National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

Designed by architects Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial commemorates victims of September 11th in the Pentagon and aboard American Airlines Flight 77. In addition to the illuminated benches, each of which is a tribute to an individual victim, the memorial also features an “Age Wall,” which begins at three inches high and climbs to 71 inches, in tribute to the age range of the victims. It is shaded by 85 crape myrtle trees, which will grow up to 30 feet (nine meters) high.

The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is one of the capital’s highlight memorials; it can be visited as part of numerous history-themed tours of DC.

• The memorial and its facilities are accessible to wheelchair users, and five handicapped parking spaces are hosted on site.
• An audio guide, available by calling (202) 741-1004 at the entrance, offers additional background information about the memorial.
• Food, drinks, and pets are not permitted on site, though service dogs are allowed.
• Note that photography is not allowed in other parts of the Pentagon complex, though it is permitted within the memorial.

Because the Pentagon has very limited public parking, it is recommended to take the Metrorail to the Pentagon or Pentagon City stops on the Blue and Yellow lines. Guided tours and taxis also provide a seamless way to reach the landmark.

The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, though facilities at the landmark, including public restrooms, are open between 7am–10pm. Visit in the late afternoon to see the memorial by the light of day, and watch as the illuminated benches gradually take over from the sunlight.

If you wish to combine your visit to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial with a tour of the landmark itself, you can make an advanced request to visit through the official Pentagon Tours online platform. Tours are held from 10am–4pm Monday–Thursday and 12–4pm on Friday; requests must be filed between 14 and 90 days in advance. It’s advised to arrive at least 1 hour before your slated tour time for security screenings.