World War I Memorial

For the first time, the flag was raised over the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.'s Pershing Park on April 16, 2021. A 65-foot bronze sculptural wall, called A Soldier's Journey, will eventually be the centerpiece of this memorial but will not open until Memorial Day 2024. Once completed, the wall will be the largest of its kind in the world. It is divided into three sections, with one area showing how civilians became soldiers, the middle part showing their efforts during the war, and the final part showcasing the unbreakable ties that soldiers form during wartimes. Meanwhile, visitors can see the statue of General Pershing, who gallantly led America's troops during World War I. The memorial covers 116,516 cubic feet, with each foot representing a soldier who died during World War I.

Things to Do

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 There

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.