Politics & Government

Washington Monument to Reopen May 12; Tour Tix on Sale Wednesday

The monument has been closed for repairs after a rare earthquake hit the area in 2011.

For those of you who commute in and out of DC, you may have noticed that the scaffolding is finally off of the Washington Monument, after repairs were made from the area's rare earthquake on Aug. 23, 2011.

The iconic tribute to America's first president George Washington reopens May 12, according to the National Park Service. That means tours will start up again too.

Tickets (tours are free but you need a timed ticket) are available at the Washington Monument Lodge, on 15th Street, between Madison and Jefferson drives. Tour tickets are also available online at the National Park Service's reservation page, beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The Washington Monument is open daily 7 days a week except for July 4 and Dec. 25. Summer hours are from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with the last tour starting at 9:30 p.m. until Labor Day.

Visitors must be on-site for this time to ensure they are able to get on the elevator for the tour (last elevator leaves at 9:30 p.m.).

After Labor Day, hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last tour starting at 4:30 p.m. Visitors must be on-site for this time to ensure they are able to get on the elevator for the tour (last elevator leaves at 4:30 p.m.).

The following items are restricted within the Washington Monument and there is no storage facility available:

  • No Animals (except certified guide dogs)
  • No Suitcases or Large Backpacks
  • No Guns or Knives
  • No Strollers
  • No Food or Drink, except bottled water or baby formula in clear plastic containers.
  • No Mace or Aerosol Cans

Please let the rangers on site know if you have any medical conditions (i.e. pacemakers) that require special attention at the security screening facility. The monument is fully accessible and wheelchairs are available upon request. .


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