Can you go inside the Washington Monument?

One person (16+ years old) may obtain up to six tickets for an available ticket time. All visitors (including children ages 2+) must have a ticket to enter the Washington Monument. During peak season, tickets run out quickly. Expect a line to form at the ticket window wait long before the ticket window opens.



Yes, in 2026, you can go inside the Washington Monument, but it requires timed-entry tickets. These tickets are free but highly sought after; they can be reserved up to 30 days in advance via the National Park Service's official website or obtained through a limited number of "day-of" walk-up tickets distributed at 8:45 AM. Once inside, an elevator transports visitors to the 500-foot observation deck, offering 360-degree views of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the National Mall. Note that the monument typically closes one day each month for routine maintenance; for instance, it is closed today, March 3, 2026. Visitors should also be prepared for airport-style security screenings at the ground-floor entry lodge before beginning their ascent.

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There are no scalpers generally, as Recreation.gov blocks them (you can also tell because no one sells tickets secondhand), it's just that supply is very very limited, this is an area with millions of tourists and residents and only a hundred or so tickets released per day. Beyond that, it's just luck.

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Facing increased criticism from black leaders and concerns that the water was polluted, Congress voted to ban swimming in the Tidal Basin in 1925. Swimming has never been allowed in the Reflecting Pool, but there were segregated, whites-only swimming pools near the Washington Monument during the late 1920s.

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Public Self-Guided Tours The first, and most frequent way, is on a walk-through tour. These self-guided public tours are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Visitors move from room to room at their own pace; once inside the White House, most take about 15 to 20 minutes.

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Though there is no admission fee for the Washington Monument, there is a $1.00 service charge per ticket to cover reservation service; these fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

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However, after Washington became president, he scrapped the plans for his memorial, as federal government funds were tight and he didn't want to use public money for the project.

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As mush as we know, there is no dress code to tour the White House, but due to the importance of the building, we recommend you dress neatly.

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