Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The basics

Enter through the two massive granite halves of the “Mountain of Despair” to reach the “Stone of Hope,” from which the statue of Dr. King appears. The memorial design references Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, where he said, “Out of a mountain of despair a stone of hope.” The Inscription Wall, carved with passages from 14 of Dr. King’s sermons and speeches, surrounds the statue. The memorial is included in many Washington D.C. sightseeing tours, including walking tours, bicycle tours, nighttime tours, and tours focused on African American history.

Things to know before you go

• It’s free to access the memorial.
• A bookstore, restrooms, and water fountains are located near the entrance.
• The memorial is accessible to wheelchair users. There are also some wheelchair accessible parking spots in the lot next to the memorial, along West Basin Drive.
• The weather in Washington D.C. can be unpredictable; dress appropriately and carry an umbrella.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes if you’re planning to walk the area, as the distances between attractions can be further than they appear.

How to get there

The memorial is located near the northwest corner of the Tidal Basin. To take public transportation to the memorial, the closest Metro stops are Smithsonian (on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines) and Foggy Bottom (on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines).

When to get there

When to Get There The memorial is open 24 hours a day. Rangers are available from 9:30am to 10pm to answer questions. Ranger led programs are held from time to time. Spring is a popular time to visit the Tidal Basin area, particularly when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The memorial is lit up at night, a great time to visit to beat the crowds.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Located near the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the National Museum of African History and Culture is the only national museum in the country focused on the African American experience. The museum features 12 galleries, 13 interactive exhibits, and a 36,000-object collection.

Ways to explore

The landmark Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial features in many Washington DC sightseeing tours, including walking tours; bicycle tours; bus, trolley, and electric cart tours; tours by night; and themed tours focused on African-American history. You can also visit on your own with the insights of an audio tour or National Park Service Ranger interpretive program. Enter through the two massive granite halves of the “Mountain of Despair” to reach the “Stone of Hope,” from which the statue of Dr. King appears. The memorial design references Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, in which he said: “Out of a mountain of despair a stone of hope.”

Accessibility

The site is fully accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

Age limits

Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the bookstore information window to learn more about the memorial.

What to pack

Camera and battery pack, water bottle

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat

Not allowed

Smoking, biking or skating, eating and drinking

Amenities

Restrooms, bookstore, information window, ranger programs

Address 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located near the northwest corner of the Tidal Basin, just south of the National Mall. You can reach the site on foot from other attractions on the mall, or bike, drive, or take public transportation.

Driving

Take Independence Avenue west from central DC. Parking is available along West Basin Drive, Ohio Drive SW, and at the Tidal Basin parking lot located on Maine Ave., SW.

Public transportation

The nearest metro stops are Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian along the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. A number of local bus lines stop near the memorial, and there is a Capital Bikeshare dock on Ohio Drive SW.

Best times to visit

The memorial is open 24 hours a day. Rangers are available from 9:30am to 10pm to answer questions, and the memorial is lit up at night, a great time to visit to beat the crowds.

Best days to visit

The memorial is busiest on weekends and holidays, while weekdays are better for a quieter, more contemplative visit.

Best months to visit

Spring is a popular time to visit the Tidal Basin area, particularly when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Special events

A ceremony is held each year in January honoring MLK’s birthday, and a popular open-air film series attracts visitors during the summer.