2.3 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

  The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail runs 830 miles from Point Lookout State Park to the Ohio River Basin. Still, those looking for a local option can hike between McLean, Virginia’s Scott Run Nature Preserve, and Washington, D.C.’s Theodore Roosevelt Island. This trail is a great place to see Virginia bluebells in the spring and custard apples in the fall. 

  Location

  Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland, Maryland 20687

  Length

  830 miles

  Intensity

  Strenuous

• Gulf Branch Loop

  Explore the Gulf Branch Nature Center by following the Gulf Branch Loop. This loop starts at Glebe Road Park and runs through the nature center before reaching Gulf Branch Falls and circling back to its starting point.

  Location

  Glebe Road Park, 4211 North Old Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22207

  Length

  2.3 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• George Mason Memorial

  A very short distance southwest of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is the George Mason Memorial. In addition to being a confidant of Thomas Jefferson, Mason wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which Jefferson used when crafting the Declaration of Independence. This statue shows him seated on a bench with books on one side and his tri-cornered hat and cane on the other. 

  Location

  900 Ohio Drive Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20024

• Curtis Lee Mansion

  Often called the Arlington House, the Curtis Lee Mansion sits almost directly across the river from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Following the Civil War, the location of Arlington Cemetery was chosen so that Lee could never return to his home. Take the tour of this house, including the slave quarters located on its north and south ends. 

  Location

  321 Sherman Drive, Fort Myer, Virginia 22211

• Arlington National Cemetary

  Watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when visiting Arlington National Cemetery. See where President Kennedy is buried. Visit the Memorial Amphitheater, where the president traditionally holds a wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day. 

  Location

  1 Memorial Avenue, Fort Myer, Virginia 22211

Museums

• Dumbarton Oaks Museum

  The Dumbarton Oak Museum is a Georgetown house museum featuring Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art. Check the schedule to see if performances are happening in the Music Room, whose design is inspired by Paris’ Château de Cheverny. Stroll through the gardens, which are more formal, near the house, and become less formal as you get further away. 

  Location

  1703 32nd Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20007

• Museum of the Bible

  Gain a scholarly perspective of Biblical history by visiting the Museum of the Bible. The first three floors of this six-floor museum contain exhibits showing how the Bible has impacted culture worldwide. The fourth floor focuses on Biblical archeology while the fifth floor includes a movie theater. Head to the top of this museum to take in beautiful views of the National Mall while being surrounded by stained glass exhibits. 

  Location

  400 4th Street Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20024

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Compass Coffee

  Get your day off to a great start with one of the freshly ground coffees from Compass Coffee. They create unique blends, like cherry blossom, to help you get started in a great mood. You will also want to try their delicious chocolate offerings. 

  Location

  1535 7th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20001

• Curious Kids Toys

  Children will adore visiting Curious Kids Toys, where you can find stuffed animals, toy trucks, and dolls. Be sure to pick up a new board game for the entire family to play. 

  Location

  1100 S Hayes Street Unit Y06B, Arlington, Virginia 22202

• Hunan Gate Restaurant

  For more than 35 years, diners have been going to Hunan Gate Restaurant for outstanding Chinese food. This restaurant serves meals based on northeastern Chinese traditional recipes. Chefs prepare everything daily using high-quality local ingredients. 

  Location

  4233 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203

• The Liberty Tavern

  The two-story Liberty Tavern features a first-floor lounge and an upstairs dining room. Get outstanding comfort food in the dining room. Be sure to leave room for one of the house-made desserts, like the Nutella brownies, and a cup of organic coffee. 

  Location

  3195 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201

How To Get To Thomas Jefferson Memorial

 If you visit Arlington National Cemetery, it is easy to include a stop at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Leave the cemetery by heading north on Roosevelt Drive. Turn right onto Memorial Avenue. Take the first exit at the traffic circle, which puts you on Memorial Circle, and cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge. This road becomes Memorial Circle Northwest before becoming Lincoln Memorial Circle Northwest. 

Veer slightly to the left to get on Independence Avenue Southwest and slightly right to get on Marine Avenue Southwest. This road becomes Ohio Drive Southwest and finally becomes East Basin Drive Southwest right before the monument. Unlike many National Mall locations, there is a parking lot just south of the memorial. 

Address

16 East Basin Drive Southwest, Washington, D.C. 20242

Fee: Entry fee $0

Many people are surprised to learn that Arlington National Cemetery is only about three miles from Arlington, Virginia, and Fort Myer, Virginia, is even closer. Therefore, it is easy to include many other stops when you are visiting the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. This is especially true when you bring your RV. If you do not have an RV, then rent one on RVshare.com so that you can explore this area at your own pace.