John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza

As a prominent city landmark, the John F. Kennedy Memorial is included in many Dallas sightseeing tours. Those with a particular interest in the JFK assassination can opt for a themed tour that includes visits to Dealey Plaza, where the president was killed; the memorial; Grassy Knoll; the home of assassin Lee Harvey Oswald; the historic Texas Movie Theater in Oak Cliff; and the Sixth Floor Museum.

• The JFK Memorial is a must-see for first-time visitors and JFK history buffs.

• Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.

• The JFK Memorial Plaza is accessible to wheelchair users.

The JFK Memorial is situated in downtown Dallas, a block away from Dealey Plaza in John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. Union Station and West End Station are close by.

To fully appreciate the memorial and its symbolism, plan to visit after a trip to the nearby Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Don’t miss seeing the memorial at night, when light fixtures in the ground create the illusion that the light itself is supporting the cenotaph.

American architect Philip Johnson was chosen to design the memorial, and he opted for an open tomb design to symbolize the freedom of JFK’s spirit. The walls of the roofless room were built from 72 white concrete columns that seemingly float 29 inches (74 centimeters) above the ground. This invisible force that seems to hold the memorial together was inspired by the magnetic charisma of John F. Kennedy.

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza in Dallas is an open-air structure commemorating former President John F. Kennedy. Located near the site of his 1963 assassination, the JFK Memorial Plaza is a large, white-walled concrete structure that is illuminated at night. A granite marker with the president’s name is also present.

Visitors to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza should expect to find the white square monument and a small granite marker. The site isn’t extensive, nor is it considered an exhibit. Rather, it’s more of an artistic memorial site that can be viewed in conjunction with other JFK landmarks nearby.

Yes, public parking is available near the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza. There is a paid parking lot at the corner of Commerce Street and S. Market Street. Another parking lot is across the street near the JFK Discovery Tour attraction. There’s also a parking lot at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Yes, there are multiple attractions and points of interest near the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza, including those which relate to JFK’s assassination. Dealey Plaza, the assassination site, is one block from the plaza, as is the Grassy Knoll and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza exhibition center.

Yes, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza is accessible for visitors with disabilities. This open-air attraction is accessible for wheelchair users, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no charge to access this memorial site, but it is outdoors, so prepare appropriately for current weather conditions.

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza was designed by architect Philip Johnson and dedicated to the former president in 1970. From its cenotaph concept to its illusion-like structure, it was designed to reflect the free spirit and charisma of JFK. The memorial influenced the creation of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.