National Mall War Memorials Guide: WWII, Korean & Vietnam Veterans Memorials (+ Veterans Day 2026 Tips)
The west end of the National Mall holds three of the most moving places in America. The World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial sit within a 10-minute walk of each other, and together they honor millions of Americans who served in three wars. This guide to the war memorials on the National Mall explains what each one means, what not to miss, how long to plan, and how to visit on Veterans Day 2026.
Quick answer: The three major war memorials on the National Mall are free and open 24 hours a day. Plan about 30–45 minutes each for the WWII and Vietnam memorials and 20–30 minutes for the Korean War memorial. Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11, with ceremonies at each memorial and at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Three Memorials at a Glance
| Memorial | Dedicated | Location | Don’t miss | Time to plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National World War II Memorial | 2004 | 17th St, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial | The Freedom Wall’s 4,048 gold stars | 30–45 min |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial | 1982 | Constitution Ave & Henry Bacon Dr NW | Finding a name and making a rubbing | 30–45 min |
| Korean War Veterans Memorial | 1995 (wall added 2022) | Independence Ave & Daniel French Dr SW | The 19 soldiers on patrol | 20–30 min |
National World War II Memorial
The WWII Memorial honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort at home. Dedicated in 2004, it sits at the east end of the Reflecting Pool, so the Washington Monument rises behind it and the Lincoln Memorial stands in front.
What to look for:
- 56 granite pillars, one for each state and territory of the era plus the District of Columbia, joined by bronze wreaths.
- Two 43-foot arches marked Atlantic and Pacific, for the war’s two main theaters.
- The Freedom Wall, with 4,048 gold stars. Each star represents about 100 Americans who died in the war.
- 24 bronze bas-relief panels showing scenes from enlistment to homecoming.
- Two hidden “Kilroy was here” engravings, a nod to the famous wartime doodle. Ask a ranger for a hint.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
“The Wall” was dedicated in 1982 and designed by Maya Lin, then a 21-year-old architecture student. Its two black granite walls meet at an angle, one pointing toward the Washington Monument and the other toward the Lincoln Memorial. More than 58,000 names of service members who died or remain missing are carved into the stone.
How to read it: Names are listed in chronological order of casualty, starting at the center in 1959, running east, then continuing from the far west end back to the center, where the war’s timeline closes in 1975. Directories at each end, and rangers and volunteers on site, can help you find a specific name. Paper and pencils for rubbings are usually available.
Nearby: The Three Servicemen statue (1984) and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial (1993), which honors the women who served, most of them as nurses.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Dedicated in 1995 on the anniversary of the 1953 armistice, the Korean War Veterans Memorial is often called the most haunting of the three. Nineteen stainless steel soldiers in ponchos move through juniper bushes as if on patrol. Reflected in the polished granite wall beside them, they become 38, a reference to the 38th parallel.
What to look for:
- The mural wall, etched with about 2,500 faces taken from archival photographs of support troops.
- The Pool of Remembrance and the inscription “Freedom Is Not Free.”
- The Wall of Remembrance, added in 2022, listing more than 36,000 Americans and more than 7,100 Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army (KATUSA) soldiers who died in the war.
The statues are especially powerful after dark, when spotlights cast long shadows across the field. See our guide to visiting DC monuments at night.
Other Military Memorials Worth Adding
- National World War I Memorial, Pennsylvania Avenue at 14th Street NW, home to the large bronze sculpture A Soldier’s Journey.
- District of Columbia War Memorial, a small domed temple in the trees near the Korean War memorial.
- Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, across the Memorial Bridge in Virginia.
- U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) and the Air Force Memorial, both in Arlington with skyline views.
Veterans Day 2026 in Washington DC
Veterans Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11. It is a federal holiday, so government offices close, while Smithsonian museums and the memorials stay open. Ceremonies have followed a similar schedule for years; confirm the 2026 times with each organizer before you go:
| Typical time | Ceremony | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | Wreath-laying at the WWII Memorial | National Mall | Hosted by the Friends of the National WWII Memorial; advance registration often requested |
| 11:00 a.m. | National Veterans Day Observance | Arlington National Cemetery | Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, then the Memorial Amphitheater; arrive very early for security |
| 1:00 p.m. | Veterans Day ceremony at The Wall | Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and NPS |
| 3:00 p.m. | Wreath presentation | Korean War Veterans Memorial | Often with Korean War veterans in attendance |
Sources: NPS Veterans Day observances and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
Tips for Veterans Day:
Use Metro. Foggy Bottom–GWU and Smithsonian stations serve the west end of the Mall; Arlington Cemetery has its own stop on the Blue Line.
Expect security screening and road closures around Arlington National Cemetery in the morning.
Bring a jacket. Mid-November mornings are often in the 40s °F.
Thank a veteran. Many veterans visit the memorials that day and are happy to share their stories.
How to Visit All Three Memorials in One Trip
On foot, the loop from the WWII Memorial to the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War memorial is about 1.5 miles. Start at the WWII Memorial, walk along the north side of the Reflecting Pool to the Vietnam Wall, climb the Lincoln Memorial steps, and finish at the Korean War memorial on the south side.
If you would rather save your legs for the memorials themselves, our small-group E-Cart monuments tour stops at the Lincoln Memorial for about 20 minutes, with time at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next door, and passes the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The WWII Memorial sits between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial stops. Tours last about two hours, depart five times a day from 333 G St NW, and cost $59. For a more comfortable ride with room for more guests, the Open-Air Cruiser tour follows the same route from $45.
Visiting Etiquette
- Keep voices low. These are places of mourning for many visitors.
- Do not climb on statues, walls or the Freedom Wall’s stars.
- Leave items left at The Wall in place; the National Park Service collects and preserves them.
- All three memorials are wheelchair accessible, and rangers are on duty from about 9:30 a.m. into the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists more than 58,000 names of Americans who died or remain missing from the Vietnam War. Names are added occasionally when the Department of Defense confirms new eligibility. They are carved in chronological order, and directories at each end of the wall help visitors find a name.
How long does it take to see the WWII, Korean and Vietnam memorials?
Allow about two hours to see all three on foot without rushing, including the walk between them along the Reflecting Pool. If you also want the Lincoln Memorial, plan for two and a half hours, or take a guided e-cart tour that covers them alongside the rest of the Mall in about two hours.
Are the war memorials open at night?
Yes. The WWII, Vietnam and Korean War memorials are open 24 hours a day, every day, and all three are lit after dark. Rangers are typically on duty until about 10 p.m. Night visits are quieter and especially moving at the Korean War memorial.
What happens in Washington DC on Veterans Day 2026?
On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, ceremonies are typically held at the WWII Memorial (morning), Arlington National Cemetery (11 a.m.), the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1 p.m.) and the Korean War Veterans Memorial (afternoon). Smithsonian museums stay open. Confirm 2026 times with the National Park Service.
Is the WWII Memorial free?
Yes. The National World War II Memorial, like the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, is free and requires no tickets or reservations. It is managed by the National Park Service as part of National Mall and Memorial Parks.
See the Memorials with a Local Guide
The stories behind these memorials hit harder when someone tells them in person. Book a Washington DC monuments tour to visit the war memorials with a local guide, and if you are staying through the holiday season, read our guide to Thanksgiving in Washington DC 2026.
